Navaratri 2020 Kalash Sthapna Date, Puja Vidhi, Muhurat, Timings: Navrati, the nine-day Hindu festival is all set to begin on October 17, 2020, a month after Mahalaya.

One of the most significant rituals of Navratri is Ghatasthapana, which actually marks the beginning of the festival. Ghatasthapana is the invocation of Goddess Shakti and must be done at the correct time as per the rules and guidelines mentioned in the scriptures.

The muhurat for Ghatasthapana will begin at 5:34 am on October 17, 2020, and will end at 9:26 am, according to drikpanchang.com. This ritual is done on Pratipada tithi which will begin at 1:00 am on October 17, and end at 9:08 pm on the same day. Ghatasthapana Abhijit Muhurat will begin at 10:58 am on October 17, 2020, and end at 11:45 am.

Sandhi Puja also holds special significance during Navratri. It is performed at the juncture when Ashtami Tithi ends and Navami Tithi begins. It is believed that Devi Chamunda appeared around this time to kill demons Chanda and Munda. The puja approximately lasts for about 48 minutes.

Navaratri 2020: Kalash sthapna date, puja vidhi, muhurat, timings

Navaratri 2020 Kalash Sthapna Date, Puja Vidhi, Muhurat, Timings: The muhurat for Ghatasthapana will begin at 5:34 am on October 17, 2020

Navratri 2020 date, puja timings: This year, Navratris begin on October 17 with Shailputri (one of the nine forms of the goddess) puja, and end on October 26 with Vijay Dashami and Durga visarjan (immersion of the idol)

Navratri 2020 date, puja timings: One of most popular Indian festivals, Navratri (literally meaning ‘nine nights’) is celebrated every year with much fanfare in different parts of the country, and even around the world by the Hindu community. Technically, it is observed for nine nights and 10 days, during which, the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. Upon the culmination of the nine-day period, Dussehra is celebrated, which is also believed to be the day that Lord Rama defeated King Ravana of Lanka in a battle between the forces of good and evil.

This year, the Navratris begin on October 17 with Shailputri (one of the nine forms of the goddess) puja, and end on October 26 with Vijay Dashami and Durga visarjan (immersion of the idol). According to the Drik Panchang, Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwin lunar month with ghatasthapana. Kalash, which is installed during ghatasthapana, is immersed in a water body on the tenth day.

The Drik Panchang also says that the Ashtami tithi for Sharad Navratri 2020 will begin 6.57 am on October 23 and continue till 6.58 am on October 24.

History

The nine nights celebrate and worship the nine forms of Durga. As such, it begins with Shailaputri puja, followed by Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Sidhidatri. Each of these goddesses — though an avatar of the goddess-supreme Durga — have their own powers and personalities.

Additionally, though it is the same festival, it is celebrated differently in different parts of the country. For instance in West Bengal, the celebrations start on the sixth day, as part of the Durga Puja festivities. In Karnataka, the ninth day of Navratri is observed as Ayudha Puja.

According to expert, the 10 days of the festival also refer to the 10 evils that human beings pray to rid themselves of. These are: ‘kama‘ or lust, ‘krodh‘ or anger, ‘lobh‘ or greed, ‘moh‘ or attachment, ‘ahankar‘ or ego, ‘darr‘ or fear, ‘irsha‘ or jealousy, ‘jadta‘ or inertia, ‘nafrat‘ or hatred, and ‘paschataap‘ or guilt.