A Powerful Beginning – Maa Shailputri Puja
Navratri is the most renowned and longest festival celebrated in Hindu culture. It is celebrated for 9 days, and people perform traditional folk dance during the evenings of these 9 days. Each day of this special festival, which is dedicated to Maa Shakti, holds significance. Moreover, each day of Navratri is renowned and dedicated to a special manifestation of Goddess Maa Durga. So, let’s know the importance of each day and the Goddess worshipped on that day.
Navratri, the nine-night festival honoring Goddess Maa Durga, begins by worshipping Maa Shailputri—the first and foundational form of the Divine Mother. Her name literally means “Daughter of the Mountain”, symbolizing magnificence, purity, strength, and a grounded spiritual power that connects us to our roots.
Date and Colour of the Day — Navratri Day 1 (Goddess Maa Shailaputri)
- Date: Sunday, 11th October 2026
- Goddess Worshipped: Maa Shailaputri — the daughter of the mountains, symbolizing strength, stability, and divine beginnings.
- Navratri Colour of the Day 1: Orange— representing purity, peace, and spiritual harmony.
- Maa Shailputri Puja: Worshipping Goddess Maa Navdurga while wearing orange color clothes on Sunday is believed to bless devotees with qualities of warmth, enthusiasm, and vitality. The vibrant hue radiates positive energy and helps keep the mind uplifted and spirited throughout the day.
Who Is Maa Shailputri?
- Iconic Imagery: She is typically depicted riding a bull (Nandi), with a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left—signifying balance, creation, and pure devotion.
- Divine Lineage: Daughter of King Himavat (the Himalayan monarch), she is also known as Hemavati. In a previous life as Sati, she was reborn as Parvati and returned to Lord Shiva.
- Spiritual Symbolism: As the embodiment of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva’s powers, she governs the Root Chakra (Muladhara)—inviting devotees to build a stable, spiritually anchored foundation.
Significance of Day 1 of Navratri
Worshipping this form of Durga on the first day of Navratri sets a tone of new beginnings, unwavering determination, inner strength, and spiritual awakening. Worshipping her marks the beginning of spiritual cleansing and sets the tone for the nine days of devotion. She represents Mother Nature and is believed to bless her devotees with health, prosperity, and emotional stability. Starting Navratri with Shailputri’s blessings is considered highly auspicious, as she guides devotees towards discipline, determination, and a fresh beginning.
Rituals of Navratri Day 1 that Awaken the Divine
- Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana): This ritual marks the festival’s sacred launch. A pot (Kalash) filled with water, betel nuts, and coins is placed over sown grains or earth and decorated with mango leaves and a coconut on top. It symbolizes inviting the Goddess’s presence into your home and life.
- Offerings: Devotees offer flowers (especially lotus), incense, ghee lamps, and sweets like kuttu or sabudana dishes as bhog, sanctifying their devotion.
Mantras of Navratri Day 1 That Resonate
To align with her energy, the most renowned chant is:
ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः (Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah)
Another heartfelt invocation is:
: वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्
वृषारुढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम् :
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Why Day 1 of Navratri is Important for You
Worshipping Maa Shailputri on Day 1 offers:
- A spiritually anchored beginning to your Navratri
- Healing of the foundational aspects of life—the sense of safety, confidence, and purpose
- A potent chance for personal transformation and peace
- A pathway to discipline and focus.
A Call to Embrace Her Energy
As the first dawn of Navratri breaks, let Maa Shailputri’s fierce yet gentle energy awaken your root, where all inner power begins. Whether you light the diya at home or join the community in bhajans, let your devotion be genuine. May this sacred day light the path for the nine-night journey ahead.