The auspicious festival of Navratri is just around the corner and devotees are waiting with bated breath to celebrate and worship Maa Durga with fervour and enthusiasm.
The nine-day festival is dedicated to Maa Durga and marks the victory of the Goddess over the demon Mahishasura. It will begin on October 15 and will go on till October 24, which is celebrated as “Vijay Dashmi” or “Dussehra”.
There are four types of Navratri that are observed throughout the year. The upcoming one is called “Shardiya Navratri” and one out of nine forms of Maa Durga are worshipped on each day. If you want to know about the different forms of the Hindu Goddess, read on further.
Maa Shailputri
Maa Shailputri is one of the foremost forms of Goddess Durga. She is one of the Navadurgas who's worshipped on the first day of the Navratri. She was born as the daughter of King of Mountains "Parvat Raj Himalaya". She is also known as Maa Sati Bhavani, Maa Hemavati and Goddess Parvati.
Maa Brahmacharini
Worshipped on the second day of Navratri, Maa Brahmacharini is known as Goddess Parvati’s unmarried form. After her “Kushmanda” form, Goddess Parvati took birth at the home of Daksha Prajapati. In this form the Goddess Parvati was a great Sati.
Maa Chandraghanta
Maa Chandraghanta is the married form of Goddess Parvati. After marrying Lord Shiva, the goddess started adorning her forehead with a crescent moon and was hence known as Maa Chandraghanta. She is worshipped on the third day of Navratri.
Maa Kushmanda
After taking the form of “Siddhidatri”, Goddess Parvati started living in the centre of the Sun so that it could release its energy into the universe. Since then, the goddess is also known as “Kushmanda”, as she has the power and capability to live inside the Sun. The glow and radiance of her body is as luminous as that of the Sun.
Maa Skandmata
When Goddess Parvati became the mother of Lord Skanda, also known as Lord Kartikeya, she came to be known as Goddess Skandmata. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri and mounts the ferocious lion. She also carries baby Murugan in her lap. Murugan is also known as Kartikeya and Lord Ganesha’s brother.
Maa Katyayani
Maa Katyayani is the most violent form of Goddess Parvati. To destroy the demon Mahishasura, the goddess took this form and was also known as Warrior Goddess.
Maa Kalaratri
When Goddess Parvati removed her golden skin to kill demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, she came to be known as Maa Kalaratri. She is believed to be the fiercest and the most ferocious form of Goddess Parvati.Her complexion is dark and she rides on a donkey.
Maa Mahagauri
It is believed that Goddess Shailputri was extremely beautiful and blessed with a fair complexion at the age of 16. Due to that, she came to be known as Goddess Mahagauri. She governs the planet “Rahu” and she mounts a bull.
Maa Siddhidatri
According to Hindu texts, Lord Rudra worshipped the formless “Adi-Parashakti” – the supreme Goddess of Power before the universe was created. She appeared in the form of Siddhidatri from the left half of Lord Shiva. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri and the planet “Ketu” is governed by her. She sits on a lotus and mounts a lion.
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