Shailputri Mata is worshipped on the 1st day of Navratri. She is the Adi Parashakti or the Mother goddess, who was born as daughter of Mountain king Hemavat, reincarnation of Sati, and the purest form of Goddess Parvathi. Know more about Goddess Shailaputri Devi here.
Shailputri Mata – 1st Day of Navratri Worship
Shailputri Mata is the para shakti, who was born as the daughter of the Lord of the Himalayas. In Sanskrit, “Shaila” means ‘Mountain’, and ‘Putri’ means ‘Daughter’. After the self-immolation of Sati during the Daksha Yagna, she is born again as Goddess Parvathi or Shailputri Devi and marries Lord Shiva. Goddess Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri.
Shailaputri Devi is considered to be the purest embodiment of Goddess Durga and the mother of nature. Maa Shailputri is depicted as riding a bull with Trishul in one hand, a lotus in the other, and a crescent moon on her forehead. The lotus represents purity and devotion, while the prongs of the Trishul or trident represent the past, present, and future. She is also called Vrisharudha as she mounts a bull.
It is believed that the Moon, who is believed to be the provider of all fortunes, is governed by Goddess Shailputri. Any bad effect of the Moon in horoscope can be overcomed by worshipping Shailputri Mata.
In her previous birth, Shailputri Maa was Sati, the daughter of Daksha Prajapathi. After her self-immolation during the Daksha Yagna, Sati was born again as Goddess Parvathi or Shailputri Devi and marries Lord Shiva.
Due to her importance among all nine forms of Adi Parashakti, Goddess Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. From the Yogic point of view, the First Navratri day is considered to be a very auspicious day. This is the Yogic start for being in tune with the Divine Mother Durga. Those who want to have any kind of initiation in the Shakti Mantras, can have it on the First of Shukla Pratipada.
Shailaputri Devi of the root chakra, who, upon awakening, begins her journey upwards. Sitting on a cow and making her first journey from the Muladhara chakra, As from her father to her husband – the awakening Shakti, beginning her search for Lord Shiva or making a move towards her Shiva. On the first day of Navratri pooja, Yogis keep their minds concentrated on Muladhara. This is the starting point of their spiritual discipline. They started their Yogasadha from here. Shailaputri is the Muladhara Shakti to be realized within Self and sought for higher depths, in the yogic meditation. It is the rock of spiritual standing and the whole world gets strength from the Shailaputri aspect of Purna Prakriti Durga.
Shailputri Stotras
Shailputri Mantra – Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah॥
Shailaputri Temples
- Shailaputri Temple, Marhia Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Hedavde Mahalaxmi Temple, Hedavde Village, Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, Vasai Virar region, Maharashtra, India.
- Shailaputri Temple, Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India
