Navratri, Maa Durga and her forms

Navratri, Maa Durga and her forms

The festival of Navratri is full of "belief and gratification" in the reverd color .  Devotees offer special worship to the maa devi Durgaa  duing Navratri.  In the days of Navratri, people worship the maa in many ways. Everybody wants to find her compassion this holy festival of Maa Durga.  This auspicious festival of Navratri is celebrated twice a year.  It also has a special significance.  By the way, all the time for worshiping Goddess Durga is same and both glory  of Navratri are also same.  Also, the devotees who worship the maa in both the Navratras also receive her  special compassion.

Why nine days of worship in Navratri?

Parvati questions Shankar, "What is Navratri!"  Shankar lovingly explains them-

 नव शक्तिभि: संयुक्त नवरात्रं तदुच्यते, एकैक देव-देवेशि! नवधा परितिष्ठता।

 That is, Navratri is combined with the nine  Shaktis.  On each of its dates, there is a law for worshiping each power.

There are four Navratri in a year.  Four have two Gupta Navratri and two are normal.  In general, the first Navratri be  in the month of Chaitra while the second in the month of Ashwin.  The Navratri of Chaitra month is called Badi (big)Navratri and Ashwin month Navratri is called Chhoti(small) or Sharadiya Navratri.  The gupt Navratri be in the month of Aashaadh and Magha.

Gupta Navaratri is for tantric practices while normal Navaratri is for spiritual practice.  The effect of success of sadhana in Navratri increases.  But have you ever wondered why there are only 9 days of worship in Navratri?  When the Puja recitation in Navratri is of such importance, why not celebrate Navratri for more than 9 days?

 Important changes in nature: Actually, there is a special change in nature during these nine days and at such times our inner consciousness and body also change.  The importance of worship of Shakti is also understood by understanding the power located in nature and body. Actually, the Navratri time of Chaitra and Ashwin is the time of season change.  Season-nature has played a very important place in our "life, thinking and religion".  That is why our rishis and munis, after much thought, gave the name of Navratri to the meeting or treaty of these two important seasons of winter and summer. If you do devotion by sacrificing grain during the above nine days, that is, 18 days of the year, then your body and mind remain healthy and restful throughout the year. In the said nine days, the person who does full sacrifice of grain  and does devotion or meditation of the mother, all his wishes are fulfilled.  Or, whatever resolution he takes for nine days of meditation, his resolve is fulfilled.  During this time, the only rule is to practice hard.

Time of saadhna : Nine digits are completed in digits.  There is no digit after nine.  Nine planets are considered important among the planets.  Then sadhana is also considered suitable for only nine days.  The body of any human has seven chakras which when awakened give way to salvation.  Seven days out of the nine days of Navratri are practiced to awaken the chakras.  Shakti is worshiped on the 8th day.  The ninth day is the accomplishment of power.  The attainment of Shakti means that power is awakened within us.  If viewed according to the Saptachakras, then this day is considered to be Kundalini awakening.
That is why Hinduism has associated these nine days with the nine forms of Mother.  These nine forms of Shakti are mainly worshiped.  These are the nine forms - Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta Devi, Kushmanda Devi, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Maa Kali, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.

Know about Navratri festival

 The festival of Navaratri is celebrated with prayer and gaiety at the beginning of Ashwin (Sharad) or Chaitra (spring).  This is the time for self-inspection and return to its source.  During this period of change, nature also becomes new by shedding the old;  The animals go into hibernation and life returns to bloom afresh in the spring.

Source of Navratri festival

 According to Vedic science, matter returns to its original form and re-creates itself.  This creation is not moving in a straight line but it is cyclic, everything is being renewed by nature - it is a continuous process of rejuvenation.  The festival of Navaratri is to take your mind back to its source. Through prayer, silence, fasting and meditation, the curious travels to its true source.  Night is also called "Raatri" because it also brings novelty and freshness.  It gives relief on three levels of our existence - the gross body, the subtle body, and the causal body. Through fasting, the body is freed from toxins, through silence comes purity in our words and the talkative mind is calm, and through meditation we get self-realization by sinking into the depths of our existence.
This inner journey ends our evil deeds.  Navaratri is a celebration of pranas by which Mahishasura (ie stupefaction ), Shumbha-nishumbha (arrogance and shame) and Madhu-kaitabh (excessive attachment -malice) can be destroyed.
They are completely opposite from each other, yet complement each other.  stupefaction, deep negativity and psychopath (Raktibijasura), purposelesss argument  (Chand-Mund) and blurred vision (Dhumralokan) can be overcome only by raising the level of  pran energy.

