Auspicious time of Ghatasthapana
Tomorrow 19 september 2009 is Ghatasthapana.According Astrology,auspicious time of Ghatasthapana is 9.25 Am NST. Great festival of Hindus Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana.which literally means pot establishing.On this day the kalash, (holy water vessel) symbolising goddess Durga often with her image embossed on the side is placed in the prayer room. The kalash is filled with holy water and covered with cowdung on to which seeds are sown. A small rectangular sand block is made and the kalash is put in the centre.The surrounding bed of sand is also seeded with grains. The ghatasthapana ritual is performed at a certain auspicious moment determined by the astrologers. At that particular moment the priest intones a welcome, requesting goddess Durga to bless the vessel with her presence. The room where the kalash is established is called ‘Dashain Ghar’. Generally women are not allowed to enter the room where Dashain puja is being carried out. A priest or a household man worships the kalas...