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Navratri 2022: A look at the nine forms of Goddess Durga and the stories behind them

According to legends Durga battled 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.

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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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Delhi CM Atishi accuses BJP’s Parvesh Verma of distributing cash to voters in Kejriwal’s constituency

Kejriwal also hinted that the BJP might declare Parvesh Verma as their chief ministerial candidate, questioning whether the people of Delhi would want such a leader.

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Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday accused BJP leader Parvesh Verma of handing out cash to women in New Delhi, the constituency represented by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

During a press conference, Atishi claimed that Rs 1,100 was distributed to women from slum areas at Verma’s residence in Windsor Place, with their voter ID details being recorded. She stated, “The BJP is distributing money and checking voter cards in the New Delhi assembly constituency, where Arvind Kejriwal is a candidate.

Today, Parvesh Verma was caught red-handed giving out money at his official residence, money he received as an MP. Women from various slums in the New Delhi area were called there and handed Rs 1,100 in an envelope,” ANI reported her as saying.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal had alleged that women voters in his constituency were being paid Rs 1,100 for their votes. “I have just returned from several areas in my New Delhi Vidhan Sabha constituency, and everywhere I went, people told me that these individuals are openly buying votes, paying Rs 1,100 for each vote. People said they would take the money but wouldn’t vote for them,” he posted on X.

Kejriwal also hinted that the BJP might declare Parvesh Verma as their chief ministerial candidate, questioning whether the people of Delhi would want such a leader.

In response to the accusations, Parvesh Verma stated that the money was distributed as part of a campaign by ‘Rashtriya Swabhiman’, an NGO founded by his late father, former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma.

“I see the struggles faced by women that Arvind Kejriwal has ignored for 11 years. They have been suffering, so I decided to support them with Rs 1,100 per month. Unlike Arvind Kejriwal, I am not distributing liquor; I am glad to be able to help people,” he said.

Verma added that the Rashtriya Swabhiman has been actively involved in community support, including redevelopment efforts in villages affected by disasters. Elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly are scheduled for February next year.

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Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Chandrababu Naidu among leaders at NDA meet in Delhi amid Ambedkar row

The alliance had decided to convene on the birthday of the late BJP leader, noted for successfully leading the first coalition government to complete its term.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J.P. Nadda and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu among leaders of the NDA met in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss different issues including Shah’s comment on BR Ambedkar days ago in Rajya Sabha.

In attendance, apart from Shah, Nadda and Naidu, JD-U leader and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Apna Dal (S) president and Union minister Anupriya Patel, as well as JD (S) leader and Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy were present.

Also present were Jitan Ram Manjhi, leader of Bihar’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) and a minister in the Modi government, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha, a Rajya Sabha MP, and Thushar Vellappally, president of Bharath Dharma Jana Sena.

While the specific agenda of the meeting was not officially disclosed, sources indicated that discussions revolved around good governance and various political issues—principles that were central to Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister. The alliance had decided to convene on the birthday of the late BJP leader, noted for successfully leading the first coalition government to complete its term.

Following the meeting, Nadda shared on X, “Attended the NDA leaders’ meeting in New Delhi today. Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India is achieving unprecedented milestones and has positioned itself as a global superpower. The NDA government remains committed to realizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”

Sanjay Nishad, chief of the NISHAD Party in Uttar Pradesh, described the meeting as “informal” and focused on Vajpayee’s legacy. He emphasised the importance of unity among all alliance members heading into future elections, mentioning that they congratulated the BJP leaders for their electoral victories in Haryana and Maharashtra.

Nishad further outlined that the meeting addressed coalition strategies to ensure that Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives effectively reach the populace and that electoral promises are fulfilled. He raised the topic of providing reservations for the fishing community, stating, “I presented evidence on this issue, as it was a poll promise. They will follow up with us next week to discuss it.”

Responding to inquiries about whether Amit Shah’s controversial remarks on Ambedkar were discussed, Nishad said, “We are here for the welfare of the people. Our energy should focus on achieving success in that area, rather than engaging with negativity from opposition parties.”

The NDA meeting underscores the alliance’s commitment to the proposed simultaneous elections, with all members backing the initiative. A Joint Committee of Parliament, established to review two bills related to simultaneous polls, is set to convene on January 8.

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Manipur CM Biren Singh says state needs immediate peace, understanding between two communities

He claimed that the administration is responding quickly to the displaced people’s needs in areas such as education and agriculture.

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Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday emphasised the urgent need for peace in the state, which has faced ethnic violence since May of last year, and called on two communities to reach a mutual understanding.

Speaking at the Good Governance Day event held at the state BJP headquarters, Singh expressed confidence that the BJP could restore stability to the northeastern state, highlighting the party’s commitment to coexisting harmoniously.

“What is happening in Manipur today has multiple causes. Those who seek to divide the state are now questioning the government’s actions… they are driven by a desire for power,” Singh remarked.

He mentioned several initiatives, such as ‘Meeyamgi Numit’ (People’s Day), designed to foster closer relationships between officials and the public. “We do not oppose any specific community. The BJP’s position is clear: we advocate for the idea of living together and have initiated efforts to strengthen ties between the police and the community,” he stated.

Singh added that the state government is diligently addressing the needs of internally displaced persons by establishing committees throughout the administrative framework. He claimed that the administration is responding quickly to the displaced people’s needs in areas such as education and agriculture.

“We have not made any mistakes. Our goal is to ensure the well-being of future generations. It is essential for both communities to remain calm. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should concentrate on the upcoming NRC process, capturing biometrics, and using 1961 as the foundation year for the Inner Line Permit,” Singh said.

He also highlighted the government’s commitment to acting within a democratic and constitutional framework, noting that achieving these goals will take time. “What we require now is immediate peace and a resolution of misunderstandings between the two communities,” he concluded.

The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of over 250 individuals and left thousands homeless due to clashes between the Meitei community and Kuki-Zo groups since last May.

“Only the BJP can save Manipur. BJP leaders possess strong values of nationalism and social justice, practicing reality-based politics in the nation’s interest. If I am not nominated for a ticket by the BJP, I will remain loyal to the party,” Mr. Singh added.

He also highlighted several unity-focused projects initiated by the BJP government, mentioning that a Unity Mall featuring stalls from all ethnic groups in the state will be constructed with an investment exceeding ₹140 crores.

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