1 Shailaputri

Shaiaputri is worshipped on the first day of Navaratri. Shail means mountain. The daughter of mountain is ‘Parvati’. She is daughter of Himalaya. After Sati self-emulated herself in the yagnya of Daksha on being insulted, she appeared in a form of light at Himalaya king’s house. She was incarnated as Parvati. The goddess can be seen as seated on bullock. She is holding a trident or Trishul in the right hand and a lotus in the left hand. The Goddess has crescent on her forehead. With her grace Mulladhar chakra is energised. One begins the spiritual journey on the first day by meditating on the Muladhar chakra by praying to the goddess Shailaputri. She is prayed for peace, harmony and overall happiness. With her grace diseases and negative energy is dispelled.

3 Chandraghanta

The Goddess Chandraghanta is prayed on the third day of Navaratri. One can see bell-shaped half-moon on her head, hence she is called Chandraghanta. She appears emanating peace and joy. She is shining radiantly like a gold. She has three eyes and ten hands holding weapons like sword, arrow, etc. Two hands are in the form of mudra blessing and granting boon to the devotees. She is riding a tigress. The goddess is worshiped for removal of all obstacles. It is believed that the goddess establishes justice in the world. With her grace 'Manipurstrong> chakra' is energised. Devotee can smell heavenly scents and listen to heavenly sounds. Devotee becomes fearless and courageous. The devotee becomes virtuous. Sound of her bell protects the devotees from evil spirits.

पिण्डजप्रवरारूढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्रकेर्युता |
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चंद्रघण्टेति विश्रुता ||

ॐ ह्रिम् क्लिम् श्रिम् चंद्रघंटायै नमः

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु चंद्रघंटा रूपेण संस्थिता |
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम: ||

5 Skandamata

The Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. Skand means Kartikeya, the son of shiva and Parvati. Devi Skandamata has four hands and is riding a lion. She is seen holding her son, Skand, in her lap.

With her grace ‘Vishuddha chakra’ is energised. Vishuddha means absolutely pure. With her blessings all impurities in the life get dissolved and the person experiences heavenly peace and tranquillity.

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया ।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी ॥

ह्रीं स्त्रीं ब्रीं स्कंदमाता देव्यै नमः।।

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ स्कंदमाता रूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम: ॥

7 Kalaratri

The Goddess Kalaratri is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. Kalaratri is one of the destructive forms the goddess. All negativity gets dispelled with the grace of Kalaratri. Also, it is believed that with her grace ghost, vampire and all evil spirits are destroyed. Sahastrar chakra or crown chakra gets energized of evolved sadhak or devotee, by worshipping this goddess. The devotee gets blessed in many ways as all sins are nullified and all spiritual and material needs are taken care of.

This is fiercest form of Durga. Her dangerous appearance itself can scare anyone. Here the word ‘Kaal’ means time or death. Kaali was invoked by Parvati for killing of Raktabeej and army of Shumbh and Nishumbh. She is dark skinned with scattered open hair, wearing a garland which is shining bright almost like lightening. She is in attire made of skin of tiger. She has three eyes. Bright light is radiating from the eyes. Frightful flames are seen flowing out of her nostrils with every inhalation and exhalation. She has four hands. Right hands are blessing to devotee and left hands are holding weapons. She is seated on a donkey.

जय त्वं देवि चामुण्डे जय भूतार्तिहारिणि।
जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नमोस्तु ते।।

एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्तशरीरिणी।।
वामपादोल्लसल्लोहलताकण्टकभूषणा।
वर्धन्मूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयन्करि।।

।।या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मा कालरात्रि रुपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।

क्लीं ऐं श्री कालिकायै नम:।

9 Siddhidatri

The Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri.

The word ‘Siddhi’ means boon and the word ‘Datri’ means provider. Devi can grant any boon to her devotee. She is most divine form of the Goddess Durga.

A devotee worshiping with dedication gets blessed with all siddhis and power. Nothing is impossible for such devotee. Devi can grant ashta siddhis .i.e. eight boons. Asht siddhis are: Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakyam, Ishitv and Vashitv. She can grant salvation to the devotee. She blesses her devotee with true knowledge.

It is believed that she created the trinity of Gods- Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh and made them understand the purpose of their creation. She gifted them many siddhis and created pairs of Brahma-Saraswati, Vishnu-Lakshmi and Shiva-Parvati. She created many forms and she exists in each of her creations.

She is draped in a red saree and is sitting on fully bloomed lotus flower. She has four hands, holding weapons in three hands and a lotus in fourth hand. She is wearing ornaments and a garland of flowers. She looks extremely beautiful.