Navratri is a nine-day festival devoted to the worship of Maa Durga and her nine avatars, known as Navadurga. The festival is celebrated with enthusiasm by Hindus, and there are four types of Navratri. The one celebrated this month is Shardiya Navratri, which falls in autumn in the lunar month of Ashwin. On the first day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Shailputri and seek blessings for their loved ones. Maa Shailputri is one of the nine forms of Maa Durga worshipped during the nine days of Navratri. She is offered jasmine flowers as the first Navadurga revered on the first day of Navratri.

If someone wants to perform Navratri puja at home, they can easily do so by following the right methods. Here are the steps to do Navratri puja at home:

1. Wake up early in the morning. Sunrise is considered the best time to perform Navratri Puja.
2. Take a bath and wear laundered clothes.
3. Keep the lamp at the left side of the Goddess Durga’s deity. Try to light the ‘Akhand Jyot’. It is advised to have someone at home always if you are lighting the ‘Akhand Jyot’.
4. On the right-hand side of Goddess Durga’s Idol, keep incense sticks, etc.
5. Offer flowers, bhog, diya, fruits, etc. to carry on the ritual of Navratri puja.
6. Decorate a thali with all the essential items required for aarti, and perform aarti.
7. Inviting and feeding Goddesses on the last day.

The first day of Navratri begins with a bright and colorful color, orange, which represents energy and happiness. During the puja, Maa Shailputri is offered jasmine flowers as the first Navadurga revered on the first day of Navratri.