Navratri Series – Significance of Ghatasthapna

Happy Thoughts!

Every year we celebrate Navratri, we prepare and perform rituals, but are we ready to do something different this year? Doing something different does not mean changing rituals. We may continue the same rituals, but are we prepared to integrate an understanding into it? Do we want the real essence of Navratri to seep in our lives?

Ghatasthapna is the first day of Navratri where a ghata or pot is set up, in which barley, wheat, corn and rice seeds are sown in our name. Why the name? Name- here implies the ego (I, me, and mine). By performing this ritual, we take a vow to destroy our vices (greed, jealousy, arrogance, fear, hatred, ill-will etc.)

It is a declaration of an inner war to be waged within us during the next nine days. And if we are on the right path, then this shall surely lead to the annihilation of our vices which is the real purpose behind Navratri.

The other rituals that are practiced like tying a thread on the wrist, not shaving, growing hair, not wearing footwear – well, these are our allies. They work as reminders, even as we go about accomplishing our daily tasks and chores. They keep reminding us of this inner battle being waged within us.

When Jaagran is performed for the Goddess with understanding of the purpose behind these rituals, then we shall follow them happily. And this in turn will lead to real Jaagriti (awakening) within us, elevating our awareness.

We shall discuss more about this in the next article of this Navratri series… Until then, let’s take a pledge to introspect and work on obliterating the vices within us.