Shailaputri | Goddess Shailputri Navdurga

Goddess Shailaputri is the first Navadurga Mata among the nine Goddesses worshipped during Durga Navratra festival. Maa Sailaputri is worshipped on the first day or on the Kalash Sthapana or Ghatshtapana day.

In Chaitra Navratri, Shailaputri Puja date is 30 March 2025. In 2025, Shailaputri puja date in Durga Navaratra festival is September 22.

Shailaputri Devi – Previous incarnation:

Mata Shailputri is the daughter of King Himavanth (Raja Himalaya), the emperor of mountains. Shailaputri married to Lord Shiva by performing a severe penance for Shankar Mahadev.

Shailaputri was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati in her previous birth. During Daksha Yagna, she sacrificed her life in Yagna vatika and incarnated as Shailputri in her next birth to marry Lord Shiva.

Shailaputri Mata – Spiritual Practice:

During the first day of Navratri Durga pooja, Yogis keep their mind and heart on Muladhara chakra which is the initial point of their spiritual practice or Sadhana.

Shailputri represents the Muladhara chakra of spiritual practice.

Key attributes:

• Daughter of Himalaya (Mountain King)

• Holds trident and lotus

• Rides a bull (Nandi)

• Embodiment of Shakti, power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

• Associated with root chakra (Muladhara)

• First Navadurga worshipped on Navratri

Read Maa Shailputri Dhyana Mantra & iconography, depiction..

Read Shailaputri Kavach

Goddess Shailaputri is worshiped on the first day of Navratri and is the embodiment of purity, strength, and devotion. She is one of the nine forms of Durga and is considered the daughter of the Himalayas (Shaila), which is why she is named Shailaputri (daughter of the mountain).

Significance of Goddess Shailaputri

Divine Form: Goddess Shailaputri is depicted as riding a bull and holding a trident (trishul) and a lotus flower. She symbolizes steadfastness and purity.

Religious Background: She is believed to be the reincarnation of Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva, who was reborn as the daughter of the Himalayas to fulfill her divine purpose.

Worshipping Goddess Shailaputri

On the first day of Navratri, devotees perform puja to honor Goddess Shailaputri. Here’s how to worship her:

Preparation
Clean and Decorate the Puja Area:

Ensure that the puja space is clean and free from clutter.
Decorate the area with fresh flowers, especially white or red, and create a rangoli (kolam) design at the entrance.

Gather Puja Items:

Fresh flowers, particularly white or red.
Fruits like bananas, apples, and pomegranates.
Sweets such as kheer or ladoo.
A clean cloth or mat for sitting, diya (lamp), incense sticks, and other ritual items.
Performing the Puja

Begin with a Ritual Bath:

Take a ritual bath in the morning to purify yourself.
Wear clean, preferably new clothes, for the puja.

Set Up the Altar:

Place an idol or image of Goddess Shailaputri on the altar.
Arrange the puja items and offerings around the deity.

Offer Flowers and Light the Diya:

Offer fresh flowers to the goddess and light a diya filled with ghee or oil.
Burn incense sticks to create a sacred ambiance.

Perform Aarti:

Perform the aarti by waving the lit diya in front of the goddess while singing devotional hymns or songs in her praise.
Use a traditional aarti plate (thali) with the diya, incense, and flowers.

Chant Mantras and Prayers:

Chant the Shailaputri mantra: “Om Shailaputryai Namah”.
Recite hymns or prayers dedicated to Goddess Shailaputri, invoking her blessings for strength and purity.

Offer Prasad:

Offer prepared prasad like kheer, ladoo, or fruits to the goddess.
After offering, distribute the prasad among family members and guests.

Perform Rituals:

Recite the Durga Saptashati or other scriptures dedicated to Goddess Durga to seek her blessings.
Spend some time in meditation, focusing on the qualities of purity, devotion, and strength that Goddess Shailaputri represents.

Engage in Acts of Charity:

It is considered auspicious to donate food, clothing, or money to those in need.
Offering food to the underprivileged or contributing to charitable organizations aligns with the spirit of devotion and compassion.

Celebrate the Day:

Share the joy of the festival with family and friends.
Enjoy a meal together and exchange greetings to celebrate the first day of Navratri.
By performing these rituals with devotion and sincerity, you honor Goddess Shailaputri, seeking her blessings for strength, purity, and guidance throughout the Navratri festival.

What are the benefits of worshipping Goddess Shailaputri

Worshipping Goddess Shailaputri offers multiple spiritual, mental, and material benefits:

Emotional Stability and Spiritual Strength: Devotees gain emotional balance and strengthened spiritual grounding, helping face life’s challenges with calm and focus. It is believed to awaken the root chakra, providing a solid foundation for spiritual growth.

Fearlessness and Bravery: Shailaputri’s worship bestows fearlessness and confidence to fight against evil forces and injustice. Devotees receive the strength and courage to act rightly and decisively.

Protection from Negative Energies and Diseases: She wards off negative influences, evil spirits, and protects from diseases, creating a harmonious and healthy environment for the worshipper.

Improved Relationships and Harmony: Her blessings nurture peace, love, and harmony among family members and strengthen bonds, especially between married couples.

Success and Stability: Worship of Shailaputri is said to bring stability in life, success in career and business, and a heightened sense of responsibility and decision-making ability.

Enhanced Intuition and Awareness: She sharpens intuitive faculties and spiritual awareness, helping devotees choose the right actions to progress on their life path.

Overall Happiness and Well-being: Regular devotion to Shailaputri helps maintain mental composure, confidence, and an overall sense of well-being and peace.

These benefits make her worship on the first day of Navratri a powerful way to commence spiritual endeavors and invite stability, protection, and courage into life.