The essence of Navratri – More than just fasting

October 14, 2015
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Navadurga means the nine forms of
Goddess Durga. These nine forms of the Goddess Durga are worshipped during the
Navaratri celebration each year. According to ancient scripts, Goddess Durga
manifested herself into three major forms namely, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali
who are the active energies of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively.

These three forms of the Goddess
further manifested in three more forms each, thus leading to the nine forms of
Durga. It is believed that without these goddesses the gods will lose all their
powers and have no energy to do anything on their own.
The nine forms of the Goddess
Durga are:
Shailaputri Maa is the First
Navadurga Goddess, worshipped on 1st day of Navratri Durga Puja. Shailaputri
Mata represents the Mooladhara Chakra (Root Chakra).
Brahmacharini Maa is the Second
Navadurga Goddess, worshipped on 2nd day of Navratri Durga Pooja. Brahmacharini
Mata represents the Swadishtana Chakra.
Chandraghanta Maa is the Third
Navadurga Goddess, worshipped on 3rd day of Navratri Durga Puja. Chandraghanta
Mata represents the Manipuraka Chakra.
Kushmanda Maa is the Fourth
Navadurga Goddess, worshipped on 4th day of Navaratri Durga Pooja. Kushmanda
Mata represents the Anahata Chakra.
Skandamata Maa is the Fifth
Navadurga Goddess, worshipped on 5th day of Navaratri Durga Puja. Maa
Skandamata represents the Vishuddhi Chakra.
Katyayini Maa is the Sixth
Navadurga Goddess, worshipped on 6th day of Navaratri Durga Pooja. Katyayani
Mata represents the Agya Chakra.
Kaalratri Maa is the Seventh
Navadurga Goddess, worshipped on 7th day of Navaratri Durga Puja. Kaalratri
Mata is the fiercest Goddess in Navadurga Goddesses.
Mahagauri Maa is the Eighth
Navadurga Goddess, worshipped on 8th day of Navratri Durga Pooja. Usually,
Mahagauri Puja is observed on Durga Ashtami day.
Siddhidatri Maa is the ninth and
the last Navadurga Goddess, worshipped on 9th day of Navaratri Durga Pujan.
These Navadurga forms are
actually the life phases of Maa Parvati.
When Lord Shiva worshipped Maa
Adi Parashakti for creation, he cleared different levels of Shakti and the
Goddess appeared in Saguna Form from the left half of Lord Shiva who was called
Siddhidatri.
Then the Goddess started living
inside the centre of the Sun so that he could liberate energy and the goddess
was known as Kashmunda.
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