*** Welcome to piglix ***

Navadurga


Navadurga(Devanagari:नवदुर्गा), which literally means Nine forms of Goddess Durga, constitute according to Hindu mythology, the manifestation of Goddess Durga, the Mother Goddess, in nine different forms. These nine forms of manifestation are:

These nine forms are worshipped together during the Navratri(Nine Divine Nights) celebrations, that occur four times throughout the year, namely:

Durga is the Mother Goddess of the Hindus. She is known by a variety of names - including Devi, Shakti, Adi Parashakti and Parvati.The Navadurga are the different forms of Devi:

Each one of Navadurga is known by a particular name and each goddess has Her respective governing planet, iconography(in the form of a mount, number of hands and items held), mantra for invocation (usually repeated 108 times at each sitting during the period of Navratri), dedicated day of Navratri worship and respective prayers(pratharna, stuti, dyana, etc.):

Day of worship: 1st day of Navratri

Governing planet: Moon

Mantra: Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नम

Iconography: She rides a bull, carrying a Trishul(trident) in her right hand and a lotus flower in Her left hand.

Day of worship: 2nd day of Navratri

Governing planet: Mars

Mantra: Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नम

Iconography: Walks on bare feet, carrying a japa mala in Her right hand and a kamandalu in Her left hand.

Day of worship: 3rd day of Navratri

Governing planet: Venus

Mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नम

Iconography: Goddess Chandraghanta mounts the tigress. She wears the semi-circular moon(Chandra) on her forehead. The half-moon on her forehead looks like the bell(Ghanta) and hence, Her name. She is depicted with ten hands. Goddess Chandraghanta carries Trishul, Gada, sword and kamandalu in Her four left hands and keeps the fifth left hand in Varadamudra. She carries a lotus flower, arrow, Dhanush and Japa Mala in Her four right hands and keeps the fifth right hand in Abhaya Mudra.


...
Wikipedia

...