Explained: Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

Nine Forms of Goddess Durga: Goddess Durga is one of the main goddesses of Hinduism. Durga is associated with strength, protection, motherhood, war and destruction.

Goddess Durga is believed to have nine forms, each of which is highly revered in Hinduism.

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Durga is considered a single deity in some sects of Hinduism, such as by followers of Shakti and Shiva.

According to Hindu mythology, the nine forms of Goddess Durga are considered to be the nine stages of Durga’s nine-day war with the demon king Mahishasura. The last and tenth days are when Mahishasura was defeated by Durga. The time when Goddess Ka is killed is celebrated as Vijayadashami in Hinduism.

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What are the nine forms of Goddess Durga?

The nine forms of Goddess Durga are collectively called Nava Durga. These nine forms are as follows:

1. Shalaputri

2. Bramacciarini

3. Chandraganta

4. Kushmandar

5. Scandamatha

6.Katiani

7. Karatri

8. Mahagali

9. Siddharthti

Nine forms of goddess Durga

1. Shalaputri

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The first form of Goddess Durga is called Shailaputri or Shailaja. “Shaila” means mountain and this form refers to the daughter of mountains or Goddess Parvati, who was the daughter of King Himava (the personification of the Himalayas).

Goddess Parvati is considered to be the reincarnation of Goddess Sati and is depicted as a female figure with two hands and a crescent moon on her forehead.

She holds a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left hand. She is depicted with her Vahana or riding a ‘Nandi’ bull.

Shailaputri is the first form of Goddess Durga and is worshiped on the first day of Navratri.

2. Bramacciarini

Brahmacharini or the female ascetic form of Goddess Durga is worshiped on the second day of Navratri.

She is depicted as a female deity holding a mala made of dried Rudraksha in her right hand and a kamandaru in her left hand.

3. Chandraganta

The third form of Durga worshiped on the third day is Chandraghanta. The third eye of the goddess is open, ready to fight the devil. She is also known as Rana Chandi.

The goddess is depicted as a female deity with ten hands, two of which hold a trident, mace, bow, kadaga, lotus, ganta and kamandaru, one of her hands is always in A blessing pose or a fearless mudra to ward off fear.

She has a half-moon on her forehead, shaped like a bell, which also led to her name, Chandraghanta.

4. Kushmandar

The fourth form of Goddess Durga worshiped on the fourth day of Navratri is Kushmanda. The name Kushmanda can be divided into Ku, Ushma and Anda, where Ku means “point”, Ushma means “warmth” or “energy” and Anda means “cosmic egg”.

This form of Goddess Durga is also known as Asthabhuja Devi, she is also known as Adi Shakti and is considered the creator of the universe.

She is seen riding a lion as her Vahana.

5. Scandamatha

Skandamata is the fifth form of Goddess Durga and is worshiped on the fifth day of Navratri. The goddess in this form is depicted holding Kartikeya on her lap, hence Kartikeya is also called for Scanda.

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This form of the goddess is depicted as a goddess with four arms and three eyes riding on a lion. Out of the four arms of the goddess, two hands hold lotus flowers, and the other two hands, one holds Kartikeya and the other hand holds the blessing mudra or fearless mudra.

6.Katiani

Katyayani is the sixth form of Goddess Durga and is worshiped on the sixth day of Navratri. She is depicted in the warrior form of Goddess Mahadevi or Durga. The other two ferocious forms of Durga are Bhadrakali and Chandika.

This form of Goddess Durga is depicted as a goddess riding on a lion, possessing eighteen arms and various weapons gifted by the gods.

She was called Katyayani, named after sage Katyayana, who performed penance to Goddess Durga and asked her to be born as his daughter as a favor.

7. Karatri

Kalatri is the seventh form of goddess Durga and one of the most violent. She is the destroyer of darkness and ignorance, and is depicted astride a donkey, with four arms, two of which are in a posture of blessing and protection, while the other two hold scimitars and thunderbolts.

She is also sometimes called Carly.

Kalaratri is worshiped on the seventh day of Navratri.

8. Mahagali

Mahagauri is the eighth form of Goddess Durga and this form is worshiped on the eighth day of Navratri. The goddess in this form is depicted as a four-armed deity holding a trident or thrasur in one hand and a damru in the other.

The other two arms are used for blessings and removing fear, also known as varada and Abhaya mudra respectively.

She rides a bull or a white elephant.

9. Siddharthti

The ninth and final form of Goddess Durga is Siddhidhatri, who is worshiped on the ninth and last day of Navratri. She is considered the purveyor of all achievements.

The goddess in this form is depicted as a goddess riding on a lotus, holding in her four hands the lotus, conch or shankar, gada or mace and chakra or discus.

According to Hindu mythology, she is the incarnation of Mahashakti, the supreme goddess who created the universe. Shiva achieved all his achievements while praying to Goddess Siddhi.

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