Navdurga puja - Ghatasthapana puja vidhi

Ghatasthapana puja vidhi

Ghatasthapana puja is a significant ritual at the onset of Navratri, marking the beginning of the nine-day festival. There are specific rules and guidelines outlined in our scriptures for performing Ghatasthapana during a particular time frame. 

It is crucial to adhere to these guidelines to invoke Goddess Shakti correctly, as performing it at the wrong time may incur the wrath of the goddess. Ghatasthapana should not be conducted during Amavasya (new moon) or at night.

The most auspicious time for Ghatasthapana is during the first one-third of the day when Pratipada, the first day of Navratri, is prevailing. 

If this time is not available for some reason, it can be performed during the Abhijit Muhurta. While it is advised to avoid Nakshatra Chitra and Vaidhriti Yoga, they are not strictly prohibited. 

The most critical factor to consider is that Ghatasthapana should be completed before noon (Hindu midday) while Pratipada is ongoing.

Ghatasthapana puja samagri

Below are required Ghatasthapana puja samagri or items.

1. Large clay pot with an open top for sowing Sapta Dhanya (seven grains)
2. Clean soil for sowing Sapta Dhanya
3. Sapta Dhanya, which are seeds of seven different grains
4. Small clay or brass pitcher
5. Sacred water to fill the Kalash, preferably Ganga Jal
6. Sacred thread, also known as Moli or Kalaya
7. Scent or perfume
8. Betel nuts (Supari)
9. Coins to be placed inside the Kalash
10. 5 leaves from an Ashoka or Mango tree
11. A lid to cover the Kalash
12. Raw rice or unbroken rice, referred to as Akshat, to place on the lid
13. Unpeeled coconut
14. Red cloth to wrap around the coconut
15. Flowers and garlands, preferably marigold
16. Durva grass

Preparing the Kalash for Ghatasthapana

To prepare the Kalash for Ghatasthapana, follow these steps:

Step 1: Sowing the Grains

1. Take a wide clay pot, which will be used to hold the Kalash, and spread the first layer of soil in it.
2. Sprinkle the grain seeds evenly over the soil.
3. Add the second layer of soil and grains. In this layer, concentrate the grains near the periphery of the pot.
4. Finally, add the third layer of soil to the pot. If needed, add a small amount of water to help settle the soil.

Step 2: Kalash Filling

1. Tie a sacred thread around the neck of the Kalash.
2. Fill the Kalash with holy water, ensuring it reaches up to the neck of the pot.
3. Drop betel nuts (Supari), scent, Durva grass, Akshat (unbroken rice), and coins into the water.
4. Place 5 leaves from an Ashoka tree on the edge of the Kalash before covering it with a lid.

Step 3: Coconut Preparation

1. Take an unpeeled coconut and wrap it in a piece of red cloth.
2. Secure the coconut and the cloth with the sacred thread.

Final Arrangement

1. Place the wrapped coconut on top of the Kalash prepared in step 2.
2. Finally, position the Kalash in the center of the pot containing the sown grains from step 1.

Now, your Kalash is ready to invoke Goddess Durga into it for the Ghatasthapana ritual.

Maa Durga Invocation (आवाहन / मंगलाचरण)

To invoke Goddess Durga and seek Her blessings for the nine-day period, chant below mantras.

Sarvamangal Mangalye Mantra (सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये मंत्र)

सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके।
शरण्ये त्र्यंबके गौरी नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते।।

Sarvamangal Mangalye Shive Sarvarth Sadhike।
Sharanye Trimbake Gauri Narayani Namo'stute ।।

Om jayantee mangala kaalee Mantra (ॐ जयन्ती मंगला काली मंत्र)

ॐ जयन्ती मंगला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी।
दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तुते।।

Om Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini ।
Durga, Kshama, Shiva, Dhatri, Svaha, Svadha Namo'stute ।।

Ya devi sarva bhuteshu Mantra (या देवी सर्वभूतेषु  मंत्र)

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता,
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

Ya Devi Sarva bhuteshu Shakti Roopen Sansithita,
Namastasyae, Namastasyae, Namastasyae namo namah।।

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु लक्ष्मीरूपेण संस्थिता,
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

Ya Devi Sarva bhuteshu Lakshmi Roopen Sansithita,
Namastasyae, Namastasyae, Namastasyae namo namah।।

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु तुष्टिरूपेण संस्थिता,
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

Ya Devi Sarva bhuteshu Tushti Roopen Sansithita,
Namastasyae, Namastasyae, Namastasyae namo namah।।

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता,
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

Ya Devi Sarva bhuteshu Matra Roopen Sansithita,
Namastasyae, Namastasyae, Namastasyae namo namah।।

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु दयारूपेण संस्थिता,
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

Ya Devi Sarva bhuteshu Daya Roopen Sansithita,
Namastasyae, Namastasyae, Namastasyae namo namah।।

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता,
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

Ya Devi Sarva bhuteshu Buddhi Roopen Sansithita,
Namastasyae, Namastasyae, Namastasyae namo namah।।

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शांतिरूपेण संस्थिता,
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

Ya Devi Sarva bhuteshu Shanti Roopen Sansithita,
Namastasyae, Namastasyae, Namastasyae namo namah।।

Navarna mantra (नवार्ण मंत्र )

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चै ।।

Om Aen Hrin Klin Chamundaye Vichhe।।

Panchopachara pooja (पंचोपचार पूजा)

Panchopachara Pooja (Worship with Five Items) Perform the Panchopachara Puja, which involves five essential items. Here's how it's done:

1. Begin by showing the lamp to the Kalash and all the deities that have been invoked into it.
2. Light Dhoop sticks and offer the fragrant smoke to the Kalash.
3. Offer fresh flowers to the Kalash.
4. Present scent as an offering.
5. Finally, offer Naivedhya, which includes fruits and sweets, to the Kalash as a concluding part of the Panchopachara Puja.

By following these steps, you can invoke Goddess Maa Durga and begin the nine-day worship with devotion and reverence.