Maa Shailputri is the daughter of Himalayas. The word Shail in the Sanskrit language means Mountain, and Putri means daughter. Thus, Shailputri means Daughter of the Mountains. Goddess Durga is known by this name because she has incarnated from Himalayas – the Emperor of Mountains. Also, she is the first avatar, amongst the nine different avatars of Goddess Durga. Hence, Maa Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri.
Important Dates and Muhurat Timings For the First Day Of Navratri 2026
Navratri Day 1 (Maa Shailputri Puja) – Sunday, October 11, 2026
| Event | Timing / Details |
|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana Muhurat | 06:21 AM to 10:14 AM (Duration – 03 Hours 53 Mins) |
| Ghatasthapana Abhijit Muhurat | 11:46 AM to 12:33 PM (Duration – 00 Hours 47 Mins) |
| Ghatasthapana Muhurta falls on | Pratipada Tithi (Ashwin Shukla Pratipada) |
| Ghatasthapana Muhurta falls during | Pratah Kaal (first one-third of the day) |
| Pratipada Tithi Begins | 09:21 PM on Oct 10, 2026 |
| Pratipada Tithi Ends | 09:32 PM on Oct 11, 2026 |
| Kanya Lagna Begins | 04:37 AM on Oct 11, 2026 |
| Kanya Lagna Ends | 06:53 AM on Oct 11, 2026 |
Goddess Shailputri Embodies The Powers Of Lord Brahma, Vishnu And Shiva
Maa Shailputri is mounted on a bullock, and has a lance in her right hand, and holds a lotus flower in the left hand. She is worshipped on the first day of Navratri, as the embodiment of the powers of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Shailputri Maa rides a bull, & carries a trident (Trishul) and a lotus in her hands. In her previous birth, Goddess Shailputri was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati. She was named Sati and was highly devoted to Lord Shiva since her childhood. Later on, she was married to Lord Shiva.
Mata Shailputri Can Help You Experience Completeness In Life
Maa Shailputri has many divine powers. While meditating on the first day of Navratri, a devotee should focus on the body parts of Muladhara Chakra. From here onwards, the journey of Navratri Sadhana begins. The Yog Sadhana starts by chanting Shailputri Dhyan and Mantra. This goddess fulfills all the materialistic desires, and you can thus experience completeness in your life. The devotee needs to keep his or her mind focused on the Muladhara Chakra.
Furthermore, perform the puja by following Vedic rituals. You can now book your personalised puja, where our Vedic Panditji will follow all the traditional Vedic rituals and procedure to generate the maximum positive energy from the puja.
The Mantra And Other Facts About Maa Shailputri:
Maa Shailputri Dhyan: Vande Vanchhit Laabhaya Chandrardha Krita Shekharaam Vrisharudham Shooladharam Shailputrim Yashasvinim.
Maa Shailputri Mantra for the first day of Navratri: Om Sham Shailputraye Namah. (Chant 108 times).
Colour of the first day: Orange.
Prasad of the first day: Banana and Ghee made from cow milk & Crystal Sugar.
2026 Shardiya Navratri Ghatasthapana
Ghatasthapana is one of the significant rituals during Navratri. It marks the beginning of nine days of festivity. Our scriptures have well-defined rules and guidelines to perform Ghatasthapana during a certain period of time at the beginning of Navratri. Ghatasthapana is the invocation of Goddess Shakti and doing it wrong time, as our scriptures forewarn, might bring wrath of the Goddess Shakti. Ghatasthapana is prohibited during Amavasya and night time.
The most auspicious or Shubh time to do Ghatasthapana is first one-third of the day while Pratipada is prevailing. If due to some reasons this time is not available then Ghatasthapana can be done during Abhijit Muhurta. It is advised to avoid Nakshatra Chitra and Vaidhriti Yoga during Ghatasthapana but those are not prohibited. The most important factor to consider is that Ghatasthapana is done before Hindu midday while Pratipada is prevailing.
In 2026, Ghatasthapana falls on Sunday, October 11. Both Chitra Nakshatra and Vaidhriti Yoga are present on Pratipada this year, so Ghatasthapana is best done in the first one-third of the day, from 06:21 AM to 10:14 AM. If that is not possible, it can be done in Abhijit Muhurat, from 11:46 AM to 12:33 PM, before Hindu midday.
With Ganesha’s Grace,
GaneshaSpeaks.com
FAQs
When is the first day of Navratri in 2026?
The first day of Navratri in 2026 is on Sunday, October 11.
Who is Maa Shailputri?
Maa Shailputri is the first avatar of Goddess Durga, known as the Daughter of the Mountains. She is worshipped on the first day of Navratri.
What is the significance of Ghatasthapana?
Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of Navratri and involves the invocation of Goddess Shakti. It should be performed at the most auspicious time to avoid any negative consequences.
What are the recommended Muhurat timings for Ghatasthapana in 2026?
In 2026, the best time for Ghatasthapana is from 06:21 AM to 10:14 AM. If not possible, it can be done during Abhijit Muhurat from 11:46 AM to 12:33 PM.
What rituals should be followed during Maa Shailputri Puja?
During Maa Shailputri Puja, devotees should meditate on the Muladhara Chakra, chant the Shailputri Mantra 108 times, and follow Vedic rituals to seek her blessings.
