#NavShakti: SHAILPUTRI

Navratri is one of the most prominent festivals in India. The festival is a grand nine-day celebration all over the country.  Navratri symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The nine days of Navratri are devoted to different forms of Maa Durga devotees seek blessings and fast for nine days in order to rejuvenate. Navratri also marks the arrival of festivities in India.

The Pratipada(first day) of Navratri is devoted to Maa Shailaputri who is the daughter of the great Himalayas. She is the incarnation of Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva. The story of Maa Shailaputri is alluring.

In the previous birth, Sati was born as the daughter of King Daksha Prajapati. Sati was in love with Lord Shiva and wanted to marry him, but her father Daksha was against it. He thought that Shiva was a dirty ascetic and was not meant for marrying his daughter. But Sati married him even if it was against her father’s will. Once Daksha set up a Yajna and invited all the Gods and Goddesses except Sati and Shiva. Sati could not believe it, she thought she thought maybe it was a mistake. So she decided to go and visit her parents. But when she reached there her father and the invitees there disregarded her. Sati was heartbroken, she couldn’t bear it. She stepped on the fire that was burning and burnt herself. Seeing this Shiva got furious and emerged as Veerbhadra. He caused destruction all over there. He pulled the half-burnt corpse of his wife and her different body parts fell in different places. These places are known as SHAKTIPETHAS. Daksha Prajapati was later forgiven due to the interception of Lord Vishnu.

Sati was reborn in the form of Shailaputri. She also came to be known as Maa Parvati and Hemavati. She is pictured as riding on a Nandi bull, holding Trishul in her right hand and lotus in her left. Yellow is her color which symbolizes action and vigor. It is believed that she governs the moon and is the owner of fortune. She epitomizes the power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.

Shailaputri is considered the spirit of earthly existence. The puja starts with Ghatasthapana, which remarks the feminine power, and an idol or photo of the goddess is placed. Diyas are lit up and delicacies made up of pure ghee are offered. Maa Shailaputri blesses her devotees with wealth, health, and luck.