Shailputri Mata – Navratri First Day

Shailputri is the first among the 9 forms of Goddess Durga who are worshiped throughout the 9 days of Navratri festival. Each day of this festival is dedicated to the one form of Durga and first day is dedicated to Maa Shailputri.

Shailputri Puja Muhurat Rules

Devi Shailputri is worshiped just after the Ghatasthapana process. You may about it here:
Ghatasthapana Muhurat Rules & Puja Vidhi For The First Day Of Navratri

About Shailputri

Mata Shailputri looks like this:

• Half Moon on the forehead
• Trident in right hand
• Lotus in left hand
• Mounted on Nandi, the bull

Shailaputri is a Sanskrit name, which means - the daughter of the mountain (Shaila = Mountain, Putri = Daughter). As the legend goes, Maa Durga had taken birth in the home of the Parvat Raj Himalaya (King of the Himalayas). Hence, this incarnation of hers got the name Shailputri. The name of the King of the Himalayas was Hemavana. Hence, she also got the name Hemavati.

In her previous birth, she was the consort of Shiva and daughter of Daksha. So, she also has names like Sati, Bhavani. Once, Daksha organized a big Yajna event. He didn’t invite Shiva. But, Sati couldn’t resist it and she arrived there. During the Yajna, Daksha insulted Shiva. She could not take it and jumped into the fire of Yajna. Later, she took birth in the home of Mountain Lord as Parvati (also Hemavati) and married Lord Shiva again.

As she rides on the bull, she is also known as Vrisharudha. It is a Sankrit term made of 2 words: Vrisha = bull and Arudha = to be placed upon.