Nine forms of Durga
& Legends of
Goddess Durga
Worshipping Mother Goddess has existed in India for
long, Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvathi are the three
main female deities worshipped by Hindus. Of the
three goddesses, Parvathi is worshipped in several
forms. Durga, Kali, Bhuvaneswari, Varahi are some of
the forms of her.
Durga is one of the popular forms of Goddess
Parvati. She has temples all over India and is widely
worshipped by many Hindus. Parvati took the form of
Durga to save the world from the asuras who acted as
a threat to dharma and peace.
The Nine forms of Durga
There are nine forms of Durga, devotees worship
these nine forms of Durga to be blessed with
different virtues. During the Navaratri, the devotees
observe fast and worship the nine forms of Goddess
Durga for nine days. These nine forms are collectively
known as Nava Durga.
The following are the Nava Durgas and their attributes.
Shailaputri:
Shailaputri is worshipped on the first day of Navaratri. In Sanskrit, Shaila
means the Mountain, and putri mans daughter. Durga was born as
daughter to the Himalaya Mountain and thus came to be known as
Shailputri.
In her Shailaputri form, the Goddess carries a trident in her right hand and
a lotus flower in her left hand and rides a bull.
Brahmacharini:
On the second day of Navaratri, the devotees’ worship Durga as
Brahmacharini. The word Brahmacharini means spinster.
When the Goddess performed penance towards Lord Shiva to have him as
her husband, she was in the form of Brahmacharini. In this form, the
Goddess is bare footed and carries a Japa mala and a kamandalu in her
hands.
Chandraghanta:
Goddess Chandraghanta is the third form of Durga. The Goddess got this name as
similar to her husband, Shiva, she too adorns half Chandra (moon) on the
forehead. In this form, the Goddess rides a tiger and has ten hands holding various
weapons.
Kushmanda:
On the fourth day of Navaratri, devotees worship Durga as Kushmanda. She is the
reason behind the existence of the Universe and all its creations. Mother
Kushmanda uses lion as her mount and carries different weapons in her eight
hands.
Skandamata:
Goddess Skandamata is worshipped during the fifth day of Navaratri. In this form,
the Goddess appears as the mother of Skanda. The Goddess featuring four hands
holds the infant Kartikeya with her and is mounted on a ferocious lion.
Katyayini:
On the seventh day of Navaratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Devi Katyayini.
She is the warrior goddess and is one of the ferocious forms of Durga. The Goddess
got this name as she was born as a daughter to Rishi Katya at one point of time.
The Goddess has four hands and is seated on a Lion.
Kalaratri:
Devi Kalaratri is the most ferocious form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on
the seventh day of Navaratri. Goddess Durga took this form to kill the demons
Shumbha and Nishumbha. Devi Kalaratri is dark skinned and has four hands and
mounts on a Donkey.
Mahagauri:
Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. The Goddess features a
golden complexion and is seated on a bull. Her four hands hold sword, flower,
mace and abhaya mudra.
Siddhidaatri:
Goddess Siddidaatri is worshipped on the last day of the Navaratri. The Goddess is
seated on a lotus and blesses the devotees with all types of Siddhis.