According to Vastu, optimal times for mopping and periods to avoid have been determined

This year, Sharadiya Navratri begins tomorrow, October 11, 2026, on a Sunday. This festival lasts for nine days, during which worship is paid to the nine forms of Mother Durga. Many devotees observe a fast and perform the Kalasha ceremony, wishing for a prosperous life from Mother Durga.

As Navratri approaches, homes begin preparing for the festival, conducting cleanings, and getting ready for rituals. According to religious beliefs, the presence of certain items in the house can contribute to an increase in negative energy. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct a thorough cleaning not only in the home shrine but also in other rooms before Navratri begins. If the items listed below are in your home, they should be removed before the start of the festival.

Vastu Tips for Sharadiya Navratri:

Broken deity statues

Before Navratri, thoroughly clean the home shrine and inspect the statues. If any statue is damaged, it must be removed from the place of worship. According to religious beliefs, broken images should not be kept in the shrine; they should be disposed of with due respect.

Dry and withered plants

People often use various plants to decorate their homes, but due to lack of care, some may dry out. Before Navratri, you should check such plants and remove those that have completely dried up.

Old and broken brooms

In Hinduism, the broom is considered a symbol of Mother Lakshmi, so it should be stored properly. If a broom in the house is broken or worn out, it needs to be replaced with a new one. It is also important not to leave an old broom scattered around the house.

Stopped clocks and faulty electronics

If there are clocks in the house that have not worked for a long time, they should be repaired or removed. Similarly, broken electrical appliances should not be stored in the house. According to Vastu, stopped clocks are associated with obstacles in progress.

Broken dishes and fragile items

Before Navratri, it is also necessary to thoroughly clean the kitchen and other parts of the house. Broken dishes, cracked glass, or unnecessary items should not be kept in the house. This leads to cluttering the space and creates a risk of injury from broken glass. Therefore, when cleaning, such items should be carefully removed.

Why is cleaning the house before Navratri important?

During Navratri, devotees perform Ghatasthapana in their homes. Therefore, the place of worship and its surroundings must be clean. It is necessary to get rid of useless things and arrange the objects for worship properly. This will help maintain the cleanliness of the home and facilitate preparation for the festival.

According to religious beliefs, performing rituals in a clean house is considered auspicious. Therefore, before the beginning of Navratri, the house should be tidied up, and preparations for worshipping Mother Durga should be made with reverence.

In the study of Vastu Shastra, the kitchen is considered the most important place in the house because it is the center of family health and prosperity. The kitchen counter is the central element of the kitchen where food is prepared. According to Vastu principles, every item placed on this surface emits either positive or negative energy.

People often unknowingly leave items on the kitchen counter that cause Vastu defects. This not only leads to financial difficulties but also negatively affects the health of family members, causing quarrels in the home. Below are four things that, according to Vastu Shastra, are highly undesirable to keep on the kitchen counter.

Vastu Tips for the Kitchen

Wet rags or mops

Vastu Shastra considers it unfavorable to leave a wet rag or mop on the kitchen counter. The kitchen counter is a sacred place where the goddess Annapurna resides and food is cooked. Leaving a dirty wet rag or towel on it is regarded as disrespect to food and fire. Such an action promotes the spread of negative energy, depletes wealth, and has a detrimental effect on the health of household members.

Dirty or unwashed dishes

Many people are accustomed to leaving dirty dishes on the kitchen counter after cooking or eating, especially at night. According to Vastu Shastra, leaving dirty dishes on the counter overnight intensifies the adverse influence of Rahu and Ketu. This attracts negative energy, leading to increased unnecessary expenses, business losses, and disruption of domestic peace.

Medicines or first aid kits

Sometimes, for convenience, frequently used medicines or first aid kits are placed on the kitchen counter. Vastu states that keeping medications on the kitchen counter prevents the elimination of health problems. It is believed that the kitchen should provide us with energy and health, but the presence of medicines there signals that illness is constantly present in the home, causing family members to fall ill frequently.

Broken dishes or glass items

Never leave broken dishes, cracked dishes, or broken glass on the kitchen counter. Broken dishes are considered an omen of poverty and misfortune. Keeping such items on the counter stops the inflow of money into the house and gradually depletes savings. Furthermore, preparing or storing food in damaged dishes causes mental stress and hinders task completion.

What to do to achieve favorable results?

To achieve favorable results, it is necessary to always wipe and clean the kitchen counter after cooking and before going to bed. Dirty dishes should not be left on the counter but immediately placed in the sink, washed, and put away in their place. Medicines should be stored in a cabinet or drawer, away from the kitchen. It is also considered very auspicious to light a lamp with pure ghee in the Ishan Kona (northeast direction) of the kitchen.