Navratri Day 1: Rituals and Significance of Worshipping Goddess Shailputri

Marking the onset of the nine divine days of Navratri, where we worship Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Each day through the course of Navratri is devoted to a different goddess. The grand celebrations begin with worshipping Shailputri Mata on the first day. Shailputri Mata is known to be a surreal manifestation of unwavering strength and symbolises purity. 

Shailputri Mata: 

Accoladed as the daughter of the King of Himalayas, the word “Shail” translates to “mountain”, hence Shailputri is the daughter of the mountain. The elemental energy of nature resonates through her. The depiction of Goddess Shailputri is seen as riding a bull (Nandi), while carrying a Trishul (trident) in one hand and a lotus in the other. While her association with the bull is seen as a symbol of strength, lotus represents purity and a form of spiritual reawakening. 

Legends and Mythology: 

As per Hindu texts, Shailputri Mata is known to be a reincarnation of Sati, the first wife of Lord Shiva. As the legend goes it is believed that Sati’s father, King Daksha did not approve of Shiva and Sati union. Sati self-immolated after taking the brunt of disrespect from her father. It is after this, that she was reborn as Parvati, later becoming Shailputri. 

Day 1 of Navratri and The Significance of Shailputri Mata Puja: 

The nine days of the Navratri Sadhana are seen as a period of rejuvenation of our spiritual selves. Fasting during this period not only is a physical aspect but also a mental concept of resilience and patience. Navratri Sadhana (period of consciousness) is an awakening within ourselves to connect on a deeper level. We mark the start of Navratri by invoking Shailputri Mata’s blessings. 

Shailputri Mata is associated with the Mooladhara (Root Chakra). Root Chakra is the base chakra amongst the 7 chakras of the body, and symbolises stability and a sense of security. When we worship Shailputri Mata on the first day of the Navratri, it is known to create a strong foundation of spirituality in our lives. 

Rituals to perform Shailputri Mata Puja: 

As we embark ourselves towards worshipping the nine forms of Maa Durga during the nine days of the Navratri Sadhana, we must understand the step-by-step guide on ways to do so. Here’s how: 

• Kalash Sthapana: 

We begin the rituals of Navratri with the setting up of the Kalash (pot) which represents the presence of the Goddess. We must fill the Kalash with water, adorn it with fresh mango leaves and place a coconut on the top. 

• Seeking Goddess Shailputri’s blessings:

After setting up the Kalash, devotees must meditate upon the image of Shailputri Mata, invoking her blessings and divine presence into their consciousness. This meditation is further carried out by chanting Mata’s mantras and offering flowers, vermillion and rice to her image or idol. 

• Offerings (Bhog) to Shailputri Mata: 

White is the colour associated with purity and serenity. On the first day of Navratri, white coloured food items in the form of milk, sweets and kheer (rice pudding) are prepared and offered to Shailputri Mata. 

• Mantras and Aarti: 

Shailputri Devi Mantra: “Aum Devi Shailputryai Namaha!” is  chanted and Aarti is performed to revere the goddess, post which the distribution of Prasad takes place amongst the devotees. 

Worshipping Shailputri Mata on the first day of Navratri establishes the tone for the worship of forms of Goddess Durga through the nine days of Navratri and moving towards the festival season. Shailputri Mata is an elemental form of nature, invoking a sense of balance and grounding amongst her devotees. As we worship her on day 1, we set a path to detox and cleanse ourselves of the worldly chaos that must have captivated us formerly. It pushes us further towards a deeper meditative sense of being. 

Worshipping Shailputri Mata is the starting point of allowing a spiritual rejuvenation to take place within ourselves. As we worship her, we allow ourselves to move on to an enriching experience of the Navratri Sadhana.