Nine Forms Of Mata Durga Devi

Mata Shailputri – First Durga :
Mata Shailputri is a daughter of ‘Parvata raju’ (mountain king) – Himalaya / Himvanth. She is the first among nine avatars of Durga. In her previous birth, she was ‘Sati Bhavani Mata’, the daughter of King Daksha. Mata Shailputri, also known as Parvati – Hemavati, got married with Lord Shiva. On the first day of Durga Navratri, she is worshipped. Mata Shailputri holds a ‘Trishul’, a weapon, in her right hand and a lotus in her left hand. She rides on bull. She has pleasant smile and blissful looks.

Mata Brahmacharini – Second Durga :
Mata Brahmacharini is the second Durga Shakti. Brahmacharini is the goddess who performed ‘Tapa’ (penance) (Brahma = Tapa , Charini = Performer ). Ma Brahmacharini’s idol is very gorgeous. She holds a rosary in her right hand and Kamandal in left hand. She is also called as ‘Uma’ and ‘Tapacharini’. She performed penance to get married with Lord Shambhu (Shiva). She is worshipped on the second day of Navratri.

Mata Chandraghanta – Third Durga :
Mata Chadraghanta is the third Shakti. She is very bright and charming. She has golden colored complexion. She has three eyes to watch ‘Triloka’ (three worlds). In her ten hands, she holds Trishul, Gadha, Sword, Chakra, Kamandal, Lotus, Bell, Arrow, Bow etc. weapons. She rides on Lion and ready for going in war to fight. She is considered as an image for bravery. The horrible sound of her bell terrifies all demons and danavas. She is worshipped on the third day of Navratri.

Mata Kushmanda – Fourth Durga :
Mata Kushmanda is the fourth Shakti. She shines brightly with a laughing face in all ten directions as the Sun. She controls whole Solar system. In her eight hands, she holds several types of weapons in six hands and a rosary and a lotus in remaining hands. She rides on Lion. She likes offerings of ‘Kumhde’, hence her name ‘Kushmanda’ has become popular. Kushmanda Devi is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri.

Ma Skanda Mata – Fifth Durga :
Skanda Mata is the fifth Shakti. The daughter of King Himalaya (Himvanth), after observing panance got amrried with Lord Shankar (Shiva). She had a son – ‘Skanda’. Skanda is known for his courage and is a leader of the army of Gods. Skanda Mata is considered as a deity of fire. She holds Skanda in her lap. She rides on Lion. In some sources, she is pictured – seating on lotus. She has three eyes and four hands. She holds lotuses in two hands. Devotees worship Skanda Mata on the fifth day of Navratri.

Mata Katyayani – Sixth Durga :
Mata Katyayani is the sixth Shakti. Rishi Katyayan observed a penance to get Jaganmata as his daughter. She blessed him and took birth as his daughter on the bank of river Jamuna for getting Lord Krishna as a husband. She is considered as prime deity of Vraj mandal. Ma Katyayani has three eyes and four hands. She rides on Lion. Katyayani Devi is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri.

Mata Kalratri – Seventh Durga :
Mata Kalaratri is the seventh Shakti. She is dark and black like night, hence she is called as ‘Kalratri’. Her hairs are unlocked and sha wears a necklace which is shining like lightning. She has three eyes and four hands. Her eyes are bright and wide opened. She spills out fire from her nostrils. Her vehicle is donkey. She holds a sharp Sword in her right hand. She blesses her devotees with her lower hand. She holds a burning torch in her left hand. She makes her devotees fearless with her lower left hand which is in fearless pose. As she blesses her devotees with prosperity, she is also called as ‘Shubhamkari’. Kalratri Devi is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri.

Mata Maha Gauri – Eighth Durga :
Mata Maha Gowri is the eighth Shakti. She is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. Maha Gauri looks as white as moon and jasmine. She is a girl of eight years old. She has white clothes and ornaments. She has three eyes and four hands. Her vehicle is bull. Her above left hand is in fearless pose and she holds ‘Trishul’ in her lower left hand. Her above right hand has tambourine and lower right hand is in blessing mudra.

Mata Siddhidatri – Ninth Durga :
Mata Siddhidatri is the ninth Shakti. Maha Shakti gives all the eight siddhis – Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Iishitva and Vashitva. According to ‘Devi Puran’, the supreme God Shiva got all these siddhis by worshipping the supreme Goddess Maha Shakti. With her gratitude, his half body has become of Goddess, hence Lord Shiva’s name ‘Ardhanarishvar’ has become famous. According to some sources she drives on Lion. Other sources say, she is seated on lotus. Siddhidatri Devi is worshipped by all Gods, Rushis, Muniswaras, Siddha yogis, and all common devotees who want to attain the religious asset. Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth and final day of Navratri.