The first day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shailaputri. Shailaputri, is a combination of two words, Shaila (Mountains) and Putri (daughter), meaning the daughter of the mountains. Goddess Shailaputri is often represented with a lotus in one hand and a trident in another, seated atop a bull. She was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati in her earlier birth and through her deep devotion and penance was able to persuade Lord Shiva to grant her wish of becoming his consort. Once her father had organized a special Yajna, to which she and her husband Lord Shiva were not invited, but was however attended by all the Gods and holy men. Angered by her father’s denunciation and criticism of Lord Shiva she immolated herself. In her next birth she was born as Shailaputri and married Lord Shiva.