Meaning of Navratri festival

 Nine days of Navratri are also an opportunity to rejoice in this universe made up of three fundamental gunas.  Although our life is governed by these three gunas, we rarely recognize them or think about them. The first three days of Navaratri are of Tamoguna, the second three days are of Rajoguna and the last three days are for Sattvaguna.  Our consciousness blossoms between these Tamogun and Rajoguna in the last three days of Satvaguna.  Whenever Sattva increases in life, then we get victory.  The essence of this knowledge is celebrated by Vijayadashmi on the tenth day as a celebration.
These three fundamental qualities have been considered as the female power of our grand universe.  By worshiping the Mother Goddess during Navratri, we bring harmony to the Trigunas and increase the level of Sattva in the atmosphere.  Although Navratri is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil in reality this battle is not between good and evil. From the point of view of Vedanta it is the victory of Advaita over dvaita.  As Ashtavakra said - the wave tries to keep its identity separate from the sea, but to no avail.
Although the subtle world is contained within this macro world, the feeling of separation between them is the cause of duality.  The entire creation is alive for a gyani.  Just as children seem to know everything alive, in the same way they also see life in everyone. The Mother Goddess or pure consciousness pervades every name and form.  Knowing the same divinity in every name and form is the celebration of Navratri.  During the last three days, all aspects of life and nature are respected by special pujas.

(Maa Shailputri image)

Kali maa is the most terrible expression of nature.  Nature is a symbol of beauty, yet it also has a terrible form.  Accepting this dual reality brings an acceptance in the mind and the mind gets rest.
Devi maa is not only known as intellect, but also as an illusion;  She is not only Lakshmi (prosperity), she is also hungry (stomach) and also thirsty (trishna).  By recognizing this double aspect of the Mother Goddess in the whole creation, a deep samadhi takes place.

How many times does Navratri occur in a year

 Few people will be aware that Navratri takes place 4 times in a year.  In the first month of the year, first Navratri occurs in Chaitra, then in the fourth month of Ashada, the second Navratra comes.  This is followed by the major Sharadiya Navratri in Ashwin month.  At the end of the year, there are Gupta Navratras in the month of Magha.
All these Navratras are also mentioned in Devi Bhagwat and other religious texts.  According to the Hindi calendar, Hindu New Year also begins with Chaitra month, and Navratri also begins on this day, but it is well known that Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri are considered to be prominent among the four.

The reason behind celebrating this two Navratras in a year is also different.  Let us tell you about the spiritual, natural and mythological reasons behind celebrating Navratri festival twice a year.

What is natural reason

 If we talk about the natural reasons behind celebrating the festival of Navratri twice, we will find that the seasons change at the time of both Navratras. There is a big change in the nature before the onset of the summer and winter season, it is believed that the festival of this power of nature , Navraatri is celebrated with joy, faith and gaiety. It seems that nature itself is ready for the celebration of Navratri at both these times only when weather neither too hot nor too cold.  The pleasant weather further enhances the importance of this festival.

This is geographical facts

 If taken on geographical basis, the length of day and night is the same between September and October, as in March and April.  So due to this geographical similarity, both these Navratras are celebrated in a year.  Due to these changes in nature, the mind changes in our mind as well.  In this way, by keeping fast during Navratri, worshiping Shakti keeps the" physical and mental " " balance.

This is mythological belief

 The Puranas also mention ancient stories behind the festival of Navratri celebrated twice a year.  The first Navratri is believed to be just Chaitra Navratri which was celebrated before the start of summer, but when Sri Ram fought with Ravana and won.  After winning, he did not want to wait for the Navratri to seek the blessings of the mother, so he organized a huge Durga Puja.  Since then, celebrate the festival of Navratri twice.

Have relation with Ramnavmi

 It is believed that Lord Rama had worshiped Mata Shakti before the battle with Ravana.  According to religious belief, before going to war with Ravana, Shri Ram had organized a huge puja to seek the blessings of the Devi Durga, assuming the desire of his victory.  It is said that Rama did not want to wait so much for the blessings of Goddess and since then Navratri is held twice every year.  Where in the Shardiya Navaratri, it is considered a form of victory over the untruth of truth and the iniquity of religion.  At the same time, in Chaitri Navratri, it is known by the name of Lord Shri Ram's birth anniversary or Ram Navami.

(Maa brahmcharini image)

Why Navratri is so special ?

