The 9 Avatars of Goddess Durga
Navratri is a nine days festival of fasting and worshiping of Goddess Durga. Each of the 9 days is dedicated to each avatar of Goddess Durga. Let us talk about the 9 avatars now.
1) Shailaputri:
The first day of Navratra is dedicated to Shailaputri, which means “the daughter of a mountain”. Shailaputri is considered to be the purest form of Goddess Durga. She is depicted riding a bull, holding a trident and a lotus. The lotus is representative of purity and devotion.
2) Brahmcharini:
The second day of Navratri is dedicated to “Brahmcharini” which means “the one who practices devout austerity”. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a lota in the other. Hindus believe that she is a way to Moksha.
3) Chandraghanta:
Chandraghanta is the third avatar of Goddess Durga. She represents peace, tranquility, and prosperity in life. The name is derived from “Chandra” which means “moon” and “Ghanta” which means “bell”. She has an appearance like Goddess Durga with 10 limbs and three eyes.
4) Kushmanda:
Kushmanda is the fourth incarnation of Goddess Durga. Kushmanda means “creator of the universe”. She is believed to have brought light to the dark cosmos. Like the other manifestations of Goddess Durga, Kushmanda also has 10 limbs, rosaries, and several weapons.
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5) Skandmata:
Skandmata is the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya. She is worshipped on Panchami. She rides a ferocious lion and has four limbs. She holds a baby in one of her hands.
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6) Katyayini:
Katyayini is the sixth avatar of Goddess Durga. She is worshipped on Shasthi. She is a warrior Goddess. She is considered to be one of the most violent forms of Goddess Parvati.
To destroy the kind of demons Mahashisura, Goddess Parvati took the form of Goddess Katyayini.
credit: Wikipedia
7) Kalaratri:
Goddess Kalaratri is worshipped on Saptami. She is also known as “Shubhamkari”. She has a furious look with a dark color, with long and disheveled hair, four limbs and three eyes. She wears a necklace that can shoot lightning and throw flames from her mouth. She holds a Vajra in her right hand and a dagger. She rides a donkey.
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8) Mahagauri:
Mahagauri is worshipped on Ashtami. Mahagauri means “extremely white”. Hindus believe that by worshipping and paying homage to Mahagauri, all the sins committed by them can be forgiven and washed away from their lives. She wears a white cloth, has four arms and rides a white bull.
credit: Wikipedia
9) Siddhidatri:
Siddhidatri is the final incarnation of Goddess Durga. The name denotes “the giver of supernatural powers”. She carries Sudarshana-Chakra, a lotus, a conch, a trident, has four limbs and rides a lion. She is worshipped on the final day, Navami.
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