Navratri Day 1
Navratri is one of the most auspicious festivities of Indian culture. This time of year is to revel in the finery and dance to the beats of traditional drums. Navrati is translated into “9 nights” as every night has its significance.
The festivities are the time when people engage in healthy eating and fasting to pay their obeisance to the divine goddess (Devi) signified by Goddess Durga. They show their respect toward the goddess by offering a traditional dance called “Garba”. There are certain rituals and poojas that people engage in during the day and abstain from consuming alcohol and meat for the goddess.
Some people also engage in 9 days of fasting where they follow specific rules when consuming meals and abstain from certain grains and vegetables. All of this is to take the blessings of the goddess.
Navratri significance day 1 – Shailaputri
Shailaputri is a manifestation of Goddess Durga and the name means “Daughter of the Mountains”. She is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. She is also known as Sati, Bhavani, Parvati, or Hemavati and is depicted with two hands along with a crescent moon on her forehead.
The goddess holds a trident in her right hand and rides on mount Nandi (bull). She also holds a lotus flower in her left hand. It is believed that in her previous birth, Shailaputri was the daughter of Daksha known as Sati. Daksha insulted the lord, Shiva. Sati could not tolerate the insult of her husband and ended up burning herself in the fire of Yagna. In the next birth, she became the daughter of Himalaya known as Parvati who we all know as the wife of lord Shiva.
On the first day of Navratri, people fast and worship goddess Shailaputri to get their blessings. She is the Devi of root Chakra who begins her journey upwards upon awakening. Sitting on Nandi, she makes her first journey from the Muladhara Chakra. On the first day of Navratri, every worshipper aims to keep their attention concentrated on the Muladhara Chakra. This is so that they can experience the bliss of the upward journey of energy as the day progress during Navrati.
The beginning of the first day of Navratri is with Kalash Sthapana or Ghatasthapana. People start the festivities by worshipping Goddess Shailaputri who is believed to give you wealth, health, luck, and prosperity. There is a proper ritual that goes on in worshipping the Goddess.
Worshiping Maa Shailaputri
You need to place an idol or a photo of a Goddess and light the Diya of ghee in front of it. Next, you have to place mango leaves and coconut over the Kalash.
Light the Diya of ghee and chant the mantra for the prosperity of you and your family. Offer a garland made of white flowers to the Devi on the first day of Navratri.
People also prefer to make Kheer or any white-colored dish to please the Goddess. The last ritual of the day is to complete the Vidhi with Maa Shailaputri’s aarti.
The Indian culture is very diverse and you will notice that every person here follows different rituals to please the god or goddess they worship the most. Navratri is a typical Hindu festival and they prefer to follow all 9 days of these festivities with utmost obedience and purity.
During this time of the year, people also avoid having onions in their meals and end their fasting days with a unique food item called “Kuttu ka atta”. They prepare the pakoras of “Kuttu ka Ata” and end their fast with it.
The next day they again start their fasting period and consume only fruits or tea during the day. This goes on for 9 consecutive days.
It is also believed that Goddess Shailaputri is also the governor of the Moon – the provider of all fortunes. It is said that any bad effect of the Moon can be overcome by worshipping the goddess on the first day of Navratri. Goddess Shailaputri is perceived as the essence of earthly existence.
Navratri Day 1 – Maa Shailputri Aarti Mantra
Om Devi Shailputryai Swaha (108 recitations)
Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam,
Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim.
Punendu Nibham Gauri Muladhara Sthitam Prathama Durga Trinetram,
Patambara Paridhanam Ratnakirita Namalankara Bhushita.
Praphulla Vandana Pallavadharam Kanta Kapolam Tugam Kucham,
Kamaniyam Lavanyam Snemukhi Kshinamadhyam Nitambanim.
Prathama Durga Tvamhi Bhavasagarah Taranim,
Dhana Aishwarya Dayini Shailaputri Pranamamyaham.
Trilojanani Tvamhi Paramananda Pradiyaman,
Saubhagyarogya Dayini Shailaputri Pranamamyaham.
Charachareshwari Tvamhi Mahamoha Vinashinim,
Mukti Bhukti Dayinim Shailaputri Pranamamyaham.
Omkarah Mein Shirah Patu Muladhara Nivasini,
Himkarah Patu Lalate Bijarupa Maheshwari.
Shrimkara Patu Vadane Lavanya Maheshwari,
Humkara Patu Hridayam Tarini Shakti Swaghrita.
Phatkara Patu SarvangeSarva Siddhi Phalaprada.