Maa Shailputri
(03.10.2024)
Shardiya/ Ashwin Navratri, the First Navratri
-Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]
ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः।
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शैलपुत्री रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।
Navratri is celebrated on the first nine days of Shukla Paksha (waxing or bright phase of the moon) in the Lunar month of Ashwin of Vikram calendar, corresponding to September/ October of the Gregorian calendar.
Navratri (nau ratri or nine nights) is a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, epitome of Shakti/ Devi form of worship. During these nine nights and ten days, Goddess Durga is worshipped in nine forms, known as Navdurga. Legend says that it was on the ninth day of Navaratri that Shakti took the form of Goddess Durga, on the request of the devas to kill demon Mahishasura. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami, when idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in a prominent/ nearby water body/ river.
Goddess Shailputri 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. Shailputri, the daughter of Himalaya (`Shail’ meaning mountain and `Putri’ meaning daughter), is also known as Hemavati and Parvati. Just like Goddess Sati, Shailputri, is also married to Lord Shiva.
Goddess Shailputri is depicted riding a white bull, with a trident in one hand, and a lotus in the other. Goddess Shailputri loves white and is worshiped by offering white flowers, white clothes, and white sweets.
On the first day of Navratri, Goddess Durga is invoked into a Kalash (pitcher) with vedic rituals and chanting of Mantras, which is known as Ghata-sthapana or Kalash-sthapana.
In West Bengal, Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja. The last four days of Durga Puja are Shashti Puja, Durga Saptami, Durga Ashtami and Durga Navami. Kalparambha (Kalp-Arambha) is done on the sixth day of Navratri, and is symbolically the same as Ghata-sthapana or Kalash-sthapana. Durga Puja festivities take place in and around well-decorated and themed pandals that house the clay idols of Maa Durga.
In Gujarat, fasting and rituals during the day are followed by Raas Garba and Dandiya dance in the evening/ night.
In Punjab, Kanjak (कंजक), Kanya or Kumari puja is an important part of Navaratri/ Navratra, and is celebrated on Ashtami (eighth day) or Navami (ninth day) of the Navaratri festival. Kanjak is recognition of feminine power in the girl child.
The rituals involve worshipping nine pre-puberty girls, symbolic of nine forms of Goddess Durga, washing their feet as a mark of respect for Goddess, feeding them, and gifting new clothes.
In North/ West/ Central India, `Ramlila’ an enactment of Ramayana is performed for several days ending on Dussehra. `Jaagrans’ (staying awake all night praying) and `Mata ki Chowki’ (group prayers for Mata or mother Goddess), are an integral part of the celebrations.
In Tamil Nadu, display (kolu) of goddesses `Golu’ is made with decorative rangoli, as/on steps. Two dolls decorated as bride and groom (God and his Consort) are placed on the highest step, of the eleven (or other auspicious number). Other dolls/ toys made of clay, wood, stone, metal, etc., some painted with bright colours are placed on the other steps. Golu dolls depict mythological characters, animals and people.
Goddesses Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati, are worshipped during Navratri. Ninth day of Navratri is celebrated as Saraswati puja, the Goddess of learning. Musical instruments, books are also placed and decorated as part of the Kolu and worshiped with flowers. Gifts including fresh flowers, betel leaf, coconut, comb, haldi-kumkum, bindi, ornaments and chudiya (bangles) are exchanged.
On Vijayadashami as per rituals, one of the idols from the Kolu toys, is laid to rest, signifying the end of Navratri.
Vedic chants accompanied with classical dance of Mohiniattam and Bharatanatyam, is performed at temples, shrines, palaces and community centres.
In several villages of Southern Tamil Nadu, Pulikali (tiger dance) is performed. Performers of Pulikali paint themselves as tigers, donning bright yellow and black colours and dance to the beats of musical instruments. Kai Silambu Attam (another dance form) is performed in temples where the dancers wear ankle-bells and hold anklets or silambu in their hands.
Mysore the hub of grand Dussehra festivities, a tradition started in 1610 AD, is celebrated as a procession of decorated elephants, camels and horses and a parade on Vijayadashami. The Mysore Palace is illuminated and cultural and religious programmes are held. On the ninth day of the festival, a procession of Goddess Chamundeshwari, placed on a decorated elephant is taken out.
Kerala has Vidhya-Aarambham (beginning of education) on Vijayadashami, to initiate a child by writing alphabets on rice or sand. The Poojavaypu (worship) ritual is performed where any kind of study or work is put on hold. Books and tools are kept in front of goddess Saraswati. Major celebrations are held in the Panachikkadu Saraswati Temple in Kottayam and Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
In Telangana and in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Bathukamma festival is celebrated, details of which can be seen at the following link.
In Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra on Dussehra day, people exchange Apta (Bauhinia racemosa, a native Indian tree) leaves, calling it Bangaram బంగారం or sona (gold), metaphorically looted from each other. They offer 4 to 5 leaves first to God and then to elders. Apta leaves are twin leaves and fold like a book.
Apta leaves exchanged as Sona on Dussehra
शैलपुत्री माता आरती Shailputri Mata Aarti
जय शैलपुत्री माता
मैया जय शैलपुत्री माता ।
रूप अलौकिक पावन
शुभ फल की दाता ।।
जय शैलपुत्री माता ।।
हाथ त्रिशूल कमल तल
मैया के साजे ।
शीश मुकुट शोभामयी
मैया के साजे ।।
जय शैलपुत्री माता ।।
दक्षराज की कन्या
शिव अर्धांगिनी तुम ।
तुम ही हो सती माता
पाप विनाशिनी तुम ।।
जय शैलपुत्री माता ।।
वृषभ सवारी माँ की
सुन्दर अति पावन ।
सौभाग्यशाली बनता
जो करले दर्शन ।।
जय शैलपुत्री माता ।।
आदि अनादि अनामय
तुम माँ अविनाशी ।
अटल अनत अगोचर
अतुल आनंद राशि ।।
जय शैलपुत्री माता ।।
नौ दुर्गाओं में मैया
प्रथम तेरा स्थान ।
रिद्धि सिद्धि पा जाता
जो धरता तेरा ध्यान ।।
जय शैलपुत्री माता ।।
प्रथम नवरात्रे जो माँ
व्रत तेरा धरे ।
करदे कृपा उस जन पे
तू मैया तारे ।।
जय शैलपुत्री माता ।।
मूलाधार निवासिनी
हमपे कृपा करना ।
लाल तुम्हारे ही हम
द्रष्टि दया रखना ।।
जय शैलपुत्री माता ।।
करुणामयी जगजननी
दया नज़र कीजे ।
शिवसती शैलपुत्री माँ
चरण शरण लिजे ।।
जय शैलपुत्री माता ।।
[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.
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