Significance Of Each Day Of Navratri
By Anushka Singh
Day One: Revering Shailputri
Shailputri is the name of Maa Durga’s avatar when she was incarnated as daughter of King of Mountains Himachal. Shail means mountain and putri means daughter. Her Luster is said to equal a crore of moons, she rides on a Bull named Nandi, her head is adorned with the crescent moon; she holds a trident in her one hand and a varmudra in another hand.
Day Two: Revering Brahmcharini
Brahmcharini is a form of Maa Durga when she was incarnated as the daughter of King Daksh. Her name was Sati in this incarnation and her unmarried form is worshipped as Brahmcharini Devi. She has a Mala and Kamandalu in her lotus hands. She gives eternal bliss by knowledge of Supreme Self (God).
Day Three: Revering Chandraghanta
Chandraghanta is that form of Maa Durga who rides on a tiger, holds a huge ghanta (bell) and is adorned with a crescent moon on her head.
Day Four: Revering Kushmanda
Kushmanda is that form of Maa Durga which creates the universe. Goddess Kushmanda rides on a lion, hold weapons in her seven hands and a rosary in the eighth.
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Day Five: Revering Skandmata
Skandmata is the form of Maa Durga when she gets incarnated as Parvati and gives birth to Lord Skanda or Kartikeya. She is known by her son’s name as Skandmata. Skandmata rides on a lion with six-faced Kartikeya on her lap.
Day Six: Revering Katyayani
Katyayani is an incarnation of Maa Durga when Rishi Katyayan prayed to the goddess to destroy demons. Goddess Durga was born in his home as his daughter Katyayani.
According to Durga Saptshati, Goddess Katyayani is Mahasaraswati. Goddess Katyayani holds weapons in each of her 10 hands, rides a lion, has three eyes and is adorned with a crescent moon on her head.
Day Seven: Revering Kalratri
Kalratri is an incarnation of Maa Durga in which she sheds her golden skin and turns fully black. In a naked form, she rides an ass; holds a sword and Varmudra in her two right hands and a torch and abhayamudra in two left hands. She is known to be the Master of Hypnotism.
Day Eight: Revering Mahagauri
Mahagauri is the 16-year-old form of unmarried Goddess Parvati. With a face as white as the moon, Mahagauri rides a bull, holds a trident and a damru in two hands and has a varamudra and an abhayamudra in her other two hands and wears white.
Day Nine: Revering Siddhidatri
Siddhidatri is the master of eight siddhis and nine nidhis. The Maa Durga incarnation is formed when goddess Parvati enters in the half body of Lord Shiva. Siddhidatri is seated on a Red Lotus and rides a Lion. She has a Conch, a Chakra, a Lotus and a Gada in her four hands. Devs, Humans, Brahmins, Demons, Kinnars all are known to worship this form of Maa Durga.
And then, finally!
On the ninth day of Navratri, nine, young girls are usually invited to one’s home. These girls are considered to be the avatars of Goddess Durga. Special dishes are prepared for these young girls and are fed with devotion. After feeding them, they are given dakshina to make the completion of the puja.
Click here to download PDF of the Navratri 2022 Special 'Devi Dhamaka'
