One of the most popular festivals celebrated all around India – Navratri 2015 is here and everyone is busy welcoming Goddess Durga Maa in their homes. It’s a nine-day celebration where people worship Navadurga, i.e., nine different appellations (avatars) of Goddess Durga. Here we bring to you nine different avatars of Goddess Durga.
Durga, the divine power in this world had many avatars for the welfare and the goodness of the mankind. According to Hindu mythology, nine forms of Goddess Durga constitute the manifestation of Parvati in nine different forms. These nine forms of manifestation are Shailputri, Bharmachirini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhaidatri; together worshipped during the Navratri (Nine Divine Nights) celebration each year. Each and every Goddess holds importance and is worshipped with religious fervor. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami, wherein devotees immerse idols of Goddess Durga into the water. In this article you will able to know the details of all the avatars and the inner meaning of each avatar.
Appellations of Goddess Durga:
Shailputri Mata: The 1st Avtar of Maa Durga
This avatar is worshipped as the first goddess during the occasion of Navarathri – the nine divine nights. Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana – the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands. According to Hindu mythology, Shailaputri is believed to be the rebirth of Sati, daughter of Daksha and the wife of Lord Shiva.
Bharmachirini Mata: The 2nd Avtar of Maa Durga
Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri festival and is the second form of Maa Durga. Brahmacharini is also known as Tapashcharini, Aparna, and Uma. Bharmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She symbolizes spirituality, meditation and enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. Goddess Brahmacharini holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. she is the way to emancipation – Moksha.
Chandraghanta Mata: The 3rd Avtar of Maa Durga
The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She is also known as Chandrakhanda, Chandika or Ramchandi. Her name resembles crescent moon which is worn by her on the forehead. Chandraghanta is totally different from that of Durga, who shows her angry side when provoked. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons. Devotees believe that this Goddess blesses them with a lot of courage and bravery.
Kushmanda Mata: The 4th Avtar of Maa Durga
Goddess Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ means little, ‘Ushma’ means warmth and ‘Anda’ means cosmic egg. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.
Skanda Mata: The 5th Avtar of Maa Durga
Goddess Skanda Mata is the fifth form of Goddess Durga. ‘Skanda Mata’ – the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards. She grants her devotees with wisdom, power and prosperity. She is also regarded as The Goddess of Fire.
Katyayani Mata: The 6th Avtar of Maa Durga
The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshipped on the sixth day of Navaratri. Also known as a Warrior Goddess, Katyayani was born to great sage called ‘Kata’ as an avatar of Durga. It is said that she eventually led to slaying the demon, Mahishasura and then mounted the lion given to her by Goddess Gauri.
Kalaratri Mata: The 7th Avtar of Maa Durga
Kalaratri, who is known for destroying ignorance and removing darkness from the universe is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. Kalaratri or Shubhamkari (one who does good) is the violent form of Goddess Durga. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. Her vehicle is the donkey. Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles.
Maha Gauri Mata: The 8th Avtar of Maa Durga
Mahagauri is the eighth avatar of Goddess Durga who is known as a ray of lightning and is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which mean extremely white. Therefore, purity is depicted in this form of Durga. As a result of her worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life.
Siddhaidatri Mata: The 9th Avtar of Maa Durga
Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess and is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers who provides knowledge to her devotees. In this form she is seated on a lotus flower and holds a variety of things in her hands including lotus, mace, conch shell and discus. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess.