Story of Devi Shailaputri Mata: First Goddess Of Navratri

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Hindu Goddess Durga is worshipped in her nine forms, called Navadurga, during the Navratri festival. Out of these, Maa Shailaputri, is the first form.

On the first day of the Navratri festival, Maa Shailaputri is worshipped by the devotees. There are special pujas that are performed with devotion on this day.

Maa Shailaputri is the daughter of the king of mountains, the Himalaya. She is considered as the forever form of nature. She is also known as Goddess Parvati, the better half of Lord Shiva and mother of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya.

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Maa Shailaputri has a half moon on her forehead. You can also see a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left hand. She rides on the Nandi (an ox).

The abode of Maa Shailaputri is believed to be in the Muladhara Chakra in the human body. Realising this divine form of energy is also considered as an important step towards attaining spiritual enlightenment.

Knowing the legends and importance of the form of Maa Durga will help you to perform your Navratri pooja with ultimate devotion and dedication. So, have a look at these points below.

First Among The Nine Durgas

Shailaputri means the daughter (putri) of the mountain (Shaila). Goddess Durga is named Shailaputri, as she was born in the house of the King of Mountains "Parvat Raj Himalaya". Among the nine Durga forms, Shailaputri is the first and foremost one.

Legend Of Maa Shailaputri

It is said that Goddess Shailaputri was Sati, the daughter of Daksha in her previous birth. Once Daksha performed a big Yajna without inviting Shiva. Sati, being the wife of Shiva, came there to attend the holy function. Daksha insulted Shiva. Sati could not bear the thought of her father having insulted her husband for long, and she burnt herself in the fire of Yajna. In another birth, she became the daughter of the Himalaya and got married to Shiva as Hemavati.

Mother Of The Nature

Worshipping Maa Shailaputri will evoke the spiritual relationship with nature. Shailaputri is the expression of earth and covers all of the hills, valleys, water resources and the atmosphere.

Goddess Of Root Chakra

Maa Shailaputri is considered as the Goddess of the root chakra. Worshipping her will help in awakening the Moolchakra, thereby helping you to attain spiritual enlightenment. Performing pujas and chanting mantras on the first day of Navratri, keeping mooladhar in mind, will help you to perform the rituals auspiciously.

The Most Important Mantra Of Maa Shailaputri

VANDE VAANCHHIT LAABHAAYA CHANDRARDHA KRITA SHEKHARAAM,

VRISHAARUDHAAM SHULADHARAAM SHAILA- PUTRIM YASHASVINIIM

Its meaning: Worshipping Goddess Durga in the Maa Shailaputri form will help in overcoming any bad effect of the moon, which is governed by this form of Adi Shakti.

Bhog Offered On This Day

Different bhog or prasada is offered on each day of the Navratri festival. On the first day, pure ghee is offered at the feet of the deity. It is believed that doing this removes all of the diseases and problems related to the health of the devotees. Prasad like Roath, an Indian sweet dish, is distributed to everyone at the end of the prayer sessions. Therefore, worshipping Maa Shailaputri makes life worth living, is what the Hindus believe in.