The festive season is here and it starts with the auspicious occasion of Navratri, the nine days of festivities to welcome Goddess Durga, which begins from today (October 15).
It is said that on the first day of Navratri, Goddess Durga arrives from heaven to earth. These nine days have a lot of importance in the Hindu religion.
In Navratri, the nine forms of the Goddess are worshiped with pomp and each day is dedicated to one of her avatars. Every day a devotee is blessed by worshiping different forms of Goddess.
As such, the first day of the festival begins with Shailputri puja. This year, the festivities begin on October 15 and will end on October 24.
According to Hindu mythology, Goddes Shailputri was born after Goddess Sati self-immolated herself. Also known as Parvati — the daughter of Himalaya — Goddess Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of the Navratri across the country.
Typically, she is depicted as riding a bull. While on one hand, she holds her trident, on the other she holds a lotus flower. Goddess Shailputri is also referred to as ‘Hemavati’. She is the most important of all the nine forms of Durga, which is why she is worshipped on the very first day. Just like Goddess Sati, Shailputri, too, is married to Lord Shiva.
According to Drik Panchang, it is believed that Goddess Shailputri governs the moon — the provider of all fortunes.
Puja and mantra
In order to worship the goddess, decorate her idol with jasmine flowers, and chant the following mantra:
Shailputri Mantras
ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah॥
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥
Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ शैलपुत्री रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Shailaputri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Navratri 2023 Day 1 Puja Vidhi, Samagri and Timing:
On Day 1 of Navratri, devotees of Maa Durga worship Maa Shailputri and seek blessings for their loved ones. The rituals begin with Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana. During the puja, devotees install a pot at a sanctified place at home. They light a diya (lamp) for nine days near the pot. Ghatasthapana is one of the most significant rituals of Shardiya Navratri. They also place a pan with mud and navadhanya seeds and fill it with water.
Lastly, a kalasha filled with Ganga Jal and some coins, supari, and akshat (raw rice and turmeric powder) is placed in the water. Five mango leaves are placed around the Kalash and covered with coconut. Then, devotees place an oil lamp, incense sticks, flowers, fruits, and sweets near Maa Shailputri. A special bhog of Desi Ghee is also offered to the Goddess.
Drik Panchang says that the Ghatasthapana muhurat begins at 11:44 am and ends at 12:30 pm on October 15.