In Navaratri, we worship women power, that is, we all understand the existence of woman and her importance. Mythological stories also teach how the problem was solved by going to the shelter of the woman power when the male power is unable.
Let us discuss some important points, which will reveal the importance of Navratri.

Why do Navratri fasts

 There is a law to worship Goddess in Navratri.  Fasting also comes under this.  It is believed that these fasts are kept for the purity of our soul.  Twice a year we purify our souls during these fasts.  Fasting provides purification of mind, body and soul.  By observing the fast, all the physical, mental and religious benefits are there.  Fasting of Navratri keeps the body healthy and the mind also remains calm.  Apart from this, fasting in Navratri festival also benefits the body.

Importance of Navratri

 Satogan, Rajoguna and Tamoguna - all the three types of gunas are inside our consciousness.  The celebration of this consciousness with nature is called Navratri.  In these 9 days, the first three days Tamoguni worships nature, the second three days Rajoguni and the last three days Satoguni worships nature.

Worship of Maa.

 Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati worship mother in three forms.  Mother is not just located somewhere in the sky, it is said that-"या देवी सर्वभुतेषु चेतनेत्यभिधीयते" -"Maa / Goddess you are located in all living creatures as consciousness"
Navaratri is a festival to observe and celebrate different forms of Mother.  Just like a child stays in his mother's womb for 9 months, similarly, we have the nine days importance of being in a transcendent nature in ourselves - to be engrossed in meditation.  When you come out from there again, the creation of creativity starts coming to life.

Last day of Navratri - Vijayotsav

 On the last day, we celebrate Vijayotsav, because we fall into a trigunatit beyond all the three gunas.  They celebrate the victory of victory by killing all the demonic tendencies like Kama, anger, item, matsar, greed etc. This festival is celebrated for improving the purpose and ideals of life by removing the mind which is trapped in everyday life.  In a way, understand that we recharge our batteries.  Every person who gets tired of doing work throughout the life or year, then in order to be free from this, in these 9 days, purification of the body, purification of mind and purification of intellect comes, sattva purification becomes.
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To do this kind of purification, the festival of consecration is Navaratri.

(Maa Chandraghanta image)

Importance of fasting on Navratri

 Goddess worship and nine-day fast are considered very important on Navratri.  The nine auspicious days of Navratri are a period to make oneself pure, holy, courageous, human being, spiritual and strong.  Her character traits should be included in own personality along with the blessings from the Goddess during the festival.
If we get out of it by becoming a gold , then Navratri will be able to satisfy our soul.  Actually Navaratri falls at the time of seasonal change.  The chances of getting sick at such times are quite high.  People also get many types of infectious diseases. Hence, keeping fast for 9 days of Navratri also keeps the diet balanced.  Fasting keeps the body healthy.  Digestive system runs smoothly.  The problem of constipation, gas, indigestion etc. is relieved.  Keeping the fast gives the mother compassion and  get desired results.  With increasing spiritual strength and knowledge, purity also comes in thoughts.
The celebration of Navratri is a celebration of color, tradition, music and dance, plus it is a time to relax, get into yourself  and increase your energy levels.  Fasting during Navratri period facilitates the path leading to ecstasy and happiness.  This removes the malaise of the mind and increases alertness.

"We do not fast to please God, but to cleanse our body."

According to the Ayurveda, fasting ignites gastritis.  Because of this, toxins are destroyed in our body.  Dullness is reduced due to the removal of these toxins from the body.  Navchaitanya awakens in the muscles of the body.  Hence fasting has been considered as an effective mechanism for physical purification.  With the purification of the body, the mind also becomes calm and stable because there is a deep connection between the body and the mind.
Probably there will be many of us who do not wait for hunger.  Hunger means that your body is now ready for food digestion.  Our digestive system becomes impaired by consuming food before becoming hungry.  As a result, stress increases and the immune power weakens.
 Fasting causes lightening of the stomach due to which the tension is eradicated and the immune power increases. Navaratri is the time to be with yourself, meditate and connect with the source of your being.  Fasting reduces the ill health of the mind and facilitates the journey towards your intimate through intense meditation.  To maintain your energy level, it is necessary to consume fruit and satvic grains.
Sattva increases by fasting and meditating.  Sattva means the element that gives us peace and happiness.  With the increase in this sattvik energy, our mind becomes more calm and alert.  As a result, our resolutions and prayers become more powerful.
 Due to the increase in Sattva, the body becomes more light and energetic.  We become more efficient.  As a result, our desires start being fulfilled and all our tasks are done smoothly.

"Fasting is done with prayer all over the world and in all religions because when you are fasting, you are cleansed inner-outer and your prayer that comes out of hearts becomes more profound."

