Every year there are two main Navratris at an interval of six months. One is Chaitra Navratri and the other is Shardiya Navratri.. The upcoming festival is Shardiya Navratri, which happens in the autumn month of Ashwin according to the lunar calendar. This time Shardiya Navratri is starting from 15 October 2023.
Shardiya Navratri is a time to remember when Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura, which is why she is also known as Mahishasura Mardini. Navratri celebrations last for nine days, with each day dedicated to one of the nine forms of Maa Durga, known as Navdurgas. The festival starts with Ghatasthapana and finishes with Maha Navami. In this blog, we discuss about the nine forms of Maa Durga and the significance of these nine special days of Navratri.
Kalash Sthapna is done only on the auspicious festival of Pratipada Tithi of Navratri. This year, on the first day of Navratri, on 15th October 2023, the establishment of Kalash for 30 minutes from 11:44 am to 12 noon is becoming an auspicious sign.
Mata Shailputri is known as the daughter of the Himalayas, hence the name Shailputri. She is also worshipped as Parti or Hemvati. The first day of Navratri is dedicated to honoring Shailputri. People place pure clarified butter (desi ghee) at her feet as an offering. This act is believed to bring blessings for a healthy and disease-free life to the devotee.
Of these, a trident is held in the third hand and a lotus is held in the left hand. The devotee's nine-day journey begins with the worship on the first day.
worship mantra is:
वन्दे वांछितलाभाय, चंद्रार्धकृतशेखराम।
वृषारूढ़ां शूलधरां, शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम।।
Mother Parvati performed severe penance for many years to attain Lord Shiva and as a result, she is known as Brahmacharini, which means the goddess who performs rigorous penance. The word "Brahma" in Maa Brahmacharini symbolizes penance, from which this form of Maa Durga got its name.
The form of Mother Brahmacharini is very stunning. She holds a kamandal (water pot) in her left hand, which is a symbol of penance. Worshiping this form of the Goddess is believed to inculcate qualities like morality and self-control in her devotees.
worship mantra is:
दधाना करपाद्माभ्याम, अक्षमालाकमण्डलु।
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि, ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा।।
On the third day of Navratri, people worship Mother Chandraghanta.. This is the third Shakti of Maa Durga. These include the powers of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Half moon is adorned on their forehead, that is why they are called Chandraghanta. All negative powers run away by the sound of these one hour. Her color is as bright as gold, she sits on a lion. The form of Maa Chandraghanta is extremely beneficial for the devotees. Worshiping her reveals bravery, fearlessness as well as gentleness.
worship mantra is:
पिंडजप्रवरारूढ़ा, चंडकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्मं, चंद्रघंटेति विश्रुता।।
Also Read: Sharad Navratri 2023 Dates, Significance, Rituals and Pooja Muhurat
In this form of the Goddess, she possesses the power to create the universe, and she has contained the entire universe within herself from the moment of its inception to its eventual end. This is why she is called Kushmanda.
On the fourth day of Navratri, there's a tradition of worshipping Kushmanda Mata, the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga. The name Kushmanda comes from the cosmic laughter that gave rise to the universe. According to religious texts, when there was darkness all around, the universe was formed from the energy of the mother.
Mother Kushmanda is depicted with eight arms, holding a bow, arrow, lotus, nectar, discus, mace, and a water pot. Her eighth hand is adorned with a rosary. Devotees believe that by worshipping her, they can overcome the challenges of life and gain both material and spiritual prosperity. Devotion to this goddess is believed to enhance one's reputation, lifespan, and health.
worship mantra is:
सुरासंपूर्णकलशं, रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां, कूष्मांडा शुभदास्तु मे।
Skandamata, the fifth form of Goddess Durga, is worshiped on the fifth day of Navratri. She is carrying Kumar Kartikeya in her lap and another name of Kartikeya is Skanda, that is why she is called Skanda Mata. She sits on a lotus and her vehicle is a lion. Their nature is affectionate and charming. He has four arms, two arms are decorated with lotus and one hand remains in groom posture. Mother is holding Skanda Kumar in her lap with one hand. Skanda Mata is always ready to do welfare of her devotees.
worship mantra is:
सिंहासनगता नित्यं, पद्माश्रितकरद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी, स्कंदमाता यशस्विनी।
On the sixth day of Navratri, Maa Katyayani, the sixth form of Maa Durga, is worshipped. Pleased by the penance of sage Katyayan, she was born as a daughter in his house and sage Katyayan was the first to worship her. For this reason her name was Katyayani.
The form of Mother Katyayani is bright and extremely shining. He has four arms, the upper hand on the right side is in Abhayu Mudra while the lower hand is in Varamudra. Mother holds a sword in her upper left hand and a lotus is adorned in her lower hand. The lion is the vehicle of Mother Katyayani. By worshiping them, one attains supernatural glory even while living in this world.
worship mantra is:
चंद्रहासोज्जवलकरा, शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दद्यात्, देवी दानवघातिनी।।
The seventh form of Maa Durga is called Kalratri, she is worshiped on the seventh day of Navratri. Her form is fierce to look at but she always provides auspicious results to her devotees. That is why they are also called Shubhadkari. According to the legend, the mother had assumed this terrible form to kill the demon named Raktabeej. By worshiping them the devotee becomes free from all kinds of fears. She destroys the wicked.
worship mantra is:
एकवेणी जपाकर्ण, पूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी, तैलाभ्यक्तशरीरिणी।।
वामपादोल्लसल्लोह, लताकंटकभूषणा।
वर्धनमूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा, कालरात्रिभयंकरी।।
The eighth form of Maa Durga is called Mahagauri. Mother Mahagauri is worshiped on the day of Durga Ashtami. According to the legend, she had performed hard penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband due to which her body had turned black. Lord Shiva was pleased and gave her a golden complexion, hence she was called Mahagauri. She wears white clothes and jewellery, hence she is also called Shwetambardhara.
They have four arms and the upper right hand remains in Abhaya Mudra while the mother holds a trident in the lower hand. The upper hand on the left side holds a drum while the lower hand remains in Vara Mudra. By worshiping them, the previously accumulated sins are also destroyed. She is an unfailing fruitful giver and brings welfare to the devotees.
worship mantra is:
श्र्वेते वृषे समारूढा, श्र्वेतांबरधरा शुचि:।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यात्, महादेवप्रमोददाद।।
This is the ninth form of Maa Durga. She is the goddess who grants accomplishments. Goddess Siddhidatri, seated on a lotus flower, has four arms. In the scriptures, eight siddhis named Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishitva and Vashitva have been mentioned. All these achievements can be achieved by worshiping Mother Siddhidatri.
Hundreds of salutes to Mata Siddhida who gave Astha Siddhi and nine Nidhis to Hanuman ji. By worshiping them all the wishes of the devotee are fulfilled.
worship mantra is:
सिद्धंगधर्वयक्षाद्यै:, असुरैरमरैरपि।
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात्, सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी।।
Finally, the nine different forms of Maa Durga show the strong and magical sides of the goddess, which people celebrate during the Navratri festival. Each form has its own special qualities and meaning, demonstrating the strength, kindness, and care that Maa Durga gives to her followers. These forms encourage faith and represent the triumph of good over bad. If you are thinking of organizing any special puja during these nine days then you can book the puja online from our website and get the blessings of Maa Durga.
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