As soon as devotees enter the holy cave of Maa Vaishno Devi Dham, after taking the blessings of Lord Ganesha and Maa Durga, they are graced with the divine vision of Maa Shailputri. The idol of Maa Shailputri inside the cave is 6.9 feet high, 5.3 feet wide, and 3.3 feet in diameter. Decorated with special lighting and natural beauty, the idol appears so alive that devotees feel as if the Mother herself is present before them.
Maa Shailputri is the daughter of the King of Mountains, Himalaya, and hence she is called "Shailputri" (Daughter of the Mountain). In her previous birth, she was Sati, the daughter of King Daksha. She was married to Lord Shiva, but unable to bear her father's insult towards Shiva, she sacrificed her body in the fire. Later, she was reborn as the daughter of Himalaya and became known as Parvati, who is worshipped as Maa Shailputri.
Maa Shailputri holds a Trishul (trident) in her right hand, symbolizing power and courage, and a lotus flower in her left hand, representing peace and purity. She rides on Nandi, the bull, as her vehicle. With a gentle smile on her face and eyes full of compassion and love, her darshan removes fear, doubts, and sorrow from the hearts of devotees, filling them with peace and strength.
On the first day of Navratri (Pratipada), Maa Shailputri is worshipped. When devotees meditate on her at the Muladhara Chakra (root energy center) and chant her mantras, they receive stability, prosperity, and the path of liberation. The word "Shail" means "mountain peak." Just as a seeker reaches the peak of devotion and meditation, he experiences divine truth. This is the real significance of worshipping Maa Shailputri.
Maa Shailputri blesses her devotees with wealth, prosperity, good fortune, health, and liberation. Her favorite color is yellow. Therefore, devotees who wear yellow clothes and worship her with devotion receive her special blessings.
Jai Maa Shailputri!
