Navratri Day 1: March 30, 2025, marks the first day of Navratri, a nine-day sacred festival that starts with worshipping Maa Shailputri. Maa Shailputri, the first goddess of Navratri, is worshipped on the first day of this auspicious festival for several profound reasons. She represents purity, strength, and the foundation of all creation, symbolizing the beginning of the divine journey and the spiritual awakening that devotees seek during Navratri. As the first incarnation of Goddess Durga, Maa Shailputri holds a special place in the hearts of devotees, who believe embodies qualities like serenity, simplicity, and boundless compassion.
In Hindu mythology, Maa Shailputri is depicted as riding a bull named Nandi and holding a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left. This image is significant, symbolizing her control over the material world and her mastery over the forces of nature. She is also the daughter of the mountains (Shail), representing her connection to the natural world and its protective qualities.
Her divine association with the Muladhara Chakra, the root energy center of the body, makes her worship especially important on Day 1 of Navratri. This chakra governs our sense of security, stability, and grounding, and by invoking Maa Shailputri, devotees seek to strengthen these aspects of their lives.
Devotees believe that Maa Shailputri protects them from all challenges and difficulties. Worshipping her is thought to provide a shield of protection, ensuring that individuals are guided through tough times with her divine support. Additionally, Maa Shailputri is revered as the protector of wild animals, emphasizing her nurturing and benevolent nature.
By honoring Maa Shailputri on the first day of Navratri, devotees believe they are laying a strong, positive foundation for the remaining days of the festival, seeking her blessings for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth throughout the nine days of devotion.
