Navratri Day 1: Worship of Maa Shailputri

Navratri, one of the most important festivals in Hinduism, is dedicated to the worship of Maa Durga. The festival lasts for nine days and nights, during which devotees pray to nine different forms of Maa Durga. The first day of Navratri falls on October 3, 2024, coinciding with the Pratipada Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the Ashwina Month.

About Maa Shailputri:

Maa Shailputri is the first form of Devi Durga worshipped during Navratri. She is the daughter of the Himalayas and Maina. Depicted riding a bull (Nandi), she carries a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left. Maa Shailputri holds the combined powers of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva and is the ruling deity of the Moon. Worshiping her is said to provide relief from mental and emotional issues, particularly for those affected by the Moon's influence.

Significance of Meditation on Navratri Day 1:

Navratri is an ideal time for meditation, especially for those seeking to activate their chakras. Maa Shailputri is associated with the Root Chakra (Mooladhara Chakra), which marks the beginning of the spiritual journey. Meditating on this day helps devotees connect with their inner selves and channel energy toward overcoming life's challenges. Through this, they can attain spiritual growth and clarity.

Story of Maa Shailputri:

In a previous incarnation, Maa Shailputri was known as Goddess Sati, the daughter of King Daksha. Against her father’s wishes, Sati married Lord Shiva. Once, King Daksha organized a grand yajna (sacrifice) and invited everyone except Lord Shiva. Sati wished to attend, but Lord Shiva advised her not to, knowing it would not be favorable. However, Sati went to the yajna, where her father insulted Lord Shiva. Unable to bear the insult, Sati immolated herself. In her next birth, she was reborn as the daughter of the Himalayas, eventually marrying Lord Shiva again as Maa Shailputri.

Rituals for Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) and Puja Vidhi:

On the first day of Navratri, devotees perform Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana to seek blessings from Goddess Durga. Here are the steps for performing the puja:

1. Morning Preparations:

   • Wake up early, take a holy bath, and clean your house, especially the puja room.
   • Wear clean clothes before starting the rituals.

2. Gather Puja Materials:

   • Items such as betel leaves (paan), supari, cardamom, coconut, incense sticks, Gangajal (holy water), earthen lamps, cow ghee, vermillion (kumkum), flowers, and fruits are needed.

3. Set Up the Puja Altar:

   • Place a red cotton cloth on a wooden plank.
   • Place the idol of Goddess Durga on the plank, sprinkle Gangajal, and adorn the idol with shringar items, garlands, and vermillion.

4. Kalash Sthapana:

   • Take a Kalash (sacred pot), decorate it with mango leaves, and tie a red sacred thread (Kalawa) around it.
   • Place a coconut on top of the Kalash.

5. Planting Grains:

   • In an earthen pot, fill it with soil and sow grains like barley (Jawar). Add water and cover it with a plate.

6. Invocation of the Goddess:

   • Recite mantras dedicated to Maa Shailputri.
   • Offer a lotus flower and read from the Durga Saptashati.

7. Fasting and Puja:

   • Devotees observing a fast should perform puja before breaking the fast. Some break their fast with special food like sama kheer, sabudana tikki, and fruits.

Mantras for Maa Shailputri:

1. ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥ Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah

2. वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्ध कृतशेखराम् । Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam।

   वृषारूढाम् शूलधराम् शैलपुत्रीम् यशस्विनीम् ॥ _Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim॥