First Chaitra Navratri (30.03.2025) Maa Shailputri -Rohit Kumar Parmar
- rohitkparmar
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
First Day of Chaitra Navratri (30.03.2025)
dedicated to माँ शैलपुत्री Maa Shailputri
-Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]
Pic ChaitNav 01 Goddess Shailputri [2]
Maa Shailputri is seen riding a bull, holding a Trishul in the right hand, a pink lotus in the left, and a crescent adorns her forehead.
माँ शैलपुत्री (Maa Shailputri (`Shail’ means mountain and ‘putri’ means daughter) was born after Maa Sati immolated herself and is the most important of the nine forms of Durga, which is why she is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. She is also known as Parvati - the daughter of Himalaya and Hemavati. Just like Maa Sati, Shailputri, is also married to Lord Shiva.
The auspicious nine-day festival of Chaitra Navratri worships and celebrates Goddess Durga in her different births or forms, starting March 30, 2025 and ending with Ram Navami on the April 7, 2025.
Chaitra Navratri starts on Pratipada Tithi (first day) of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon), which is the first day of Chaitra Maas, the first month of the Indian Calendar (corresponding to March-April of the Gregorian calendar).
There are four Navratris during the year, two of which are widely celebrated - the Chaitra (spring) Navratri and Shardiya (autumn) Navratri. The other two are Ashada and Magha Gupt Navratri.
It is believed that Moon, considered to be the repository of fortunes, is governed by Maa Shailputri. Worshipping Maa Shailputri brings luck, good health and prosperity. Puja (prayers) on the first Chaitra Navratri start by bathing the idol of Maa Shailputri in the holy waters of River Ganga. [3]
The Ghata-Sthapana (placing a kalasha or a pot, on a pedestal) puja, and Chandra Darshan are performed on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, when devotees offer prayers to Maa Shailputri.
Pic ChaitNav 02 Ghata-Sthapana [4]
The Ghata-Sthapana is accompanied by lighting a ghee diya (lamp); chanting mantras and offering a garland, made of white flowers, other flowers; offering coconut and sweets;.
There is preparation of kheer or other white-coloured sweet/ food. Bhog (offering to god/ goddess) is made of dry Sabudana (sago or tapioca) khichdi. A chapter of Durga Saptshati [5] is read on every day of Navratri, which brings positivity in the house.
Pic ChaitNav 03 Sabudana (sago) khichdi 30.03.2025
Mantra of Maa Shailaputri:
ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah ॥
Prarthana or Prayer of Shailaputri
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्ध कृतशेखराम् ।
वृषारूढाम् शूलधराम् शैलपुत्रीम् यशस्विनीम् ॥
Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam ।
Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim ॥
`I pay my obeisance to Devi Shailaputri, who bestows the choicest boons on her devotees. The crescent moon adorns her forehead as a crown. She is mounted on the bull, holding a trident in her hand. She is Yashasvini.’
॥ आरती देवी शैलपुत्री जी की ॥
शैलपुत्री माँ बैल असवार । करें देवता जय जय कार ॥
शिव-शंकर की प्रिय भवानी । तेरी महिमा किसी ने न जानी ॥
पार्वती तू उमा कहलावें । जो तुझे सुमिरे सो सुख पावें ॥
रिद्धि सिद्धि परवान करें तू । दया करें धनवान करें तू ॥
सोमवार को शिव संग प्यारी । आरती जिसने तेरी उतारी ॥
उसकी सगरी आस पुजा दो । सगरे दुःख तकलीफ मिटा दो ॥
घी का सुन्दर दीप जला के । गोला गरी का भोग लगा के ॥
श्रद्धा भाव से मन्त्र जपायें । प्रेम सहित फिर शीश झुकायें ॥
जय गिरराज किशोरी अम्बे । शिव मुख चन्द्र चकोरी अम्बे ॥
मनोकामना पूर्ण कर दो । चमन सदा सुख सम्पत्ति भर दो ॥
[1] Author, Freelance, Indian Economic Service, Senior Economic Adviser (Retired), Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and former Adviser (P 4) UNDP, Yemen has in posts
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can be reached at rohitkparmar@yahoo.com.
[2] Picture from the internet.
[3] Or in the waters of the local river/s, which are also considered holy. At times these rivers have a pre/ suffix Ganga. River Godavari is called Dakshin Ganga. Other rivers are Ban Ganga, Bhuri Ganga, Ram Ganga, etc.
[4] Picture from the internet.
[5] Durga Saptashati consists of thirteen chapters, and approximately 700 verses. It is considered auspicious to chant Durga Saptashati verses, during Chaitra Navratri and Sarada Navaratri.
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