The auspicious nine-day festival of Chaitra Navratri commences on the first day of the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar, falling on April 9 this year. This festival heralds the onset of summer and coincides with other Indian festivities such as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Dedicated to the worship of Maa Durga and her nine divine incarnations, Chaitra Navratri begins with the adoration of Maa Shailputri, an avatar of the Goddess, and the observance of the significant ritual known as Ghatasthapana.
Who is Maa Shailputri?
Maa Shailputri is revered as one of the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the inaugural day of Chaitra Navratri. Revered as the bestower of prosperity and all blessings, devotees invoke Maa Shailputri as the embodiment of mother nature, seeking spiritual enlightenment. Governed by the Moon, Maa Shailputri is believed to be born as the daughter of Lord Himalaya and hence named Shailputri, where "Shail" signifies the mountain and "Putri" denotes daughter.
Goddess Shailputri is depicted riding a bull, known as Vrisharudha, and adorned with a Trishul in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left hand, symbolizing purity, innocence, peace, and serenity.
Date, Timing, and Ghatasthapana Muhurat
Chaitra Navratri's first day falls on April 9, with the auspicious timing for Ghatasthapana being from 6:02 am to 10:16 am. The Ghatasthapana Abhijit Muhurat occurs from 11:57 am to 12:48 pm on April 9. The Pratipada Tithi starts on April 8 at 11:50 pm and concludes on April 9 at 8:30 pm. Additionally, the Vaidhrti Yog begins on April 8 at 6:14 pm and ends on April 9 at 2:18 pm. Chandra Darshan timing occurs from 6:44 pm to 7:29 pm.
Colour, Puja Vidhi, Samagri, and Rituals
The color associated with the first day of Navratri is white. Devotees wake up early, bathe, and seek blessings from Maa Shailputri and Adi Shakti. They perform the rituals of Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana, a significant aspect of Shardiya Navratri. For Ghatasthapana, a sanctified pot (kalash) is installed at home, filled with Ganga Jal, coins, supari, and akshat (raw rice and turmeric powder) in water. Five mango leaves surround the Kalash, which is covered with a coconut. Offerings of oil lamps, incense sticks, flowers, fruits, sweets, and a special bhog of Desi Ghee are made to Maa Shailputri.
Puja Mantra, Prathana, Stuti and Stotra:
1) Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah
2) Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam
3)Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim
4) Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Shailaputri Rupena Samsthita
5)Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
6) Prathama Durga Tvamhi Bhavasagarah Taranim
7)Dhana Aishwarya Dayini Shailaputri Pranamamyaham
8)Trilojanani Tvamhi Paramananda Pradiyaman
9)Saubhagyarogya Dayini Shailaputri Pranamamyaham
10)Charachareshwari Tvamhi Mahamoha Vinashinim
11)Mukti Bhukti Dayinim Shailaputri Pranamamyaham
