The first day of Vijaya Dashami is Ghatasthapana/Kalashsthapana /Ashwin (Sharadiya) Navaratra. Ghata is a Sanskrit word that means “pot or vessel,” and sthapana means “to establish.” When both words are combined, the literal meaning is to make a pot.
The Ghatasthapana day falls on the first day after the no-moon day (the bright forthright) of the Bikrarm Sambat Calendar’s Ashwin month. On this day, the kalash (holy water vessel) representing Goddess Durga is placed in the prayer (pooja) room. It is one of the biggest festival of Nepalese culture.
The pot can be made of clay or metal.The kalash is filled with holy water and covered with cow dung (), which is then decorated with seeds.Jamara is the name of a plant that grows to be quite large in just ten days.
Sand from the riverbank is spread in the prayer room as a cake around the kalash, creating a center.
On the sand around the kalas, barley seed and sesame are planted.The pundits (priests) choose a favorable time to begin the Ghatasthapana. A welcome mantra is chanted by the priest, asking Goddess Durga to bless Kalash with ten days of rest in the prayer room. The Ghata is given food, abir, kumkum, and other colorful powders and flowers.
A sesame oil lamp is lit. This lamp should be lit throughout the day and night until the tenth day, or Vijaya Dashami. For ten days, the chandi ( ) mantra is recited in the room of Ghatasthapana for goddess Durga Bhawani.
Every morning and evening, a male member (who has already completed Bratabandha) reads one chapter of Chandi.
They take a shower and put on a clean white dhoti before entering the prayer room.
Before Bratabanda, unmarried women, non-family members, and boys are not permitted to enter the Ghatasthapana room.
Weapons are worshiped in front of Goddess Durga Bhawani.While worshiping Durga Bhawani and Jamara, people blow Sankha and play Damaru.
Significance of this day
Ghatsthapana ‘s nine types of food grains represent life, while mud and water represent lifelines. The grains grow and expand into tiny sprouts representing growth and prosperity over the course of nine days.
How is Ghatasthapana Pooja performed?
The puja room is cleaned, and a large opening Kalash made of clay or copper is filled with water, sandalwood paste, flowers, Holy grass (duvo ()), rice mixed with turmeric (akshyata), betel nut, five leaves, five gems, or a gold coin. A coconut is placed on top of the Kalash; however, some people avoid using the coconut and instead cover the top with garland.
The Kalash’s neck is tied with a piece of white and red cloth.The plantation process begins after the Kalash is decorated.Some people plant seven different types of grains, such as barely, wheat, maize, and sesame seeds, while others only plant barley and sesame seeds.
Mantras are chanted in honor of Lord Varun and Goddess Durga. A photograph of Goddess Durga or any other manifestation of Goddess Shakti is kept nearby. If one is available, a Durga Yantra is placed near a picture of Goddess Durga. The barley is planted on the sand, which is known as Jamara in Nepali.It is placed on the head on the tenth day of Dashain as Durga Bhawani’s Prasad.
This is the mantra used to establish the holy pot – (Ghatsthapana Mantra): “मम महामायाभगवती ( वा मायाधिपति भगवत ) प्रीतये ( आयुर्बलवित्तारोयसमादरादिप्राप्तये वा ) नवरात्रव्रतमहं करिष्ये।”
On a holy plate, garlands and flowers, paintings, or idols of the goddess Durga are placed.
Flowers are offered to the Ghata (pot) and the Goddess’s idol or painting/photo.
Mantras chanted during puja differ from region to region and from family tradition. Simple Goddess Durga mantras are preferred by some. The sand bed and the sand pot must remain wet for the entire ten days.
All nine days, fresh flowers and garland are available. During these nine days of Devi worship, most people read Chandi or Durga Kavach.
The grains grow about 3 to 5 inches on the tenth day. This is cut and distributed as Jamara to family members, friends, and neighbors.
