Navratri is a very important festival observed in India. The goddess Durga who symbolizes good fortune is worshipped during the 9 days of the festival. In the first day of the festival however, Maata Shailaputri or the otherwise called Maata Parvati is offered prayers. Judging by the Indian mythology, Maata Shailaputri was born toPartvatraj Himalaya after losing to the blazes of ‘fire sacrifice’ as Sati arranged by king Daksha. In Hindu mythology,Himalaya stands for power, prowess and poise. She also appeased Lord Shiva with her ascetic devotion as Shailaputri.
Bull is the Vahana or vehicle of Maata Shailaputri. She is hence called Devi Brisharudha by some people. Maata Shailaputri flexes a Trishul in her right hand and lotus in the left. Her power is unmatched and perpetual because she is known to be the first Durga as per Hindu mythology.
In the first day of Navratri, the priests concentrate in the Muladhar or Root Chakra and offer ascetic devotion. TheGhatsthapna ritual is carried out in the same day. Here under are the procedures to perform this Puja:
Install a photo or an idol of Maata Shailaputri in a low wooden seat. Purify both the seat and the idol/photo by sprinkling Gangajal all over. Place a silver/Brass/earthen Ghat (round metal pitcher) before the seat. Fill it with water and keep a coconut over it. This is called Kalasthapana. Furthermore, keep photos of Ganesh, Varuna, Navagraha, Sodash matrika (16 goddesses) and Saptaghrit matrika (7 red dots used to wear in the forehead) in the same seat. The Vrat or the fasting should be kept for two consecutive days. You can choose from the 9 days as per your convenience.
Find out below the prerequisites of the puja:
- Ahvan (invoking the goddess)
- Asan (ritual of sitting in puja)
- Padya (relating to foot)
- Arghya (an offering to a superior)
- Achaman (sipping water before puja)
- Snan (Holy bath)
- Vastra (clothes)
- Soubhagya Sutra (fortune thread)
- Chandan (Sandal wood)
- Roli (Saffron dust)
- Haldi (turmeric)
- Abhushan (clothes)
- Vilvapatra (Wood apple/Bel/Vilva leaves)
- Fulon ka haar (flower garland)
- Pushp (flowers)
- Sugandhit Drabya (scented kits)
- Dhup-Deep (incense sticks and clay candles)
- Fal (fruits)
- Naivedya (fruits and sweets as offerings)
- Paan (Betel leaves)
- Dakshina (Rupee notes)
- Aarti (light from wicks smeared with clarified butter or camphor offered to the deity)
- Pradakshina (walking clockwise round the seat)
- Recitation of the chants.
Once your puja completes, distribute the Prasada. This is the quintessential part of the puja.
Reciting the chant has profound significance in the puja. Here under is the chant for Maata Shailaputri:
“Om Hreem kleem Chamudaye vichhe om shailaputri devvai namah”.
Recite this chant for at least 108 times. Once finished, ask prosperity and fulfillment of your dreams from the goddess.
If you want to end all your sorrows, then seek help from Your Fortune to perform this Puja during all the 9 days of Navratri. This Puja includes everything right from Kalash Sthapna to Kanya Pujan. If you do this Puja, all your wealth and health problems will be over within a week’s time for sure.
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