First Day of Chaitra Navratri (09.04.2024)
dedicated to Maa Shailputri
-Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]
Pic ChaitNav 01
Goddess Shailputri (`Shail’ means mountain and ‘putri’ means daughter) was born after Goddess 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 Goddess Sati, Shailputri, is also married to Lord Shiva.
The auspicious nine-day festival of Chaitra Navratri celebrates and worships goddess Durga in her different births (or forms), starting April 9, 2024 and ending with Ram Navami on the April 17, 2024.
Chaitra Navratri starts on the first day (Pratipada Tithi) of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon), of Chaitra Mas (corresponding to March-April of the Gregorian calendar).
There are four Navratris during the year, out of which 2 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 owner of fortunes, is governed by Goddess Shailputri. Worshipping Goddess Shailputri brings luck, good health and prosperity. Puja on the first Chaitra Navratri starts by bathing the idol of Goddess Shailputri in the holy waters of River Ganga. [2]
Pic ChaitNav 02 Ghata-sthapana
Ghata-sthapana (placing a kalasha or a pot on a pedestal) puja, and Chandra Darshan is on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, when devotees offer prayers to Goddess Shailputri.
The Ghat-sthapana is accompanied by offering sweets, coconut and flowers; lighting a ghee diya (lamp); chanting mantras and offering a garland, made of white flowers. There is preparation of kheer or other white-coloured sweet/food. Bhog (offering to god) is made of dry sabudana (sago) khichdi. A chapter of Durga Saptshati [3] is read on each day of Navratri which brings positivity in the house.
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.
Pic ChaitNav 03 Goddess Shailputri
Mantra of 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 upon the choicest boons to the devotees. The crescent moon adorns her forehead as the crown. She is mounted on the bull, holding a lance 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 (Retired), former Senior Economic Adviser, Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and former Adviser (P 4) UNDP, Yemen has in posts
on his website (https://rohitkparmar.wixsite.com/site),
YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@rohitkparmar),
X (formerly twitter) (https://twitter.com/rohitkparmar?s=09),
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rohit.parmar.5268750/),
been writing/sharing varied topics and
can be reached at rohitkparmar@yahoo.com.
[2] Or in the waters of the local river/s, which are also considered holy. At times these rivers have a pre/suffix Ganga, ex. River Godavari is called Dakshin Ganga. Others are Ban Ganga, Bhuri Ganga, Ram Ganga, etc.
[3] Durga Saptashati consists of thirteen chapters, and approximately 700 verses. It is auspicious to chant Durga Saptashati verses during Chaitra Navratri and Sarada Navaratri.
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