Goddess to worship on each Navratri

Posted on 30/10/2014 I by: Priya Sharma

Nine Goddesses of Navratri are collectively known as Navdurga and are mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya and Durga Saptashati. The Nine Goddesses worshipped on each nine-day of Navaratri are incarnations of Goddess Shakti. Have a look on each Goddess to be worship each Navratri-

Shailaputri
'Shail' means mountains and 'Putri' means daughter. She is also known as Parvati or Hemavati. Shailaputri is believed to be the rebirth of Sati, the daughter of Daksha and the wife of Lord Shiva. In her second birth she is Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya and later she became the consort of Shiva. This is one of the very first forms of Shakti and is closely associated with Lord Shiva.

Maa Brahmacharini
Here Brahma means 'one who constantly meditates on the Supreme Being'. Brahmacharini is highly pious and is a peaceful form or is in meditation. She is also known as Tapashcharini, Aparna and Uma.

Chandraghanta
Her name Chandraghanta comes from the crescent moon worn by her on the head. This is a terrible aspect of Goddess Shakti and is roaring in anger. This form of Durga is completely different from earlier forms and shows when provoked she can be the terrible or malevolent.

Kushmanda
The name Kushmanda consists of three words. 'Ku' means 'a little', 'Usma' means 'energy' and 'Anda' means 'the cosmic egg or universe.' She is also known as Ashtabhuja.

Skanda Mata
Skanda is one of the names of Subrahmanya or Lord Muruga or Kartik  the General of the Army of the Devas and the most handsome God. Skanda Mata is the mother of Kartik. She is also known as Padmasana.

Maa Katyayani
She is called Katyayani because she was born as the daughter of Sage Katya of Katya clan. This is the daughter form of Durga. Here is she a loving daughter. She is epitome of love but won't hesitate to rise up in anger to defend righteousness and Dharma.

Maa Kalaratri
Kalaratri is the one who destroys ignorance and removes darkness. She is also known as Shubhamkari. This is the most violent form of Durga. This form primarily depicts that life also has dark side  the violent Mother Nature and creates havoc and removes all dirt.

Maa Mahagauri
Mahagauri means one clean and bright like a ray of lightning. This is the form of Mata Parvati when she did penance to get Shiva as her husband. It is believed that due to the intense Tapas performed by her without moving caused soil and dust to collect on her body. Lord Shiva cleaned her with water from Ganga. Purity is depicted in this form of Durga.

Maa Siddhidatri
In this form Mother Goddess provides 'Siddhi' or knowledge. In this form Durga removes ignorance and she provides the knowledge to realize That or Brahman. She is surrounded by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Demons and Gods who are worshipping her.