Day 1 Navratri 2023 begins; Check out Mata Shailputri Puja Vidhi, Colour Of The Day, Mantras, and other deets here

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• Oct 15, 2023 | Poonam Nath

Mata Shailputri, the initial manifestation of Goddess Durga, is honoured on Navratri Day 1...

Digital Desk: The nine-night festive of Navratri has finally arrived and devotees of Maa Durga, also known as Adi Shakti, are preparing to celebrate it opulently. 

Hindus celebrate four Navratris a year, but Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri stand out for their large-scale celebrations. The Shardiya Navratri, which takes place in the autumnal month of Ashwin, is the next event.

Goddess Durga is often referred to as Mahishasura Mardini because Shardiya Navratri celebrates her victory over Mahishasura. This year's Navratri celebrations run for nine days from October 15 to October 23, with each day honouring one of Maa Durga's nine Navdurgas appearances. Ghatasthapana serves as the festival's opening act, while Maha Navami serves as its closing act.

Navratri is a festival celebrated twice a year, once during Chaitra Navratri in the spring and once during Sharad Navratri in the autumn. The first day of Navratri marks the start of this nine-day festivity. Sharad Navratri will begin on October 15, 2023, with the very first day devoted to Mata Shailputri.

Know about Mata Shailputri-

The devotion of Mata Shailputri, the heavenly daughter of the Himalayas, marks Day 1 of Navratri. Devotees seek her blessings to enjoy lives of purity, power, and prosperity. 

This day sets the tone for the nine-day Navratri celebration, during which devotees call the divine feminine energy to promote brightness and light into their lives, with elaborate puja vidhi, chants, rituals, and offerings. It is a period of intense dedication, meditation, and celebration in which people come together to worship the Goddess.

Navratri Day 1, Puja Vidhi to follow by devotees-

Devotees are devoted at the start of the puja to carry out the nine-day worship with devotion, sincerity, and a clear conscience. On the first day, a clay pot, or kalash, is set up to represent the Goddess's presence.

Barley seeds are sown into a Kalash that is filled with water.

The altar is decorated with flowers and jewellery and a portrait or idol of Mata Shailputri. The puja is carried out as several mantras and hymns honouring Mata Shailputri are recited.

"Om Hreem Kleem Shailputryai Namah" is the mantra that is chanted the most frequently. Aarti is a devotional rite that involves swinging a lit lamp in front of the deity while hyming.

Devotees present the goddess with flowers, fruits, coconuts, and sweets.

Importance of the Day-

Mata Shailputri, the initial form of Goddess Durga, is viewed as the epitome of purity and might. 'Shail' means 'mountain,' and 'Putri' means 'daughter.' She is considered to be the reincarnation of Goddess Sati, King Daksha's daughter. Worshipping Mata Shailputri is significant in seeking power and purity in one's life.

The Pratipada Tithi (the first day) of the Sharad Navratri is the most auspicious period for Ghatasthapana on Navratri Day 1. It is usually done during the Abhijit Muhurat, which is regarded as extremely beneficial. According to Drik Panchang, the shubh muhurat on Ghatasthapana is expected to occur between 11:44 AM and 12:30 PM. 

Besides that, the following times are provided:

1| Pratipada Tithi Begins – 11:24 PM on Oct 14, 2023

2| Pratipada Tithi Ends – 12:32 AM on Oct 16, 2023

3| Chitra Nakshatra Begins – 04:24 PM on Oct 14, 2023

4| Chitra Nakshatra Ends – 06:13 PM on Oct 15, 2023

5| Vaidhriti Yoga Begins – 10:25 AM on Oct 14, 2023

6| Vaidhriti Yoga Ends – 10:25 AM on Oct 15, 2023

Day 1 of Navratri: Bhog (Offerings) to Goddess Shailputri

To represent purity, offer pure milk to the Goddess.

Honey is provided as a symbol of sweetness and a happy life.

Ghee represents prosperity and abundance.

Sugar is presented as a means of bringing sweetness and delight into one's life.

As a symbol of excellent health, a selection of seasonal fruits is provided.

The coconut represents success and fortune.

Powerful Mantras to chant:

Om Jai Maa Durga, Om Namah Shivaya, Om Shakti Patte Namah, Om Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini Durga Kshama Shiva Dhaatri Swaha Swadha Namostute, Om Ye Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Durga Rupena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.