Ghatasthapana on the first day of nine-day Navratri Festival

During nine-day Navratri festival, the first day of is dedicated to Ghatasthapana – installation of a Pot symbolizing Mother Goddess. Ghatasthapana 2010 date is October 8. This is also an important ritual during Dashain, which is the equivalent of Navaratri in Nepal. In Ghatasthapana, a pot or vessel known as Kalash with an image of Goddess Durga or any one form of Goddess Shakti embellished is placed in the puja room or specific area and worshipped for nine-days.

Ghatasthapana is also known as Kalashsthapana.

The Kalash is filled with water and mud and cow dung are mixed and placed on top of it. Another mixture of mud is used to make a rectangular block and the Kalash is placed in the center of it. Barely grains are sowed on the mud on top of the kalash and also on the rectangular block.

The Ghatasthapana ritual is performed at a particular auspicious time. Goddess Shakti is believed to reside in the Kalash vessel during the Navratri period.

In some regions, barely seeds are also sown on a separate flat container during Navratri.

The barely shoots that reach 3 to 5 inch by the last day of Navratri festival is distributed as Prasad.