The navratri fervour is on in full swing and we are really delighted to see those elaborate and beautiful idols all over the city which are giving us some real sense of peaceful happiness. Navratri is no different. The colourful Dandiya-Rass, the beautiful Lamps and the breathtakingly beautiful Durga idols. It is just perfect time to be around family and spend some time connecting to your inner spirituality. The nine day festival of Navratri. celebrates the nine forms of goddess Durga, worshipped in a different form everyday. These nine forms have interesting stories associated to them and we thought this would be just the perfect time to learn about them.
Nine forms of goddess Durga.
Day 1: Shailputri
Devi Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of the 9 nine day festival. She sits on a bull and has a crescent moon on her head. She is the daughter of the Parvat Himalaya, in her previous birth she was the daughter of Daksha, and named Sati. Sati was married to Shiva. Once Daksha organised a big ‘Yagya’ ceremony. He invited all the gods but Shiva. Sati even though she wasn’t invited insisted to attend the ceremony, but on reaching the place of Yagya her father humiliated her husband Shiva and made some taunts and comments on him. Shiva left the ceremony out of anger and Sati, completely remorseful and ashamed and couldn’t tolerate her husbands insult. She thus, emolates herself as her body is given to her from Daksha. She then takes rebirth as Shailputri also called as Hemavati and goes ahead to marry Shiva with the blessings of her father. Shailputri is offered Jasmine flowers by devotees and her colour is red so people wear red on the first day of Navratri.
Day 2: Brahmacharini
Devi Brahmacharini is a form of goddess Durga worshiped on the second day of Navratri. She wears all white and holds a rudraksh mala, a lotus flower and a kamadal in her hands. She is the unmarried form of devi Parvati and is worshipped on the second day. She gives freedom from ‘Kaam’ and ‘Krodh’. The ruler of ‘Mangal Graha’, goddess Brahmacharini is the symbol of knowledge and Mantras. She also personifies love and loyalty.
Day 3: Chandraghanta
Chandraghanta devi is worshipped on the third day of Navratri. She has a bell shaped moon mark on her forehead and so her name is chandraghanta. She has ten hands out of which 8 hands have different things and weapons like Trishul, lotus, Gada, Khadak and kamandal etc. While two of her hands are in different mudras. She has 3 eyes and her third eye is always open. This signifies she is never scared and always ready to take on demons and evil. She sits on a tiger and she is worshipped for peace , tranquility and prosperity in life.
Day 4: Kushmanda
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Kushmanda Devi, who is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri is also known as the creator of Universe. Her name is a combination of three parts, Ku-Little, Ushma- warmth, Andaa- cosmic Egg. It is believed that Kushmanda devi gave the the sun its heat and energy with her smile. Hindu mythology believes that she reside inside of the sun and she gives the sun its energy. This goddess is seen sitting on a Lion, signifying dharma. She has eight hands which hold different things like a lotus flower, bow and arrow etc. She is extremely radiant and has a golden complexion. She is known to take away all the devotee’s sorrows, hurdles and troubles.
Day 5: Skandamata
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Another form of goddess durga, Skandamata is the mother form of parvati. The mother of Skanda or Kartikeya. She is seen sitting with baby skanda on her lap. She has four hands and holds Lotus in 2 hands. The story of birth of skanda and this form of durga is a really interesting one.
Once a demon Tarakasur, did penance and pleased god Brahma.He asked for a boon to become immortal, when brahmaji explained that who ever is born will die one day, tarakasur very cleverly thought and asked for a boon that no one other than Shiva’s son can kill him. Brahmaji agreed. Tarakasur thought the celibate Shiva will never marry and hence no one can kill him. He started torturing all the worlds, the gods were really worried and they started convincing Shiva to marry, even though he initially refused, lord Shiva finally agrees and marries Skandamata, who gives birth to Kartikeya. He is the one who eventually kills Tarakasur.
Day 6: Katyayani
The daughter of rishi Katyayan, Katyayani devi is worshipped on the sixth day of navratri. She is considered as one of the more fierce form of goddess Durga. She has four hands and she sits on a Lion. Yound women worship her and perform katayayni Vrata for getting a husband of their choice. Married women get happier married life by worshipping her. She likes red flowers and especially roses. Women offer roses for pleasing katyayani devi.
Day 7: Kaalratri
This form of goddess durga that is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri is known as Kaalratri. She is dark complexioned and long disheveled hair. She has four 3 eyes and flames comes out from her breath.She is a ferocious warrior and she sits on a donkey. Her right hand in the air is always in the boon giving position, she is extremely generous, The right hand facing downwards puts all the worries and fears to rest. The left bottom hand has a weapon and the other left hand also shows a sword like weapon. She protects us from fears and troubles and fights off all the worries.
Day 8: Maha Gauri
The mahagauri form of goddess durga is calm, peaceful and intelligent. She was following a strict austerity in the jungle and become really dark in colour. Shiva on meeting her washes her with the water of ganga on which she resumes her original colour. She looks extremely white and hence she is called maha gauri. She has four hands and sits on a bull. She hlds a dumroo and gives boons to devotees. She is worshipped n the eighth day of Navratri and she is loves white as she is always seen in white. Devotees should offer jasmine flower to this goddess.
Day 9: Siddhidatri
The last form of Durga worshipped on the ninth day of navratri is Siddhidatri. She is seen sitting on a fully bloomed Lotus flower and she has four hands and rides on a lion. She is the ruler of planet Ketu. Devotees religiously worship this goddess as she has the power of granting any wish. She is known for granting siddhi to her devotees and hence she is called siddhidatri. She has supernatural healing powers and she is extremely forgiving.
We wish a happy Navratri to all our readers and people who are following navratri poojan. We hope that Goddess Durga brings in all kinds of happiness and prosperity in your life this navratri.
