Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day fest in which the devotees worship different avatars of Maa Durga on each of the nine days. On worshiping different forms of Maa Durga on these Nine Nights or Navratri, one can attain optimism, positivity, and worthwhile outcomes. In 2024, Chaitra Navratri shall begin on April 09, 2024. The different forms of Maa Durga are Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. On Chaitra Navratri 2024 Day 1, the devotees worship Maa Shailputri with immense dedication. 

Shailputri, meaning daughter of the mountain, is a Sanskrit name per Hindu mythology. As per the Maa Shailputri Katha, Maa Durga was born in the house of the King of the Himalayas, that is, Parvat Raj Himalaya, and thus was named Shailputri. The Goddess was also known as Hemavati, as she was the daughter of Hemavan, the king of the Himalayas. 

Do you know there is a particular manner in which we shall worship to seek blessings from Shailputri Maa on the Day 1 of the Chaitra Navratri 2024? Let us have a look at all the details related to it.

Also See: List Of Chaitra Navratri Day

Chaitra Navratri 2024 Day 1: Date and Time

Chaitra Navratri 2024 Day 1 shall be celebrated as per the below-given schedule - 

Maa Shailputri shall be worshiped on this day as per the given schedule. Devotees should wear yellow colored clothes and offer White Kaner, Maa Shailputri's favorite color flowers while performing the puja. 

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Maa Shailputri Katha

As per the Shiva Mahapurana as well as Hindu mythology, the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, Goddess Sati, was married to the love of her life, Lord Shiva. Prajapati Daksha, however, did not want her to marry Mahadev, and before their marriage, tried everything to make it unsuccessful. But he couldn't.

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Prajapati Daksha once organized a Mahayagya. He invited all the deities and close relatives, but Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati. When Goddess Sati got to know about it, she was heartbroken and comprehended that her father who loved her so much, was the one criticizing her husband, Lord Shiva. 

When Sati was leaving Kailash to attend the function, Mahadev urged her not to go, but she didn't listen. When she reached her father's place, everyone asked her to return, but she didn't. When her father saw it, a huge quarrel between the two took place. In guilt of not listening to her husband, she set her body on fire during the Yoga Yagya. 

Mahadev was crushed to witness all of this. He set himself apart from everyone and spent a very long time doing penance. The entire universe got in disorder without them. The rebirth of Mata Sati as Parvati in the house of King Himalaya provided rays of hope. Goddess Parvati began her search for Lord Shiva with much effort and dedication. 

Unfortunately, Goddess Parvati had a challenging period grabbing the attention of Lord Shiva since he was in deep meditation. She remarried Mahadev after numerous attempts. As a result, Shailputri Maa established herself as the genuine Goddess of the Mool Chakra. She was built to create a relationship of unconditional love with Lord Shiva, who also praised her as the Goddess of consciousness. The devotees enter the Moola Chakra and worship Goddess Shailputri on the Chaitra Navratri Day 1 to build commitment while remembering the Mooladhara.

Appearance of Maa Shailputri

As mentioned previously, Shailputri Maa was born in a Himalayan house, the king of mountains. Maa Durga's avatar possesses Trishul in her right hand and a lotus flower in the other. On her forehead, there is a crescent. 

The vehicle of the Goddess is the bull, Nandi, due to which she is also called Vrisharudha. Maa Shailputri was born in the house of Himalaya, the king of the mountains. Thus, known as Mata Shailputri. This incarnation of Maa Durga has a Trishul in the right hand, a lotus flower in the left hand, and a crescent moon on the forehead. 

Nandi bull is the vehicle of the Goddess, hence she is also known as Vrisharudha. Shailputri, also known as Sati, is seen as an expression of kindness and love in this embodiment. According to astrology, Maa Durga is the symbol of the moon, hence worshiping the moon eliminates negative impacts from one's life.

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Worshiping Shailputri Maa

Usually, devotees observe fasts on the first and last day of the Navratri, though many keep it throughout nine days as well. On Chaitra Navratri 2024 Day 1, Goddess Shailputri is worshiped with utmost devotion. As she is the form of Maa Durga, devotees worship Durga Maa with proper rituals in order to receive their desired boon and retain the blessings of Maa Durga.

The right way to worship Maa Durga in this form to please her and obtain her blessings is described below. You can also get into an online chat with expert astrologer to know about any further queries on Chaitra Navratri. 

• Wake up at Brahma Muhurta and bathe.
• Clean your temple or puja room appropriately.
• Place a clean wooden base and spread a red colored clean cloth on it.
• Set the idol of Maa Durga on the spread red cloth with all her forms.
• Worship Shailputri Maa and take a vow to observe the fast.
• Offer clothes and white-colored flowers to Goddess Durga after worshiping. 
• Present sweets made with cow's ghee to the Goddess.
• Maa Shailputri's favorite color is white. Hence, while worshiping Pratipada, worship the Goddess in white clothes. Also, offer white sweets and white flowers.
• Recite the Shailputri mantra and narrate the Maa Shailputri katha.
• Lastly, perform the aarti and light a lamp with ghee, and place it in front of the idol or picture. 

First Navratri Mata Mantra

Chant the following mantra while performing the puja - 

Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah॥॥॥

Vande Vanchit Labhay Chandrardhakrit Shekharam.

Vrishabha Shuldham Shailputri Yashswinim॥॥॥

Vande Vanchit Labhay Chandrardhakrit Sekharam

Endnote

The benefits of observing a fast on Chaitra Navratri 2024 are immense. So, dress up in the favorite Maa Shailputri color, observe fast, perform the puja, and chant the first Navratri Mata mantra to receive immense benefits on this Chaitra Navratri.