Nav Durga Avtar in Navratri

Navratri is one of the famous festivals celebrated in all over the world among Hindus. Nav Ratri means nine nights are dedicated to the nine divine forms of Adhishakti Maa Durga. During the period of Navratri, devotees worship the nine avtar of Goddess Durga. The ten-armed Maa Durga was created as the combination of the powers of God Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh to defeat the demon Mahisasur. In North India, the Goddess is worshipped in a womanish avtar while she is evoked more as warrior Goddess (The destructor of evil) in the Eastern and Southern parts of India.


The Nine divine Durga Avtars are:

1. Maa Shailaputri: Durga Puja is started with the worship of Maa Shailaputri by establishing urn on the first day of Navratri. The vehicle of Mata Shailaputree is Taurus and trident is in her right hand and the lotus flower is in her left hand. She is the daughter of Shailraj Himalaya due to which the first form of Goddess Durga is known as Shailaputree.

2. Maa Brahmacharini: She holds rose in her right hand and kmaldanu in her left hand. It reflects the love and loyalty. Mata Brahmacharini is the repository of knowledge. Rudraksh is her most beautiful jewel. Devotees get victory in every task with her worship.

3. Maa Chandraghanta: Devotees do the worship of Maa Chandraghanta on the third day of Navratri. Hour shaped Ardhchandra is placed on her forehead due to which she is called as Chandraghanta. Her body is bright like gold and she is devi of calm and welfare. Her vehicle is lion and she has ten hands which are adorned with a variety of weapons. With the worship of Bhagvati Chandrghanta, devotees get spiritual powers and happiness in life.

4. Maa Kushmanda: The name of the fourth form of Goddess Durga is Mata Kushmanda. When the universe did not exist and there was darkness all around the Earth, the mother Kushmanda composed of the universe. Her body's luster and shine is like the sun's radiant. All objects and creatures of the universe lie in her shadow. She has eight arms. Bow - arrow, lotus flower, nectar full urn, chakra and mace are in her seven hands and rosary of giving all the powers and funds is in her eighth hand. Her vehicle is lion. The worship of mother Kushmanda destroys all diseases and sorrow.

5. Maa Skandamata: Skandamata is known as the fifth Durga Avtar. She is the mother of God Skanda Kumar (Kartikeya). She has four hands. She is grabbed God Skanda in the right upper arm and lotus in the right lower arm. Mother's character is completely spotless and remains ensconced on the lotus flower. Her vehicle is also lion. Devotees worship her to achieve supernatural powers.

6. Maa Katyayani: Bhagwati Katyayani is worshiped on the sixth day of Navratri. The person who worships her with full devotion on this day, he/she gets relief from all diseases, grief and anguish forever. It is believed that Rukmani worshiped Goddess Katyayani to get Lord Krishna as her husband due to which she is also known as strength of mind.

7. Maa Kalratri: The seventh form of Goddess Durga is Kalratri. Her character is black like darkness and scary. Her hair is scattered. She has three eyes which are huge and round like universe. This kind of appalling nature of the mother is only to destroy the sinners. She always gives auspicious results to her devotees due to which, she is also known as Shubnkri.

8. Maa Mahagauri: The worship of Durga’s eighth swaroopaa Mahagauri is performed on the eighth day of Navratri. She destroys all the sins of the devotees. She has four hands. Her vehicle is bull. Devotees can have peace and the existence of Mother Annapurna at home by worshipping Goddess Mahagauri with utmost devotion and reverence. Also, there is a great significance of Kanya Pujan.

9. Maa Siddhidatri: Devotees worship Goddess Siddhidatri on the ninth day of Navratra. She provides all kinds of siddhis to the worshippers. According to Markandeya Purana, she gives eight siddhis including Anima, majesty, dignity, Lgima, receipts, Prakamy, Isitv and Vsitv. She has four hands. She is seated on a lotus flower. Her vehicle is lion.