Know why Navratri begins with worship of Goddess Durga's Shailaputri form

The nine-day Navratri festival dedicated to Goddess Durga begins with the worship of Maa Shailaputri, the first among her nine divine forms known as the Navadurgas. Shailaputri, whose name means ‘Daughter of the Mountain’, holds immense spiritual significance as she embodies purity, strength and devotion.

According to Hindu scriptures, Shailaputri is the incarnation of Goddess Sati, the daughter of King Daksha. When Sati immolated herself during a yajna after her father insulted Lord Shiva, she was reborn as the daughter of the King of the Himalayas, thereby earning the name Shailaputri (Shaila meaning mountain, Putri meaning daughter). In this form, she represents steadfastness and divine resolve.

Depiction and Attributes

Maa Shailaputri is depicted riding a bull, carrying a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left. This imagery symbolises courage, devotion and calmness. The bull represents dharma, while the trident denotes power and the ability to destroy evil. Her lotus signifies purity and the awakening of spiritual consciousness. Worshippers believe that invoking Shailaputri on the first day of Navratri purifies the mind and soul, paving the way for a disciplined and righteous life.

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The worship of Maa Shailaputri is not just symbolic of purity and new beginnings but also directly tied to Goddess Durga’s divine mission. When Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, unleashed terror on earth and heaven, the gods united their energies to create Goddess Durga. 

As her first manifestation, Shailaputri symbolises the inception of this divine power. It is in this form that she takes the oath to destroy evil and forms the foundation of Durga’s ultimate battle to slay Mahishasura. Thus, invoking Shailaputri on the first day marks the beginning of this sacred vow of triumph of good over evil.

Maa Shailaputri represents the starting point of Durga’s divine journey during Navratri. She not only blesses devotees with purity and strength but also reminds them of the Goddess’s vow to annihilate Mahishasura and restore balance in the universe. Her worship sets the stage for the following days, where each form of Maa Durga unfolds a deeper aspect of her power and victory over evil.