How To Do Ghatsthapana On Navratri

Navratri are the nine secret days dedicated to Maa Shakti. These days are spend in the devotion of Maa Durga to attain her blessings. During Navratri, Hindu vedic scriptures, such as Shrimad-Devi-Bhagwad and Shri Durgasaptshati, are recited to invoke the Goddess Durga during prayers and worship rituals. Magh Navratri is celebrated to propitiate the Shakti and get blessed by the prosperity, knowledge and wealth.

1) Start navratri preparation a few days ago. Clean your house properly.
2) Wake up early, clean and decorated the pooja room. Sprinkle ‘Gangajal’.
3) Place the idol or any image of Mata at puja place.
4) Place the kalash filled with clean or holy water in front of deity. You can use copper or silver or earthen pot.
5) Cover its top with mango or Ashoka leaves and place a coconut on the top.
6) Tie mauli (scared thread) around the neck of the kalash.
7) Collect some garden soil and make a bed for sowing grains. You can use any convenient utensil for this. Place some wheat or barley seeds.
8) Light a lamp every morning and evening. You can also keep it as ‘Akhand Jyot’.
9) Offer Chunari, flowers, incense sticks, paan, rice, tumerice, sindoor, chandan and other puja items to please Maa Durga.
10) Chant Mantras or simple recite 108 names of Maa Durga.
11) Offer prasad and do aarti of Goddess Durga. Play Garba and feel devoted to Maa durga.
12) Reciting Durga saptasati during Navratri is considered highly auspicious.

Importance Of Kalasha-
Kalasha –is considered as symbolic form of Maa Durga. It is a mark of purity and auspiciousness. Establishing Kalash in your home brings positivity and happiness.

Nine Days Of Navratri

Navratri are the nine secret days dedicated to Maa Shakti. These days are spend in the devotion of Maa Durga to attain her blessings. During Gupt Navratri, Hindu vedic scriptures, such as Shrimad-Devi-Bhagwad and Shri Durgasaptshati, are recited to invoke the Goddess Durga during prayers and worship rituals. Magh Navratri is celebrated to propitiate the Shakti and get blessed by the prosperity, knowledge and wealth.

Nine Days Of Navratri

First Day Of Navratri

Second Day Of Navratri

Third Day Of Navratri

Fourth Day Of Navratri

Fifth Day Of Navratri

Sixth Day Of Navratri

Seventh Day Of Navratri

Eighth Day Of Navratri

Nineth Day Of Navratri

Fifth Day Of Navratri

Goddess SkandaMata
The fifth manifestation of the goddess Durga worshipped on Navratri panchmi is ‘Skanda Mata’, the mother of Skanda Kumar or Lord Kartikeya Lord Kartikeya was chosen by devtas as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She usually holds Lord Skanda in his infant form and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards. She has four arms, three eyes and a bright complexion, depicted seated on a lotus flower in her idol and therefore is called as Padamasani. The left arm of the goddess is in a pose to grant boons with grace to her devotees. Skandmata is the daughter of Himalaya and is also worshipped in the form of Parvati, Maheshwari or Mata Gauri.
Legend says that once a great demon Tarkasur did extreme penance. He pleased Brahmaji with his devotion. When Lord Bhrama appeared – he asked for a boon to become immortal. Brahmaji told him that no one can escape death as it is already destined for everyone who takes birth on this earth Goddess SkandaMata.
The fifth manifestation of the goddess Durga worshipped on Navratri panchmi is ‘Skanda Mata’, the mother of Skanda Kumar or Lord Kartikeya Lord Kartikeya was chosen by devtas as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She usually holds Lord Skanda in his infant form and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards. She has four arms, three eyes and a bright complexion, depicted seated on a lotus flower in her idol and therefore is called as Padamasani. The left arm of the goddess is in a pose to grant boons with grace to her devotees. Skandmata is the daughter of Himalaya and is also worshipped in the form of Parvati, Maheshwari or Mata Gauri.

Fourth Day Of Navratri

Goddess Kushmanda Kushmanda, the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga, is worshipped on the Navratri Chaturthi. She is considered to be the creator of the universe. Her name comprises of “Ku-shm-anda” meaning “the cosmic egg.” The fourth day of Navratra also marks the beginning of worshipping MahaLaxmi. Legend says that Lord Vishnu was able to start the creation of the universe when Devi Kushmanda smiled and moved away. She created the whole universe when there was no existence of any creation and there was eternal darkness in every direction. She signifies that form of Durga, which is the source of all. Devi Kishmanda is also known as “Ashtabhuja” as she is often depicted holding weapons, rosary etc in her eight. In her seven hands she holds kamandalu, bow, arrow, a jar of nectar, discus, mace and a lotus. In her eighth hand she holds a rosary which blesses her devotees with the Ashtasiddhis (8 types of studies or Wisdom sources) and Navniddhis( 8 types of wealth). She sits or rides a lion who personifies “Dharma”. Her hand holding nectar of jar provides her devotees with long life and good health. he devotees of Mata Kushmanda should perform the puja with pure, calm and dedicated mind.In Sanskrit, “Kushmand” means pumpkin and Devi Kushmanda liked the sacrifice of pumpkin and hence this is the other reason that she is addressed with the name of Kushmanda. It is said that the Devi Kushmanda formed the universe in the shape of an egg with her little divine smile like a flower which blossomed with a bud, thus giving light to the universe through her heavenly smile. The Devi resides on the core of the Sun and hence controls the functioning of Surya Loka. She has a glowing face and her body shines with golden colour complexion. Mata Kushmanda removes all hindrances from and eliminates all the ailment and sorrows from her devotee’s life. The name, strength and health of the devotee is improved by worshipping her.

Third Day Of Navratri

Devi Chandraghanta
The third manifestation of Goddess Durga is Devi Chandraghanta. She has a ‘Chandra’ or half moon on her forehead in the shape of a ‘Ghanta’ or bell and therefore is addressed as ‘Chandraghanta’. She personifies peace, serenity and prosperity in life of her devotees. The goddess has a golden colour skin and reflects a charming bright personality. Having three eyes and ten hands holding ten types of swords, weapons and arrows, she is frequently depicted seated on a Lion. She is the advocator of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons as the dreadful sound of her bell terrifies all the demons and danavas and keeps the negative energy away. It repels all the troubles from the devotee’s life. The saints are contented with her looks and worship her with the chant of mantras. Devi Chandraghanta blesses her devotees and followers to achieve respect, fame and glory and one can attain spirituality and spiritual delight by worshipping her. Her idol symbolizes a position in which she is ready to go for war thus embodying the strength and bravery and her devotee becomes brave and fearless like a lion by worshipping her. The rituals to be observed while worshipping Goddess Chandraghanta are very simple. The devotee should worship all the Gods, Goddesses and Planets in the Kalash and then the family members of the Goddess are to be worshipped which includes Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya and Goddess Saraswati, Laxmi, Vijaya, Jaya etc and should be concluded by worshipping Devi Chandraghanti followed by praying to Lord Shiva and Lord Bhramaji.

First Day Of Navratri

Mata Shailputri
Mata Shailputri is a daughter of ‘Parvata raju’ (mountain king) – Himalaya / Himvanth. She is the first among nine avatars of Durga and worshiped on the First day of Navaratri . In her previous birth, she was ‘Sati Bhavani Mata’, the daughter of King Daksha. Mata Shailputri, also known as Parvati got married with Lord Shiva. On the first day of Durga Navratri, Paravathi Devi she is worshipped. Mata Shailputri holds a ‘Trishul’, a weapon, in her right hand and a lotus in her left hand. She rides on bull. She has pleasant smile and blissful looks.