Navratri, a major Hindu festival, is celebrated over nine nights and days and is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga in her 9 different forms. Each of the 9 days is dedicated to the worship of a different form of Durga and has its own colour, offering or bhog and meanings. The first day of Navratri, devotees invoke the energy of Goddess Shailaputri, the first manifestation of Goddess Durga.
A powerful Muladhar mantra is recited by devotees during worship of mata: Om shram sheem shoom shailputrai Namah.
For the first day of Navtratri - Ghee is the specific offering made to mata.
Sabudana Khichdi and Kalakand barfi are prepared for the bhog offering to Goddess Shailaputri.
The nine nights of Navratri begin with the Ghatasthapana, or Kalash sthapana, a ritual that establishes the start of prayers for the 9 nights of Navratri. During Ghatasthapana puja, sacred and symbolic items are used. A clay utensil serves as the base, filled with three layers of mud and Sapta Dhanya/Navadhanya seeds. Ganga jal is poured into a Kalasha, and Supari, coins, Akshat (turmeric-mixed raw rice), and Durva grass are added. Five mango leaves are placed around the Kalash neck, which is then covered with a coconut.
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