Worship Maa Shailputri & perform Ghatasthapana on the first day of Navratri! Read puja rituals and mythological importance.
Navratri is a festival of worshipping the Devi Adi Shakti Maa Durga. During the nine days of Navratri, nine different incarnations of Goddess Durga are venerated. The literal meaning of Navratri can be defined with two words, “Nav” + “Ratri”, which means nine nights in English. In this duration, devotees worship the Goddess and seek her blessings for a prosperous life.
Navratri occurs five times in a year, which includes Chaitra, Ashadh, Ashwin or Sharad, Paugh and Magh Navratri. Among these, only Chaitra and Ashwin or Sharad Navratri are said to be of high importance, during which nine forms of Durga, i.e. Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri are revered. On the first day of Navratri, puja and fast are carried out as per the rituals to venerate Maa Shailputri and Ghatasthapana is performed before the puja begins.
Ghatasthapana Muhurat
In the year 2019, Sharad Navratri is beginning from tomorrow, i.e. 29 September, September, and from that day, Goddess Shakti will be worshipped with great enthusiasm across the country till 8 October, 2019, Tuesday. According to Hindu beliefs, the first day of this holy festival is considered important among the devotees of the Goddess, because Maa Shailputri is worshipped on the same day after performing Ghatasthapana ritual. Let’s know the Ghatasthapana muhurat and duration:
Note: The Muhurat given in the above table is effective for New Delhi know the Ghatasthapana muhurat and rituals for your city
Importance of Ghatasthapana on the First Day
Ghatasthapana, also known as Kalash Sthapana, in Navratri holds high significance. Since it is the first day of Navratri, Maa Durga is duly worshipped only after performing the Ghatasthapana. Whether it is Chaitra or Sharad Navratri, the Kalash Sthapana ritual is carried out on the Pratipada or Prathama Tithi during an auspicious muhurat.
According to Hinduism, Lord Ganesha must be worshipped before commencing any auspicious task. As per the holy scriptures, the Kalash (urn) is revered as Lord Ganesha, and considered his equivalent or his symbol. Hence, Lord Ganesha is foremost venerated on the first day of Navratri, and then all the deities are hailed after performing the Ghatasthapana.
The Glory Of Navdurga
Mother Durga is described as 'Durgati Nashini' in Hinduism, i.e. a powerful destroyer of misery and poverty. That is why she is hailed as the Adi Shakti of the entire universe. She was originated by Pitamaha Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Mahadev, the Trinity, to end the evil and offer prosperity and power to her devotees.
Navratri Worshipping Rituals
- Wake up early in the morning, take a bath and decorate the Thali for the puja.
- After cleaning the altar, place an idol or picture of Goddess Durga and her nine incarnations.
- After this, offer red-coloured clothes on the idol of Goddess Durga.
- If you want to fast, then take a resolution in front of the Goddess with true devotion.
- Then, sow the Barley seeds in an earthen pot and pour water in it till the day of Navami.
- After this, establish the Kalash according to the auspicious muhurat mentioned above in front of the Goddess. Remember to fill the urn with Gangajal, put Mango leaves on its mouth and a coconut on top.
- Now, wrap the urn or Kalash with a red cloth and tie it around using a Kalava or red thread.
- Now, keep the Kalash near the earthen pot.
- After this, carry out the Panchopchar puja of the Goddess with flowers, camphor, incense, diya, and Kalash.
- After this, light an Akhand Jyoti in front of the Goddess. You must know that the devotees of the Goddess light the Akhand Jyoti for these sacred nine days.
- Similarly, chant the Durga Mantras every day for nine days during Navratri, and seek her blessings for a prosperous life.
- After this, on the day of Ashtami or Navami, worship the nine young girls accordingly. Offer them a Dakshina and Bhog comprising of Puri (deep fried bread), Chana or Black Gram and Halwa, a sweet dish.
- On the last day after venerating the Goddess, perform the ritual of Ghat Visarjan. During this, recite the Aarti of Maa Durga, offer her flowers, rice and immerse the Kalash at the end.
Akhand Jyoti During Navratri
Akhand Jyoti lit during Navratri in front of the Goddess holds high importance. It is believed that by lighting this Akhand Jyoti, Goddess Shakti eliminates darkness from the life of her devotees and enlightens their minds and souls. Therefore, by lighting the Akhand Jyoti during Navratri, natives get rid of obstacles, sufferings, troubles and all kinds of diseases. Several sages and renowned historical figures have mentioned in the Vedas that the influence of Akhand Jyoti ablazed during the nine days of Navratri is directly visible on the life of a native.
Importance of Kanya Puja During Navratri
Kanya Pujan, also known as Kumari Pujan, is a special ritual performed on the last day of Navratri. Women have always been given a special place in Hinduism, and bachelor and young girls are hailed as Jagat Janani Maa Jagdamba. Hence, special importance is given to the worshipping rituals carried out for the Goddess in Navratri. During this time, on the day of Ashtami or Navami, devotees invite nine, seven, five, three or one young girl, worship her as one of the incarnations of the Goddess, and offer her Prasad and Dakshina.
Things To Remember During Navratri
- Any native who worships Maa Durga and fasts should observe Brahmacharya for nine days with true devotion.
- The natives who fast for nine days should eat only once throughout the day. During this time, milk, fruits and vegetarian food can be consumed.
- For these nine days, sleeping on the ground garners auspicious results.
- Alcohol or meat is strictly prohibited during these nine days.
- Using or consuming onion or garlic for nine days of Navratri is also prohibited.
Importance of Nine Colours During Navratri
According to Hinduism, during the nine days of Navratri, every day signifies a special color. In such a situation, it is believed that using or wearing these colours during nine days of Navratri garners beneficial results.
- Pratipada: Yellow colour is auspicious.
- Dwitiya: Green colour is auspicious.
- Tritiya: Brown colour is auspicious.
- Chaturthi: Orange colour is auspicious.
- Panchami: White color is auspicious.
- Sashti: Red colour is auspicious.
- Saptami: Blue color is auspicious.
- Ashtami: Pink colour is auspicious.
- Navami: Purple colour is auspicious.
Venerating Maa Shailputri On The First Day Of Navratri
As we have told you above, nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during Navratri. Maa Shailputri is venerated on the first day of Navratri. In Sanskrit, “Shailputri” means "daughter of the mountain", and accordingly, she got this name due to being the daughter of the Mountain King Himalaya. According to mythological beliefs, their mount is a Bull, due to which she is also known as Vrisharudha. This form of the Goddess holds a Trishul or Trident in her right hand and Lotus flower in her left hand. This rare form of the Goddess is also known as Sati in many states.
Depiction of Maa Shailputri
This form of Maa Durga embellishes the Trident or Trishul in the right hand and the Lotus flower in the left hand. Mother Shailputri adorns a half-moon on her forehead and rides the Nandi bull.
Mantra To Venerate Maa Shailputri
-ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥ / oṃ devī śailaputryai namaḥ॥
-वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्। वृषारुढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥
-vande vāñchitalābhāya candrārdhakṛtaśekharām। vṛṣāruḍhāṃ śūladharāṃ śailaputrīṃ yaśasvinīm॥
Happy Navratri 2019 to all the readers from AstroSage!
