Navratri 2026 Day 1: Maa Shailputri Puja, Ghatasthapana Muhurat, Mantra, Bhog, Colour and Puja Vidhi

Navratri Day 1 2026: Key Details

Detail	Information
Date	Sunday, October 11, 2026
Tithi	Shukla Paksha Pratipada
Goddess	Maa Shailputri
Festival day	Day 1 of Sharad Navratri
Main ritual	Ghatasthapana/Kalash Sthapana
Day 1 colour	Orange
Bhog	Cow ghee
Mantra	Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah
Vehicle	Nandi bull
Navratri Day 1	Pratipada

The Pratipada Tithi begins on the night of October 10 and continues through October 11, making October 11 the first day of Navratri according to the sunrise-based Hindu calendar.

Also Read: Navratri 2026 Dates and Colours: Is It Starting on October 10 or 11 | Dussehra 2026 Date: When Is Vijayadashami? Know Dashami Tithi, Vijay Muhurat, Puja Vidhi, Ravana Dahan and More

Who Is Worshipped on Navratri Day 1?

Maa Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. She is regarded as the daughter of Himavan, the king of the mountains, and is identified with Goddess Parvati.


Maa Shailputri is traditionally depicted riding Nandi, holding a trident in one hand and a lotus in the other. Her name means “daughter of the mountain”.

As the first form of Durga, her worship marks the beginning of the Navadurga sequence and the spiritual start of the nine-day festival.

Maa Shailputri Day 1 2026 Colour: Orange

The popular colour for Navratri Day 1, October 11, 2026, is orange.

Orange is associated with energy, enthusiasm and auspicious beginnings. Devotees who follow the Navratri colour tradition may wear orange clothes or use the colour in their puja arrangements.

The day-wise colour sequence is a popular Navratri custom and is not a compulsory requirement for performing Maa Shailputri Puja.

Ghatasthapana Muhurat on October 11, 2026

Ghatasthapana is one of the most important rituals performed at the beginning of Sharad Navratri. It involves establishing the sacred Kalash and invoking Goddess Shakti for the nine-day observance.

For New Delhi, the Ghatasthapana Muhurat on October 11, 2026 is:

6:19 AM to 10:12 AM

The duration is approximately 3 hours 52 minutes.

An additional Abhijit Muhurat is available from:

11:44 AM to 12:31 PM

The exact Muhurat can vary by location, so devotees outside Delhi should follow the local Panchang rather than mechanically applying Delhi timings.

You Might Also Like : Why Bengalis Wake Up at 4 AM on Mahalaya: The Story Behind the Ritual and Radio Tradition

When Does Pratipada Tithi Begin and End?

For New Delhi, Pratipada Tithi begins at 9:19 PM on October 10 and ends at 9:30 PM on October 11, 2026. Since the Tithi prevails at sunrise on October 11, that day is observed as Navratri Day 1.

Maa Shailputri Puja Vidhi: How to Worship on Day 1

Devotees can follow their family tradition for the detailed ritual. A simple Maa Shailputri Puja can be performed in the following order:

1. Clean the puja area and bathe before beginning the worship.
2. Set up the Kalash/Ghatasthapana during the prescribed Muhurat.
3. Place an image or idol of Maa Shailputri in the puja area.
4. Light a diya and offer roli, akshat and flowers.
5. Offer cow ghee as Bhog.
6. Chant the Maa Shailputri mantra.
7. Recite a Durga Stotra, Durga Chalisa or other prayer followed by your family tradition.
8. Perform Maa Durga Aarti and distribute Prasad.

The important point is to perform Ghatasthapana during the appropriate Muhurat rather than treating it as an ordinary decoration ritual.

Maa Shailputri Puja Samagri for Day 1

For readers searching specifically for “Maa Shailputri Puja Samagri”, a basic list includes:

• Kalash
• Clean water
• Mango leaves
• Coconut
• Roli or Kumkum
• Akshat
• Flowers
• Diya and oil/ghee
• Incense
• Fruits
• Cow ghee for Bhog
• Prasad
• Items required for the family's customary Ghatasthapana ritual

For a traditional Ghatasthapana, soil and barley/seeds used for the sacred sowing ritual may also be required. The exact Samagri list can differ according to regional and family practices.

Maa Shailputri Mantra for Navratri Day 1

The main mantra associated with Maa Shailputri is:

ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥

Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah

Devotees can chant the mantra during Maa Shailputri Puja. Some traditions recommend 108 repetitions, but there is no need to treat a specific count as mandatory for every household.

Maa Shailputri Dhyan Mantra

वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥

This traditional verse describes Maa Shailputri as the Goddess who rides the bull and carries the trident.

What Is the Bhog for Maa Shailputri?

Cow ghee is traditionally associated with Maa Shailputri's Bhog on Navratri Day 1.

Devotees can offer a small quantity of pure ghee as part of the Naivedya and then use the Prasad according to their household practice. Some families also prepare sweets using ghee.

The Bhog tradition can vary by region and family, so devotees following a specific Kul Parampara should prioritise that practice.

Maa Shailputri Puja: What Does the Goddess Represent?

Maa Shailputri is associated with strength, stability and a firm beginning. As the first form of Navadurga, her worship sets the tone for the nine-day spiritual observance.

Her association with the mountains also connects her with qualities such as steadiness and strength.

For devotees, Day 1 is therefore an opportunity to begin Navratri with a clear Sankalp and disciplined worship.

Maa Shailputri Vrat: What Can You Eat?

Many devotees observe a fast on the first day of Navratri, although fasting rules differ according to individual health, family custom and regional practice.

Those observing a Navratri Vrat commonly choose foods such as:

• Fruits
• Milk and curd
• Sabudana
• Makhana
• Kuttu flour
• Singhara flour
• Samak rice
• Potatoes and other permitted vegetables
• Rock salt or Sendha Namak

People with medical conditions, those taking regular medication, children, older adults and pregnant women should follow appropriate dietary advice rather than undertaking a restrictive fast solely because of the festival.

What Should You Do on Navratri Day 1?

For a simple Day 1 observance:

Morning: Bathe, clean the puja space and perform Ghatasthapana during the Muhurat.

Puja: Worship Maa Shailputri, offer flowers and ghee, and chant her mantra.

Vrat: Follow your family's Navratri fasting tradition if you are observing a fast.

Evening: Perform Aarti and take Prasad.

Throughout the day: Maintain the devotional discipline associated with Navratri rather than focusing only on the colour or Bhog.

Is Ghatasthapana Necessary on Navratri Day 1?

Ghatasthapana is the traditional ritual that marks the beginning of the Navratri worship cycle, but households may follow different practices.

If your family traditionally performs Kalash Sthapana, it should be done according to the appropriate Muhurat and your established ritual method. If you do not perform Ghatasthapana at home, you can still worship Maa Shailputri according to your family's practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Goddess is worshipped on the first day of Navratri?
   Maa Shailputri, the first form of Navadurga, is worshipped on Day 1.
2. What is the colour for Navratri Day 1 2026?
   The popular colour for October 11 is orange.
3. What is the Bhog for Maa Shailputri?
   Cow ghee is the traditional Bhog associated with Maa Shailputri.
4. What time is Ghatasthapana on October 11, 2026?
   For New Delhi, the Ghatasthapana Muhurat is 6:19 AM to 10:12 AM, with an additional Abhijit Muhurat from 11:44 AM to 12:31 PM. Local timings can vary by city.
5. What is the mantra of Maa Shailputri?
   The main mantra is “Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah.”