Navdurga
The nine incarnations or forms of Maa Durga are called Navdurga. They are worshipped during the Navratri. Each day, one form of Maa Durga is worshipped. They are all different yet similar for the fact that they, in one way or the other, have helped their devotees in all situations. They are of great importance in the Hindu culture and are worshipped by devotees worldwide.
Let’s get to know more about Navdurga:
Maa Shailputri
Maa Shailputri is the daughter of ‘Parvata Raju’ and the first Avatar of Maa Durga. She is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. She is also called Maa Parvati and was married to Lord Shiva. Her weapon is a Trishul which she holds in her right hand along with a lotus on the left. Her wahan is Nandi.
Maa Brahmacharini
Maa Brahmacharini, the second Avatar of Maa Durga, worshipped on the second day of Navaratras. She is known for performing “Tapa” and is very gentle and wise. She carries a japa mala in her right hand and a kamandala in her left hand.
Maa Chandraghanta
Maa Chandraghanta is the third Avatar of Maa Durga and worshipped on the third day of Navratri. She has ten hands where nine hands hold a trishula, gada, bow-arrow, khadak, kamala, Ghanta a
nd a kamandala, while one of her hands remains in abhayamudra. She is known for stopping harm and providing peace to her devotees. Her wahan is a tiger.
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Maa Kushmanda
Maa Kushmanda is the fourth Avatar and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. She is known as the controller of the solar system and has eight hands. She has an aura similar to that of the sun. She holds her weapons in six hands and a rosary and a lotus in the remaining two. Her wahan is a tiger.
Maa Skandamata
The fifth Avatar of Maa Durga has a son named “Skandaa”. She holds him in her lap. She is known to provide a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to her devotees. She has three eyes and four hands where two hands hold lotus flowers and the other two have a granting and defending pose. Her wahan is a lion.
Maa Katyayani
Maa Katyayani is the sixth Avatar of Maa Durga and worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. She was born to Rishi Katyayan. Maa Katyayani has three eyes and four hands. One left hand of Maa holds a weapon and the other a lotus while the rest two are in Abhayamudra and Vermudra. It is believed that the gopis used to observe the Katyani Vrat with the desire of getting Shri Krishna as their husband. She has a beautiful temple at Chir Ghat. Her wahan is a lion.
Maa Kalratri
Maa Kalratri is the seventh Avatar of Maa Durga and worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri. She is called by the name of Shubhamkari as well. She is fierce and dark but blesses her devotees with love, good luck and prosperity. She has three eyes and four hands. When angry, she spills fire from her nostrils. Her wahan is a donkey.
Maa Maha Gauri
The eighth Avatar of Maa Durga, worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri, is Maa Maha Gauri. She is a symbol of peace and dresses in a white saree. Her right hand is always in the blessing mudra. Her wahan is a bull.
Maa Siddhidatri
Maa Siddhidatri is the ninth Avatar of Maa Durga and worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri. Lord Shiva’s famous Ardhnarishvar incarnation was possible due to the blessing of Maa Siddhidatri. Maa Siddhidatri is so powerful that she has all the eight siddhis- Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva and Vashitva. Her wahan is a lotus.