Shailputri is the first form amongst Navadurga or nine forms of Hindu goddess Durga or Shakti, worshipped on first day during the Navratri celebrations – the nine divine nights. She is the first among Navadurgas and the first day of Navratri pooja is dedicated to Durga Shailaputri. Variously known as Sati, Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati. Maa Shailaputri is the absolute form of Mother Nature. She is also known as Goddess Parvati the consort of Lord Shiva and mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya. In the Navratra festival the worshiping Mother Goddess has a half moon in her forehead & she is holding a trident in her right hand & lotus flower in her left hand. she rides on mount Nandi (bull).
She is daughter of Himalaya and first among nine Durgas. Shailaputri literally means daughter(putri) of the mountain(shaila). Goddess Durga was born in the house of King of Mountains “Parvat Raj Himalaya”, so she is called “Shailaputri” means the daughter of mountain. Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana – the king of the Himalayas.
The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands. In previous birth, she was daughter of Daksha. Her name was Sati – Bhavani. i.e. wife of Lord Shiva. Once Daksha had organized a big Yagna and did not invite Shiva. But Sati being obstinate, reached there. Thereupon Daksha insulted Shiva. Sati could not tolerate the insult of husband and burnt herself in the fire of Yagna. In other birth, she became the daughter of Himalaya in the name of Parvati – Hemavati and got married with Shiva. As per Upanishad, she had torn and the egotism of Indra, etc. Devtas. Being ashamed they bowed and prayed that, “In fact, thou are Shakti, we all – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are capable by getting Shakti from you.”