Explore the fascinating world of Maa Durga through the eyes of Sayantani Das, Class 4, Epic Public School. Learn about her forms as Navadurga, the untimely invocation of Durga Puja, and the deeper cultural significance of Mahishasur Mardini.
We performed Mahishasur Mardini in our school on the 5th of October just before Durga Pujo. When I returned home that day I was curious to know more about our beloved goddess. Well, we all know about Maa Durga, she is probably one of the most well-known goddesses among the Hindus. She is also known as ‘Mahishasur Mardini‘ as she was the one who destroyed Mahisasura. But as I read I found there is much more to know about the goddess. So let me share some interesting aspects of Goddess Durga.
As we are aware Puja is celebrated for four days by us the Bengali people and it is called Okal Bodhon which literally means untimely invocation as it is celebrated in autumn in the month of Ashvin. This tradition is rooted in the story of Ramayana in which Lord Rama asks Durga for her blessings before fighting Ravana. So we celebrate Saptami, Astami, Navami and Dashami. Seven days before Saptami, ‘Devi Paksha‘ starts.
But there is more to the story of this goddess. In some states, it is celebrated for 9 days as ‘Navratri’. The 9 forms of Durga are worshiped in the nine days. These ‘Nine’ forms are known as ‘Navadurga’. They are as follows:-
Shailputri (Daughter of Mountain)
Brahmacharini (Mother of devotion and penance)
Chandraghanta (Destroyer of demons)
Kushmanda (Goddess of the Cosmic Egg)
Skandamata (Goddess of motherhood and children)
Katyayani (Goddess of power)
Kalaratri (Goddess of Auspiciousness and Courage)
Mahagauri (Goddess of purity grace and beauty)
Siddhidatri (Goddess of supernatural powers).
Now let us explore the diverse origins of these forms.
Shailputri
The first form of worship is Maa Shailputri. She is worshiped during Chaitra Navaratri. In all places, she is depicted in a feminine form. She carries a trident in one hand and a lotus in the other. Nandi the bull is her ride.
Brahmacharini
Worship of Maa Brahmacharini takes place on the second day of Navaratri. Depicted as the female ascetic form of Maa Durga, she carries a rosary bead made from rudraksha in one hand and kamandalu in another.
Chandraghanta (Destroyer of demons)
Maa Chandraghanta, also known as Ranachandi, is third eye-nd and believed to always be ready to fight demons. She has ten hands and also has a half-moon on her forehand. Thus named Chandraghanta.
Kushmanda
Worshiped on the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Kushmanda, also known as ‘Ashtabhuja Devi’ is believed to have created the Universe.
Skandamata
Worship of Maa Skandamata takes place on the fifth day of Chaitra Navratri. Believed to have four arms and three eyes, Maa Skandamata remains mounted on a lion. She is also depicted as carrying Karthikeya on her lap.
Katyayani
Maa Katyayani, worshiped on the sixth of Chaitra Navratri is the warrior of Maa Durga. After sage Katyayana performed penance on Maa Durga and asked her to be born as his daughter. hence, she was named Katyayani.
Kalaratri
Maa Kalaratri worshiped on the seventh day of Chaitra Navratri is also known as ‘Maa Kali.’ She is one of the most violent forms of Maa Durga.
Mahagauri
Maa Mahagauri is a form depicted with four hands, with damru and trident in two hands along with Varada and Abhaya mudras in the two other hands.
Siddhidatri
Maa Siddhidhatries worship takes place on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri. As she is the provider of all siddhis, she came to be known as siddhidatri. People believe that she is the embodiment of Mahashakti and lord Shiva obtained siddhis after praying to her.
No matter where we are, or what we do. Our beloved Maa Durga or, should I say mother, will always remain loved and cared for in our hearts. (Every woman/girl has Durga inside of them).
