With Shardiya Navratri being around the corner, many might have questions about goddess Durga and her different reincarnations being celebrated during the time of Shardiya Navratri. According to legends and manuscripts, Goddess Durga, during her battle with the demon Mahishasura, took avatars each day to fight and triumph over Mahishasura, those avatars came to be known as her nine avatars.

According to legends, Durga battled demon Mahishasura for nine straight days and was able to defeat him on the night of the 9th day. The tenth day is what came to be known and celebrated as Vijayadashami. Goddess Durga, because of her nine forms is also known as Navdurga and her 9 avatars are Shailaputir, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushamanda, Skandamata, Katyayni, Kalartri, Mahagauri, Siddhatri.

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Goddess Shailaputri

Maa Shailaputri is celebrated on the first day of Shardiya Navratri and is the first avatar of Goddess Durga. The depiction of Goddess Durga’s Shailaputri avatar is depicted with a Trishul in one hand and a lotus in the other hand. Goddess Shailaputri’s Vahan or ride is a bull known as Nandi. Goddess Parvati got her name as Shail, which in Sanskrit means mountain, as she was the daughter of Himalaya according to manuscripts.

Goddess Brahmacharini

Goddess Brahmacharini, who is celebrated on the second day of Shardiya Navratri, is depicted barefoot and holding a Rudraksha Mala in one hand and Kamadalu in the other. The Brahmacharini avatar is a state which represents the Parvati in the state of deep meditation to gratify lord Shiva.

Goddess Chandraghanta

The third day is devoted to the worship of Goddess Chandraghanta. The goddess got her name as she, in the Chandraghanta avatar, is depicted with 10-arms with a crescent moon on her forehead, hence the name. The Vahan or the ride for Chandraghanta is the tiger.

Goddess Kushmanda

Goddess Kushamanda is celebrated on the fourth day of Shardiya Navratri which is known as the Chaturthi. Goddess Kushamanda attained her name as her name means the creator of the Universe. The goddess is depicted with eight hands, six of which hold discus, mace, lotus, bow, and arrow on one side, and on the other side, she bears a sword, rosary, a jar of honey, and a waterpot. Goddess Kushmanda’s Vahan or ride is a lion.

Goddess Skandamata

Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day or Panchami of the festival. Goddess Skandamata is depicted with four arms as two of her hands carry a lotus and on the other two, she carries Kamandalu and a bell. She can also be seen carrying a Skanda on her lap as her Vahan or ride is a lotus.

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Goddess Katyayni

Godess Katyayni is worshipped on the sixth day of the Navratri festival. Katyayni also known as the warrior goddess is the most violent form of goddess Parvati. She is depicted with a sword and rides a lion.

Goddess Kaalratri

On the seventh day or Saptami of Navratri, the devotees worship goddess Parvati’s form of Kaalratri. According to legends, Kaalratri sacrificed her skin and embraced a pigmented color to kill the demon Mahishasura. She is depicted as a four-armed deity, carrying a sword, a trident, and a noose. She also has a third eye on her forehead. Goddess Kaalratri’s Vahan or ride is a donkey.

Goddess Mahagauri

Goddess Mahargauri is worshipped on the eighth day or Durga Asthami of the festival. The portrayal of goddess Durga is shown to have four arms in which she carries a Trishul, Damru.
The goddess’s Vahan of choice is either a bull or a white elephant.

Goddess Siddhidatri

On the final day of Navratri, goddess Sidhhidhatri is worshipped. The depiction of Goddess Siddhidatri is shown as her having four arms in which she holds a mace, discus, book, and a lotus. The last form of Goddess Parvati symbolizes perfection.

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The post Navratri 2022: A look at the nine forms of Goddess Durga and the stories behind them appeared first on APN News.