Navaratri- 9-Night Grand Festival For Goddess Durga

‘Navaratri’ means 9 nights and denotes the 9 power nights of the Goddess Durga. Navaratri signifies the magnificent triumph of the Supreme Goddess over demonic forces and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. After the nine nights, the victory is celebrated on the tenth day called Vijayadasami. During these 9 nights, Goddess Durga is worshipped in her 9 powerful forms called Nava Durga. It is also a custom to propitiate the Goddess Trinity – Durga on the first three days, Lakshmi on the next three days, and Saraswati on the final three days of Navaratri. Worshipping the divine feminine energy during Navaratri gives immense blessings, fulfills wishes, abundance, happiness, and protection.

The eighth, ninth, and tenth days of Navaratri are called Durgashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadasami, and are considered important days to worship Durga. Vijayadasami is also called as Dussehra, the day which symbolizes victory and gives victory for any task commenced on this auspicious day. Vijayadasami has many scriptural legends associated with it; this is the day when Goddess Shakti destroyed demon Mahishasura, Rama won over Ravana, Durga slew the demons Madhu-Kaitabha, Shumba-Nishumba, and Chanda-Munda, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Navaratri is celebrated mainly during the beginning of spring and autumn seasons to invoke the Goddess’ blessings for a good harvest, adequate rainfall, fertility, happiness, and prosperity. It is widely celebrated throughout India with different customs and rituals. It is believed that Goddess Durga descends to the earth plane in 9 powerful forms on each day of Navaratri to receive our offerings and fulfill our prayers. These 9 unique forms of Durga are called Nava Durga.

Let us see the unique traits, powers, and blessings of these 9 Durga forms.

1. Goddess Shailaputri

Goddess Shailaputri is the first form of Durga worshipped on the first day of Navaratri. She is the Goddess of purity and is the daughter of Parvat Raj Himalya (King of mountains). She is portrayed with a lotus flower in her left hand and a Trishul (trident) in her right hand. Her forehead is adorned with a crescent Moon. As she has a bull as her vehicle, she is also called as Vrisharudha. Worshipping Shailaputri can fulfill wishes and relief from diseases.

2. Goddess Brahmacharini

Goddess Brahmacharini is the second form of Durga worshipped on the second day of Navaratri. She is the form of Parvati, who observed deep penance to marry Lord Shiva. She is depicted wearing a simple white saree, with rosary on one hand and kamandala (sacred water pot) on the other hand, and walking with bare foot. She is adorned with Rudraksha beads, her most adored ornaments. Worshipping Brahmacharini can instill peace and give prosperity.

3. Goddess Chandraghanta

Goddess Chandraghanta is the third form of Durga worshipped on the third day of Navaratri. ‘Chandra’ means Moon and ‘Ghanta’ means bell. When she married Lord Shiva, she decked her forehead with a half Moon and a bell, which gave her the name – Chandraghanta. She is depicted riding a tigress and weapons in her ten hands, ready to war against evil forces. She glows like a golden angel and has three eyes like Lord Shiva. The sound of Moon-bell on her forehead can expel all the evil forces away from her devotees. Worshipping Chandraghanta can destroy enemies and fears.

4. Goddess Kushmanda

Goddess Kushmanda is the fourth form of Durga worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. ‘Kushmanda’ – ‘Ku’ means little, ‘Usma’ means heat or energy and ‘anda’ means cosmic egg or universe. She is the creator of the entire universe with just her soft smile as a cosmic egg. She is also called as Ashta-bhujadhari and depicted with eight arms. She is depicted seated on a lion and holds Kamandala (sacred water pot), bow, arrow, lotus, a jar of nectar, discus and mace in her 7 hands. In her eighth hand, she carries a rosary blessing you with eight Siddhis and nine Nidhis. Worshiping Goddess Kushmanda can bestow with longevity, good health, courage, strength, and popularity.

5. Goddess Skandamata

Goddess Skandamata is the fifth form of Durga worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. She is depicted with three eyes and four hands with infant six-faced Skanda (Muruga) on her lap. Seated on a lion, the Goddess holds lotus flower in her upper right and left hands while the other two hands are in defending and granting mudras. Worshipping Goddess Skandamata can give power and destroy all obstacles.

6. Goddess Katyayani

Goddess Katyayani is the sixth form of Durga worshipped on the sixth day of Navaratri. She is a warrior Goddess and is the daughter of Sage Katyayana, who was born in the Katya dynasty that originated from the great Rishi Vishwamitra. She incarnated from the combined powers of the Lord trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva to put an end to evil forces. She is portrayed with three eyes, eighteen arms and a flowing black hair. She was armed with powerful weapons such as sword, trident, axe, etc. Worshipping Goddess Katyayani can give good wealth, pleasures and salvation.

7. Goddess Kalaratri

Goddess Kalaratri is the seventh form of Durga worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. ‘Kalaratri’ means the one who removes ignorance and darkness from the minds of her devotees. Though she has a terrifying appearance, she always gives auspiciousness. Hence, she is also called as Shubankari. She is depicted with dark blue or black complexion with four hands, bountiful hair and rides on a donkey. Worshipping Goddess Kalaratri can eradicate evil eye and negativities.

8. Goddess Maha Gowri

Goddess Maha Gowri is the eighth form of Durga worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. She is a serene, beautiful form of Goddess Parvati who is extremely beautiful and radiant. With her golden and illuminating appearance, she clears negative forces and thoughts from her devotees. She is depicted with a fair complexion like that of a conch or jasmine. She rides on a bull and her majestic, golden appearance signifies prosperity and abundance. Worshipping Goddess Maha Gowri can give all kinds of merits and virtues.

9. Goddess Siddhidatri

Goddess Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Durga worshipped on the ninth and final day of Navaratri. ‘Siddhi’ means perfection and the divine Goddess is revered to seek Siddhi. Her blessings can put an end to greediness and help to control and satisfy the desires. She is depicted draped in a red saree with a golden complexion. She has four arms and sits on a pink lotus flower. Worshipping Goddess Siddhidatri can bestow Siddhi powers and victory.

Propitiate these 9 powerful forms of Durga during Navaratri and receive abundant blessings from the Supreme Goddess.