Navratri are thought to be the most
auspicious nine days which worship goddess durga and her other eight
incarnations. It is a holy period of dance and worship for Hindus all over
India. The word navratra or navratri literally refers to nine nights in
Sanskrit, as nav means- nine and ratra or ratri means- nights. During these
nine nights and ten days, nine forms of shakti- metaphor for goddess durga,
i.e. female divinity are worshipped.
Durga is the mother of all gods, hence the folk adored her, worship her,
offer their prayers in different forms and at the last day some on eighth
day and some on ninth day open up their fast by preparing and conducting
special pooja and offering the Prasad to small girls which are taken to be
the metaphor of devi. Goddesses are integral part of Hinduism and worship of
goddess is a significant ritual of Hindu religion.
Navratri is celebrated twice in a year, first navratra appears in
march-April (spring- chaitra) and the second cycle of navratra appears again
September-October (autumn-ashwin). These days are most auspicious for the
disciples who wait for these nine days so that they can spend their time in
prayers and offerings. Fastings are done throughout the nine days and people
anticipate for self-contemplation and self refinement of their soul. Fasting
is not only for abstaining from food only but the main reason is to refine
their soul and body in order to get goddess's blessings.
These nine manifestations of super goddess are enumerated which are
worshiped in nine days of navratra:
Shailputri- Durga, the super goddess, female divinity and
most powerful inaccessible is a daughter of mountain Himalaya. She is the
first among the nine forms of durga and was the daughter of Daksha and named
Sati in her former birth. She got married to Lord Shiva but she burnt
herself because her father did not invited shiva on the Yagna. When
obstinately she reached on the yagna, her father insulted Lord Shiva, and
unable to tolerate the insult she immolates herself out of agony. In her
next birth she became daughter of Himalaya- Parvati, who also got married to
Lord Shiva.
Brahmcharini- The second day is worshipped for brahmcharini,
the second form of Goddess durga. Here 'Brahma' means tapa- penance. An
ultimate form of durga, she is gorgeous and full with merriment.
Chandraghanta- TShe is the third form of durga which is
worshipped on third day of navaratri. She embodies beauty and bravery.
Kushmanda-This is the fourth form of durga. It is believed
that this entire cosmos is created by her laugh. She shines brightly in the
whole universe; her eight hands hold the different weapons and flower.
Skanda-She is fifth form of durga, known as skanda Mata. Her
name represents her son 'skanda' the leader of army of gods. She is also
believed to be deity of fire.
Katyayani-She is the sixth form of durga. She is the
daughter of seer katyayan and therefore named after him as 'katyayani'. She
is represented by her vehicle lion and has eight hands and three eyes.
Kalratri-- she is the seventh form of Shakti durga. She
embodies black night, rides on shava (corpse) and unlocks her hairs. She
blesses her devout to become fearless and she also known as 'shubhamkari'.
Mahagauri-She is the eighth form of goddess durga, the Mata
rani worshiped as maha gauri. This form of Shakti is gorgeous and wearing
white accessories and ornaments. She embodies wisdom and calmness.
SiddhidatriShe is the last and ninth form of durga. It is
thought to believe that she possess eight siddhis (supernatural powers),
which she grants to those who worship her. She has four hands and rides on
the lion with a blissful enchanting mood. She is worshipped by all the gods,
seers and sages so as to get best religious assets.
Devi is synonymous of Shakti, the female aspect of the divine. The
goddesses in Hinduism are overwhelming and each form of Devi has her own
mythology and history, appearance and role, characters and attributes. There
are Hindu sages and scholars who confirm that all the goddess are
manifestations of Mahadevi- ma Durga.
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