Suggestion: Fasting is not considered appropriate for some body nature.  Therefore, it is advisable to consult an Ayurvedic doctor first.  Also, keep in mind that you should fast as much as you can easily.

(Maa Kusmanda image)

It is known that the festival and fast of Navratri has its own importance.  It is mentioned in the Puranas that in order to get the blessings of Mother Adi Shakti, the Gods themselves also observed the fast of Navratri. Devaraj Indra king of Swargalok worshiped mother Durga to slay the demon Vritrasura and fasted on Navratri.  Lord Shiva worshiped mother Bhagwati to kill the Tripurasura monster.  Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the world, had fasted on Navratri to kill the demon named Madhu. To kill Ravana, Lord Shri Ram fasted on Ashwin Navratri.  Lord Rama received the boon as a result he  killed Ravana.  In the Mahabharata, there is a mention of the Pandavas fasting the Goddess to conquer the Kauravas. The Devibhagavata Purana tells the story of King Surath, who regained his lost kingdom and glory by observing the fast of Navratri.

Abandon the negativity and move towards positiveism! 

 Navaratri is the main festival celebrated across India in honor of the Mother Goddess.  This festival also marks the beginning of Shuklapaksha after Amavasya.  It is a special festival, in which traditional worship, dance and music are included.  The word "Navratri" is made up of two words - "Nav" meaning "nine" and "Ratri" means "nights".  The festival countinuing for nine nights and ten days and ends with celebrating "Dussehra" or "Vijayadashami" on the tenth day.  Ten forms of the Mother Goddess are worshiped during these ten days.
Navaratri is a festival to celebrate nine nights and worship Goddess Durga.  'Navaratri' means 'to rest all the three elements of our life for nine days.' Just as it takes nine months for an infant to be born, similarly the Mother Goddess took nine days of rest and on the tenth day whose  Originated, it was pure love and reverence.
The first three days of Navaratri are 'Tamasik Days', followed by 'Rajasik Days' and the last three days are 'Sattvik Days'.  At night, aartis are sung for the Mother Goddess who enjoys everything.  Classical dance and singing is performed and various instruments are played. Every day has its own special significance.  Yajna, worship and havan are performed.  The materials offered to Agni include various herbs, fruits, textiles and mantras, creating an enchanting divine environment.
During Navratri, Maa Durga is invoked first to remove impurities of the mind.  Thus, the first step is to overcome the desires of avarice, malice, conceit, greed etc. Once you give up negative habits and tendencies, the next step on the spiritual path is to increase and strengthen your positive qualities.  After this, Maa Lakshmi is invoked to develop excellent values ​​and qualities and prosperity.  After renouncing all their negative tendencies and achieving all material and spiritual prosperity, Maa Saraswati is invoked upon to attain supreme knowledge.
These nine nights are very important, because they contain subtle energy and enrich subtle energy.  The purpose of all the pujas and rituals performed in Navratri is to reveal the latent and invisible energy - the divine power -;  By whose grace we can multiply and attain supreme, indivisible, invisible, serene, infinite consciousness.
After a massive nine-day occasion , we celebrate the tenth day as "Vijayadashami" - victory over narrowness,victory of greatness over petty mind ,victory of good over bad evil.  On Vijay Dashami, we pledge that whatever we have got, we will use it best for the welfare of the world.  The purpose of celebrating this festival is to go from sadness to happiness, from desire to fulfillment.

(Skandmata image)

Know the secret of weapons of Durga Devi

 According to a story of Goddess Durga, the Gods once asked her, "Goddess, why have you kept these weapons? You can destroy all the demons with a single roar."  Then some gods answered themselves, saying, "You are so kind, that you also want to purify the demons through your weapons. You want to free them, and that's why you are doing it."
The message behind the story of Maa Durga is that karma has its place.  Just having a resolution alone does not work.  See, God has given us hands and feet, so that we can work.  Why does Goddess Mata have so many hands?
This implies that God also works, and not just with one hand, with thousands of hands and in thousands of ways.  The goddess has thousands of ways to destroy the demons. She can destroy iniquity even with a flower, like Gandhigiri.  That is why the goddess has flowers in her hands, so that only work can be done with flowers.  And then by playing conch, broadcasting knowledge also.  If that too does not work, then they use the Sudarshan Chakra.  Therefore, they have more than one remedy.

This symbolizes that to bring change in this world, only one plan does not work. You have to find many ways.

