Pt. Mohan Ramphal

More on Female Gods

Durga, the Mother Goddess in the form of Devi and Shakti, is believed to have manifested in various forms.  Navadurga Maa are believed to be the most sacred aspects of Goddess Durga. According to a Hindu tradition, it is believed that there are three major forms in which Goddess Durga manifested herself, namely, Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmiand Mahakali who are the active energies (Shakti) of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra respectively. These three forms of Durga further manifested in three more forms each, and thus emerged the nine forms of Durga, which are collectively called Navadurga or Nine Durgas. Navadurga are famously worshipped during the Autumn Navaratri or the Nine days, initiating the devotees into a period of festivities according to Hindu calendar.

Each one of the Navadurga is known by a particular name and the deity has a particular dhyana-mantra, a mantra for meditation, a free English version of which is mentioned below:

·         Shailaputri

May the illustrious Shailputri Durga whom I salute and whose head is adorned by a half-moon, who rides nandi, a bull and carries a spear, fulfill the desires of my heart. She is known as 1st phase of Durga when she took birth as the daughter of Great Himalayas.

·         Brahmacharini

May the supreme Brahmachari Durga, who holds rosary and kamandalu in her lotus hands and whose nature is to attain Sachchidanandamaya Brahmaswarupa the Existence-Knowledge-Bliss absolute, be propitious on me. Devi is Devi's that phase when Maa Parvati before marriage was Devi Yogni and Devi Tapsvini.

·         Chandraghanta

 Chandraghanta Maa is known and named Chandraghanta or Chandra-Khanda as Maa Durga wears the semi-circular moon (Chandra) which appears like a bell (Ghanta) on her forehead.

·         Kushmanda

 In this form Mother Durga creates solar system by liberating her power to Lord Sun.

·         Skandamata

As Mother of Skanda or Kartikeya, Maa Parvati or Maa Durga is known as Skandmata.

·         Kathyayini

 When Maa Parvati's Partial expansion took birth in Sage Katya's home and gets energy from trinity and demi Gods, then the Goddess was known as Maa Katyani.

·         Kaalratri

In Skand Purana, Maa Parvati liberates Devi's golden outer sheath and becomes dark complexioned then Goddess becomes Goddess Kaalratri.

·         Mahagauri

May the Mahagauri Ma Durga who rides a white Vrishaba the bull and who wears spotless white clothes and remains ever pure and also provides everlasting bliss to Mahadeva Lord Shiva bestow all auspiciousness. Devi is 16 years old unmarried Goddess Parvati.

·         Siddhidaatri

May the ever victorious Siddhidayini Ma Durga, who is always worshipped by the hordes of siddha, gandharva, yaksha, asura, and Deva, bestow success everywhere. She is one who was worshiped by Lord Shiva to become in the form of Goddess Ardhnarishwara, then Goddess Shakti Appeared from the left side of Lord Shiva

Durga Puja Timing

Durga puja is celebrated in the autumn months of September/October. According to the Hindu solar calendar, it falls on the first nine days of the month of Ashvin. Most of the religions follow either a solar calendar or a lunar calendar. For the Hindus, it is a combination of both. The days are counted on the basis of sun rise and sun set. But timings of all religious functions are based on the lunar month. The lunar month is divided into two halves, the full moon phase and the new moon phase. 

Pooja Proceedure

• First day  – Kalasha Sthapana (Kalasha Pooja) or Ghata Sthapana – Shailaputri Puja
• Second day  – Preeti Dwitiya – Brahmacharini Puja
• Third day  – Chandrakanta pooja or Chandraghanta puja
• Fourth day - Kushmanda pooja
• Fifth day – Skandamata Puja – Lalitha Panchami
• Sixth day – Katyayani Puja – Maha Shashti or Durga Shashti
• Seventh day  – Kaalratri Pooja – Durga Saptami or Maha Sapthami
• Eighth day  – Maha Gauri Pooja – (Durgashtami Puja/Maha Ashtami/Veerashtami)
• Ninth day  – Siddhidatri Puja – (Mahanavami/Maharnavami or Durga Navami)
• Tenth day – Aparajitha Puja or Shami Pooja – Vijaya Dashami or Dasara

The first color of the Navratri is decided based on the weekday when Navratri begins and remaining 8 days follow a fixed cycle of colors. FOR EXAMPLE YEAR 2018 

 Day 1 09th Oct TUESDAY color RED
 Day 2  10 Oct WEDNESDAY color Royal (deep)Blue
 Day 3 11 Oct THURSDAY color Yellow
 Day 4 12 Oct FRIDAY color green
 Day 5  13 Oct SATURDAY color grey
 Day 6  14 Oct SUNDAY color orange
 Day 7  15 Oct MONDAY color white
 Day 8  16 Oct TUESDAY color Pink
 Day 9  17 Oct WEDNESDAY Color sky (light) blue

The 108 Names of Durga