Autumn Navratri begins October 11 with auspicious Ghatasthapana ritual

According to the Hindu lunar calendar, the Pratipada tithi (first lunar day) will begin on the evening of October 10 at 9:19 PM and extend until 9:30 PM on October 11. Following the Udaya tithi tradition—which determines festival dates based on the day when the lunar phase rises—Navratri will be observed commencing October 11.

The Ghatasthapana ritual, a foundational ceremony in Navratri celebrations, will take place on the morning of October 11. This ritual involves the symbolic planting of barley seeds in earthen pots, representing the goddess Durga and the triumph of good over evil. Devotees will undertake the first fast of the nine-day festival following the completion of this auspicious ceremony.

The Autumn Navratri festival is one of the most significant celebrations in the Hindu calendar, observed across India and among Hindu communities worldwide. The nine-day period is dedicated to worshipping different forms of the goddess Durga, with each day holding distinct spiritual significance. The festival culminates with Vijayadashami or Dussehra, celebrated on October 20 this year, commemorating the victory of good over evil.