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He Maa Durga
Om Namaschandikaaye
Naaraayani Namostute
Festivals in India epitomize the religious, cultural and social aspirations of the people, and
are occasions to reaffirm one's gratitude and allegiance to one's family. Most Hindu
festivals are a soul-purifying experience for the believer. And festivals are instrumental in
diluting the humdrum of everyday life by adding their special touch to it.
'Navaratri' is the festival of worship of the Goddess Shakti. Navratri, the festival of nine
nights is dedicated to the Mother Goddess. Known by other names such as Durga, Devi,
she occupies a special place in the Hindu pantheon. She represents Shakti, the cosmic
energy that animates all beings, and is also considered to be prakriti (nature), the
counterpart of purusha. Together, they are responsible for the creation of the world
according to the Puranas and Vedas.
Nine forms of Shakti are worshipped during the Navaratris. The Devis worshipped
depend on the tradition of the region.
Bhadrakali
Annapurna, The one who bestows grains (anna) in plenty (purna: used as
subjective)
Bhairavi
Chandika or Chandi
Lalita
Bhavani
Mookambika
Navaratri is separated into sets of three days i.e. into three sets. These sets are made in
order to adore different facets of the supreme goddess. On the initial three days, the
Goddess is invoked as the supreme powerful force called Durga. Goddess Durga is meant
to all our contaminations, evils and defects. On the next three days, she is worshipped as
the mother of spiritual wealth, Goddess Lakshmi, She is the one who is considered to have
the power of showering on her devotees with the blessings of never-ending wealth. In the
final set of three days, the Goddess is worshipped as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati.
The one is responsible for spiritual enlightenment and overall success in life.
She is also worshipped under nine different names for the nine days in Navratri. Every day,
she assumes a new character, a new look and a new duty. She is worshipped as Shailputri,
Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Maha
Gauri and Siddhidatri. For the initial six the Pooja celebrations are limited to home. The
celebrations acquire a festive form since the seventh day when the festivities of Navratri
surround the atmosphere.
First Day Pooja: The first form of Goddess Durga is called Shailputri . She is considered
the daughter of the Himalayas. She is a form of Shakti, the consort of Lord Shiva.
Second Day Pooja: The second form of Goddess Durga is known as 'Brahmacharini'. Her
name is derivative of the word 'Brahma', which means 'Tapa' or penace. She is also a form
of Uma or Parvati, a form of Mata Shakti.
Third Day Pooja: On the third day the goddess is worshipped as Chandraghanta. She is
the symbolic representation of beauty and bravery.
Fourth Day Pooja: Kushmanda, is the form of the goddess which is worshipped on the
fourth day. It is believed that Kushmanda is the creator of the entire Universe and she has
created the entire Universe by her laugh.
Fifth Day Pooja: On the fifth day, the form of Goddess is called Skand Mata. She is
actually called so because she is here represented as the mother of Skanda, the chief
warrior of the Gods army.
Sixth Day Pooja: On the sixth day, the goddess is worshipped as Katyayani. Seated on
her vehicle lion, Katyayani has three eyes and four hands.
Seventh Day Pooja: On the seventh day, the Goddess is worshipped as 'Kalratri'. As the
name suggests, Kalrati is as black as a dark night. She has four hands, she is meant to
make the devotees fearless.
Eighth Day Pooja: On the eight day, the Mata Rani is worshipped as 'Maha Gauri'. She is
considered to extremely beautiful, white like snow and accessorized with white colored
ornaments. She represents calmness and exhibits wisdom.
Ninth Day Pooja: On the ninth day, Durga is worshipped as Siddhidatri. It is believed she
consists of all the eight siddhis. She lives on lotus and is worshipped by all the RishisMunis, Siddhas, Sadhakas and Yogis.
Significance of 9 Nights
During Navratri, some devotees of Durga observe a fast and prayers are offered for the
protection of health and prosperity. A period of introspection and purification, Navratri is
traditionally an auspicious and religious time for starting new ventures.
During this vowed religious observance, a pot is installed (ghatasthapana) at a sanctified
place at home. A lamp is kept lit in the pot for nine days. The pot symbolizes the universe.
The uninterrupted lit lamp is the medium through which we worship the effulgent Adishakti,
i.e. Sree Durgadevi. During Navratri, the principle of Sree Durgadevi is more active in the
atmosphere.
Navratri is celebrated in a large number of Indian communities. The mother goddess is said
to appear in 9 forms, and each one is worshipped for a day. These nine forms signify
various traits that the goddess influences us with. The Devi Mahatmya and other texts
invoking the Goddess who vanquished demons are cited.
During the eight or ninth day, Kanya Poojan, pre-pubescent girls are ceremonially
worshiped.
Mahanavami
The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed.
Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet
are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as
gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country.
NAVARATRI ARTI
JAI AMBE GAURI MAIYAA, JAI AMBE GAURI MAIYAA, JAI SHYAAMA GAURI
BHAJANS