The same is true in our relationships.  We cannot persevere in every situation.  It will not happen if you persist with your father all the time, and then expect that to be the case.  Sometimes love, sometimes persistence and sometimes anger work.  The same goes with children.  See how parents behave in different ways and behaviors while raising children.  Using sticks every time will not work.  Sometimes they will also have to work with love.  So the same thing has been said.
 There can be many solutions to every problem and that is why Goddess is equipped with so many weapons.

How to celebrate Navratri properly?

 Navratri means 'nine nights'.  Night is the time of rest.  This is the time to re-energize the mind and body.

 # 1 Relax your mind and body

 Navratri is a time of rest for your soul.  This is the time in which you separate yourself from all actions (eg eating, speaking, watching, touching, listening and smelling) and resting within yourself.  When you break away from all these actions of the senses, then you are introverted and this is the source of real joy, happiness and enthusiasm.
Many of us are unable to experience this because we are constantly engaged in some work.  Our mind is busy all the time.  Navaratri is the time when we separate ourselves from our mind and rest in our soul.  This is the time when we can feel our soul.

# 2 remember what your origin

 Navaratri is the time when you can travel from this gross physical world to the subtle spiritual world.  In simple words - Take a little time from your daily tasks and take care of yourself.  Think about your origin, who you are and where you come from.  Go inside yourself and relax by remembering the love of God.

# 3 Keep faith

 We are connected to this universe, we are connected to the ultimate power that is driving this entire creation.  This power is full of love.  This whole creation is full of love.  Navaratri is the time in which you remember that you are very dear to that ultimate power!  Rest in this feeling of love.  By doing this you feel more refreshed, stronger, knowledgeable and excited than before.

(Maa Katyayani image) 

Maa Durga and her forms

During the Navratri festival, nine different forms of Goddess Durga are respected, and worshiped, also known as Navadurga.
9 forms of Maa Durga.
 Shailputri
 Brahmacharini
 Chandraghanta
 Kusmanda
 Skandmata
 Katyayani
 Kaalratri
 Mahagauri
 Siddhidaatri

Shailputri

 On the first day of Navratri, Shailputri is worshiped as the first form of Adishakti Durga.  The mountain is also called 'Shell' in Sanskrit.  Therefore, due to being born as the daughter of the mountain Himalayas, the goddess was named 'Shailputri'.
Mother Shailputri, who rides Taurus (Bull), is two hands. She holds trident in right hand and lotus flower in left hand.  They are also called Pratham Durga.  Mata Shailputri was married to Lord Shankar.  Like every birth, in this birth too, Shailputri had to do penance to get Shankar as her husband. Being the daughter of a mountain, she is also called ‘Parvati’.  They are also named as 'Haimavati' or 'Hemavati', based on the name of Father Himalaya.  Mata had destroyed the pride and arrogance of the gods in the form of hemavati.  Therefore, mother was also called 'Devgarvabhanjika'.
After establishing the Kalash on the first day of Navratri, Vrishbharudha Shailputri is duly worshiped.  Mothers who provide devotion to devotees inspire Sadkarma.
Shailputri is also worshiped through yoga.  No external material is required to worship the mother through this method.  The yogis observe the mother Shailputri in the Muladhar Chakra.  On the first day of Navratri, meditation should be done in the Muladhar Chakra.
Mother Shailputri appeared as Dakshi's daughter Sati in her previous birth.  Sati was married to Shankar.  Once Daksha conducted a special yajna in which he was not invited to Lord Shiva.
However, Sati any how took permission from her husband Shiva to join the father's yajna.  Finally, Sati consumes her body with Yogagni at the place of yajna. After then she reborn as the daughter of the Himalayas and was called Shailputri.

