NAVARATRI

  The Nine Forms of Maa Durga

During the festival of Navratri, Goddess Durga Devi Mata is worshipped in different nine avatars from day one to nine as given below -

1.      First day of Navratri – Kalasha Sthapana/ Ghata Sthapana – Shailaputri Puja

2.      Second day of Navratri – Preeti Dwitiya – Brahmacharini Puja

3.      Third day of Navratri – Chandrakanta Puja/ Chandraghanta Puja

4.      Fourth day of Navratri – Kushmanda Puja

5.      Fifth day of Navratri – Lalita Panchami – Skandamata Puja

6.      Sixth day of Navratri – Maha Shashti/ Durga Shasthi – Katyani Puja

7.      Seventh day of Navratri – Durga Saptami/ Maha Saptami – Kaalratri Puja

8.      Eighth day of Navratri – Durgashtami/ Maha Ashtami – Maha Gauri Puja

9.      Ninth day of Navratri – Durga Navami/ Maha Navami – Siddhidatri Puja

10.  Tenth day of Navratri – Vijaya Dashami/ Dushera – Aparajitha Puja/ Shami Puja

Maa Shailaputri – First Avatar of Durga: She is the daughter of Parvata Raj (Mountain King) Himalaya. In her previous birth, she was “Sati Bhavani Mata” the daughter of King Daksha. She is also known as Parvati who got married with Lord Shiva. Mata Shailaputri holds a Trishul in her right hand and a Lotus in her left hand. She rides on bull. She has gratifying smile and blissful looks.

Mata Shaiaputri is the first among nine avatars of Durga and worshiped on the first day of Navratri.

Maa Brahmacharini – Second Avatar of Durga: The word ‘Brahmacharini’ comes from Sanskriti word ‘Brahma – Tapa and Charini – Performer’ means the goddess who performed penance (Tapa). She is also known as ‘Uma’ and ‘Tapacharini’ and provides knowledge & wisdom to her devotees. She holds Japa mala in her right hand and Kamandal in left hand. Mata personifies love and loyalty.

Mata Brahmacharini is the second among nine avatars of Durga and she is worshiped on second day of Navratri.

Maa Chandraghanta – Third Avatar of Durga: The word “Chandra” and “Ghanta” meaning supreme bliss and knowledge, showering peace and serenity like cool breeze in a moonlit. Maa is astride a tiger, displays a golden hue to her skin; possess ten hands and three eyes. Eight of Her hands display weapons while the remaining two are in the pose (mudras) of gestures of boon giving and stopping harm. She is very bright and charming.

Mata Chandraghanta is the third among nine avatars of Durga and she is worshiped on third day of Navratri.

Maa Kushmanda – Fourth Avatar of Durga: She likes offerings of ‘Kumhde’; hence her name ‘Kushmanda’ has become popular. She holds several types of weapons in six hands and a Rosary & a Lotus in remaining two hands out of HER eight hands. She rides on Lion. Mata Kushmanda controls whole Solar system. She shines brightly with a laughing face in all ten directions as the Sun.

Mata Kushmanda is the fourth among nine avatars of Durga and she is worshiped on fourth day of Navratri.

Maa Skandmata – Fifth Avatar of Durga: As the name described that, SHE had a son “Skandaa” and holds him on her lap. She has three eyes and four hands; two hands hold lotuses while the other two hands respectively display defending and granting gestures. She rides on Lion. Mata is considered as a deity of fire.

It’s said, by the mercy of Skandmata, even the idiot becomes an ocean of knowledge. The great and legendary Sanskrit Scholar Kalidas created his two masterpieces works “Raghuvansh Maha Kavya” and “Meghdoot” by the grace of Skandmata.

Skandmata is the fifth among nine avatars of Durga and is worshiped on fifth day of Navratri.

Maa Katyayani – Sixth Avatar of Durga: Rishi Katyayan observed a penance to get Jaganmata as his daughter. Mata Katyayani blessed him and took birth as his daughter on the bank of river Jamuna for getting Lord Krishna as a husband. She is considered as prime deity of Vraj mandal. Ma Katyayani has three eyes and four hands. . One left hand holds a sword and in the other hand a lotus. Her Right hand always in blessing gesture. She rides on Lion. She is personifies as Devi of boon.

Mata Katyayani is worshipped on the Sixth Day of Navratri.

Maa Kaalaratri – Seventh Avatar of Durga: She is dark and black like night; hence she is called as ‘Kalratri’. She is also known as the destroyer of darkness and ignorance. Her hairs are unlocked and have three eyes and four hands. The two right hands are in the mudras of “giving” and “protecting”. Mata Kaalratri holds a sharp Sword in her left hand and saves her devotees with her lower hand. Her vahana is a faithful donkey. She spills out fire from her nostrils.  As she blesses her devotees with prosperity, she is also called as ‘Shubhamkari’.

Mata Kalaratri is worshipped on the Seventh Day of Navratri.

Maa Maha Gowri – Eighth Avatar of Durga: She looks as white as moon and jasmine. She has three Eyes and four hands and SHE is often dressed in a white or green sari. Her above left hand is in fearless pose and lower left hand has a tambourine.  She holds ‘Trishul’ in her upper right hand and lower right hand is in blessing mudra. SHE is often depicted riding a bull. Peace and compassion radiate from HER being. 

Mata Maha Gowri is worshipped on the Eight Day of Navratri.

Maa Siddhidatri – Ninth Avatar of Durga: Maha Shakti gives all the eight powers to maa (Asta-Siddhi) – Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva and Vashitva to save the Earth from demon Mahishasura. She drives on Lion. But some sources are says she is seated on Lotus. Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped by all Gods, Rishis, Muniswaras, Siddha Yogi and all common devotees who want to attain the religious asset.

According to ‘Devi Puran’, the supreme God – Shiva got all these Siddhis by worshipping the supreme Goddess Maha Shakti. With her gratitude his half body has become of Goddess; hence Lord Shiva is also known as ‘Ardhanarishwar’ has become famous.        

Mata Siddhidatri is worshipped on the Ninth Day of Navratri.