Chaitra Navratri Devi forms

Prathamam Shailputri cha Dwitiyam Brahmacharini

Tritiyam Chandraghanteti Kushmaandeti Chaturthakam

Panchamam Skandmaateti Shashtham Kaatyayineeti cha

Saptamam Kaalraatriti Mahagauriti Chaashtamam

Navamam Sidhhidaatri cha Navdurgaah Prakeertitaah.

It is Shailaputri on first day. Brahmacharini on second day. Chandraghanta on third day.

Kushmanda on forth day.

Skandamata on fifth day.

Katyayini on sixth day. Kalaratri on seventh day. Mahagauri on eighth day and Siddidhatri on ninth day.

Known as the Pratipada, Shailaputri is worshipped on this day One. Goddess Parvati is the daughter of Himalaya, the mountain. In Sanskrit, Shail means the mountain and thus she is also was known as Shailputri. The goddess in this form rides a bull, carrying a Trishul in her right hand and lotus in the left hand.

On Dwitiya, goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped. Here the goddess walks bare feet and a japamala and a kamandalu can be seen in her hands. In this form, Parvati became the great Sati and her unmarried self is worshipped as Brahmacharini. “Brahmacharini” is worshipped as second Form of Goddess Durga during Chaitra Navaratri.

Day 3 of Chaitra Navratri is supposed to be the day of Maa Chandraghanta. There is a very interesting origin story for her. She is the Goddess of Focus and awareness. After the death of his first wife Sati, Shiv was very disturbed, he was not able to meditate nor even spend time with his friends (ghosts , ghouls, mortals, immortals and even his beloved animals ). But destiny had other plans and Sati returned as Parvati. Parvati was born to King Himalaya. He would miss Sati badly so once he went to the cave where he used to meet Sati and their he saw Parvati, and it was the love at first sight!

Parvati was a lot younger and her innocence made Shiv love her even more. Shiv introduced her to all his friends and she became popular among them too, everyone liked her a lot. Their romance blossomed. Parvati wanted to marry Shiv, but Shiv couldn't commit to marriage. His daily routine would be affected he said. But, in reality he was too much in love and was afraid to loose her. Despite several efforts Shiv didn't budge so Parvati left for her home in anger. Shiv realised how he is incomplete without her.

The talks, the long walks, the innocence, the stillness. Even his friends were missing her. He sent her many messages, but she won't budge. And then one fine day he with all his friends animal, ghosts, mortals, immortals, ghouls stormed into the capital city. He knew he would marry her now, there was no life without her. Everyone saw the mighty Shiv, the angry Shiv, the Rudra Avatar! He looked so fearful that Parvati's mother Queen Manavati Devi fainted.

It was all commotion and chaos everywhere. Parvati was overwhelmed to know this news, but only she could control her beloved Shiv. Then, she took the form of Maa Chandraghanta (half moon shaped like a bell). Persuaded Shiv to appear in his real form. Shiv became happy finally to see her and appeared in his natural form. Suave and royal Shiv. They married in the city, and we're blessed by everyone from all the three world. Her other popular names are Chandi and Chamunda. She has ten hands. She rides on a tiger.

Skand mata is the mother of Kartikeya. On Chaturthi, Devi Kushmanda is worshipped. Also known as the creator of the universe, Kushmanda is also known as the goddess who has the power and capability to reside inside the Sun. Here she has eight hands and sits on a lion.

Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on Panchami. Skandamata or mother of Skanda also known as Lord Kartikeya and rides a ferocious lion along with the baby in one of her hands. The Goddess has four hands.

It’s the festive season and people across India are all set to celebrate many important festivals this month. Starting with Chaitra Navratri, one of India’s biggest festival celebrated by the Hindus, it is observed with great fanfare and devotion for nine nights and 10 days. Though there are four seasonal Navratris, two are widely celebrated, one known as the Chaitra Navratri observed in March/April, another known as the Sharad Navratri observed in September/ October. It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of India and there are many parallel histories associated with it. But mostly, it is believed that during this time Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasur, the buffalo demon who signifies evil and ego. There is a history of Ramayana too associated with the festival as it was on the day of Dashami, the day after Navratri ends, Lord Ram killed Ravan. Devi Katyayini is revered on Shasthi. Known as the warrior goddess, it is considered one of the most violent forms of Goddess Parvati. The name derives as she was born to Rishi (sage) Katya. In this avatar, the Devi rides a lion and has four hands.

On Saptami, Devi Kalaratri is worshipped. Legends go to say she forgo her skin colour and embraces a dark complexion as black to kill demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. Riding a donkey she has four hands here. Known as Ashtami Mata Mahagauri is worshipped on this day. Mahagauri means extremely white (maha meaning great and gauri meaning white. The name derives from the fact that Parvati had a fair complexion. Here she rides a bull and has four hands.

The last day of the festival also known as Navami, people pray to Devi Siddhidaatri. Sitting on a lotus, she is believed to possess and bestows all type of Siddhis. Here she has four hands.

During the nine days, devotees solemnly fast and worship the nine manifestations or forms of Goddess Durga, also known as Shakti. The Sharad Navratri or autumn Navratri is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashwin according to the Hindu calendar. Each day has a special significance, and one form of the Goddess is worshipped. Each day is also associated with one colour, and one planetary body.

Jay Mata Di