Festivals are the most significant part of Indian culture and tradition which lays the foundation of the country’s rich heritage and spiritual history. Among various festivals celebrated in India, Navratri is one of the most famous festivals. It is dedicated to Goddess Durga, one of the prime goddesses in the Hindu religion. And Goddess Durga is the synonym of strength, protection, motherhood, wars and destruction. But, as per the Hindu mythology, there are nine forms of the goddess Durga or Navratri Nav Devi, and each is highly revered in Hindu religions.
Navratri means the celebration of worshipping the Navratri Nav Devi. Because of their different forms, they are worshiped as Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
Navratri Nav Devi: Nine Forms of Goddess Durga
1. Shailaputri- 1st Form of Navratri Nav Devi
The first form of Goddess Durga is Shailaputri, which means the mountain. The word signifies the daughter of the mountain or Goddess Parvati, who was the daughter of King Himavat. People believe that Goddess Parvati is the rebirth of Goddess Sati and depict her in a feminine form. She has two hands, holding a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left. She sits on her vahana or ride, the “Nandi” bull.
2. Brahmacharini
People worship Brahmacharini on the second day of the Navaratri. Maa Bramhacharini is symbol of peace and harmony. So in her Parvati form, she prayed and medicated for 100 years to marry Lord Shiva and gave the name- Bramhacharini to herself. The goddess is depicted as a female deity carrying a rosary bead made of dried rudraksha in her right hand. And she also holds a kamandalu in her left hand.
The worshippers offer sugar to Brahmacharini for the longevity of the family members.
3. Chandraghanta
People worship Chandraghanta, because she is third form of Durga. The goddess is known with her third eye and she fights with demons. The goddess is illustrated as a female deity with 10 hands, of which one hand always remain in a blessing posture to bless its devotees. She has a half moon on her forehead shaped like a bell, which gave her the name Chandraghanta. To seek her blessings, worshippers offer kheer to her.
4. Kushmanda
Devotees worship Maa Kushmanda on the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri. The word Kushmanda comes from Ku (a little), Ushma (warmth or energy), and Anda (cosmic egg). Because of her eight arms she is called Kushmada Asthabhuja Devi.
And she is also known as Adi Shakti, the one who creates the universe. Devotees believe that offering Malpura to Maa Kushmanda helps improve the devotee’s decision-making abilities.
5. Skandamata
Hindus describe Skandamata as the fifth form of Navratri Nav Devi, describing as a female deity carrying Kartikeya in her lap. Because of this, people call Kartikeya as Skanda, who blesses her devotees with prosperity, harmony, power and salvation.
She is a symbol of female deity with four arms and three eyes, seated on a lion. She has lotuses in two arms, carries Karthikeya in the third one. And the fourth hand is in the blessing mudra or abhayamudra.
6. Katyayani
Katyayani is the sixth form of Goddess Durga. People worship her on the sixth day of Navaratri. She is the warrior form of Goddess Mahadevi or Durga. According to Hindu Scriptures, Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva combined their energies to create Maa Katyayani. And she also killed the demon Mahishasura. Sage Katyayana performed penance for Goddess Durga. Because of the penance, she requested her to be born as his daughter. Her other name is Katyayani.
The devotees offer honey as Prasad to Devi Katyayani.
7. Kalaratri
Kalaratri is the seventh form of Goddess Durga and is one of the most violent forms of all goddesses. She is the destroyer of darkness and ignorance, fearless. The goddess has a four-armed deity, two of which are in a blessing and protective pose, while the other two carry a scimitar and a thunderbolt. She has a third eye on her forehead, which, as per Hindu mythology, contains the entire universe.
8. Mahagauri
On the eighth day of Navaratri, the devotees worship Goddess Mahagauri, who symbolizes purity, serenity, and wisdom. She holds a trident or Trishul in one hand and a damru in the other hand. From the other two arms, the goddess blesses her devotees, granting them peace and wisdom.
9. Siddhidhatri- The Final Form of Navratri Nav Devi
Hindus worship Siddhidhatri as the ninth and final form of Goddess Durga. People worship her on the last day of Navaratri. According to Hindu mythology, she gives all Siddhis. Artists depict her as a female deity seated on a lotus, holding a lotus, a conch (shankha), a mace (Gada), and a chakra, symbolizing divine energy.
So, as per Hindu Mythology, she signifies Mahashakti or the supreme goddess who created the universe. And Lord Shiva attained all siddhis by worshipping goddess Siddhidhatri.
Conclusion- Navratri Nav Devi
Hope now you know about the Navratri Nav Devi. May Maa Durga’s blessings bring strength, peace, and prosperity in lives of all of us.
