Ashada Gupta Navratri Shailputri Puja 2026

Day One of Ashadha Gupta Navratri: Shailaputri Puja

Ashadha Gupta Navratri begins on Ashadha Shukla Padyami, and on this first day devotees worship Shailaputri, the first of the Navadurgas. Ghatasthapana is also performed on the same day. Unlike the public celebrations of Sharannavaratri, this Navratri is known for quiet, focused worship done at home.

What Is Gupta Navratri?

There are four Navratris in the year: Chaitra, Ashadha, Ashwayuja (Sharad) and Magha. The Ashadha and Magha Navratris are called "Gupta", meaning hidden or inward. Some upasakas worship the Dasha Mahavidyas during these days, while ordinary householders simply worship the Navadurgas or Lalita Devi, much as they do in Sharannavaratri. Some temples also observe Varahi Navaratri during this period.

Who Is Shailaputri?

As the daughter of Himavan, king of the mountains, she is called Shailaputri. In her earlier birth as Sati, daughter of Daksha Prajapati, she could not bear the insult to Lord Shiva at her father's yagna and gave up her body in yogic fire. She was reborn in Himavan's home as Parvati and was united with Shiva again. 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 head.

Vande vanchhitalabhaya chandrardhakrutashekharam | Vrusharudham shuladharam Shailaputrim yashasvinim ||

Ghatasthapana and Puja Steps

• On Padyami morning, at an auspicious muhurtam, sow navadhanyalu in a clay pot, place a water-filled Kalasha over it and top it with mango leaves and a coconut.
• If possible, keep an Akhanda Deepam burning for all nine days.
• Offer turmeric, kumkum and white flowers to Shailaputri and chant "Om Devi Shailaputryai Namaha".
• Many families offer cow ghee or sweets made with ghee as naivedyam.
• Since this is a Gupta Navratri, give more time to japa, meditation and parayanam than to outward display.

Devi Worship in Ashadha

In the Telugu states, Ashadha is known as a month of the Goddess. Telangana celebrates the Bonalu jatara during this month, and women apply gorintaku (henna). At the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada, Shakambhari utsavams are held in Ashadha. Gupta Navratri worship feels especially meaningful in this atmosphere.

May Mother Shailaputri give steadiness and strength to all our good resolves.