Navratri : 9 Forms of Godess Durga

With Navratri, comes another surge of festivity and piousness in the Hindu households. Each of us knows the etymology of ‘navratri’, i.e. ‘nav’ meaning nine and ‘ratri’ for night. Navratri comes twice in the year and some people fast for these days.

Religious and Scientific Relevance of Navratri

But this fasting along with religious has strong scientific relevance as well, as the season is changing the body requires to adapt itself to it. During this time, immunity level is low and eating heavy or regular food may create some gastronomical problems, thus eating fruits or satvik food can act as an alternative.

So the fasting is like two birds with one stone, fast and pray for cleansing of not only body but soul as well and strengthen you as a whole.

9 Forms of Godess Durga

So now let’s take a glance together, at all the nine avatars of Maa Durga which are worshipped each day of navratri.

Maa Shailputri

Navratri : 9 Forms of Godess Durga
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On the first day of navratri, we ask for blessing from Maa Shailputri. She is the embodiement of Bharma, Vishnu and Shiv and the consort (wife) of Lord Shiva. She is the one who awith her perseverance and love, attained the knowledge and Lord Shiva.

So by taking her blessing on the first day, we are asking her to let us also enlighten our mool chakra and give that courage to attain Truth.

Maa Bharmacharini

Navratri : 9 Forms of Godess Durga
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On the second day, we ask for blessings from Maa Bharmacharini. Bharma means tapasya or austerity. This is the day when we do saadhna and enlighten our svadhishthan chakra. She is the embodiement of eternal bliss and happiness and a way to moksha, which one also experiences once they attain that kind of real Truth and Beauty which is empowering yet a provider of solace.

Maa Chandraghanta

Navratri : 9 Forms of Godess Durga
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The third day is the day of Maa Chandraghanta. Her appearance provides solace and has tranquilizing effect on us. She has all weapons in her 10 hands and her stance is of as if she is ready to wage a war against evils. She is the epitome of courage and calmness and destroys the evil forces of the universe with her ringing voice. The person who prays her can concentrate themselves in Manipur chakra.

Maa Kushmanda

Navratri : 9 Forms of Godess Durga
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Maa Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day. She is the one who is seen as the creator of the world with her sweet laughter and made it habitable. She is worshipped to provide the people with the longevity of age, good health, courage and fame.

Maa Skandmata

Navratri : 9 Forms of Godess Durga
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The fifth day is of Maa Skandmata. Her name means mother of Lord Skand (Kartikeya). She blesses all the wishes of her worshippers. When one is under her blessings, the mind stays aloof from materialism, self-centredness and all the negatives of physicality (Kama, krodha, lobh, moha, maya, ahamkar), and once the saadhna is complete, the way to moksha is clear to one.

Maa Katayani

Navratri : 9 Forms of Godess Durga
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On sixth day of Navratri, Maa Katayani is paid reverence. This avatar took birth as the child of sage Kata and slayed Mahishasura. Her appearance captivates and calms us. She blesses her supplicants with all the four blessings- artha, kama, dharma, and moksha and relieves the person from all fears.

Maa Kalratri

Navratri : 9 Forms of Godess Durga
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Maa Kalratri is worshipped on the seventh day. Her physical appearance might look odious, but at the same time she has a very sweet melodious voice and a caring demeanor and this is reflective through her giving and protecting mudras of the hands. She teaches us that sorrows, destruction is constant and inevitable, but their acceptance is the realization of the whole being. She protects her worshippers from the evil influences, sorrows, fears and sufferings and brings calmness and courage to them.

Maa Mahagauri

Navratri : 9 Forms of Godess Durga
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The presence of Mahagauri is impeccably pleasant and soothing and she is worshipped on the following eight day of the navratri. She is deified by her worshippers to provide purity and the goodness of the universe. Her power is immensely gratifying. She even blesses her worshippers with a good and wished soul mate as a spouse.

Maa Siddhadatri

Navratri : 9 Forms of Godess Durga
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On the last day of the navratri, Maa Siddhadatri who has a pleasing persona and possess a constant smile on her face, is worshipped. She has healing powers and blesses all with materialistic wishes and needs. It is said that even Lord Shiva prayed to her and attained the siddhis to attain the ardhanarishwara roop. So attain vedic, or tantric siddhi one need to ask for her grace.