Today is first Navratri. Prathama is the Sanskrit word for "first", and is the first day of the lunar fortnight (Paksha) of the Hindu calendar. Prathama is also known as Pratipada in Odisha & western India (Maharashtra, Konkan, and Goa).Among all the 9 days of Navratri, each day is devoted to the 9 different forms of the deity Durga.Goddess Durga is worshipped under 9 distinct names for 9 days of Navratri
On the very first day of Navratri, the deity Durga takes on the form of "Shailputri" who is reckoned as the daughter of Himalayas. This is another form of "Shakti"-The spouse of "Shiva".
For Hindus, the mother goddess, Durga, is a very special deity, able to appear in nine different forms, each of which is endowed with unique powers and traits. Together, these nine manifestations are called Navadurga(translated as "nine Durgas").
Devout Hindus celebrate Durga and her many appellations during a nine-night festival called Navaratri, which is held in late September or early October, depending on when it falls on the Hindu lunisolar calendar. Each night of Navaratri honours one of the mother goddess' manifestations. Hindus believe that Durga if worshipped with sufficient religious fervour, will lift the divine spirit and fill them with renewed happiness.
Read about each of the Navadurga in the order in which they are celebrated with prayer, song, and rituals during the nine nights of Navaratri.
Shailaputri
Navaratri begins with a night of worship and celebration in honour of Shaliaputri, whose name means "daughter of the mountains." Also known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati, or Hemavati, she is the daughter of Hemavana, the king of the Himalayas. Shaliaputri is considered to be the purest embodiment of Durga and the mother of nature. In iconography, she is depicted riding a bull and holding a trident and a lotus blossom. The lotus represents purity and devotion, while the prongs on the trident represent the past, present, and future.
Yellow colour which is believed to be a colour of the planet sun and is dedicated to Maa Shailputri means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). As the colour yellow represents energy and happiness and is believed to be an appropriate colour to start the festival. This colour is very pious and considered sacred in Hindu religion.It is used in Puja and in our daily lives while using Haldi for every occasion and for cooking or as an ayurvedic medicine. It is also believed that yellow is the colour of peace, warmth, and knowledge which is why most of the Hindu Gods are dressed in yellow robes and dhotis.
Today I wore this yellow saree. It is about 25 years old. I have worn it here before. At that time it was named Draupadi sari as Draupadi was depicted in Mahabharata wearing this sari.
It is actually nine yards long and not six and hence so many pleats. Today I wore it with a Tommy Hilfiger T-shirt that I have worn here (with a saree) here (for a workout) and here (with a colourful skirt) before.
Yellow colour which is believed to be a colour of the planet sun and is dedicated to Maa Shailputri means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). As the colour yellow represents energy and happiness and is believed to be an appropriate colour to start the festival. This colour is very pious and considered sacred in Hindu religion.It is used in Puja and in our daily lives while using Haldi for every occasion and for cooking or as an ayurvedic medicine. It is also believed that yellow is the colour of peace, warmth, and knowledge which is why most of the Hindu Gods are dressed in yellow robes and dhotis.
Today I wore this yellow saree. It is about 25 years old. I have worn it here before. At that time it was named Draupadi sari as Draupadi was depicted in Mahabharata wearing this sari.
It is actually nine yards long and not six and hence so many pleats. Today I wore it with a Tommy Hilfiger T-shirt that I have worn here (with a saree) here (for a workout) and here (with a colourful skirt) before.
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