Thu Oct 03 01:55:19 UTC 2024: ## Maa Shailputri Puja Marks the Beginning of Shardiya Navratri 2024
**New Delhi:** The nine-day festival of Shardiya Navratri began today, September 24th, with the worship of Maa Shailputri, the presiding deity of the first day.
Maa Shailputri, daughter of King Himavan, is revered as the embodiment of purity and strength. She is depicted holding a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left. According to ancient texts, devotees on this day focus on centering their minds in the Muladhara chakra, transcending all earthly desires.
The legend of Maa Shailputri is deeply intertwined with the story of Sati, the daughter of Daksha. Sati, in her previous birth, was married to Lord Shiva. When Daksha organized a grand yagna (fire sacrifice) and excluded Shiva, Sati’s devotion compelled her to attend despite knowing her father’s animosity towards her husband.
The humiliation and disrespect she faced at the yagna, witnessing her husband being ignored, drove Sati to self-immolation. In her anger, Shiva destroyed the yagna and mourned the loss of his beloved. It was in this birth that Sati was reborn as Parvati, the daughter of Himavan, known as Maa Shailputri.
On this auspicious day, devotees observe various rituals including offering prayers and worshipping Maa Shailputri. It is customary to feed an unmarried girl and for women to adorn themselves in orange or white sarees.
The festival of Navratri is considered a time for spiritual reflection, self-purification, and seeking divine blessings. The next nine days will see the worship of different forms of Devi Durga, each embodying different aspects of power and grace.
First Piper 