Dashain : Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

🕉️ One of the Biggest Festival, Hindus Celebrate 🕉️

OM
Day 1 - Maa Shailaputri 🌸
NameShailaputri
MeaningDaughter of Mountain
Father and MotherHimavan and Menavati
HusbandLord Shiva
ReincarnationSati (Parvati)
ChakraRoot Chakra (Muladhara)
Mount (Vahan)Nandi Bull
ColourYellow
Shailaputri

🙏 Mantra

ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah ।

📿 Prayer

वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्ध कृतशेखराम् ॥
वृषारूढाम् शूलधराम् शैलपुत्रीम् यशस्विनीम् ।
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ शैलपुत्री रूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

🌟 Description

Portrayed with a half-moon on her forehead. A Trident in her right hand along with a lotus in her left hand. She is seen as riding on the back of a bull.

🪔 Worship

On Partipada Tithi, with Chandan, Flowers, Incense, Lamp and Fruits

Day 2 - Maa Brahmacharini 🤍
NameBrahmacharini
MeaningA Female Student (Who Pursues The Sacred Religious Knowledge)
Father and MotherHimavan and Menavati
Husband***
ReincarnationGoddess Parvati Unmarried Form
ChakraSacral Chakra (Svadhishthana)
Mount (Vahan)***
ColourWhite (Sign of Purity)
FlowerJasmine & Lotuses
Brahmacharini

🙏 Mantra

ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नम:
Oṃ Devī Brahmacāriṇyai Namaḥ

📿 Prayer

दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू।
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

🌟 Description

Depicted as Walking On Bare Foot wears White Clothes and Crown. Jap Mala (Rudraksh Rosary) on her right hand along with Kamandal on her left hand.

🪔 Worship

On second day of Navratri. Maa Brahmacharini is worshipped along with Lord Shiva, by Offering Milk, Flowers, rice and sandalwood.

Day 3 - Maa Chandraghanta 🌙
NameChandraghanta Devi
MeaningAlways ready for war against demons and have half Chandra on her forehead
Father and MotherHimavan and Menavati
HusbandLord Shiva
ReincarnationGoddess Parvati
ChakraManipura Chakra
Mount (Vahan)Tiger (Leopard)
ColourRed
FlowerJasmine
Chandraghanta Devi

🙏 Mantra

ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥
Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥

📿 Prayer

पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ चन्द्रघण्टा रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

🌟 Description

She has ten hands where two hands hold a Trishula (trident), Gada (mace), bow-arrow, khadak (sword), Kamala (lotus flower), Ghanta (bell) and kamandal (waterpot), while one of her hands remains in blessing posture. She wears a half moon depicting a Bell on her forehead and has a third eye in the middle of her forehead.

🪔 Worship

On Ashwin Sukla Paksha Tritiya. Maa Chandraghanta Devi, by Offering Water, Milk, Honey, Flowers and sandalwood.

Day 4 - Kushmanda Devi 🌕
NameKushmanda Devi
MeaningKu means "a little", Ushma means "warmth" or "energy" and Anda means "cosmic egg"
Father and Mother***
HusbandLord Shiva
ReincarnationGoddess Parvati
ChakraAnahata Chakra
Mount (Vahan)Lion
ColourRed
FlowerRed color flowers
Kushmanda Devi

🙏 Mantra

ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥

📿 Prayer

सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

🌟 Description

Kushmanda is depicted with eight to ten hands holding a trident, discus, sword, hook, mace, bow, arrow and two jars of honey (Elixir) and blood. Her one hand is always on abhayamudra from which she blesses all her devotees.

🪔 Worship

On this day, as far as possible, a bright married woman with a big forehead should be worshipped. It is preferable to feed them curd, pudding in their food. After this, fruits, dry fruits and good luck items should be offered.

Day 5 - Skandamata Devi 👶
NameSkandamata Devi
MeaningMata Parvati was given this name after giving birth to Lord Skanda, also known as Kartikeya
Father and MotherHimavan and Menavati
HusbandLord Shiva
ReincarnationGoddess Parvati
Chakra5th chakra of Kundalini – Visuddha Chakra
Mount (Vahan)Lion
ColourRed
FlowerRed color flowers
Skandamata Devi

🙏 Mantra

ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नम:
Oṃ Devī Skandamātāyai Namaḥ

📿 Prayer

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

🌟 Description

She is pictured carrying Lotus flowers in her upper two hands, baby Murugan in one of her right hands, and Abhaya Mudra in the other. She is also seen holding Kartikey, a small child, on her lap.

