Get NavDurga blessings this navratri

Navdurga or Navratri is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in India especially in west bengal region. According to Hindu tradition, it is celebrated twice a year. First navratri is celebrated in the spring season(Chaitra Navratri) and the other one in autumn(Sharad Navratri).

In Hindu mythology, it is a festival which represents victory of truth over evil. The Goddess of power Durga killed a demon named Mahishasura. The Hindu celebrate this occasion through worshipping Goddess Durga for a span of nine days. Each day is dedicated to a form of Maa durga.

Maa Shailputri

On the first day of Navratri, Goddess Shailputri (a form of Durga) is worshipped by Hindus. She is also named daughter of Himalayas. As per Hindu mythology, she is also re-birth of Sati who was the wife of Lord Shiva in her previous life. It is believed that devotees acquire peace of mind and fresh energy.

Maa Shaiputri Mantra (Sanskrit)

वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।

वृषारुढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥

Maa Brahmacharini

On the occasion of the second day of Navratri, Goddess Brahmacharini is worshiped by devotees. She did tapasya (art of self regulation and discipline) over thousands of years to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Through worshipping, it is believed that devotees acquire the energy for perseverance and determination.

Maa Brahmacharini Mantra (Sanskrit)

दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू।

देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥

Maa Chandraghanta

On the third day of Navratri, devotee celebrate the third form of Durga i.e. Maa Chandraghanta. There is a part of the moon present (Chandra – crescent in sanskrit) on the forehead of Goddess therefore she is called Maa Chandraghanta. She is a goddess of supernatural powers.

Maa Chandraghanta Mantra (Sanskrit)

पिण्डजप्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।

प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चंद्रघण्टेति विश्रुता।।

Maa Kushmanda

The fourth form of Goddess Durga is named as Maa Kushmanda(Ku -“a little”, Ushma-“warmth” and Anda-“cosmic egg). According to Hindu mythology, at the beginning of time when everything was all dark in the universe, she created the universe from a cosmic egg. Her existence represents light and energy.

Maa Kushmanda Mantra (Sanskrit)

सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रूधिराप्लुतमेव च।

दधानाहस्तपद्याभ्यां कुष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु में॥

Maa Skandamata

On the fifth day of Navratri, Goddess Skandamata(meaning mother of Skanda) is worshipped by devotees. Her child Kartikeya is also called Skanda. She used to keep her son on her lap. It is believed that this form of goddess emits bright light as sun. She provides wisdom to people.

Maa Skandamata Mantra (Sanskrit)

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्याञ्चितकरद्वया।

शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥

Maa Katyayani

The sixth form of Goddess Durga is named as Maa Katyayani. She is daughter of Maharishi Katyayan. She rides a lion and she is the one who actually killed the evil demon Mahishasura. It is believed that devotees are blessed with wealth and nirvana who worship her.

Maa Katyayani Mantra (Sanskrit)

चंद्र हासोज्ज वलकरा शार्दू लवर वाहना।

कात्यायनी शुभं दद्या देवी दानव घातिनि॥

Maa Kalratri

On the seventh day of Navratri, Maa Kalratri is worshipped by devotees. According to hindu mythology, she fought and killed a number of ferocious demons. Her form is terrifying and black as darkness. When she arrives, evil spirits are destroyed by her appearance.

Maa Kalratri Mantra (Sanskrit)

एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।

लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्तशरीरिणी॥

वामपादोल्लसल्लोहलताकण्टकभूषणा।

वर्धनमूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयंकरी॥

Maa Mahagauri

The eighth form of Durga is Maa Mahagauri (meaning very bright). Her face is as bright as white. As per hindu mythology, she worshipped Lord Shiva to get him as her husband. She has a trident in her hand and believes to have powers to fulfill all the desires of a devotee. She also represents purity and cleanliness.

Maa Mahagauri Mantra (Sanskrit)

श्वेते वृषे समारूढ़ा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।

महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेवप्रमोदया॥

Maa Siddhidatri

The last ninth form of Durga is Maa Siddhidatri. Her name means one who has the ability to give supernatural powers. She sits on a Lotus flower. She has eight supernatural powers named Anima (who can decrease her size to an atom), Mahima (one who can increase her size to universe), Garima (can increase weight), Laghima (can decrease weight), Prapti (omnipresent), Prakambya(fulfill any desire), Ishitva(as a lord) and Vashitva(who can control anyone).

Maa Siddhidatri Mantra (Sanskrit)

सिद्धगंधर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैररमरैरपि।

सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी।।

As per Hinduism, devotees of Maa Durga (picture below) (combined form) who worship all the nine forms during navratri get blessed. Many devotees also perform fasting as part of their devotion towards Goddess Durga. It is believed that such devotion helps them to be successful in life.