Day 1 of Navratri : Devoted to Maa Shailputri,know more about the significance and rituals followed-माता शैलपुत्री की पूजा लाएगी सुख, चैन और समृद्धि

Navratri 2025 is here and so is Maa Shailputri. Navratri is one of the most pious and emotionally exhilarating festivals celebrated in India. The supreme feminine power, Maa Durga is celebrated and prayed to during this festival. festivals. Celebrated across a period, Navratri is of nine days This nine-day festival is dedicated to the nine forms of Maa Durga where every single day is a celebration of a different roop / avatar or form of Maa Durga. The first day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Shailputri. Praying to Maa Shailputri brings peace, positivity, prosperity and divinity of the mind. The Day 1 of Navratri or Durga Puja, 2025 has rung the bell on the nine day log festival of love, emotion, celebration and peace..

Come let’s know about Maa Shailputri

Maa Shailputri, as the name itself explains and thus it means शैल की पुत्री or the daughter of Shail which means mountains. Maa Shailputri is believed to be the daughter of the Lord of Mountains which is Himalaya.

The colour of the Day 1 is white and just like the serenity of the colour white, Maa Shailputri is the personification of purity and serenity. As per the tales of Hindu traditional stories and Hindu mythology, Maa Shailputri’s father was King Himavat, who is the king of the Himalayas. Maa Shailputri is believed to be the avatar or re incarnation of Goddess Sati.

As per Hindu mythology, Mata Sati in her previous birth had sacrificed her life as a protest against the disregard that was shown to her husband who was Lord Shiva. She then took re birth and then came back as Mata Parvati or Maa Shailputri as she was affectionately known and then she reunited with Lord Shiva after much atonement and tapasya. The tale is a eternal saga of love, devotion and sacrifice and she is the representation of all of that.

Maa Shailputri has been potrayed riding a white bull called Nandi which is also seen alogside any Lord Shiv idol and Shivling. She carries a Trishul (trident) in one hand the other hand holds a lotus. Even the portrait or a picture of her emits so much empathy, serenity and compassion. As per Vedic and cosmic study, she leads the governs the planet Moon (Chandra), and thus praying to her can bless one with mental peace, resilience and emotional strength.

Significance of Day 1 of Navratri

Day one of Navratri is considered a very bright and promising one as it marks the beginning of this glorious 9 day pooja. With Kalash Sthapana / Ghatasthapana which is the aahvahan, the religious call to inviting Maa Durga and her divinity to our homes. For performing Kalsh Stathpna, a Kalash which is a sacred pot is filled with ganga jal, anaaj(grains) and supari. This kalash is placed on mitthi or soil which is a representation of dharti maa or earth. Holy seeds are planted on the kalash whci grow into sacred leaves and grass during the nine day puja. And this is how starts the very pious festival.

Customs, rituals and Puja Vidhi

The puja on Day 1 of Navratri starts with offering phool, ghee, dhoop, agarbatti, phal and mithai (fresh flowers, ghee lamp, incense sticks, and white-colored sweets) to Maa Shailputri. Durga Saptashati is either read or listened to on this day. Praying to Maa Shailputri brings positive energy and positivity and removes negativity and obstacles in one’s life. Many devotees fast for nine days and this ritual starts on this day. Many also fast/do vrat on 2 days of Navratri, one of which is generally Day 1 of Navratri. Many devotees who don’t observe fasting during Navratri pledge to eat a diet that consists only of fruits, milk,sendha namak (rock salt) and vegetables in order to main cleanliness of mind and gut. The Mantra chanted on this day is:

वन्दे पुराहित लाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृत शेखरम्.
वृषारूढ़ां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्

The mantra “Om Devi Shailputryai Namah” is also recited on this day if one wants to make their moon sign stronger as Maa Shailputri governs the Moon planet.

Spiritual and cosmic significance

Muladhara Chakra which is the core of existence or center of the human body. Maa Shailputri blesses her devotees to align their root energy with emotional epicentre which brings balance and stability. Praying to Maa paves the path for this nine day rendition of faith and love.

Conclusion

This Day one of Navratri which falls on 22nd September, 2025 will help those seeking her blessings with divinity, purity, serenity and positivity. Observing puja and fasting on this day is the main custom followed. Fasting on this day is not only a puja ritual but it also cleanses your body and soul. Maa Shailputri with her arrival drains everyone in divinity and her blessings. The path is paved today for attaining mental strength and emotional intelligence.