Brahmacharini

On the second day of Navratri, Brahmacharini, the second form of Adishakti Durga, is worshiped.
Since Brahm also has a meaning of penance, so Brahmacharini means one who conducts penance.  Maa Brahmacharini, holding the rosary of chanting in the right hand and the kamandalu in the left hand, is very grand and fully lit.  They are also called 'Tapashcharini'.  They are called the second Durga.
In one of her births, when Adishakti revealed herself as the daughter of the Himalayas by the name Parvati, she was anxious to get Lord Shankar as her husband, then Devarshi Narada advised her to do hard penance to get Shankar.
For a thousand years she taking fruit -root and then after hundred years on only greens, she was engrossed in austerity.  After this, started fasting completely.  She fasted with the pain of rain, sunshine etc. under the open sky.
After this, the mother remained absorbed in the worship of Lord Shankar by taking the broken leaves on the ground for three thousand years.  After that she started more difficult penance.  Dried leaves also stopped being taken as food and continued to do austerity for several thousand years without water and without food.
Maa Parvati's name became Tapashcharini or Brahmacharini due to such hard penance.  Mother Brahmacharini was also called 'Aparna' because she had stopped accepting leaves.Be aware that the leaf is also called parna in Sanskrit.
The penance of Maa Brahmacharini created a stir in all the loka.  Gods, Goddesses, Rishis - everyone started praising them.  His tough austerity began to be heard all over. Maa began to be praised in all three lok.
Lord Brahma said to Mother Brahmacharini from aakashvaani - "O Goddess!  Till now no one has done such hard penance.  Such austerity was possible only by you.  This supernatural act of yours is being praised all over.  Your wish will be fulfilled. You will receive lord Shiva as a husband.  Now you leave the penance and return to the own palace .  Soon your father is coming to call you. ”In this way, Mother Brahmacharini returned home with her father and later got married to Lord Shiva in a grand way.
The second form of Maa Durga offers its devotees the resuls of spiritual practice.  Worship of these increases the intensity of tenacity.  Ethics, renunciation, disinterest, restraint, eloquence, etc. are the enhancements of virtues.  At the same time, all kinds of evils are reduced, they are finished.
Devotees who worship Mother Brahmacharini through yoga meditate in the Swadhisthana Chakra. Mata Brahmacharini does not allow her devotees to deviate from the duty path even in the face of difficult struggle and gives victory .  Concentration is essential in doing any work, which is achieved by worshiping Mother Brahmacharini.

 Chandraghanta

On the third day of Navratri, worship of Chandraghanta, the third form of Adishakti Durga.  The forehead of these has a bell shaped ardhchandra.  Hence they are called ‘Chandraghanta’.
Like gold, this form of aura is supreme peace-giving.  They soon provide welfare to the devotees.  They are also called the third Durga.
 Maa Chandraghanta is ten handed  who take  a variety of weapons for the welfare of devotees.  Mother has worn arrow, bow, sword, mace, trident, lotus, kamandalu, chanting garland, blessing posture and wisdom posture in this form.
In this form, Mother is always ready for war with demons.  The demons are always frightened by the strange sound of the bell of Chandraghanta Devi, who rides the lion.  Therefore, worship of this third form of Mata Durga ,the evils do not tease devotees . Devotees are pleased with the infinite grace of Mata Chandraghanta, sins are erased and obstacles do not prevail.  Devotees become mighty and fearless like lions and they develop gentleness and humility.
The worshiper of this third form of Maa Durga becomes attractive and energetic.  In his voice, supernatural melody is incorporated and there is happiness on the face .  The invisible radiation of divinely lit atoms continues from the body of such a worshiper.  For this reason, people coming in contact with him also get immense benefit.
Whenever a devotee calls Chandraghanta, the third form of Durga, remembers them, praises them or goes to their shelter, the mother's bell is shaken. Thus the devotee soon becomes pain free.
Through Yoga, Goddess Chandraghanta should be worshiped as situated in the Manipur Chakra.
On the third day of Navratri, the devotee should meditate on the Manipur Chakra.  By doing this, the devotee has many divine and supernatural experiences.  Devotees get the benefit of divine fragrance, divine vision, divine music and divine knowledge. During these meditation, the devotee should be constantly cautious on these benefits that do not increase in ego.

(Maa Kaalratri image) 

 Kushmanda

On the fourth day of Navratri, the fourth form of Adishakti Durga, Kushmanda is worshiped.  When Adishakti created the the universe with her soft smile, she was called 'Kushmanda'.
In this form, the mother is the ancestor of all the roots and consciousness, but they are the beginning of all but none of her beginning.  Amidst the terrible darkness, Adishakti Kushmanda created the universe with her smile in a happy posture and started the universe.
There is another reason for the naming of the fourth form of Maa Durga.  The Hindi meaning of the Sanskrit word 'Kushmanda' is Kumhara or Kohra(pumpkin).  This is a type of vegetable whose sacrifice is very dear to the mother.
Hence, she was called Kushmanda.  She is also called the fourth Durga. The mother Kushmanda of eight arms is riding on lion.  In its seven arms, respectively, there are kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, kalash filled with nectar, chakra and mace. In this form, Mata has take a japmala of all nidhis and siddhis in the eighth arm.
Yogis meditate on this form of the Mother on the Anahata Chakra. On the fourth day of Navratri, the worshiper should meditate in the Anahata Chakra.
Mother ends  all the diseases and mourning of her worshipers and gives the blessings of "Aayusha, Bal, Yash and Arogya".  The complete devotion to the refuge of Kushmanda Devi ensures the welfare of the devotees.  Such seekers easily attain Paramdham.  Therefore, one must do devotion to Mother Kushmanda.
Mata Durga resides in Suryamandal or Suryaloka in its fourth form.  All the sun (stars producing light) of the universe are shining from the light of the body of Mother Kushmanda.  Mother, more than the radiant form of innumerable suns, continues to delight and rejoice the devotees with her permanent smile.  All the light beam contains the glory of Goddess Kushmanda.  Their sharpness is spreading among all beings and non-living beings.

