Navratri 2024: Kalash Sthapana, Puja Vidhi, and Powerful Mantras

Sharadiya Navratri is set to begin on October 3, 2024, starting with the Pratipada Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwin. This nine-day festival is devoted to worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga. It holds great importance in Hindu culture, and devotees across the world celebrate this festival with immense devotion.

Navratri is celebrated four times a year, with Chaitra and Sharadiya Navratris being the most prominent. During Sharadiya Navratri, devotees observe fasts, perform Kalash Sthapana (establishing the sacred pot), and worship the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. Here’s everything you need to know about the auspicious timing, rituals, and mantras for Navratri 2024.

Navratri: An Auspicious Time for Kalash Sthapana in 2024

• Kalash Sthapana Muhurat: October 3, 2024, from 6:15 AM to 7:22 AM
• Abhijit Muhurat: 11:46 AM to 12:33 PM
• Pratipada Tithi Begins: October 3, 2024, at 12:18 AM
• Pratipada Tithi Ends: October 4, 2024, at 2:58 AM
• Kanya Lagna Begins: October 3, 2024, at 6:15 AM
• Kanya Lagna Ends: October 3, 2024, at 7:22 AM

Kalash Sthapana Mantra

While performing Kalash Sthapana on the first day of Navratri, chant the following mantra for divine blessings:

“Om a jighra kalasham mahya tva vishantvindavah, punarurja ni vartasva sa nah sahasram dhukshvorudhara payasvati punarma visatadyih.”

Navratri Puja Mantra

Chant this powerful mantra to invoke the presence of Goddess Durga during Navratri:

“Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu Lakshmi rupena samsthita, namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah.”

First Day of Navratri: Worship of Maa Shailputri

On the first day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Shailputri, the first form of Goddess Durga. She is the daughter of the Himalayas and represents purity and strength. Worshipping Maa Shailputri on this day is believed to bring happiness, prosperity, and peace.

Maa Shailputri’s Iconography:
She is depicted with a crescent moon on her forehead, holding a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left. She rides a bull (Nandi), symbolizing compassion and patience.

Offerings to Maa Shailputri On the first day of Navratri, offer pure cow ghee to Maa Shailputri. This is believed to grant good health and prosperity, while also protecting devotees from diseases.

Maa Shailputri’s Meditation Mantra

Recite the following mantra during your meditation to seek the blessings of Maa Shailputri:

“Vande vanchhita labhaya chandrardha krita shekharam, vrisharudham shuladharam shailaputreem yashasviniim.”

Maa Shailputri’s Upasana Mantra

“Durga devi samagaccha sannidhya miha kalpaya, Rambha roopeya me nityam shantim kuru namostute.”

Other Powerful Mantras for Maa Shailputri

1. “Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah”
2. “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Shailputri Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah”
3. “Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah, Vande Vanchhita Labhaya Chandrardha Krita Shekharam, Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputreem Yashasviniim.”

Other Important Mantras for Navratri

Here are some additional mantras to recite during Navratri to invoke the various forms of Goddess Durga:

1. “Om Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini, Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Swaha Swadha Namostute.”
2. “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.”
3. “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Lakshmi Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.”
4. “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Tushti Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.”

Significance of Colors During Navratri

Navratri is also associated with specific colors for each day, and wearing these colors is believed to enhance the spiritual energy during the festival:

• Pratipada (Day 1): Yellow
• Dwitiya (Day 2): Green
• Tritiya (Day 3): Brown
• Chaturthi (Day 4): Orange
• Panchami (Day 5): White
• Shashti (Day 6): Red
• Saptami (Day 7): Blue
• Ashtami (Day 8): Pink
• Navami (Day 9): Purple

Maa Durga’s Vehicle

According to the scriptures, when Goddess Durga arrives on a palanquin, it is considered auspicious. However, her arrival in this vehicle is also linked to the possibility of disease outbreaks, so it is seen as a mixed omen.

Navratri Remedies for Peace and Prosperity

For spiritual and material growth, it is recommended to perform the following remedies during Navratri:

1. Install the images of Goddess Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati in your prayer room and decorate them with fresh flowers.
2. Observe a fast for nine days. If fasting for all nine days is not possible, fast on the first, fourth, and eighth days.
3. Light a diya (lamp) in the name of Goddess Durga for the entire nine days to receive her blessings.

By following these rituals and mantras, devotees can experience divine energy, peace, and prosperity during the holy Navratri festival. For more details on Navratri rituals, astrology tips, and spiritual guidance, visit Astrology Starts.