Navratri 2017: Here is how to worship Goddess Durga's first avatar

The season of festival began on 21 September with the first day of Navaratri. The festival of Navaratri is celebrated for nine days and all the days are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga.

On the first day of Navaratri, Goddess Durga's first avatar 'Shailputri' is worshiped. Shailputri was born to the King of Mountains. “Shail” means mountain and “putri” means daughter. She is the absolute form of Mother Nature. Maa Shailputri is referred to as a Goddess Parvati.

If you worship Goddess Durga by following all the rituals, then it is believed that it will bring good fortune.

Here is how Goddess Shailputri must be worshipped according to the rituals:

Durga is worshiped as mother of Nature, nature of affection and compassion.

As the Navratri begin, it is important for devotees to first clean the place and keep a picture of Mother Shail Putri on a piece of wood. Clean the idol with pure water.

A kalash is filled with with clean water or Ganga jal along with currency coins, akshat, supari, Durva grass in it. Put five leaves of the mango tree around the neck of kalash and then place a coconut. Put kumkum and haldi on Maa Shailputri as well as on the kalash. Lit a diya in front of the Goddess. After this take a vow of determination and read the story of Mata Shailputri. Also pronouncing the mantra of Mother Shailaputri.