Navratri and its significance
Navratri the nine-day festival in Hinduism celebrates the victory of good over evil | Dharma overcomes Adharma .Dedicated to Mother Goddess Durga and her numerous forms in Hindu religion, India majorly celebrates Navratri in various forms backed by various reasons. The prayers are dedicated to Goddess Idol or clay pot called “Garbo” as a remembrance of womb of the family and the universe. The clay pot is lit and is believed to carry a soul. The moving around the Garbo, indicates the never-ending cycle of creation. The movements of Garba explain the maintenance and destruction phases of supreme reality.
Mother Goddess Shakti who appears in various forms to save and protect her children are worshipped on the nine days. There is no end to her forms. Whenever her children are in difficulty she takes a form to annihilate the evil and protect her children like a caring mother. She is the all providing mother who nourishes and feeds her children. Life on earth exists due to her blessing.
Symbolically the first three days of Navratri are an opportunity to overcome inertia (Tamas), the next three days are dedicated to overcoming passion (Rajas) and the next three days are for keeping the mind eternally focused on purity (Sattva).
The nine days are an opportunity to reboot. Make positive changes to life with blessings of Maa Durga.
The Navadurga, Durga’s nine incarnations, are the main focus of these nine days. Every day has a different goddess manifestation linked with it. Let us understand these forms with a deeper insights.
Shailaputri
“Shailaputri”, literally means the daughter of the mountains. Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana, the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.
2. Bramhacharini
“Brahmacharini”, is the second form of Mother Goddess, and her name means one who practices devout austerity. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation “Moksha”.
3. Chandraghanta
The third form of Goddess Durga is “Chandraghanta”. She has a ‘chandra’ or half-moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.
4. Kushmanda
“Kushmanda” is the fourth form of the mother goddess. She is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun.
5. Skanda Mata
The fifth form of the Mother Durga is known as “Skanda Mata” the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards.
6. Katyayani
The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as “Katyayani”. According to legend, she is the daughter of a great sage called Kata, who wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.
7. Kaal Ratri
“Kaal Ratri” is the seventh form of Mother Durga. She has a dark complexion, dishevelled hair and a fearless posture. She holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil. Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles.
8. Maha Gauri
“Maha Gauri” is intelligent, peaceful and calm. She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull.
9. Siddhidatri
“Siddhidatri” is the ninth form of Goddess and has supernatural healing powers. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantric and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess.
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