 Skandamata

On the fifth day of Navratri, 'Skandamata' is worshiped in the fifth form of Adishakti Durga. Another name of Lord Kartikeya is also 'Skanda'. The fifth form of Maa Durga was called 'Skandmata' due to the mother of Skanda. She is also called Pancham Durga.
Mother is sitting on the lion in this form. Lord Skanda is situated in her lap .  The four-armed goddess Skandmata always presents offerings of happiness like a blooming lotus.
Mother holding a lotus in two hands is always ready to give joy to the devotees like a lotus.  She is seated on the lotus seat, hence she is also called 'Kamalasana' Devi or 'Padmasana' Devi.  The color of their body is perfectly white .
On the fifth day of Navratri, yogis meditate on the power of Adishakti in the purification chakra.  This chakra is located near the neck.  Siddha yogis drink nectar right here with khechari mudra.
One should worship Skandmata by focusing on Vishuddhi Chakra.  Goddess Skandmata fulfills all the wishes of her devotees.  She progressively removes the defects of the devotee and ultimately gives siddhi of the Vishuddhi chakra. Being the presiding deity of Suryamandal, the worship of Mother Skandamata gives amazing power and splendour like sun.  By worshiping her, automatically, Lord Kartikeya Skanda is also worshiped.  Therefore, worship of Skandmata must be done.

(Maa Mahagauri image) 

 Katyayani

On the sixth day of Navratri, 'Katyayani' is worshiped as the sixth form of Adishakti Durga.  She was called 'Katyayani' as she appeared as the daughter of Maharishi Katyayan.  Mother Katyayani rides on the lion abides with a boon to the devotees.  She is also called Shashtam Durga.
There were Kat rishi in ancient times.  His sons were also sages, whose name was Katya.  Maharishi Katyayan originated in the tribe of Katya.  Katyayan was a worshiper of Adishakti.  Katyayana did penance with the aim that Adishakti should be born as his daughter.
Mother Adishakti accepted his prayer.  Thus, she was called 'Katyayani' because she had descended as the daughter of Maharishi Katyayan.
Mother Katyayani was born to Ashwin Krishnapaksha Chaturdashi as the daughter of a sage Katyayan.  She accepted the three-day worship of the sage Katyayan on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Saptami, Ashtami and Navami Tithi and killed the fierce Mahishasura on Dashmi.
Sage Katyayan was the first pujari of the sixth form of Durga Mata Katyayani.
 On the sixth day of Navratri, yogis meditate in the aagya chakra to worship Mother Katyayani.  This chakra is located at the top of the spinal cord in the middle of the eyebrow. By focusing on the agyaa chakra,  should surrender everything at the feet of Mother Katyayani.  It is only by doing this that the mother Durga gives darshan and the devotee gets the supreme post.
It was only by worshiping the mother Katyayani who provided dharma, artha, kama and moksha, Brajwasi gopis attained Lord Krishna in the form of husband.  She was worshiped by the Gopis on the banks of the Kalindi (Yamuna) River, so Mata Katyayani is called the presiding deity of Brajmandal. The Brajwasis have been worshiping them since ancient times. Mother Katyayani, riding on a lion, has four arms.  The right arm is in Abhayamudra and the lower arm is in Vermudra.  The sword in the upper left arm and the lotus in the lower arm are adorned.  Mother who is bright like gold give boon to the devotees and also make them free from fear.

