Question 1

Of the four Navratris in the Hindu calendar, why is Sharad Navratri the principal one?

Accepted Answer

The Hindu year contains four Navratris: Chaitra (spring), Sharad (autumn), and two Gupta Navratris in Magha and Ashadha. Of these, Sharad is the *Maha* Navratri — the principal public observance — for two reasons. First, autumn is traditionally the season for Devi worship in the post-monsoon clarity, when nature itself settles. Second, this is the Navratri that Lord Rama himself instituted as Akala Bodhana before the Lanka war, and the lineage of that worship has remained unbroken. Chaitra Navratri is also widely kept and culminates in Ram Navami; the two Gupta Navratris are observed mainly by tantric upasakas.

Question 2

What is Ghatasthapana and when should it be performed?

Accepted Answer

Ghatasthapana is the opening ritual of Navratri — the installation of the Kalash (sacred pot) and the lighting of the Akhand Jyot, which together anchor the nine-day worship. It must be performed on Pratipada morning during the prescribed shubha muhurta, avoiding Chitra nakshatra and Vaidhriti yoga where possible. Where these cannot be avoided, the Abhijit muhurta around solar noon is the universally acceptable fallback. The exact muhurta for each city and year is computed against local sunrise and shown on the engine page for that year.

Question 3

What is Sandhi Puja and why is it considered so important?

Accepted Answer

Sandhi Puja occupies the 48-minute window that straddles Ashtami and Navami — the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami. Tradition holds that this was the very moment Devi assumed her Chamunda form to slay the asuras Chanda and Munda. In Bengali Durga Puja it is the climactic ritual of the entire observance, marked by 108 lamps and 108 lotuses, and it is recognised across Devi traditions as the single most potent muhurta of Navratri.

Question 4

Who performs Kanya Pujan and what is the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Kanya Pujan is performed on Maha Ashtami or Maha Navami by the head of the household, after the day's main puja. Nine kanyas — girls aged between two and ten — are worshipped as living forms of the nine Navadurga, accompanied by one boy as Bhairav. The procedure is: wash their feet (*pada-prakshalana*), apply tilak, offer new clothes if possible, feed them traditional prasada (puri, kala chana, halwa), and present dakshina before they leave. The kanyas are received as Devi herself for that day; the conduct of the household toward them is the conduct shown to Devi.

Question 5

How does Navratri connect with Vijayadashami?

Accepted Answer

Navratri's nine days are the nine days of Devi's battle with Mahishasura; Vijayadashami — the tenth day — is the day of her victory and his slaying. In the Rama tradition, the same day marks Rama's victory over Ravana. Vijayadashami is therefore the natural close of Navratri: Kalash and Akhand Jyot are formally given Visarjan, the *jayanti* (barley sprouts grown through the nine days) is distributed as prasada, and the *seemollanghan* (crossing of the village boundary) is performed in keeping with Rama's victory. Vijayadashami has its own observances — Shami Puja, Ayudha Puja, Ravana Dahan — and is treated as a major festival in its own right.

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Key Observances

Introduction

Significance

Sacred Verses

Nine Forms of Devi

Katha

Katha

Shastriya Note

Key Rules

Puja Vidhi

Do's and Don'ts

✓ Do

✗ Don't

Regional Celebrations

Frequently Asked Questions

Loading…

Key Observances

Introduction

Significance

Sacred Verses

Nine Forms of Devi

Katha

Katha

Shastriya Note

Key Rules

Puja Vidhi

Do's and Don'ts

✓ Do

✗ Don't

Regional Celebrations

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pages