Navratri is an auspicious time to pray to the divine power
“Goddess Durga” Navratri means Nine nights of Light, joy, meditation &
divinity. This is the best time to align your mind, body and soul by practicing
vedic rituals, Prayers & meditation during these nine nights.
Navratri is divided into 3 sets of 3 nights each to adore
Goddess Durga or in other words, mother
nature’s different facets.
First three days are dedicated to supreme powerful force
Goddess Durga, who if prayed to with a clean spirit defeats/removes
all our contaminations, evils and defects.
Second set of 3 nights is for the invocation of Goddess
Laxmi, who is worshipped as mother of spiritual wealth. She is the one who is
considered the power of showring blessing of never ending wealth to
her devotees. Final set of 3 nights is
dedicated to Goddess Sarswati, she is considered to own the power of knowledge, spiritual elevation, wisdom &
all the success in life.
These nine facets of Goddess of power are worshipped as
follows:
1.
Shailputri: it means daughter of mountains, she is the first form of Shakti,
Also known as Parvati, who was born to King Himalaya & went on to become
Lord Shiva’s divine consort. In
Sanskrit Shail means mountain and putri
is daughter” due to which Goddess was known as Shailputri, the daughter of the
mountain.
Flowers/Incense to offer: Jasmine
2.
Brahmcharini:
Mata Brahmacharini is worshipped on second day of Navarathri.
Brahmacharini is the goddess who performed ‘Tapa’ (penance) (Brahma – Tapa ,
Charini - Performer ). Mata personifies love and loyalty. She
holds japa mala in her right hand and Kamandal in left hand. She is
also called as ‘Uma’ and ‘Tapacharini’ and provides knowledge and wisdom to her
devotees.
Flowers/Incense to offer: Rose
3.
Chandraghnta: Mata
Chadraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Navratri. She is very
bright and charming. Durga Maa is astride a tiger, displays a golden hue
skin, possesses ten hands and 3 eyes. Eight hands display weapons while the
remaining two are in the mudras or gestures of boon giving and stopping harm.
Chandra + Ghanta, meaning supreme bliss and knowledge, showering peace, like
cool breeze in a moonlit night.
Flowers/Incense to offer: Magnolia
4.
Kushmanda: Mata
Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day of Navrathri. . She shines brightly
with a laughing face in all ten directions as the Sun. She controls the entire
Solar system. In her six hands, she holds several types of weapons and a rosary
and a lotus in remaining 2 hands. She rides on a Lion. She likes offerings of
‘Kumhde’, hence her name ‘Kushmanda’ has become popular.
Flowers/Incense to offer: Night queen (raat ki rani)
5.
Skandmata: Skanda
Mata is worshipped on the fifth Day of Navratri. She had a son
‘Skandaa and holds him on her lap . She has three eyes
and four hands; two hands hold lotuses while the other 2 hands display
defending and granting gestures. Its said, by the mercy of Skandmata, even
a fool becomes an ocean of knowledge. The great and legendary Sanskrit Scholar
Kalidas created his two masterpieces works “Raghuvansh Maha Kavya” and
“Meghdoot” by the grace of Skandmata. Mata is considered as a deity of
fire. She rides on Lion.
Flowers/Incense to offer: Lotus
6.
Maa Katyani: Maa
Katyayani is worshipped on the the Sixth Day of Navratri. Rishi Katyayan
observed a penance to get Jagatmata as his daughter. She blessed him and took
birth as his daughter on the bank of river Jamuna for getting Lord Krishna as a
husband. She is considered as prime deity of Vraj mandal. Maa Katyayani has
three eyes and four hands. One left hand holds a weapon and the other a lotus while
2 hands are in blessing posture. She rides on Lion.
Flowers/Incense to offer: coral
7.
Maa kalrati: Mata
Kalaratri is worshipped on the Seventh Day of Navratri . She is dark
and black like night, hence she is called as ‘Kalratri’. Her hair is open and
she has three eyes and four hands. Her vahana is a faithful donkey. The
destroyer of darkness and ignorance. She spills out fire from her
nostrils. She holds a sharp Sword in her right hand and blesses her
devotees with her lower hand. while the remaining 2 are in the mudras of
“giving” and “protecting”. As she blesses her devotees with prosperity, she is
also called as ‘Shubhamkari’.
Flowers/Incense to offer: Sandalwood
8.
Maa Mahagauri: Mata
Maha Gowri is worshipped on the Eight Day of Navratri. Maha Gauri looks as
white as moon and jasmine. She has three Eyes and four hands. Peace and
compassion radiate from her being and she is often dressed in a white or green
sari. she holds a drum and a trident and is often depicted riding a bull
. Her above left hand is in fearless pose and she holds ‘Trishul’ in her
lower left hand. Her above right hand has tambourine and lower right hand is in
blessing mudra.
Flowers/Incense to offer: Lotus
9.
Maa Siddhidatri: Mata
Siddhidatri is worshipped on the Ninth Day of Navratri. Maha Shakti gives
all the eight siddhis – Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya,
Iishitva and Vashitva. According to ‘Devi Puran’, the supreme God Shiva got all
these siddhis by worshipping the supreme Goddess Maha Shakti. With her
gratitude, he was able to display both sides of nature ( Shiv & Shakti ) ,
hence Lord Shiva’s name ‘Ardhanarishvar’ has become famous. She is seated on
lotus & rides on a Lion. Siddhidatri Devi is worshipped by all Gods, Rishis,
Muniswaras, Siddha yogis, and all common devotees who want to attain the
religious asset.
Flowers/Incense to offer: Rose
What should we do to get maximum benefit during nine nights of divinity:
1.
Recite GAyatri mantra 108 at least everyday in
the early hours of the day.
2.
Read gayatri chalisa 7 times everyday for nine
days.
3.
Eat vegetarian food
4.
Drink more water
5.
Fasting is considered auspicious during these
days.
6.
Charity of food is a must
7.
Eat more fruits
8.
Do good deeds