🪔 Worship

By offering red flowers, Shringar Samagri

Day 6 - Maa Katyayani 🔥

Attribute Details
Name Katyayani Devi
Meaning Named after sage Katyayan who performed penance to have her as his daughter
Father and Mother ***
Husband Lord Shiva
Reincarnation Goddess Parvati
Chakra Ajna Chakra
Mount (Vahan) Lion
Colour Red
Flower Red color flowers
Katyayani Devi

🙏 Mantra

ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah॥

📿 Prayer

कांचनाभा वराभयं पद्मधरा मुकटोज्जवलाम्।
स्मेरमुखी शिवपत्नी कात्यायनी शुभदास्तु मे॥
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

🌟 Description

Katyayani is depicted with four hands holding a sword and lotus, while the other two hands are in blessing and protective postures. She is the warrior form of Goddess Durga, born to destroy the demon Mahishasura. She is also known as the goddess of love and is worshipped by unmarried women seeking a good husband.

🪔 Worship

On the sixth day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Katyayani with red flowers, honey, and traditional sweets. Young unmarried women especially seek her blessings for a suitable life partner.


Day 7 - Maa Kalaratri 🌑

Attribute Details
Name Kalaratri Devi
Meaning Kala means black/time and Ratri means night - the goddess who destroys darkness and ignorance
Father and Mother ***
Husband Lord Shiva
Reincarnation Goddess Durga
Chakra Crown Chakra
Mount (Vahan) Donkey
Colour Black/Dark
Flower Red color flowers
Kalaratri Devi

🙏 Mantra

ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah॥

📿 Prayer

एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लंबोष्टी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्तशरीरिणी॥
वामपादोल्लसल्लोहलताकंठकभूषणा।
वर्धनमूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयंकरी॥

🌟 Description

Kalaratri is the most fierce form of Goddess Durga. She has dark complexion, disheveled hair, and rides a donkey. She has four hands - two holding a trident and a hook, while the other two are in blessing and protective poses. Despite her fearsome appearance, she protects her devotees from all negative forces and evil spirits.

🪔 Worship

On the seventh day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Kalaratri to seek protection from enemies, negative energies, and evil spirits. Jaggery is offered as prasad on this day.


Day 8 - Maa Mahagauri 🤍

Attribute Details
Name Mahagauri Devi
Meaning Mahā means great and Gaurī means bright/clean - extremely bright complexioned
Father and Mother ***
Husband Lord Shiva
Siblings Ganga and Vishnu
Reincarnation Goddess Durga
Chakra ***
Mount (Vahan) Ox (White Bull)
Colour White
Flower Red color flowers
Mahagauri Devi

🙏 Mantra

ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥

📿 Prayer

सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरी नारायणी नमोस्तुते॥
श्वेते वृषे समारुढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥

🌟 Description

Mahagauri is depicted as extremely fair and beautiful, dressed in white clothes. She has four arms - holding a trident and damaru (drum), while the other two hands are in blessing and protective poses. According to legend, she became radiant white after Lord Shiva washed her with Ganga water. She is also known as Annapurna and grants prosperity and fulfillment.

🪔 Worship

On the eighth day of Navratri (Ashtami), devotees worship Maa Mahagauri with white flowers, coconut, and white sweets. Young girls are also worshipped on this day as representations of the goddess.


Day 9 - Maa Siddhidatri 🪷

Attribute Details
Name Siddhidatri Devi
Meaning Siddhi means supernatural power and Datri means giver - the one who grants divine powers
Father and Mother ***
Husband Lord Shiva
Reincarnation Goddess Durga
Chakra Goddess who governs the planet Ketu
Mount (Vahan) Lotus
Colour Pink
Flower Red color flowers
Siddhidatri Devi

🙏 Mantra

ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः॥
Om Hreem Shri Siddhidatri Durgaaye Namaha

📿 Prayer

सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाघैरसुरैरमरैरपि।
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी॥
वन्दे वांछित मनोरथार्थ चन्द्रार्घकृत शेखराम्।
कमलस्थितां चतुर्भुजा सिद्धीदात्री यशस्वनीम्॥

🌟 Description

Siddhidatri is the original form of Goddess Parvati. She has four hands holding a discus, conch shell, mace, and lotus. She sits on a fully bloomed lotus or a lion. She possesses eight supernatural powers (Ashta Siddhis): Anima (becoming small), Mahima (becoming large), Garima (becoming heavy), Laghima (becoming light), Prapti (reaching anywhere), Prakambya (fulfilling desires), Ishitva (lordship), and Vashitva (control over others). Even Lord Shiva received these powers from her.

🪔 Worship

On the ninth and final day of Navratri (Navami), devotees worship Maa Siddhidatri with butter, kheer (sweet rice pudding), and khoi (puffed rice sweets). This day marks the completion of the nine-day festival and devotees seek her blessings for spiritual fulfillment and divine powers.


🙏 May the Divine Mother Bless All 🙏

This completes the nine sacred days of Dashain, celebrating the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga.

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