This Navratri jau sowing kit has everything you need to grow jawara at home for Ghatasthapana: a handmade 21 cm terracotta tray, 1 kg of black soil and 50 g of barley (jau) seeds. Sow on the first day of Navratri, sprinkle a little water each morning, and by Navami the tray holds a full, bright green crop of barley shoots beside your kalash.

Growing jau, also called jaware, jawara or khetri, is one of the oldest parts of Navratri. The sprouting grain is seen as a blessing of Maa Durga and a sign of abundance in the year ahead, and many families read the health of their jawara as a sign of her grace on the home.

What is in the kit

• Terracotta clay tray - handmade, 21 cm wide and 5.5 cm deep. Wide and shallow, so the jau spreads into one full, even crop.
• Black soil, 1 kg - enough to fill the tray almost to the rim, which is what gives the shoots room to root and stand tall.
• Barley (jau) seeds, 50 g - whole barley grain, enough to sow the tray densely.

How to sow jau for Navratri

1. Fill the tray with the soil and level it about 1 cm below the rim.
2. Scatter the barley seeds evenly over the whole surface, close together, and press them in lightly.
3. Cover with a thin layer of soil and sprinkle water until the surface is just damp.
4. Place the tray beside or in front of your kalash at Ghatasthapana.
5. Sprinkle water once a day. Keep the soil moist, never flooded.

First sprouts usually appear by day 3. By day 6 you will see young green shoots, and by day 9 the tray is full.

Growing jau in the UAE

Jau grows well indoors in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman homes. Keep the tray in your pooja room or a bright spot near a window, away from direct afternoon sun on a balcony, which dries the soil within hours in the UAE climate. Air conditioning is fine, just check the soil each morning, as cool dry air pulls moisture out faster than you expect.

We deliver across the UAE, and this kit qualifies for free delivery. For the rest of your altar, browse our Navratri Specials, and for the full vidhi read our Navratri and Ghatasthapana guide for the UAE.

Frequently asked questions

How long does jau take to grow for Navratri?

Barley usually sprouts in 2 to 3 days. By the sixth day the shoots are a few centimetres tall, and by Navami the tray is full and green, often 15 to 20 cm high depending on light and warmth.

Is 1 kg of soil enough for the tray?

Yes. 1 kg fills the 21 cm tray to about a centimetre below the rim, which gives the roots enough depth and the crop enough support to stand upright.

How much water should I give the jau?

Just enough to keep the soil damp. Sprinkle water once a day with your fingers or a small lota rather than pouring, since the tray is shallow and too much water can rot the seeds.

Where should I keep the jau tray during Navratri?

Traditionally it sits beside or in front of the kalash on your altar. Indirect light keeps the shoots green and upright. In the UAE, avoid a sunny balcony during the day.

What do I do with the jawara after Navratri?

On Dashami many families offer the jawara to Maa Durga, share a few shoots as prasad, and immerse the rest in water or return it to the earth in a garden or plant pot. Customs vary between families and regions, so follow what your home has always done.

My jau is turning yellow. What went wrong?

Pale yellow shoots usually mean too little light. Move the tray somewhere brighter. A pale cream colour at the very base of the stems is normal.

Can I reuse the clay tray?

Yes. Rinse the tray with plain water, let it dry fully in the shade, and keep it for the next Navratri. It also works as a diya plate or a tray for flowers on your altar.

Add Divine to your Rituals.