Chaitra Navratri 2026 begins on March 19, and the first day of the festival is dedicated to Maa Shailputri, the first form of Goddess Durga. During Navratri, devotees worship nine different forms of Durga, known as Navdurga, and the spiritual journey always starts with Shailputri. Many people celebrate the festival every year, but not everyone knows why Maa Shailputri is worshipped first or what her story means.
According to Hindu scriptures and religious traditions, Navratri begins with the worship of the purest and most basic form of divine energy, which is why Maa Shailputri is honoured on Day 1. She represents strength, stability, and the beginning of spiritual growth. In Chaitra Navratri 2026, devotees will start the festival with her prayers to seek blessings for the next nine days.
Who Is Maa Shailputri? Meaning Of The Name
The name Shailputri comes from two Sanskrit words – Shail, which means mountain, and Putri, which means daughter. Maa Shailputri is known as the daughter of King Himalaya, the ruler of mountains. She is believed to be the reincarnation of Goddess Sati, who later took birth again as Parvati and married Lord Shiva.
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In her divine form, Maa Shailputri is shown riding a bull called Nandi. She holds a trident in one hand and a lotus in the other. The bull symbolises strength and patience, while the lotus represents purity. Devotees believe that worshipping her brings courage, peace, and stability in life.
Religious texts also say that Maa Shailputri is connected with the Moon, and praying to her is believed to remove mental stress and bring emotional balance. Because of this belief, many devotees begin Chaitra Navratri 2026 by praying to Maa Shailputri for peace and strength.
Chaitra Navratri 2026: Why Maa Shailputri Is Worshipped First
In Navratri, the nine forms of Durga represent different stages of spiritual progress. Maa Shailputri is worshipped first because she symbolises the starting point of the journey. She represents the power of nature and the root energy from which life begins.
Spiritual experts say that the first day of Navratri is linked with the Muladhar chakra, which is the base of spiritual energy in the human body. Worshipping Maa Shailputri is believed to awaken this energy and prepare the devotee for the next eight days of worship.
Another reason she is worshipped first is because her story teaches patience, sacrifice, and devotion. In her previous life as Sati, she sacrificed herself to protect the honour of Lord Shiva, and later took birth again as Parvati. This symbolises the cycle of destruction and new beginnings, which is why Navratri also marks a time for fresh starts.
The first day of Navratri is also the day of Kalash Sthapana, when devotees invite divine energy into their homes. Worship done on this day is believed to set the tone for the entire festival. People pray to Maa Shailputri for strength, good health, and success in life.
Because she represents the beginning of the Navratri journey, devotees believe that starting Chaitra Navratri 2026 with her blessings brings positivity for the remaining eight days and for the whole year.
