Navratri Day 1 2026: Maa Shailaputri — Ghatasthapana Muhurat, Colour, Mantra and Bhog
Navratri Day 1 in 2026 is Sunday, 11 October — the day of Ghatasthapana and of Maa Shailaputri, the first of the nine forms of Durga.
- Date: Sunday, 11 October 2026
- Tithi: Pratipada — 9:20 PM on 10 October to 9:32 PM on 11 October
- Goddess: Maa Shailaputri
- Sunrise (Delhi): 6:19 AM
- Colour (popular custom): Orange
- Traditional bhog: Pure cow's ghee
Maa Shailaputri: the first form of Durga
Shailaputri means "daughter of the mountain" — of Himavan, king of the Himalaya. She rides the bull Nandi, holds a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left, and wears the crescent moon on her brow. As the first form she stands for the beginning of the whole nine-night observance: the kalash is installed on her day and every later form is invoked into the same sacred space.
The story of Maa Shailaputri
In her previous life the Goddess was Sati, daughter of Daksha and wife of Shiva. When Daksha held a great yajna and pointedly left Shiva uninvited, Sati went there alone, and, unable to bear the insults heaped on her husband, gave up her body in the sacrificial fire. She was born again as Parvati, the daughter of Himavan — Shailaputri — and in that birth she would win Shiva back. Her worship on the first day is the worship of that new beginning.
Mantra and dhyana
ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्। वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥
Chant the short mantra 108 times with a rudraksha or sphatik mala after the kalash is installed. The dhyana verse describes her: the crescent moon on her head, seated on the bull, holding the trident — the giver of what is sincerely wished for.
Colour and bhog for Day 1
The colour for Sunday, 11 October in the popular Navratri list is orange — a list that assigns colours by weekday and is a modern custom rather than a scriptural rule. The traditional bhog is pure cow's ghee, offered to the Goddess and then given in charity or used in the lamp.
How to worship Maa Shailaputri on Day 1
- Bathe early and clean the puja space; spread a red cloth on a wooden seat.
- Ghatasthapana: sow barley in a clay bed, place the kalash with water, mango leaves and a coconut wrapped in red cloth, and light the akhand jyoti.
- Invoke Maa Shailaputri with the dhyana verse; offer roli, akshat, red flowers and ghee.
- Chant the mantra 108 times and read the day's portion of the Durga Saptashati if that is your practice.
- Close with the aarti.
The daily kalash, akhand jyoti and the general Navratri vidhi are in the Navratri 2026 guide; the Shailaputri aarti.
Ghatasthapana muhurat 2026: why Abhijit
On Sunday, 11 October both Chitra nakshatra (until 10:33 PM) and Vaidhriti yoga run through the whole day, and the texts advise against installing the kalash during either. Where they cannot be avoided, the classical remedy is the Abhijit muhurat around midday — 11:44 AM to 12:32 PM in Delhi. Pratipada runs from 9:20 PM on 10 October to 9:32 PM on 11 October, so the kalash is installed on Sunday. The full reasoning is in the Navratri 2026 guide.
→ Day 2 · Maa Brahmacharini · All nine days of Navratri 2026
Frequently asked questions
When is Navratri Day 1 in 2026?
On Sunday, 11 October 2026, with Ghatasthapana and the worship of Maa Shailaputri. Pratipada runs from 9:20 PM on 10 October to 9:32 PM on 11 October.
What is the Ghatasthapana muhurat for 2026?
In Delhi, the Abhijit muhurat from 11:44 AM to 12:32 PM on Sunday, 11 October. Chitra nakshatra and Vaidhriti yoga both run all day, and Abhijit is the classical remedy when they cannot be avoided.
What is the colour of Navratri Day 1 in 2026?
Orange, in the popular list that assigns colours by weekday. It is a modern custom rather than a scriptural rule.
What bhog is offered to Maa Shailaputri?
Pure cow's ghee is the traditional offering on the first day.
