The First Two Days of Navaratri – Goddess Shailaputri and Goddess Brahmacharini:

The First Two Days of Navaratri – Goddess Shailaputri and Goddess Brahmacharini

By Lokanath Mishra

Navaratri is a very special festival when we celebrate the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Each day we worship her in a new form. She blesses her children with strength, wisdom, peace, and happiness. Let’s learn about the first two days of Navaratri and the goddesses who are worshipped.

Day 1 – Goddess Shailaputri

On the first day of Navaratri, we pray to Goddess Shailaputri. The word Shailaputri means “daughter of the mountain.” She is also known as Parvati, the daughter of the great King Himalaya.

In pictures, she is shown riding a white bull, wearing white clothes, and holding a trident in one hand and a lotus flower in the other. She has three eyes that shine with kindness. She looks calm and peaceful, but she is also very strong.

Goddess Shailaputri teaches us that even though we live in the world of things we can touch and see, we should remember that everything has the presence of God in it. She reminds us to stay steady, like a mountain, and never lose courage.

Day 2 – Goddess Brahmacharini

On the second day of Navaratri, we worship Goddess Brahmacharini. She is another form of Parvati. When she was young, she wanted to marry Lord Shiva, but Shiva was living as a sage, away from the world. To win his love, Parvati decided to do very hard penance (tapasya).

That is why she is called Brahmacharini, which means “the one who walks on the path of penance and discipline.”

She is shown walking barefoot, holding a rosary in one hand and a water pot in the other. She wears white clothes and has a gentle smile on her face. She looks simple, yet very determined.

Goddess Brahmacharini teaches us the value of patience, self-control, and devotion. She shows that if we really want something good, we must work hard for it with love and faith.

What We Learn from the First Two Days
• From Shailaputri – Be strong like a mountain, stay grounded, and remember that God is everywhere.
• From Brahmacharini – Be patient, disciplined, and devoted. Work hard with a pure heart, and your efforts will bear fruit.

Navaratri is not only about rituals, but also about learning these lessons from the Goddess. By remembering her stories, children and adults alike can become kinder, stronger, and more peaceful.

The Journey of Navaratri – A Devotee’s Story