India is a land of Festivals and each of them have a great importance in hindu culture. All these fasts and festivals are celebrated all over India with great zeal and fervor. Among all the fasts and festivals, Navratri fast holds a place of great importance. During the nine divine nights of Navratri, devotees worship the nine forms of goddess Durga.
The festival of Durga Puja is celebrated twice in a year. The first Navratri of the year lies in the month of Chaitra (March – April), known as Chaitra Durga Puja and other in the Ashwin month (September – October), known as Ashwin Masa Durga Pooja.
Observing Navratri fast for nine days as per the rituals blesses the person with virtue and hapiness. The details of the nine forms of Mata are given here:
Goddess Shailputri
Goddess Shailputri is the first incarnation of goddess Durga and worshipped on the first day of Navratri. Shailputri is the daughter of Himalaya seated on a bull with trident in right hand and lotus in the left. On the first day of Navratra, the devotee enters the cycle of foundation which is a way to begin meditation and attain powers
Goddess Brahmacharini
Goddess Brahmacharini is the second manifestation of Durga which represents enlightening. Brahma means “tapa” or penance and Charini means observer, thus it is name of the one who observes penance. The goddess is quiet and absorbed in meditation. She is a unique blend of radiance and rigorous austerity that can be seen on her face which highlights all the three worlds.
Goddess Chandraghanta
The goddess Chandraghanta represents supreme knowledge and bliss with radiant face which appear like an image of solar system. A bell shaped mark of moon is present on her forehead because of which she is named Chandraghanta. Her pacifying form clears all the sorrows and sadness of her devotees. All the hindrances coming in way of a person are removed by her blessings.
Goddess Kushmanda
Goddess Kushmanda created the whole universe in the shape of an egg called “Anda” with her little divine smile like a flower which bloomed with a bud. Thus, she is known as Devi Kushmanda as she created the universe with her little egg and gave light through her divine smile. The core of Sun is the residence of the goddess. She is the only one who controls the functioning of Suryaloka.
Goddess Skandmata
The fifth manifestation of the goddess Durga was named Skanda Mata because she was the mother of lord Skanda. The goddess can be seen showering her motherly blessings on her son Skanda Kumar. The goddess possesses four arms and is seated on a lotus. Goddess Skandmata is the deity of the solar system. By worshiping the goddess in the form of Skanda Mata, the devotee gets all his desires fulfilled and tastes the supreme joy even in this very mortal world.
Goddess Katyayani
The fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga is worshipped in the form of Goddess Katyayani. Goddess Katyayani gives instant results and her devotees get freedom from all the troubles and sufferings in life. She is known to kill the demons and sinners. The worship of Maa Durga as Goddess Katyayani on 6th day of Navratri has a great significance. Yogis & Sadhaks practice penance for Agya Chakra on this day. The person worshipping the goddess can feel a strong sense of enlightenment in himself.
Goddess Kalratri
Devi Kalratri is the seventh manifestation of goddess Durga. She is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri. She is also known as Shubhankari as she always give auspicious results to her devotees. Yogis & sadhaks enters into the Shastra Chakra on this day
Goddess Mahagauri
Goddess Mahagauri is the eighth manifestation of goddess Durga. Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of the Navratra.The goddess protects the husband of those females who worship her with full devotion. Unmarried girls get decent life partners by worshipping Devi Mahagauri. The goddess blesses the gents who worship her with peaceful life and burn all their sins. Goddess Mahagauri blesses her devotees with peace and radiance in life.
Goddess Siddhidatri
Goddess Siddhidatri is the ninth aspect of goddess Durga and hence, worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri. Goddess Durga created this manifestation to shower the sympathy and compassion on her devotees. Devas, sages and humans everyone worship her will full devotion and she showers her immense compassion on the devotee who worships her with pure heart.
Concluding Navratri Nine Divine Nights
On the ninth day of the Navratra, Kanya Puja is performed according to the rituals mentioned in the Shastras. 9 girls representing nine forms og the goddess are worshipped on this day. A person can improve his fortune by worshipping one girl child and salvation by worshipping two girls on this day. By worshipping 3 girls, one gets the devout mind and wealth, treasure by worshipping 4 girls, wisdom and success by worshipping 5 girls, six kind of achievements by worshipping 6 girls, kingdom by worshipping 7 girls, wealth and prosperity by worshipping 8 girls and domination of earth by worshipping 9 girls. Girls up to 10 years of age are worshipped in Kanya Puja.
First of all, the feet of the girls are washed with water and are made to sit in a row on a pedestal. The girls are worshipped by chanting the Mantras. Then, Kumkum is applied on the forehead of all the girls followed by tying kaleva on their hands. Halwa, Puri and black grams are served to them. Once the girls finish eating the prasad the devotee touch their feet to get the blessings. Then give them some kind of dakshina before departing them. Goddess Durga gets pleased when the devotee performs Kanya Pujan with proper rituals and gives him freedom from all the troubles in his life.
Worshiping of Nine Forms of Mother
The Navratra that begins on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada and continues for nine days is called Sharda Navratra. The meaning of Nav is nine as well as new. From Sharda Navrata onwards, season starts changing and the days become smaller and colder. To avoid the effect of change of season, there is a tradition of observing Navratra fast of nine days since ancient times.
During this period, the worshipper consumes plain food and meditate god. This helps gain good health and virtue. These nine days are also called the day of worshipping Shakti(Power).
There is a tradition of observing Navratra twice a year. First Navratra is from Pratipada of Chaitra month to Navami and the second is exactly after six months in Pratipada of Ashwin Shukla Paksha to a day before Vijayadashami. In the two Navratras Sharada Navratra is given more importance.