Navaratri Special

 

Navratri Day 1 is dedicated to Maa Shailputri - the 1st form of the nine incarnation Goddess Durga. 

Maa Shailputri is also known as Bhavani, Parvati, and Hemavati. She is known to be the earthly essence.

Maa Shailputri is the major and the absolute form of NavaDurga; since she was the wife to Lord Shiva and is known as Parvati. She took birth as the daughter of Lord Himalaya due to which she is named Shailputri – the daughter of mountains. Her deity has a half-moon on her forehead and holds a trident in her right hand & a lotus flower in her left hand. The Goddess can be seen seated on mount Nandi (bull).

Maa Brahmacharini: Significance 

On  Navratri second day Dwitiya tithi Devi Brahmacharini form of Goddess Durga will be worshipped She is the goddess of devotion and penance. 

In Vedic texts the meaning of Brahmacharini is a female who possesses sacred religious knowledge. 

Goddess Brahmacharini who signifies bachelorhood and wears white clothes and depicted as walking on the bare feet. In her right hand, she holds Japa mala and Kamandalu is there in her left hand. To marry Lord Shiva maiden Parvati did Tapsya for thousands of years. She lived in mountains observed yogin and tapas. After her severe penance, Lord Shiva married her. 

Her abode is in Svadhishthana Chakra. It is believed that Lord Mangal is governed by Goddess Brahmcharini.

Navratri Day 3, Maa Chandraghanta:  

As per Hindu belief planet Shukra is governed by Goddess Chandraghanta and those who worship her on Tritiya tithi of Navratri get rid of all obstacles worries pain etc. 

She is married form of Goddess Parvati, as, after marrying Lord Mahadeva, Goddess started adorning half Chandra on her forehead and ever since then, she is also known as Chandraghanta. 

The goddess comes on her savari, which is a tigress and holding significant items in her ten hands such as Trishu, Kamandal, Lotus, Gada, Sword, Bow, Arrow, Japa Mala and Abhyamudra. She adorns the third eye on her forehead and is a symbol of bravery.

Navratri Day 4 Maa Kushmanda 

On the Chaturthi Tithi of Navratri, Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped, creator of the universe. As per Hindu mythology, she was born way before the universe came into existence. With her smile, she created the sun, moon and other planets. 

Goddess Kushmanda rides online and is depicted with eight hands holding bow, arrow, kamandal, lotus, trident, chakra and other significant items 

The name of Goddess Kushmanda is a combination of three words-- Ku means 'little', Ushma means 'warmth or energy' and Anda means 'egg'. It means the one who created this universe as a 'little cosmic egg'. Devotees who worship her are bestowed with happiness, prosperity and disease-free life.

Navratri 5th day   

Hindu devotees worship Maa Skanda Mata form of Goddess Durga. Skanda Mata is the Mother of Lord Karthikeya or Skanda. Skanda Mata is seen mounted on a lion carrying her divine child Karthikeya or Skanda. Hence she appears blissful and highly benevolent too. Those who worship Skanda Mata also get the blessings of Skanda seated on her lap. Those who worship Skanda Mata are blessed with fame, wealth and prosperity.

Navaratri Day 6 

According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Kathyayini governs the planet Brihaspati. Her pictorial depiction shows her with four hands and riding a glorious lion. She is seen carrying a lotus and sword in her left hands while she keeps her right hands in Varda and Abhay Mudra (sacred hand gesture).Goddess Parvati took the form of Goddess Kathyayini to kill and destroy the demon King Mahishasura. Moreover, Kathyayini is believed to be the most violent and fierce form of Goddess Parvati. She is also known as the warrior goddess who was born at the home of sage Katya and symbolizes intelligence.

Navaratri 7th day is dedicated to Maa Kalratri, the 7th Avtar of Maa Durga. Here, Kaal means time and death and Kaalratri means the One who is the Death of Kaal. Maa Kalratri destroys ignorance and brings light into the dark. Well, this form also depicts the dark side – the super power that creates havoc and removes all things bad and dirty. But to Her devotees, She brings calmness and courage.

Maa Kaalratri has dark complexion. Donkey is her mount, She has bountiful hair and four hands. One of the two left hands holds a cleaver and the other holds a torch, and the right two hands are in “giving” and “protecting” mudras. She has three eyes emanate rays like lightning and Her necklace is shining like thunder. When She inhales and exhales air, flames appear through her nostrils.

Navaratri 8th day 

Among nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, Mahagauri is the eighth Avatar of Durga worshiped on the eighth day of Navratri. The meaning of Mahagauri is extremely bright and clean skin. Goddess Mahagauri is wearing white clothes, depicted with four hands. In her right hand, she is holding a trident, in left hand, a Damaru ( tambourine ) other two hands are in Vara mudra and Abhay mudra. She rides on a white bull.

Goddess Mahagauri is auspicious, protects as well punishes according to the deeds of the people. Goddess bestows with spiritual enlightenment and grants salvation.

Navaratri 9th day 

After worshipping and celebrating the different forms of Shakti for eight days, it’s time for devotees to bid adieu to their beloved Maa Durga. Navami is the ninth and final day of Sharad Navratri; hence devotees will worship the ninth form of Navdurga, Goddess Siddhidatri.

The Goddess with four hands, Maa Siddhidatri, can be seen draped in a red saree. She is seated on a fully-bloomed lotus. In some of her pictures, the Goddess can also be seen riding a mighty lion. The ninth avatar of Navdurga holds a lotus in her lower left hand, a shanka (conch shell) in her upper left hand, a chakra (discus) in her upper right hand, and a gada (blunt mace) in her lower right hand.

Maa Siddhidatri. ‘Siddhi’ means supernatural power or meditative ability, and ‘Dhatri’ means giver or awarder. It is believed that by worshipping Maa Siddhidatri, it is possible to achieve the eight siddhis, which are as follows: Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakyamya, Inshitva and Vashitva