By Tuesday, 20 October, the kalash on your puja shelf will have stood there since Ghatasthapana on 11 October. The first question in many homes is: What happens to it now? Navratri spans ten days this year because Saptami Tithi, the lunar day, is present at sunrise on two mornings, giving the kalash an extended stay.

Navami holds at sunrise, then slips away by idday

Navami is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri, and it invites you to pause and reflect on what the preceding days have built in your home and mind.In Delhi, Navami Tithi ends around 12:50 PM, although some Panchangs (Hindu almanacs) may differ, and timings vary by city. The Mother Goddess’s departure is observed a day later, on Dashami, making Navami the day to complete the remaining rituals. It gathers everything you have done and seals it with care.The Navami havan, or fire ritual, follows the morning puja. Kanya Pujan can also be performed on 20 October, although 18 or 19 October may be equally appropriate, depending on your family’s tradition.

The kalash is a womb, not a pot

During its stay, the kalash symbolises the Goddess’s positive energy and creativity. It represents a womb, as does the coconut placed on top, with mango leaves arranged around its mouth. That is why it is not treated like an ordinary vessel. For ten days, you have welcomed a sacred presence into your home.By the end of the observance, tradition holds that the water inside has acquired spiritual significance. Sprinkle it throughout your house, office, or factory as a symbolic way of spreading positive energy. Let it reach the rooms where you speak, work, worry, and rest.Maintain the same reverence with which you began the ritual, carrying its spiritual significance forward. Many families do this after the havan or during Dashami Visarjan, the Goddess’s farewell. Follow your household’s customary timing.

Closing a puja the way you opened it

Do not throw used puja items into the garbage. Where appropriate, dig a small pit and bury biodegradable offerings so that they are not trampled underfoot. The end of the ritual should be as respectful as the beginning, and the items deserve thoughtful disposal after serving their purpose.

What the jowar sprouts are said to reveal

The jowar, or barley, sown on the first day is interpreted in folk belief as an indicator of the next six months. Well-grown sprouts are considered a sign of a favourable half-year. Small or stunted sprouts are traditionally interpreted as a sign of a more difficult period ahead and a reason to prepare.This is a household custom rather than a scriptural prediction, so take it as a prompt for reflection, not a verdict.There is also a timeline-based interpretation. Divide the batch into three parts, each representing two months. If the first third is dry or poorly grown, the first two months may be considered difficult. If the middle section is weak, the middle two months are interpreted similarly, and so on.Some people extract juice from the sprouts and drink it, considering it nutritious. However, do not assume that ritual sprouts are safe to consume simply because they have grown. Only consume them if they have been grown and handled hygienically and are free from mould or contamination. Otherwise, bury them in an appropriate place.Either way, take a moment to observe the sprouts calmly before deciding what to do with them.

Which morning should you break the fast?

Paran, or the breaking of the Navratri fast, has two interpretations this year:

These practices reflect different traditions, so the appropriate timing depends on the observance your family follows and the guidance of your priest.Ask your priest which morning your household should follow, and keep a bowl ready for the sprouts before the havan begins.