Sharad Navratri begins 2018
Ghatasthapana on Ashvin Shukla Pratipada — the great autumn Navratri.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)05:53
- Sunset17:36
- Fasting window (tithi)2018-10-09 · 09:15 → 07:23
- Parana (tithi ends)07:23
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 2018
- Makar Sankranti — 14 January 2018
- Vasant Panchami — 22 January 2018
- Maha Shivaratri — 14 February 2018
- Holika Dahan — 1 March 2018
- Holi — 2 March 2018
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 18 March 2018
- Ram Navami — 25 March 2018
- Akshaya Tritiya — 18 April 2018
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 14 July 2018
- Guru Purnima — 27 July 2018
- Nag Panchami — 15 August 2018
- Raksha Bandhan — 26 August 2018
- Krishna Janmashtami — 2 September 2018
- Hartalika Teej — 12 September 2018
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 13 September 2018
- Anant Chaturdashi — 24 September 2018
- Pitru Paksha begins — 26 September 2018
- Durga Ashtami — 17 October 2018
- Maha Navami — 18 October 2018
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 19 October 2018
- Karwa Chauth — 27 October 2018
- Dhanteras — 5 November 2018
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 6 November 2018
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 7 November 2018
- Govardhan Puja — 8 November 2018
- Bhai Dooj — 9 November 2018
- Chhath Puja — 13 November 2018
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 23 November 2018
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 23 November 2018
- Hindu Festivals 2018 →