Navratri: Maa Shailputri, worshipped on Day 1, is the foremost form of Durga

Neha Mangal

The nine-day festival of Shardiya Navratri is here and Maa Durga devotees are busy making preparations for fasting be it buying kalash for Ghatastapana. Navratri is celebrated in different ways across the country. The colourful and vibrant venues of Garba and Dandiya in Gujarat, majestic pandals for Maa Durga in West Bengal or the festive display of dolls and figures in Golu in South India, Navratri is certainly one of the biggest festivals in the country. In North India, Navratri fasting is quite popular and after the Kalash Sthapana on Day 1, devotees observe a nine-day fast or first and last fast as per the traditions of their family. Navratri Paran is done on the day of Ashtami/Navami with Kanya Pujan where little girls are invited for a treat of halwa puri and worshipped as kanjaks.
The nine days of prayers and celebration in India mark the nine days of battle between the goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura.

Maa Shailputri
Maa Shailputri is one the foremost forms of Goddess Durga. She is one of the Navadurgas who’s worshipped on the first day of the Navratri celebrations. The name of Maa Shailputri came from Sanskrit words ‘Shail’ which means mountains and ‘Putri’ that means daughter. Shailputri Maa is likewise known as Maa Sati Bhavani, Maa Hemavati and Goddess Parvati. She is likewise referred to as ‘Pratham Shailputri.’ She is the first Devi of Navratri who’s worshipped on the primary day of this auspicious festival.
Maa Shailputri is said to be the reincarnation of Devi Sati. Maa Shailputri’s idol is depicted as a Goddess, who is sitting on a bull with a flower in her left hand and a trident in her right hand and crescent moon on her forehead
Goddess Shailputri possesses the divine powers of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. In Astrology, it is believed that the Goddess Shailputri controls the planet Moon. By chanting Adi Shakti mantras, one can get rid of the bad effects of the Moon and it also helps to maintain a healthy life.  Goddess Shailputri being the Muladhara Shakti teaches a man or woman the existence lessons. She does so with the aid of making an individual recognize the electricity of Muladhara Shakti via awakening his/her self –attention. Muladhara Chakra is the Base Chakra wherein our complete awareness of the frame lies. Hence, many people including Sages and Gurus study fasting on this day and channelize their whole interest at the Muladhara Chakra to be one with the Shakti, to grow to be privy to the higher self and to move upward regularly in the spiritual realm. This is simply a divine enjoy of searching the soul. Maa Shailputri is the goddess of Muladhara (Root Chakra). When awakened, She starts Her adventure upwards as Shakti toward Shiva who resides in Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra).
Benefits of performing Maa Shailputri Puja:
– Wards off malefic of Planet Moon
– Offers peace, harmony and overall happiness
– Keeps diseases and negative energy away
– Strengthens bond of love between a married couple
– Offers stability, success in career and business