Navratri 2026 · Day 1 · Sunday, 11 October 2026
Navratri Day 1: Maa Shailputri
नवरात्रि दिन 1: माँ शैलपुत्री
Ghatasthapana day. Maa Shailputri, daughter of the Himalayas, marks new beginnings.
- Colour of the day
- Orange
- Tithi
- Pratipada
- Bhog
- Pure cow ghee, or sweets made in ghee
- Ruling planet
- Moon
Maa Shailputri Mantra
ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah
Chant 108 times with a rosary (mala) during the day's puja.
Dhyana / Stuti Mantra
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्। वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥
Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputrim Yashasvinim
Meaning: I bow to the glorious Shailputri, who wears the half-moon on her head, rides the bull and holds the trident, for the fulfilment of my wishes.
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ शैलपुत्री रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Shailputri Rupena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Form of Maa Shailputri
Maa Shailputri rides the bull Nandi, holding a trident (trishul) in her right hand and a lotus in her left. A crescent moon adorns her forehead.
Maa Shailputri Katha
In her previous birth the Goddess was Sati, daughter of King Daksha and wife of Lord Shiva. When Daksha held a great yagna and deliberately insulted Shiva by not inviting him, Sati went anyway. Unable to bear the insult to her husband, she gave up her body in the sacrificial fire.
She was reborn as the daughter of Himavan, king of the mountains, and so was called Shailputri - "daughter of the mountain" (shaila = mountain). As Parvati she again won Shiva as her husband.
Because she is the first form worshipped, her puja begins the nine nights. Yogis meditate on her to awaken the Muladhara (root) chakra, the foundation of spiritual practice.
Blessings
Stability, strength and a firm start to any new undertaking.
Day 1 Puja Vidhi
- Wake early, bathe and wear orange if you can.
- Perform Ghatasthapana (kalash sthapana) in the muhurat. See the muhurat and vidhi.
- Place a picture of Maa Shailputri and offer roli, akshat and red hibiscus or jasmine.
- Offer the bhog: pure cow ghee, or sweets made in ghee.
- Chant "Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah" 108 times, then recite the stuti above.
- Read the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati.
- End with the Jai Ambe Gauri aarti and share the prasad.
Questions about Day 1
Which goddess is worshipped on Navratri Day 1?
Maa Shailputri (शैलपुत्री) is worshipped on day 1 of Navratri. In 2026 this falls on Sunday, 11 October 2026.
What is the colour of Navratri Day 1 in 2026?
The colour for Navratri Day 1 (Sunday, 11 October 2026) is Orange.
What is the bhog for Maa Shailputri?
Pure cow ghee, or sweets made in ghee is offered to Maa Shailputri. Her favourite flowers are red hibiscus or jasmine.
What is the mantra of Maa Shailputri?
The main mantra is "Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah" (ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥). Chant it 108 times with a rosary during the day's puja.