Navratri
What is Navratri?
The word Navratri is made up of 2 Sanskrit words ‘Nava,’ meaning nine and ‘Ratri,’ meaning nights. It is a nine-day long festival which marks the victory of good over evil as Maa Durga killed the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, hence giving her the name, Mahishasura Mardini. It is celebrated twice a year after spring and autumn harvests.
During the Navaratri days, Maa Durga is worshipped in her nine different forms. Many devotees fast for nine days singing praises of Maa Durga which uplifts their divine spirts and fills theirs lives with renewed happiness.
Each of the nine forms manifested by Goddess Durga signifies limitless power, strength, bravery, knowledge, beauty, grace, and auspiciousness.
Nine forms (Swaroop) of Goddess Durga
Shailaputri
On the first day, Devi Shailaputri is worshipped. She was the daughter of the mountain king “Hemvana”. Sati, Bhavani, Parvati, and Hemwati are all aliases for Devi Shailputri. She is the purest embodiment of Durga and the mother of nature. She is seen riding the bull (Nandi) with a crescent moon on her forehead and holding Trident and lotus in her hands. Devotees wear orange color which symbolizes success and happiness.
Brahmacharini
The second day, Devi Brahmacharini is worshipped. She is the one who practices Brahmacharya renouncing all the pleasures of the world. She is the embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace, walking bare feet, holding a rosary (Japamala) and kamandalu in her hands. She endows her devotees with grace, blissfulness, peace, and prosperity. Devotees wear white color which symbolizes purity, peace and sacredness.
Chandraghanta
The third day is of Devi Chandraghanta. The literal meaning of her name is one who bears a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead. She rides a lion and has 10 hands and three eyes. Devotees pray to her to get tranquility and prosperity in life. She is seen holding weapons, lotus, kamandalu and rosary in her hands. Devotees wear red color which symbolizes affection and fearlessness.
Kushmanda
Devi Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day. She has glowing body and is the one who created the world with her divine and radiant smile. She possesses the power to live inside the blazing sun, hence the name Kushmanda. She is also known as Ashtabhuja meaning one with 8 arms. She rides a lion and holds weapons, glitter, a rosary, and other holy artifacts. Devotees wear blue color which symbolizes wealth and prosperity.
Skandamata
Skandamata is mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), the warrior god and is worshipped on the fifth day. She rides a lion, holding baby Skanda in one hand and lotuses in the other two and showering blessings with the fourth on her devotes. Padamasani is an alias for her. Devotees wear yellow color which symbolizes cheerfulness and brightness.
Katyayani
Katyayani Devi was the swaroop in which Maa Durga slayed Mahishasura. She exudes anger and vengeance against evil. She sits on a magnificent lion and has sword, lotus in her left hands. She bestows blessings on her devotes with the right 2 hands. Devotees wear green color which symbolizes growth and new beginnings.
Kalaratri
Kalaratri has dark complexion, disheveled hair, big eyes, tongue sticking out, riding a donkey. She is fierce and destroys all the evil and ignorance. She is a protective force for her devotees. She holds a Vajra and a dagger in two hands and uses the other two hands to bestow her blessing and protection to her devotees. People wear grey color which helps them balance their energies.
Mahagauri
Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day is the epitome of grace and purity. She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. With her right hand she alleviates her devotees’ suffering and holds a trident in lower right hand. She holds a damaru (small tambourine) and is seen bestowing blessings on the devotees with her left two hands. People wear purple color which symbolizes goodness and power.
Siddhidarti
Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Durga who is worshipped on the ninth day. She grants knowledge and wisdom to humans. She possesses natural healing powers. She sits on a lion, has four limbs holding a Trident, Sudarshan Chakra, conch and a lotus. People wear peacock green which symbolizes grace and watchfulness.
Make these nine days “special days of spiritual journey”
One of the very important guidelines to remember in spiritual journey as a Navdurga devotee is that we are her children. She will always bless us, take care of us. She will always love us. It is our responsibility to show the same extreme love and affection to divine mother as well. What better time in a year other than these special nine days of Navratri? It is recommended to follow below guidelines as much as you can, some of us will do less, some will do more, but in the end, what matters is the honest effort that we put in to connect with Navdurga.
Guidelines for Navratri
Fasting
Navratri is ideal time for fasting, which in general is considered to be a sacrifice (of food) in Hinduism, well documented in Bhagwad Geeta. It is recommended to observe fasts during Navratri. Some people fast for all 9 days, and some prefer to fast on last day of Navratri. Try to abstain from consuming grains & non-vegetarian food and avoid (if possible do not consume) tamasik foods such as alcohol, and onion/garlic. Instead, as a Maa Durga devotee, replace regular grains with buckwheat and amaranth, eat fruits, vegetables, dairy products. Who does not like Kheer?
Navratri Puja at Home
Although most Maa Durga devotees make sure to pray almost everyday, these nine days are special! As mentioned in Durga Mantra section, create a dedicated puja (prayer) area in your home. Decorate with some pictures or idols of the Maa Durga.
Light Diya or Jyoti (Lamps), Agarbatti (incense), offer flowers and perform prayers such as Durga Aarti or Durga Chalisa. Chanting mantras dedicated to the Goddess Durga is also an important practice. The links to these chanting texts is provided here, you may download and print as needed.
Durga Aarti
Durga Chalisa
Durga Mantras
Read about mantra and mediation
Worship at Home and Temple(s)
This is the main focus point – worship the Goddess Durga and her various forms. As noted earlier in this article, each day you may worship the form of significance. It is great time to connect with other devotees by visiting nearby temples and joining aarties and rituals performed by priests (Pandits)
Daan Dakshina (Donations & Charity)
Many people make use of this auspicious time of Navratri to perform acts of service to humanity and charity. Consider donating to the needy around you or volunteer for community service.
We at Durga Shakti portal and all Durga devotees wish you success at your journey to connect with Ma Durga and get her blessings.
Jai Durga! Jai Shakti!
Your fellow devotees at DurgaShakti.org
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