Navratri meaning 9 nights are the 9 religious days worshipped by Hindu in North India and West Bengal, India. This time is meant for penance and prayers to end evil in the world. These are pious, holy days when Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped. Specifically, each day is dedicated to 9 forms of the Devi, namely discussed below:
Day 1 – Mata Shailputri
Mata Shailputri is the daughter of ‘Parvata Raju (the mountain king) or the Himalayas. She is worshipped of the 1st day of Navratri as Goddess Durga. She was Sati in her previous life, daughter of King Daksha, who later became Parvati and married Lord Shiva. She created Lord Ganesha by her devotion and power. Mata Shailputri holds a ‘Trishul’ (a weapon) in her right hand and a ‘Lotus’ flower in her left hand. She has a blissful pleasant smile, while riding on a bull.
Day 2 – Mata Brahmacharini
Mata Brahmacharini is worshipped as second Goddess on day 2 of Navratri. She is the Goddess who performed Tapa (penance). Her name is, ‘Brahma – Tapa and Charini – Performer’. She inculcates the feelings of love and loyalty in her devotees. She provides knowledge and wisdom to all her worshippers. She holds a ‘Japa mala’ (garland of beads) in her right hand and a ‘kamandal’ (a long worshipping bowl) in her left hand.
Day 3 – Mata Chandraghanta
The third day of Navratri is dedicated to Mata Chandraghanta. She rides on a tiger, with ten hands and 3 eyes. Eight of her hands have weapons while the last two are respectively in the gestures of giving boon and stopping harm. Her skin has a golden hue to it.
She is bright and charming offering her devotees peace and serenity.
Day 4 – Mata Kushmanda
Mata Kushmanda is worshipped on Day 4 of Navratri. She has a brightly lit face in 10 directions shining like the Sun. Riding on the Lion she controls the entire Solar system. She has eight hands, holding weapons in 6 six of them and a rosary and a lotus in the remaining two.
She likes offerings of ‘Kumhde’ hence the name Kushmanda.
Day 5 – Ma Skanda Mata
On the fifth day of Navratri, Ma Skanda Mata is worshipped. She has 3 eyes and 4 hands. She had a son, ‘Skandaa’ whom she holds in her lap. Hence, the name Skanda Mata. She is the deity of fire who rides on a Lion.
By her grace, even an idiot becomes an ocean of Knowledge.
Day 6 – Mata Katyayani
Mata Katyayani is worshipped as the 6th form of Durga on the 6th day of Navratri. She also rides on a Lion. Rishi Katyayan undertook penance to get Jaganmata as his daughter. The Rishi succeeded in getting her as his daughter at the banks of river Jamuna, later to be married to Lord Krishna. She is considered as the prime deity of Vraj Mandal.
She has 3 eyes and 4 hands.
Day 7 – Maa Kaalratri
The 7th day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Kaali or Maa Kaalratri. She is dark and black with long open curly hair, hence the name ‘Kaalratri’. She is believed to destroy evil from the world by spilling fire from her nostrils. She has 3 eyes and 4 hands (having weapons) while two hands gesture as ‘giving’ and ‘protecting’.
She blesses her devotees with her left hand with prosperity. For this she is also called ‘Shubhamkari’. She rides her faithful donkey.
Day 8 – Mata Maha Gauri
The 8th eigth day of Navratri is worshipped for Mata Maha Gauri. Having 3 eyes and 4 hands, she is white like the moon and jasmine, riding on a white cow. Peace and compassion radiate from her being and she often wears a white or green saree.
She holds a drum and a trident while riding on a bull. He upper left hand is in a fearless pose while the lower one holds a ‘Trishul’ (weapon used to destroy evil). Her upper right hand has a tambourine while the lower one is in a ‘blessing’ posture.
Day 9 – Mata Siddhidatri
The last day of Navratri is dedicated to Mata Siddhidatri form of Goddess Durga. She is also called Maha Shakti, who gives all the eigth siddhis – Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Lishitva and Vashitva. Lord Shiva got all these siddhis by worshipping her. Blessed by Maha Shakti, Lord Shiva’s half body became that of a Goddess, hence he was also called ‘Ardhnarishvar’.
She rides on a Lion according to some, while sits on a Lotus according to some. All Yogi, Rishi’s, devotees, Gods who wish to attain religious assets worship Mata Siddhidatri.
This completes a small description of the 9 forms of Durga devi worshipped during Navratri, by devotees all over the Universe. Fasting on 9 days or 1st day and 7th day is a tradition when people eat fruits and some fasting meals. The idea is penance and abstinence from ill deeds and talking rudely. Being a sincere devotee means doing one’s duties obediently and sincerely and being kind. The last day is celebrated as Ram Navami (Lord Ram’s birthday-first half of the year) and Dusshera (the latter half of the year). So 2 Navratri’s are celebrated every year by Indians.
