Ajay Bhardwaj

Come Navratri, it is Devi Shakti that permeates the atmosphere. Sharad Navratri, falling in Ashwin lunar month, are also called ‘Maha Navratri’, preceding Dussehra that symbolises victory of truth over the evil.
There is, perhaps, no other culture in the world which deifies “Shakti”, the female power, the way Bharatiya culture does. In fact, the “Shakts” ( worshippers of Shakti) would invest it with complete power to procreate, sustain and annihilate the world energy that finds expression not just in the human beings but also in the entire living beings.
As mentioned in Durgasaptshati in Markandeya Purana when Shakti, personified as Devi,  is extolled as:
??????????????? ?????? ??????????????? ????, ??????????????? ???? ????????????? ? ????????
“That which creates the world, that which sustains the world and that which merges it again in infinity.” (not annihilates) The universal divine energy expresses itself in ever fresh  creativity that is inspired by the Absolute (Shiva). Not an abstract idea, but a manifestation of the supreme  consciousness.
Unlike Chaitra Navratri, the Sharad Navratri are more popular across the country.  While in West Bengal, there is a profusion of activities around the well-decorated and themed pandals that house the clay idols of Maa Durga, in Gujarat, the dance forms of Raas Garba and Dandiya heighten the joy and elation that emanate from performing the fasting and rituals during the day. In Maharashtra, Ghatasthapana, the first ritual is formally celebrated. In Punjab, ‘kanjak’ puja is an important part of Navaratri. In North India, ‘Ramlila’ which depicts scenes from the Ramayana is enacted to dramatic perfection during Dussehra. In Tamil Nadu, decorative Rangoli and lights are lit. People celebrate this festival with sweets and also deem it an auspicious time to worship and buy tools and implements.
Mysore is the hub of grand festivities as the tradition was started by Raja Wodeyar I in 1610. The most important one is the procession of decorated elephants, camels, and horses and the parade on Vijayadashami. In Kerala, this festival celebrates the wisdom in books and is an auspicious time to initiate educational activities. In Telangana region, Bathukamma festival is celebrated.
Why is it that Navratri are nine in number, not eight or ten, though there is a tradition in some families in the North to solemnise the completion of Navratri on the eighth day itself? The number 9 is revered in Hinduism and considered a complete, perfected and divine number because it represents the end of a cycle in the decimal system, So we have Navratri in religion, Navgraha in astronomy, Navratna in astrology or even Navrasa in aesthetics. Nine being a complete figure and the highest single figure in the decimal system is mysteriously auspicious in the Bharatiya culture.
Wishing our readers Happy Navratri !       

Shades of Shakti    

In the Bharatiya culture, Navratri is one of the most auspicious time for  worshipping “Shakti”. For nine days devotees observe complete celibacy in their food, thought and mind and invoke the blessings of the Goddess in nine different forms, three each representing Maha Kali, Maha Laxmi, and Maha Saraswati.  

1. Shailaputri

   The first day is the day of Shailaputri Devi. Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana – the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.

2. Brahmacharini

   The second day is the day of Brahmacharini. She is the second form of Mother Goddess. Brahmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation – Moksha.

3. Chandraghanta

   The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons. 

4. Kushmanda

   Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-
   anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.

5.  Skandamata

   The fifth aspect of Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ – the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. 

6.  Katyayani

   The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani‘, who is worshipped on the sixth day of Navaratri. The legend behind her name goes thus: Once upon a time, there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.

7. Kaalaratri

   This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearless posture. A necklace flashing lightening adorns her neck. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. She is black like Goddess Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand to battle all evil. 

8. Maha Gauri

   Maha Gauri is the eighth form of Durga Maa. Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. It is said that due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas her colour transformed from white to black. However, later when Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which means extremely white.        

9.  Siddhidatri

   Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess Durga. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of Mother Goddess.