Goddess Shailputri, the first form of Durga:

Navratri is celebrated to worship Goddess Durga and her myriad forms in all its glory. This festival is charismatically celebrated for 9 days, dedicating each day to her 9 incarnations. Her divine blessings are sought after by devotees through prayers, fasting, religious ceremonies to honour every divine feminine aspect of “Shakti”.

The relationship between a woman and nature has been talked about for long enough, considering the basic feminist tenets of equality between the genders. Ecofeminism is assessed as a commitment to the environment, realizing the associations made between women & nature.

Navratri is the auspicious festival that celebrates the return of Goddess Durga on Earth along with her children. This year, Navratri starts on October 17 and all the nine days signifies each form or avatar of Maa Durga. The first day is observed to celebrate Goddess Shaiputri, who is the first avatar of Nava Durga.

Shailputri is also known as Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati and has a beautiful, earthly essence among all. In her previous birth, Shailputri was known as Sati and was the wife of Lord Shiva. In her second reincarnation, she took birth as the daughter of King Himalaya and was thus named Shailputri, the daughter of mountains. She has a golden complexion on her forehead along with a crescent moon. She also holds a trident in her right hand & lotus flower in the other. Shailputri also sits on her bull, named Nandi.

According to Hindu scriptures, the Moon is governed by Goddess Shailputri and she is responsible for obliterating any evil spirit of effect on the Moon. Similarly, if others worship her, they can get rid of any evil powers around them. Goddess Shailputri’s abode is in the Muladhara Chakra and she is the symbol of earthly existence.

Orange

Dedicated to Goddess Shailputri, this colour symbolises energy, joy and happiness. So wear this beautiful colour, and add more festive colours to this day!

Bhog – On this day, fast is observed and pure Ghee is offered on the foot of Goddess Shailputri. It is believed that by offering this bhog, the devotees are blessed with a disease-free life.

So, when we think of the Goddess Shailputri – what comes to our mind?

A woman who’s Free as Air, Adaptive as Water, Fierce as Fire, Compassionate & Nurturance as Earth, and Serene as Space.

The Legend has it –

• Goddess Shailputri is an absolute form of Mother Nature. She is the embodiment of patience and devotion.
• She is also Goddess Parvati who is revered as the consort of Lord Shiva in this form.
• Before taking the form of Shailaputri, she was Sati in her previous birth, who immolated herself in a yogic fire as her husband Lord Shiva was humiliated in a sacrificial ceremony held by her father Daksh Prajapati. She takes the incarnation of Devi Shailputri to be married again to Lord Shiva with due respect.
• Devi Shailaputri resides in Muladhara Chakra also being the source of Shakti. Starting the first day of our spiritual journey is to focus on this chakra to be bestowed with strength, courage, and composure.
• The color “Red” is significant also for this day as this Devi symbolizes action and vigor to be steadfast in achieving our goals.

The Modern Avataar

On this auspicious occasion, we would like to take a moment to salute the real-life and Modern Avatars of Devi Shailputri who have also constantly struggled and outshined, to preserve and maintain the ecological balance.

With weapons of empowerment, these women took an environmental stand-off and played the role of ‘superhero’. A matriarchal goddess-type figure also these women exist as an example of self, the saviour of society, cosmos, and the environment.

Governing Planet

It is believed that the Moon, the provider of all fortunes, is governed by Goddess Shailputri and any bad effect of the Moon can be overcome by worshipping this form of Adi Shakti.

Iconography

The mount of Goddess Shailputri is bull and because of that she is also known as Vrisharudha . Goddess Shailputri is depicted with two hands. She carries Trishul in the right hand and the lotus flower in the left hand.

Details

She is also known as Hemavati and Parvati. Due to her importance among all nine forms Goddess Shailputri is worshipped also on the first day of Navratri. Similar to her previous birth as Goddess Sati, Goddess Shailputri got married to Lord Shiva.

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Shailaputri Rupena Samsthita।

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