Chaitra Navratri 2024: What Are The 9 Avatars Of Maa Durga Worshipped On The 9 Days Of Navratri?

Chaitra Navratri 2024: The auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratri, is around the corner. Devotees are excited to kick-start the 9-day-long festive season with joy and fervour. During these nine days of Navratri, nine forms of Goddess Durga will be worshipped by Hindu devotees. Beginning on April 9, the festivities will culminate on April 17 with Ram Navami celebrations, according to Drik Panchang.

It is believed that each of the nine forms of Maa Durga is associated with a different colour that is considered to be auspicious. To uphold the significance, Hindu devotees who take part in the festivities wear particular-colour clothes associated with the day during the nine days of Navratri.

Ghatasthapana Puja Samagri And Vidhi

Why is Navratri celebrated?

The festival of Navratri has a special significance. The festival of Navratri is celebrated four times a year - Magh Navratri (during winter- January), Chaitra or Vasanta (during spring March-April), Ashadha (during monsoons -August), and Sharadiya (during autumn). Shardiya Navratri symbolises the victory of truth over falsehood. There are two mythological stories related to it in the scriptures:

According to the first one, Goddess Durga killed a demon named Mahishasura, who had sought a boon from Lord Brahma that no god, demon or person living on earth could kill him. After getting the boon Mahishasura started creating terror in the world. Then Goddess Durga was born to kill Mahishasura. There was a fierce battle between Goddess and demon for nine consecutive days that shook the Trilok ¡ª earth, heaven and hell. According to legends, Mahishasura was very clever as during the fight he kept changing his forms to confuse the Goddess and but on the tenth day when the demon took the form of a buffalo, the Goddess Durga pierced his chest with her 'Trident' killing him instantly.

Do's And Don'ts, Foods To Avoid During 9 Days Of Navratri

Chaitra Navratri 2024: What Are The 9 Avatars Of Maa Durga Worshipped On The 9 Days Of Navratri? | Freepik

What Are The 9 Avatars Of Maa Durga Worshipped On Navratri?

The nine avatars of Maa Durga, known as Navadurga, are worshipped during the Hindu festival of Navratri. Each avatar represents different aspects of feminine divine energy. Here's a list of the nine avatars:

Navratri Calendar For Nine Days

Navratri Day 1: Goddess Shailputri

Navratri begins with the worship of Goddess Shailputri, also known as the Daughter of the Mountain. She rides a white bull and holds a trishul and lotus. Devotees offer pure ghee or food made from it for her blessings. Her favorite color is orange.

Navratri Day 2: Goddess Brahmacharini

On the second day, Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped, symbolizing devotion and penance. She wears white clothes and holds a rosary and kamandalu. Offerings of sugar-based foods are made to her. Her favorite color is white.

Navratri Day 3: Goddess Chandraghanta

Goddess Chandraghanta, destroyer of demons, is worshipped on the third day. She has ten hands and rides a tiger, with a crescent moon on her forehead. Offerings of kheer are believed to relieve pain. Her favorite color is red.

Navratri Day 4: Goddess Kushmanda

Goddess Kushmanda, the creator of the world, is worshipped on the fourth day. She rides a lion and has eight hands. Offerings of malpua are made to her. Her favorite color is royal blue.

Navratri Day 5: Goddess Skandamata

Goddess Skandamata, the mother of Lord Kartikeya, is worshipped on the fifth day. She has four arms and carries a lotus, kamandalu, and bell. Offerings of bananas are made to her. Her favorite color is yellow.

Navratri Day 6: Goddess Katyayani

Goddess Katyayani, the warrior goddess, is worshipped on the sixth day. She rides a lion and carries a sword, shield, lotus, and trident. Offerings of honey are made to her. Her favorite color is green.

Navratri Day 7: Goddess Kalaratri

On the seventh day, Goddess Kalaratri, the ferocious form of Goddess Parvati, is worshipped. She rides a donkey and carries a sword, trident, and noose. Offerings of jaggery are made to her. Her favorite color is grey.

Navratri Day 8: Goddess Mahagauri

Goddess Mahagauri, the four-armed deity, is worshipped on the eighth day. She rides a bull or white elephant and carries a trishul and damru. Offerings of coconut are made to her. Her favorite color is purple.

Navratri Day 9: Goddess Siddhidatri

The final form of Goddess Durga, Goddess Siddhidatri, is worshipped on the ninth day. She sits on a lotus and holds a mace, discus, book, and lotus. Offerings of til seeds are made to her. Her favorite color is peacock green.

What are the 9 days of Chaitra Navratri 2024?

Chaitra Navratri 2024 is approaching, starting on Tuesday, April 9th, and ending on Wednesday, April 17th. During this nine-day Hindu festival, many devotees observe fasting and perform pujas (prayers) dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga.

The nine forms of Maa Durga are collectively known as Navdurgas. They are Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. For those celebrating the festival, it is important to know the dates, details of the nine days of fasting, and more.

Chaitra Navratri 2024: Start And End Date of Navratri 2024

Chaitra Navratri 2024 is approaching, starting on Tuesday, April 9th, and ending on Wednesday, April 17th. During this nine-day Hindu festival, many devotees observe fasting and perform pujas (prayers) dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga.

(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.