Navratri Navratri and and the the Nine Nine Durga Durga GoddessesGoddesses

Goddess DurgaThe embodiment of feminine and creative energy

Also known as the Divine Mother

She protects mankind from evil and misery by destroying vices

She is sitting upon a Lion

First Avatar - Shailputri1st night devoted to

Maa ShailputriShail means Mountains

She carries a Trident and a Lotus

She is sitting upon a bull

Second Avatar - Bhramcharni2nd night devoted to

Maa BhramcharniShe personifies Love and Loyalty

She carries a Kumbha and a Rosary

Rudraksha is her most adorned ornament

Third Avatar - Chandraghanta3rd night devoted to

Maa ChandraghantaShe personifies Supreme Bliss and KnowledgeShe is prayed to for protection from harmShe has 10 hands, from which 8 have weapons

She is riding on a Tiger

Fourth Avatar - Kushmanda4th night devoted to

Maa KushmandaShe is prayed to for curing ailments and sorrows

She has 8 hands, holding weapons and a mala

She is riding on a Tiger

Fifth Avatar - Skandmata5th night devoted to

Maa SkandmataShe is prayed to for fulfilling ones desires

She has 4 hands, holding two lotuses and her son

She is riding on a Lion

Sixth Avatar - Kaatyayani6th night devoted to

Maa KaatyayaniShe is prayed to for granting the wishes of her devotees

She has 4 hands, holding a lotus and a sword

She is riding on a Lion

Seventh Avatar - Kaalratri7th night devoted to

Maa KaalratriShe is prayed to for removing sins and clearing obstacles

She has 4 hands, holding a cleaver and a torch

She is riding on a Donkey

Eighth Avatar - Mahagauri8th night devoted to

Maa MahagauriShe is prayed to for purification and the removal of sins

She has 4 hands, holding a trident

and drum

She is riding on a Bull

Ninth Avatar - Siddhiratri

9th night devoted to

Maa SiddhiratriShe is prayed to for acquiring great powers (Siddhis)

She has 4 hands, holding a chakra, mace, lotus flower and conch

She is riding on a Lotus

NAV-RATRI NAV-RATRI (nine-nights),

is for the nine days when we thank the female principle of nature and the goddesses connected to them.

The nine nights are

dedicated to the three main goddesses of Hinduism - Parvati, Lakshmi and Sarasvati.

NAV-RATRI The first three nights are dedicated to the

goddess of action and energy. Her different manifestations: Kumari, Parvati and Kali are worshipped during these days. They represent the three natures/ classes of womanhood - the virgin young girl, auspicious wife/ mother and the angry old hag! This is not a criticism of women, just a classification. It helps us recognize the different aspects of our own nature.

Kumari, the virgin young girl

Parvati: Auspicious wife/mother

Kaali, the angry old woman

This is not a criticism of women.

The classification helps us recognize different aspects of our own nature

Maa Lakshmi Lakshmi is worshipped

for the next three days in her various aspects as the goddesses of peace, plenty and bliss.

Fulfillment is more important than wealth itself. As the goddess of wealth, she governs not just the bank balance, but also such basic things as family, friends, food etc.

Maa SaraswatiSaraswati is the goddess of knowledge. Not just the knowledge of how to earn a living, but how to "live" as well. She is the goddess of the spiritual knowledge and the knowledge that frees us from this bind of Samsara. She is worshipped during the final three days of the Navratri.

NAV-RATRI The nine nights are there for us to revel in the

knowledge of the goddesses that live within us, imbibing us with their spiritual energy and power. Used for the good, they help liberate us from the mire of this world (help us attain NIRVANA). Use these energies unwisely, and they will snare us in the maya of this world. We should meditate these aspects of the nine nights, that was the reason they originally came into being.

This festival is devoted to the Mother Goddess known with different names as Durga, Kali, Bhavani, Amba, and Chandika, has been celebrated in it's most unique and different ways in various parts of India and abroad with devotional songs, bhajans and cultural programs with the world renowned Garba or Dandiya Raas in the state of Gujarat.

Maa Durga

This festival is celebrated in most unique and different ways in different parts of India and abroad with devotional songs, bhajans and cultural programs

with the world renowned Garba or Dandiya Raas in the state of Gujarat.

sanjay_asati@yahoo.co.in