Sharad Navratri begins 1996
Ghatasthapana on Ashvin Shukla Pratipada — the great autumn Navratri.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)05:55
- Sunset17:32
- Fasting window (tithi)1996-10-12 · 19:44 → 19:55
- Parana (tithi ends)19:55
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Sharad Navratri begins puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaSharad Navratri begins — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct time for ghatasthapana?
Within the first third of the Pratipada tithi, during the day. It is avoided during Chitra nakshatra and Vaidhriti yoga, and it is never performed at night or during Amavasya.
Which nine forms of Durga are worshipped?
Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri, in that order, one on each night.
Is it necessary to fast all nine days?
No. Fasting all nine days, or the first and last two, or only Ashtami and Navami, are all accepted forms. What is not optional is abstaining from grain, onion, garlic and meat on the days kept.
Other major festivals in 1996
- Makar Sankranti — 14 January 1996
- Vasant Panchami — 24 January 1996
- Maha Shivaratri — 17 February 1996
- Holika Dahan — 4 March 1996
- Holi — 6 March 1996
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 20 March 1996
- Ram Navami — 28 March 1996
- Akshaya Tritiya — 20 April 1996
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 17 July 1996
- Guru Purnima — 30 July 1996
- Nag Panchami — 19 August 1996
- Raksha Bandhan — 28 August 1996
- Krishna Janmashtami — 4 September 1996
- Hartalika Teej — 16 September 1996
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 16 September 1996
- Anant Chaturdashi — 26 September 1996
- Pitru Paksha begins — 28 September 1996
- Durga Ashtami — 20 October 1996
- Maha Navami — 21 October 1996
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 21 October 1996
- Karwa Chauth — 29 October 1996
- Dhanteras — 8 November 1996
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 10 November 1996
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 10 November 1996
- Govardhan Puja — 12 November 1996
- Bhai Dooj — 13 November 1996
- Chhath Puja — 16 November 1996
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 25 November 1996
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 25 November 1996
- Hindu Festivals 1996 →