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First Day of Chaitra Navratri 2022 dedicated to Maa Shailputri
-Rohit Kumar Parmar
The auspicious 9-day festival of Chaitra Navratri starts on April 2, 2022 and ends on Ram Navami on the April 10, 2022. The nine-day long festival calls for celebrations and worshipping of goddess Durga in her different avataars (forms).
On the first day (Pratipada Tithi of Chaitra), Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon), Chaitra Navratri starts, corresponding to March-April of the Gregorian calendar.
There are four types of Navratris in the year, out of which only 2 are widely celebrated - the Chaitra (spring) Navratri and Shardiya Navratri (autumn). The other two are Ashada and Magha Gupt Navratri.
The Ghatasthapana puja, Chandra Darshan takes place on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. On the first day, devotees offer prayers to Goddess Shailputri after the Kalash Sthapna.
Pic ChaiNav 02 Ghatasthapana
Maa Shailputri is seen riding a bull, holding a Trishul in the right hand, and a pink lotus in the left, and a crescent adorning her forehead.
Pic ChaiNav 03 Goddess Shailputri
It is believed that moon is governed by Goddess Shailputri. Moon is considered to be the owner of fortunes, hence, worshipping Goddess brings luck, good health and prosperity. The puja starts by taking the idol of Goddess Shailputri and washing it with the holy water of River Ganga. Then establish the idol or just a photo of the Goddess and offer sweets and flowers. Light a ghee diya to worship the Goddess. Chant mantra and offer garland made of white flowers to the Devi. Prepare kheer or any white-coloured food item. A chapter of Durga Saptshathi is read on each day of Navratri which brings positivity in the house.
Goddess Shailputri (`Shail’ meaning mountain and ‘putri’ meaning daughter) was born after Goddess Sati immolated herself and is the most important of all the nine forms of Durga, which is why she is worshipped on the first day. She is also known as Parvati — the daughter of Himalaya and Hemavati. Just like Goddess Sati, Shailputri, is also married to Lord Shiva.
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