 Kalratri

Kalratri is worshiped on the seventh day of Navratri in the seventh form of Adishakti Durga.  Like a dense black night, the mother of black color is called 'Kalratri'.  Kaal is also under her control.  He is also called Saptam Durga.
Mother Kalratri's hair is scattered.  There is a bright garland around the neck.  Mother has three eyes in this form.  Hence, she is also called 'Trinetra'.  Mother's three eyes are round like the universe.  Shining rays like electricity always  to flow from these eyes continuously.
The form of Maa Kalratri riding on the gadarbh (donkey) is very terrible.  Asuras tremble after seeing this disheveled form of a mother with shattered hair, round-round shiny eyes and a vicious skin.  For destroy the asuras and evils , Mother has hold an iron fork in the upper hand on the left side and a khrag or katar (sword)in the lower hand. Maa Kalratri always gives auspicious results to her devotees even when it is terrible for Asuras. Therefore, they are also called 'Shubhangkari'.  In order to give a boon to the devotees, Mata Shubhangkari has placed the upper right hand in the vermudra(blessing) pose.
Maa Kalratri with the lower right hand is giving abhayamudra to the devotees;  Because this hand is in Abhayamudra(Assurance of defense). In this way, the mother always showers affection.  We should not be afraid of her fearfully form, we should ask for grace.
During the worship of Saptam Durga, yogis meditate in the Sahasrara Chakra.  Sahasrara Chakra is  lotus with one thousand (sahasra) petals. The worshiper of Kalratri, the destroyer of the wicked, does not fall into obstacles, they becomes fearless.  The worshiper of Goddess Kalratri is not afraid of fire, water, animals, enemies and darkness.  Such a seeker also gets freedom from planetary obstacles.  They should be worshiped with purity of mind, deeds, words and physical purity.

 Mahagauri

On the eighth day of Navratri, 'Mahagauri' is worshiped in the eightth form of Adishakti Durga.  Once Adi Shakti appeared in the form of Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas.  Parvati undertook rigorous penance to obtain Shiva as her husband.  Parvati's body became completely black due to thousands of years of penance.
Her penance was successful and Shiva accepted her as his wife.  When Lord Shiva washed the body of Parvati from the holy Gangajal, she became clean and became very beautiful (blonde).  This form of very divine and most whity mother is called 'Mahagauri'. They are also called Ashtam Durga.
Mother Mahagauri's blondness has been comparison with sankha, moon and white flowers .  All of her jewelery is also white and the clothes also wear white.  Hence they are also called ‘Shvetambara’.
Ashtam Durga Mahagauri  abides on Vrishabha (Bull).  Mother has four arms.  Keeps the upper right arm in Abhayamudra and makes the devotees fear-free.  Holds a trident in the lower right arm.  The left arm of the mother is in Damru and the lower arm is in Vermudra.  The Deity of Chaturbhuja Shvetambara Mata Mahagauri is very gentle and peaceful.
Maa worked hard to obtain Shiva in the Mahagauri form.  Therefore, Mother Mahagauri inspires to work hard.  Troubles occur during great work.  By tolerating these sufferings like Maa Parvati, achieves the goal.  Once the goal is achieved, all the troubles start to appear as inspiration and then happiness is attained.  One must worship Mahagauri Devi to achieve the goal.
By worshiping Goddess Mahagauri all the work is completed . Physical and spiritual life leads to happiness. The eightth form of Goddess Durga, which makes the impossible to possible, is multiple welfare.  Mother destroys the sins of past lives and makes the future salvation.

Siddhidatri

'Siddhidatri', the ninth form of Adishakti Durga, is worshiped on the last ninth day of Navratri.  She was called ‘Siddhidatri’ because of providing all kinds of siddhis.  All the gods, sages, Gandharvas, yakshas, ​​rakshash, daitya, daanava and humans are constantly engaged in the worship of these.
The four handed  maa Siddhidatri rides  on lion. Sometimes, the mother too sit on the lotus flower. There is mace in the top right arm of the mother and the chakra in the bottom right arm. Similarly, there is lotus in the upper left arm and sankh(conch) in the lower left arm.  She is also called Navam Durga. Maa Siddhidatri offers all the siddhis to her devotees.

(Maa Siddidatri image) 

Lord Shiva had attained all the siddhi by the grace of Navam Durga Mata Siddhidatri. This is mentioned in the 'Devipuran' text.  According to the scripture, due to Siddhidatri's compassion, half of Shiva's body became that of the goddess.  Thus Mahadev was also known as Ardhanarishwar.
Mother Siddhidatri takes a high-level examination of her devotees by providing all kinds of wishes and siddhis.  In fact, both these wishes and siddhis are temptations of the path of liberation.
On receiving these, one often feels proud and ego is revealed.  Both pride and arrogance are factors for decline.  Once it falls, reaching the summit again becomes very difficult.  Therefore, when walking on the path of liberation, when start achieving Siddhi, then it is better not to get entangled in them, to keep focused and keep moving forward. By meditating on the feet of Maa Siddhidatri, ego is reduced.