Navratri is celebrated among the Hindu Communities in India and across the world, including Mauritius. It is celebrated to honour the feminine power. The nine manifestations of Guddess Durga is worshipped on each day.
Navratri 2018 Puja starts with Kalash Sthapana or popularly known as Ghatasthapana. The devotees sow the seeds of barley in a clay pot or a Kalash. This signifies prosperity and invocation of the Goddess in the house. The Kalash is decorated with vermilion (Sindoor), turmeric (Haldi) and flowers. The Kalash with seeds is watered everyday and worshipped.
The first day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shailaputri. Shailaputri, is a combination of two words, Shaila (Mountains) and Putri (daughter), meaning the daughter of the mountains. Goddess Shailputri is also known as Bhavani, Parvati or Hemvati.
Goddess Shailaputri is often represented with a lotus in one hand and a trident in another, seated atop a bull. She was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati in her earlier birth and through her deep devotion and penance was able to persuade Lord Shiva to grant her wish of becoming his consort. Once her father had organized a special Yajna, to which she and her husband Lord Shiva were not invited, but was however attended by all the Gods and holy men. Angered by her father’s denunciation and criticism of Lord Shiva she immolated herself. In her next birth she was born as Shailaputri and married Lord Shiva.
Significance of Worshipping Shailaputri:
Shailaputri is considered to be a devi of the ‘root chakra’. Her abone is in the Muladhara Chakra. So worshipping Mata Shailaputri helps devotee to realise the “Muladhara” shakti within oneself.
Goddess Shailputri Puja Vidhi, Colour, Mantra
The puja begins with smearing vermilion on the forehead of Goddess Shailputri idol or picture. The feet of the idol are washed with holy Ganges water using hands. The idol is then offered with flowers, fruits, sweets. The mantras are recited with heart, followed by an Aarti.
A ghee lamp is lighted for nine days. A chapter of Durga Saptshathi is ready everyday to invoke positive air in the house. Many devotees fast throughout the nine days of Navratri. However, you can also fast on the fast and the last day of the holy nine days.
Maa Shailputri Aarti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2DB7AQqs68
शैलपुत्री माँ बैल असवार। करें देवता जय जय कार॥
शिव-शंकर की प्रिय भवानी। तेरी महिमा किसी ने न जानी॥
पार्वती तू उमा कहलावें। जो तुझे सुमिरे सो सुख पावें॥
रिद्धि सिद्धि परवान करें तू। दया करें धनवान करें तू॥
सोमवार को शिव संग प्यारी। आरती जिसने तेरी उतारी॥
उसकी सगरी आस पुजा दो। सगरे दुःख तकलीफ मिटा दो॥
घी का सुन्दर दीप जला के। गोला गरी का भोग लगा के॥
श्रद्धा भाव से मन्त्र जपायें। प्रेम सहित फिर शीश झुकायें॥
जय गिरराज किशोरी अम्बे। शिव मुख चन्द्र चकोरी अम्बे॥
मनोकामना पूर्ण कर दो। चमन सदा सुख सम्पत्ति भर दो॥