Shailputri Temple, Varanasi

According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 70, in the vicinity of Shaileshwar, devotees should worship Shaileshwari also known as Shailputri.

Shailputri, with the little finger in her right hand, removes all the problems/obstacles faced by the devotees on account of bad company. One point needs to be mentioned. People enter into friendship or companionship with others without knowing others’ motives or inner feelings. At times the company may be bad and some problems may arise.

Maa Durga in her first form is known as Shailputri. As she was the daughter of the King of mountains Himalaya she had got this name. Her vehicle is bull, she has a trishul (trident) in her right hand and lotus flower in her left hand. Among the nine Durgas, who are worshipped during Navratri, she is the first Durga.

In her earlier birth, she was the daughter of King Daksha and her name was Sati. Sati Devi got married to Lord Shiva. Sati in her rebirth was born as Shailraj Himalaya’s daughter and was known as Shailputri. She is also known as Parvati and Hemvati.

Shailputri also got married to Lord Shankar and as in her previous birth she become his other half. Shailputri’s importance and strength is unlimited.