Navratri
Navratri, a significant festival in Hinduism, is a celebration that lasts for nine nights, as the name suggests. It is also known as Sharad Navratri. This festival is dedicated to honoring the divine feminine. Navratri typically spans over nine days in the month of Ashvin or Ashvina, which usually falls in September-October in the Gregorian calendar.
It concludes with the celebration of Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, on the tenth day. In some regions of India, Dussehra holds special significance and extends the festival to ten days instead of nine. Depending on the lunar calendar, there are instances when Navratri is observed for eight days, with Dussehra celebrated on the ninth day.
There are four similar festivals throughout the year, all referred to as Navratri. However, the early autumn festival, Sharad Navratri, holds the most prominence. It commences on the same day as Durga Puja, a ten-day festival dedicated to commemorating the victory of the goddess Durga, especially celebrated in certain eastern states.
Each of the nine days is devoted to different manifestations of Mata Adi Shakti. People also worship the nine forms of the Goddess and seek blessings to overcome the obstacles associated with the nine celestial bodies (Moon, Mars, Venus, Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu).
In this blog we are going to discuss 9 (nine) different manifestations of Mata Adi Shakti with details.
Stuti - या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ शैलपुत्री रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Tithi, Day: Chaitra / Ashvin Shukla Prathama
Alternate Names: Hemavati and Parvati
Vehicle: Taurus (वृष), also known as Vrisharudha (वृषारूढ़ा) due to riding a Taurus.
Weapons: Two hands - she holds a trishul (trident) in her right hand and a lotus flower in her left hand.
Expression/Mudra: Mata Shailputri's appearance is serene and joyful.
Planetary Influence: Moon - This form of Mata Shailputri, a manifestation of Adi Shakti, governs destiny and mitigates any negative effects associated with lunar influence.
Read More About - Maa Shailputri | माँ शैलपुत्री
Stuti - या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Tithi, Day: Chaitra / Ashvin Shukla Dwitiya
Alternate Name: Aparna
Vehicle: Walking barefoot.
Weapons: Two hands - Mata holds a rosary (jaapmala) in her right hand and a water pot (kamandal) in her left hand.
Planetary Influence: Mars, the bestower of all auspiciousness.
Read More About - Maa Brahmacharini | माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी
Stuti - या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ चंद्रघंटा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Tithi, Day: Chaitra / Ashvin Shukla Tritiya
Mount / Vehicle: Tigress (बाघिन)
Weapons: Ten hands - She wields a Trishul (trident), Gada (mace), Sword, and Kamandal (water pot) in her four right hands, while her fifth right hand is in a Varada Mudra (blessing gesture). In her four left hands, she holds a lotus flower, Arrow, Dhanush (bow), and Japa Mala (prayer beads), with the fifth left hand in an Abhaya Mudra (fearlessness gesture).
Expression: This form represents peace and well-being for her devotees.
Planetary Influence: Venus (Shukra)
Read More About - Maa Chandraghanta | माँ चंद्रघंटा
Stuti - या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Tithi, Day: Chaitra / Ashvin Shukla Chaturthi
Alternate Name: Ashtabhuja Devi
Mount / Vehicle: Lioness
Weapons: Eight Hands - She carries a kamandala (water pot), bow, arrow, and lotus in her right hands, while in her left hands, she holds an Amrit Kalash (nectar vessel), Jaap mala (prayer beads), mace, and chakra (discus).
Expression: She adorns a gentle smile.
Planetary Influence: Sun - Bestower of direction and energy to the Sun.
Read More About - Maa Kushmanda | माँ कूष्मांडा
Stuti - या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Tithi, Day: Chaitra / Ashvin Shukla Panchmi
Alternate Names: Mata Padmasana, Karthikeya
Mount / Vehicle: Fierce Lion
Weapons: Four Hands - She cradles baby Murugan in her lap, who is also known as Kartikeya and the brother of Lord Ganesha. In her upper two hands, Mata holds lotus flowers, and in one of her right hands, she carries Bal Murugan while making the Abhay Mudra (fearlessness gesture).
Expression: Represents motherhood.
Planetary Influence: Mercury (Budha)
Read More About - Maa Skandamata | माँ स्कंदमाता
Stuti - या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Tithi, Day: Chaitra / Ashvin Shukla Shashthi
Mount / Vehicle: Majestic Lion
Weapons: Four Hands - She holds a lotus flower and a sword in her left hands, while her right hand is in a combination of Abhay Mudra (fearlessness gesture) and Varada Mudra (blessing gesture).
Expression: This form is the most fierce and intense.
Planetary Influence: Jupiter (Brihaspati)
Read More about - Maa Katyayani | माँ कात्यायनी
Stuti - या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कालरात्रि रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Tithi, Day: Chaitra / Ashvin Shukla Saptami
Alternate Name: Devi Shubhankari
Mount / Vehicle: Donkey
Weapons: Four Hands - Her right hand displays a combination of Abhay Mudra (fearlessness gesture) and Varada Mudra (blessing gesture), while her left hands hold a sword and a deadly iron hook.
Expression: Goddess Parvati in her most formidable and fierce form.
Planetary Influence: Saturn (Shani)
Stuti - या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Tithi, Day: Chaitra / Ashvin Shukla Ashtami
Alternate Name: Shwetambardhara
Mount / Vehicle: Bull / Taurus
Weapons: Four Hands - Mata holds a trident (Trishul) and makes the Abhaya Mudra (fearlessness gesture) with her right hand. In one of her left hands, she holds a small drum (Damru), and in the other, she extends the Varada Mudra (blessing gesture).
Planetary Influence: Rahu
Temple: A temple dedicated to Maa Mahagauri can be found in Kankhal, Haridwar.
Stuti - या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥
Tithi, Day: Chaitra / Ashvin Shukla Navami
Mount / Vehicle: Lotus
Weapons: Four Hands - She holds a lotus flower and a conch (Shankh) in her left hand, while her right hand carries a mace (Gadda) and a discus (Chakra).
Planetary Influence: Ketu
