Significance of 9 days of Navratri!

Navaratri is a Hindu festival and is celebrated every year in the month of September-October. The Word Navratri in Sanskrit means “Nine nights”. Celebrations include stage decorations, recital of the legend, dancing and chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism. Everyone decorate and worship their equipment, machinery, and tools of trade. Students visit their teachers, express respect and seek their blessings. There are total of four Navratri’s this one is called SHARAD NAVRATRI which is most significant. The nine days also refers to the 9 goddesses of this festival where we worship feminine power. And bestow blessings upon us.

Day 1: Shailaputri

Shailaputri is an avatar of Goddess Durga, who was born in the house of King of Mountains “Parvat Raj Himalaya”. The name “Shailaputri” literally means the daughter (putri) of mountain (shaila). It is also the first form of goddess Durga (Parvati)

Goddess Shailaputri is depicted with two hands and has a crescent moon on her forehead. She holds a trident in her right hand and a lotus flower in the left. She rides on mount Nandi (bull).

The colour for first day is Orange.

Worshipping Goddess Shailaputri helps us to evolve higher into the spiritual path.

Mantra of Shailaputri:

Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah॥

Day 2: Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini means a devoted female student who lives in an Ashrama with her Guru along with other students. It is also the name of the second aspect of the goddess Durga (Parvati).

Depicted as walking bare feet and holding a japamala and kamandal in her hands, she symbolizes bliss and calm.

 

The colour of second day is White.

 

Worshipping goddess Brahmacharini helps us on a path of self-discipline and austerity.

 

Mantra of Brahmacharini:

Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah॥

Day 3: Chandraghanta

In Hinduism, Chandraghanta is the third form of Goddess Durga. Her name Chandra-Ghanta, means "one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell. Her third eye is always opened and she always ready for war against demons". This is also the third form of goddess Durga (Parvati)

Chandraghanta has ten hands where two hands hold a Trishula(trident), Gada(mace), bow-arrow, khadak(sword), Kamala(lotus flower), Ghanta(bell) and kamandal(waterpot), while one of her hands remains in blessing posture or abhayamudra.

The colour of third day is Red.

Worshipping goddess Chandraghanta helps devotees with her grace, bravery and courage. By her grace all the sins, distresses, physical sufferings, mental tribulations and ghostly hurdles of the devotees are eradicated.

Mantra of Chandraghanta:

Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥

Day 4: Kushmanda

Her name signals her main role: Ku means "a little", Ushma means "warmth" or "energy" and Anda means "cosmic egg". Believed to be the creative power of universe, Kushmanda associated to the endowment of vegetation on earth. This is also the fourth form of goddess Durga (Parvati)

She is depicted as having eight arms and sits on a Tiger. Goddess Kushmanda has eight hands and because of that She is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi. It is believed that all the power to bestow Siddhis and Niddhis are located in her Jap Mala.

The colour of fourth day is Royal Blue.

 

Worshipping goddess Kushmanda improves health and bestow wealth and strength.

Mantra of Kushmanda:

Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥

Day 5: Skandmata

Skandamata, the goddess worshiped on Panchami. Skanda is another name for war god and her son Kartikeya and Mata is the term for mother. This is also the fifth form of goddess Durga (Parvati).

The colour She is depicted riding a ferocious lion, having four arms and holding her baby.

It is believed that she awards devotees with salvation, power, prosperity and treasures. She can grant oceans of wisdom even to most illiterate person, if he happens to worship her. Her worship is twice blessed. When the devotee worships her, Lord Skand, her son in her lap, is automatically worshipped. Thus, the devotee happens to enjoy the grace of Skandmata along with the grace of Lord Skand. The devotees who worship Skandamātā shine with divine splendour. Her worship is ultimately conducive to salvation. She is regularly known as "The Goddess of Fire".

The colour of fifth day is Yellow.

Mantra of Skandmata:

Om Devi Skandmatai Namah॥

Day 6: Katyayani

Born to a sage, Katyayana, she is an incarnation of Durga and is shown to exhibit courage Known as the warrior goddess, she is considered one of the most violent forms of Goddess Parvati. This is also the sixth form of goddess Durga (Parvati).

Kātyāyanī is depicted as the one who rides a lion and has four hands.

Worshipping goddess Katyayani helps young unmarried girls to have husbands of their choice, there is a story behind this:-

"During the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, every day early in the morning the young daughters of the cowherds(gopis) would take one another's hands and singing of Krishna's transcendental qualities, go to the Yamuna(Jamuna) to bathe. Desiring to obtain Krishna as their husband, they would then worship the goddess Kātyāyanī with incense, flowers and other items".

The fasting, called Kātyāyanī-vrata is made for a whole month, offering such things as sandal, flowers, incense, etc.

The colour of sixth day is Green.

Mantra of Katyayani :

Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah॥

Day 7: Kalaratri

The first part of the word kalaratri is kala. Kala primarily means time but also means black in honour of being the first creation before light itself. This form primarily depicts that life also has a dark side – the violence of Mother Nature that encompasses death and destruction. This is also the seventh form of goddess Durga (Parvati)

Kalaratri is the Goddess that is depicted in a white colour attire with a lot of rage in her fiery eyes, her skin turns black.

Worshipping goddess Kalaratri portrays prayer and peace, and ensures the devotees that the Goddess will protect them from harm. This form of Goddess is believed to be the destroyer of all demon entities, ghosts, spirits and negative energies, who flee upon knowing of her arrival. Invoking Goddess Kaalratri therefore empowers the devotee with the devouring quality of kala (time) and the all-consuming nature of ratri (night) - allowing all obstacles to be overcome and guaranteeing success in all undertakings. In summary, Kaalratri is the personification of the night of all-destroying time.

 

The colour of seventh day is Grey.

Mantra of Kaalratri:

Om Devi Kaalratryai Namah॥

Day 8: Mahagauri

The name Mahagauri means extremely white, as she was white in colour and very beautiful (Mahā,  = great; Gaurī, = white). This is also the eighth form of goddess Durga (Parvati).

Mahagauri is usually depicted with four hands, the hands holding a trident, lotus and drum, while the fourth is in a blessing gesture. The lotus is sometimes replaced with a rosary. She rides a white bull, usually shown wearing white clothes.

Worshipping Goddess Mahagauri has many benefits. She is auspicious, brilliant and protects the good people while punishing those who perform evil deeds. Mother Gauri enlightens the spiritual seeker and removes the fear of rebirth by granting salvation.

The colour of Eighth day is Purple.

Mantra of Mahagauri :

Om Devi Mahagauriyai Namah॥

Day 9: Siddhidhatri 

The meaning of her name is as follows: Siddhi means supernatural power or meditative ability, and Dhatri means giver or awarder. This is the ninth and final form of goddess Durga (Parvati).

She is depicted as sitting on a lotus, she is believed to possess and bestows all type of Siddhis. Here she has four hands. She holds a lotus, mace, Sudarshana Chakra and shankha. Also known as Saraswati Devi.

Worshipping Goddess Sidhremoves ignorance and she provides the knowledge to realize that or Brahman. She is surrounded by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Devas (Gods) and Asura (Demons) worship her. The Siddhi that she provides is the realization that only she exists. She is the mistress of all achievements and perfections.

The colour of Ninth day is Peacock Green.

Mantra of Siddhidhatri:

Om Devi Siddhidhatryai Namah॥