Chaitra Navratri special: The nine forms of Goddess Durga

The festival of Navratri knocking on our doors and people have begun preparations to worship the mighty ten-armed Goddess Durga. Known as the destroyer of evil and the mother of all beings, Maa Durga is worshipped extensively during the festival of Navratri that spreads over a period of nine days. It is known that Goddess Durga was created as an amalgamation of the powers of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar to defeat Mahisasur- the water buffalo demon. The festival of Chaitra Navratri will begin from April 6 this year and will last until April 14.

During this auspicious time, here is a look at the nine forms of Maa Durga:

Shailputri

This form is the first one among the nine forms of the goddess and Shailputri is worshipped as the absolute form of Mother Nature. Shailputri, in Sanskrit means 'daughter of the mountains'. During the festival of Navratri, the goddess is 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 in this avatar. 

The first day of Navratri is marked for the worship of Shailputri.

Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini, the unmarried form of the Goddess is worshipped on the second day of Navratri and is mostly known as the personification of love and loyalty. The ‘charming’ form of Durga, the idol of Brahmacharini is presented to her worshipers with a Kamandalu in her left hand and rosary in her right hand.

Chandraghanta

On the third day of Navratri, goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped. Adorned with a bell shaped like a crescent moon in her hand, this form of Maa Durga is responsible for establishing justice and dharma in the world. 

Kushmanda

On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees worship the Kushmanda form of Maa Durga. This form is believed to be the one that eliminates darkness from the world with her smile. Each idol of goddess Durga in this form is therefore carved with a smile on her face. 

Skanda Mata

The goddess is portrayed with having four arms and three eyes. She is presented as sitting on a lotus and is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. This form of the goddess is always accompanied by an infant form of Lord Skanda.

Katyayani

The sixth day of Navratri is dedicated to Katyayani form of goddess Durga. This incarnation of goddess Durga is the epitome of love and anger and the idols having this form are portrayed as having four arms and three eyes and are mounted on a lion. 

Kalratri

This form of the goddess is famous in ancient Hindu literature as being the most violent one. Worshipped on the seventh day, this is the form that evokes fear in a devotee's mind. Kalratri is believed to be the destroyer of all demonic powers, i.e. kaal.

Maha Gauri

Diametrically opposite to Kalratri, this form of the goddess Durga is intelligent, peaceful and calm. The ‘extremely white’ goddess is depicted in idols as such and is shown as wearing white clothes, mounted on a bull. Maha Gauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri.

Siddhidatri

On the last day of Navratri, the form Siddhidatri of goddess Durga is worshipped. This is the form that is known for her wish-fulfilling capabilities and the goddess is believed to possess several types of healing powers. The idol is shown as riding a lion.