Navratri is a celebration of good over evil. It’s a festival celebrated with pomp and gaiety all across India. We can also say that Indians, especially Gujaratis, residing in any part of the world come together for the celebration of Navratri. Everyone is well-aware with Dandiya Raas & Garba from Gujarat during this festival which ends with Dusshera. Bengal’s Durga Pooja or Sindoor Khela is also popular worldwide.
As you know, the name explains itself. The celebration continues for 9 Nights in honor of Goddess Durga when she battles Mahishasura and emerges victorious. The northern and western states celebrate the invasion of Ravana by Lord Rama.
Each day is dedicated to the worship of 9 different forms of the Goddesses. Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalaratri, Mahagauri, Durga or ParaShakti are the 9 divine forms of the Goddesses.
The Goddess we worship on 1st Day of Navratri – Ma Shailaputri
Goddess Shailaputri is the daughter of the God of Mountains, Himalaya. She is known as Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva & mother of Kartikeya & Ganesha. She is worshipped on the very first day of Navratri for her infinite glories as she is powerful to defeat all the prominent Gods.
The Goddess we worship on 2nd Day of Navratri – Ma Brahmacharini
Ma Brahmacharini is an avatar of Goddess Durga who took birth as the daughter of the King of the Mountains, Himavan. She is also known as Hemavati as she embodies tapa or penance. Goddess Brahmacharini teaches us the true values of Devotion, Resistance and Solitude. We should not abandon our duties regardless of the difficulty of the situation is what we have to learn from her. This avatar of Ma Durga is worshipped for virtue, peace, prosperity, happiness and nobility.
The Goddess we worship on 3rd Day of Navratri – Ma Chandraghanta
When Lord Shiva detached himself from the worldly affairs after losing Sati, Parvati was reborn as Ma Chandraghanta to marry him. She blesses us with prosperity, love and peace and also teaches us to be serene. As she rides a lion, her devotees must learn fearlessness from her.
The Goddess we worship on 4th Day of Navratri – Ma Kushmanda
Ma Kushmanda is believed to be the source of the entire energy of this universe. We also know this avatar of Adi Shakti as smiling goddess. When Ma Kushmanda created the universe, she created three superior Goddesses: Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati. Worshipping Ma Kushmanda destroys all the troubles of her devotees and they are blessed with prosperity, power, pleasure and salvation.
The Goddess we worship on 5th Day of Navratri – Ma Skandamata
Goddess Skandamata is worshipped as the mother of an extremely gifted child i.e. Kartikeya who is also known as Skanda. When we worship Ma Skandamata, Kartikeya, the chief-commander of the army of Gods is automatically worshipped as he is in the lap of the Goddess.
The Goddess we worship on 6th Day of Navratri – Ma Katyayani
Goddess Katyayani is the destroyer of evils. Ma Durga born as the daughter of Sage Katyayan is known as Katyayani. Born as a fighter, she ends up all the sins. Many parts of India celebrate the winning of good over evil as Ma Katyayani slayed Mahishasura. We also know her by the name of Mahishasuramandini.
The Goddess we worship on 7th Day of Navratri – Ma Kaalratri
The death of darkness is brought in by Ma Kaalratri. She is a terrifying form of Ma Durga who destroys the evil doers and rewards her devotees by removing all the sorrows from their lives. We also know her as Kali.
The Goddess we worship on 8th Day of Navratri – Ma Mahagauri
Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped by devotees to attain loyalty in relationships and create life-long bonds. She is extremely fair and so is referred as Mahagauri. We worship this form of Adi Shakti for kindness and morality.
Thus, Navratri holds religious, spiritual, intellectual, social, cultural and natural significance. We coin out the true meaning of life by demonstrating gratitude besides joining the incredibly wonderful festival.