Navratri Ghatasthapana Muhurat

Shardiya Navratri, the nine nights of the Goddess, begins on Shukla Pratipada of Ashwina, in autumn. Durga is worshipped in one of her nine forms each day: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. It ends with Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami (Dussehra).

Navratri opens with Ghatasthapana, setting up the kalash that invokes the Goddess. It is done in the first third of the day while Pratipada lasts, avoiding Vaidhriti yoga and Chitra nakshatra, and is best when a dual-sign (dvi-svabhava) lagna such as Kanya is rising. If that is not possible, the Abhijit muhurat at midday is used, except on a Wednesday.

Sometimes Pratipada begins after one sunrise and ends before the next; Ghatasthapana is then on the day it begins. Tithis also lengthen and drop, so Navratri can last eight to ten days; check the panchang for the exact Ashtami and Navami.

Times are Indian Standard Time and match established panchangs to within a minute or two. For a city not listed, the nearest city is usually within a few minutes.