Sharad Navratri begins 2016
Ghatasthapana on Ashvin Shukla Pratipada — the great autumn Navratri.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)05:50
- Sunset17:45
- Fasting window (tithi)05:45 → 2016-10-02 · 07:49
- Parana (tithi ends)07:492016-10-02
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 2016
- Makar Sankranti — 15 January 2016
- Vasant Panchami — 13 February 2016
- Maha Shivaratri — 7 March 2016
- Holika Dahan — 22 March 2016
- Holi — 24 March 2016
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 8 April 2016
- Ram Navami — 15 April 2016
- Akshaya Tritiya — 9 May 2016
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 6 July 2016
- Guru Purnima — 19 July 2016
- Nag Panchami — 7 August 2016
- Raksha Bandhan — 18 August 2016
- Krishna Janmashtami — 24 August 2016
- Hartalika Teej — 4 September 2016
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 5 September 2016
- Anant Chaturdashi — 15 September 2016
- Pitru Paksha begins — 17 September 2016
- Durga Ashtami — 9 October 2016
- Maha Navami — 10 October 2016
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 11 October 2016
- Karwa Chauth — 19 October 2016
- Dhanteras — 28 October 2016
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 29 October 2016
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 30 October 2016
- Govardhan Puja — 31 October 2016
- Bhai Dooj — 1 November 2016
- Chhath Puja — 6 November 2016
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 14 November 2016
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 14 November 2016
- Hindu Festivals 2016 →