Sharad Navratri begins 2012
Ghatasthapana on Ashvin Shukla Pratipada — the great autumn Navratri.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)05:56
- Sunset17:30
- Fasting window (tithi)2012-10-15 · 17:39 → 14:25
- Parana (tithi ends)14:25
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 2012
- Makar Sankranti — 15 January 2012
- Vasant Panchami — 28 January 2012
- Maha Shivaratri — 20 February 2012
- Holika Dahan — 7 March 2012
- Holi — 9 March 2012
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 23 March 2012
- Ram Navami — 1 April 2012
- Akshaya Tritiya — 24 April 2012
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 21 June 2012
- Guru Purnima — 3 July 2012
- Nag Panchami — 24 July 2012
- Raksha Bandhan — 2 August 2012
- Krishna Janmashtami — 8 September 2012
- Hartalika Teej — 18 September 2012
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 19 September 2012
- Anant Chaturdashi — 29 September 2012
- Pitru Paksha begins — 1 October 2012
- Durga Ashtami — 22 October 2012
- Maha Navami — 23 October 2012
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 24 October 2012
- Karwa Chauth — 2 November 2012
- Dhanteras — 11 November 2012
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 13 November 2012
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 13 November 2012
- Govardhan Puja — 14 November 2012
- Bhai Dooj — 15 November 2012
- Chhath Puja — 19 November 2012
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 28 November 2012
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 28 November 2012
- Hindu Festivals 2012 →