Sharadeya Navratri being celebrated in ‘Shukla Paksha’ of the month of Ashwin as per the Hindu calendar started from Monday. Maa Shailputri is the divine energy of Maa Durga worshipped for spiritual awakening. Her idol is depicted as a Goddess, who is sitting on Nandi bull with a flower in her right hand and trident in the left. On the first day of Navratri, it is a common practice to do the ‘Ghatasthapana’. Seeds of nine, seven, five, three or one crop are sown on a soil bed created on this day and daily watered to see the seeds sprout and grow over the nine days. Goddess Shailputri is worshipped on this first day. Also known as Sati, Bhawani and Hemavati, the Goddess is the daughter of Himalaya. This day is devoted to white colour. White symbolises peace and serenity signifying the absolute form of Mother Nature- Mata Shailputri. It is believed that Goddess Shailputri controls the planet moon. By chanting Adi Shakti mantras, one can get rid of the bad effects of the moon and it also helps to maintain a healthy life. In the previous birth, Maa Shailputri was the daughter of King Daksha, named as Sati.

Day two of Navratri is dedicated to the worship of Maa Brahmacharini. This form of Goddess Durga is symbolic of the severe penance carried out by Goddess Parvati, and her unmarried form is worshipped as Goddess Brahmacharini.