Day 1: Perform Ghata Sthapana and worship Maa Shailputri

Navratri is a festival in which the nine forms of Goddess Durga known as the 'Nav Durga' are worshipped for nine days with each day dedicated to one form of the Goddess or ‘Devi’.

The word Navratri means 'Nine Nights' and this comes from the fact that this festival is especially celebrated during the nights!

Navratri is celebrated twice in a year- once during the month of Chaitra and the other in the month of Ashwin.

Vasant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri begins from the Pratipada Tithi (first date) of the Shukla Paksha (Waxing Phase of the Moon) in the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu calendar.

This year Vasant or Chaitra Navratri will be celebrated from 9th to 17th April 2024.

Ghata Sthapana and Muhurat

'Ghata' means a pot and Sthapana means 'establishing'. 

At the very beginning of the auspicious occasion of Navratri, a sacred pot (Ghata) is established that remains an integral part of Navratri worship for the entire nine day period to come.

In this sacred pot Goddess Durga is invoked and it is extremely important that this process is followed strictly in compliance with the prescribed Vedic rules & rituals.

Ghata Sthapana is also referred as Kalash Sthapana.

The Ghata/Kalash/Sacred Pot is placed on soils of seven types and the ghat is decorated with five types of leaves and in the soil beneath the ghat, 'Jau' or Barley seeds are sown which are harvested on the tenth day.

The 'Muhurta' (astrology based favourable timing) for Ghata Sthapana is from 06:02 AM to 10:16 AM on 9th April 2024.

Who is Maa Shailputri?

Goddess or Maa Shailputri is a form of 'Adi Shakti' (Primordial Energy) Goddess Sati.

Maa Shailputri incarnated after Goddess Sati self immolated Her due to the insult of Her husband- Lord Shiva by Her father King Daksha.

In the absence of Goddess Sati, the balance of the cosmos was disturbed and a grieving Lord Shiva too went into deep isolation, urging the Gods to pray to Adi Shakti to incarnate again.

Then, Adi Shakti took birth as the daughter of King Himalaya and came to be known by many names such as Parvati, Hemvati and Shailputri.

In the current context, 'Shail' means Himalaya mountain and 'Putri' refers to a daughter. Hence Shailputri means the Daughter of Himalaya.

Depiction of Maa Shailputri

Maa Shailputri is depicted as seated on a bull and for that She is also known as 'Vrisharudha'.

Among the nine forms of Goddess Durga, Maa Shailputri is depicted with two hands. She holds a 'Trishul' in Her right hand and a 'Kamal' or a Lotus flower in Her left hand.

Significance of Maa Shailputri

With the worship of Maa Shailputri, the 'Mooladhara Chakra' is awakened which results in the beginning of the spiritual ascension of a devotee. 

The Mooladhara Chakra is the very basis of 'Yog Sadhna' and when awakened it helps a devotee to accomplish all significant tasks in life with absolute success!

Maa Shailputri blesses Her devotees with an ability to attain efficiency and perfection in their endeavours.

Being born as the daughter of the mighty Himalayas, Maa Shailputri bestows strength, abundance and prosperity upon Her devotees.

Maa Shailputri is the absolute form of Mother Nature and nurtures Her devotees just like a mother would.

The colour associated with the Day 1 of Navratri is Yellow and it symbolizes brightness, happiness, and cheer.

By worshipping Maa Shailputri, one who has an ill placed Moon in his/her Horoscope, gets rid of its negative effects.

How to please Maa Shailputri?

In order to please Maa Shailputri, devotees perform the “9 Day Durga Saptashati Path with Hawan”.

Nav Durga Pujan is a powerful spiritual process that wards off all problems & hurdles from life and brings the incredibly auspicious blessings of the nine forms of Goddess Durga (including Maa Shailputri) in the life of a person which ensure a life full of joy, sound health, success, bliss & prosperity!

Future Point offers you the golden opportunity to book the highly auspicious “9 Day Durga Saptashati Path with Hawan” and get the blessings of Mother Almighty!

Details of the “9 Day Durga Saptashati Path with Hawan”

• Pujan on your behalf by highly learned Brahmin Priests.
• Recital or Chanting of the highly powerful Durga Saptashati Path, everyday for the 9 days of Navratri.
• Participation in Maha Hawan & Kanya Pujan on the last day of Navratri.
• You will receive a recording of the Puja that you can watch from the comfort of your home.

Note:

The Nav Durga Pujan is performed in strict accordance with all Vedic and Devi Puja rules & rituals.

Additionally, you can also bring the Nav Durga Yantra to your home or office as it is a form that brings the divine blessings of the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Nav Durga) in your life!