Navratri Day 1: Maa Shailaputri (शैलपुत्री), Story, Mantra & Puja

On day 1 of Navratri, the Pratipada tithi, devotees worship Maa Shailaputri (माँ शैलपुत्री), the first of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. In 2026 her day falls on Sunday, 11 October 2026.

The story of Maa Shailaputri

Shaila means mountain and putri daughter: Shailaputri is the daughter of Himavan, king of the Himalaya. In her previous life she was Sati, daughter of Daksha and wife of Shiva. When Daksha held a great yagna and pointedly insulted Shiva by not inviting him, Sati went anyway, and, unable to bear the insult to her husband, gave up her body in the sacrificial fire.

She was born again to Himavan and his queen Mena as Parvati, and once again, through devotion, became Shiva’s consort. As the first form of the Navadurga, Shailaputri is the goddess at the very beginning of the journey: rooted, strong and unshakeable, like the mountain.

Her form and what it means

She rides the white bull Nandi, holds a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left, and wears a crescent moon. Her form is calm and steady, like the mountain she is named for.

Day one is about steadiness. Just as Ghatasthapana sets the kalash firmly on the earth, Shailaputri is worshipped for a firm foundation: in health, in the home, and in the resolve to keep the nine days of prayer.

Dhyana mantra

वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥

I bow to the glorious Shailaputri, who grants what is wished for, who wears the crescent moon in her hair, rides the bull and holds the trident.

How to worship Maa Shailaputri on day 1

1. Bathe early, wear clean clothes, and sit before the kalash and the goddess’s picture.
2. Offer water to the kalash, and fresh flowers, kumkum and akshat to the goddess.
3. Light the diya (or tend the akhand jyoti) and incense.
4. Offer her bhog: pure cow ghee, offered on its own or in a sweet.
5. Chant ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः 108 times, and recite the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati.
6. Sing the aarti “Jai Ambe Gauri” and share the prasad with your family.

Ghatasthapana on day one

Day one begins with Ghatasthapana, placing the kalash that holds the goddess for all nine days. Do it in the morning after sunrise, avoiding Rahu Kaal (which falls in the late afternoon on Sundays). The full step-by-step method is in our Navratri 2026 guide.

The nine days

Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini →

See all nine days, the dates, Ghatasthapana and fasting rules in our Navratri 2026 guide.

Artwork: the goddess riding a lion, chromolithograph, Wellcome Collection, CC BY 4.0.