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About Navdurga
Describe your kids the Nine Forms of Maa Durga
Navratri is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. Therefore, it is important for kids to know more about our religion and festivals, etc. It is recommended to describe to your kids the 9 forms of Maa Durga.
Although Navratri comes four times a year, Shardi Navaratra is celebrated with a little more gaiety.
Goddess Durga is worshiped for 9 days. All the nine forms of Durga Devi represent nine different qualities. Shakti means energy and Devi Shakti is the primordial source of unseen energy that maintains and sustains this creation. It encompasses and supplements qualities such as strength, transformation, anger, beauty, compassion, fear, and power.
Hence 9 forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped every day.
Here’s the description of the Nine Forms of Goddess Durga.
learn about the nine forms of Devi Durga
1. GODDESS SHAILPUTRI
Goddess Shailputri is the first form of Goddess Durga. She holds a Trishul in one hand and a lotus in the other and rides a bull called Nandi. The literal meaning of Shailputri means the daughter (putri) of the mountain (Shaila). She is differently recognized by the names of Sati, Bhavani, Parvati, and Hemwati. She is the absolute inclusion of the power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahadev.
2. GODDESS BRAHMACHARINI
The goddess holds a rudraksha mala in one hand and a sacred Kamandalu in the other. She is the Maa of self-discipline and absolution as her name Brahmacharini represents the female who practices Brahmacharya (renunciation from worldly pleasures). She endows her devotees with grace, blissfulness, peace, and prosperity.
3. GODDESS CHANDRAGHANTA
She is a 10-armed goddess with a crescent moon on her forehead, which gives her the name Chandraghanta. Chandraghanta wears a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead, which describes the etymology of her name. She adorned her forehead with the half-moon after marrying Lord Shiva. She is revered by the followers on the third day for tranquillity and prosperity in life. She mounts on a tigress and is described with ten hands and three eyes. She carries Trishul, Gada, sword, and Kamadalu in her four left hands while her fifth hand is in Varadamudra. She holds a lotus, arrow, Dhanush, Japa mala in her right fourth hand and keeps her fifth right hand in Abhaya Mudra.
4. GODDESS KUSHMANDA
The fourth form is Kushmanda, derived from three words – ‘Ku’ (little), ‘Ushma’ (warmth or energy), and ‘Amnda’ (egg), which means the creator of the universe. The Navratri importance of this Goddess is that she bestows her worshippers with good wellbeing, strength, and strength. She is represented with eight hands, therefore known by the name of Ashtabhuja Devi. Her form is pictured with eight to ten hands holding a trident, discus, sword, hook, mace, bow, arrow, two jars of honey, and blood. Her one hand is always in the Abhaya mudra form she blesses all her followers. She sits on a tiger.
Describe your kids the Nine Forms of Maa Durga
5. GODDESS SKANDMATA
Skandmata is a four-armed deity, who carries a lotus in two of her arms with a sacred Kamandalu and a bell in the other two. She also carries a little Kartikay on her lap and because of this Kartikay is also known as Skanda. It is believed that she was chosen as the commander in chief of war against the demon, thereby she is also recognized as “Goddess of Fire.”
6. GODDESS KATYAYANI
Katyayani is considered one of the most violent forms. She has four arms and carrying a sword. She is the daughter of Sage Katyayan and rides a lion. Katyayani was born to kill bull demon Mahishasura. Her defining features include anger, revenge, and ultimately winning over evils. All those who remember her with a pure heart and absolute faith are blessed with boons. She sits on a grand lion and is defined with four hands.
7. GODDESS KAALRATRI
7th day of Navratri is of Goddess Kalratri. As per legends she sacrificed her skin color and embraced a dark complexion to kill demons. She is a four-armed deity who rides a donkey, carries a sword, a trident, and a noose. She has a third eye on her forehead that is believed to contain the entire universe. She is well-known by the names of Kali Maa and Kalratri. She has four hands. Right hand in Abhaya Mudra and Vardara Mudra and sword and iron hook in the left hand.
8. GODDESS MAHAGAURI
The eight-day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri. She is a four-armed deity who rides on a bull or a white elephant. She carries a Trishul and a damru in her hands. She is regarded as the most graceful form among the nine forms. Her beauty glows like pearl purity. She keeps her right hand in the pose of alleviating suffering and trident in the lower right hand. Her upper left arm holds tambourine and the lower left provides blessings.
9. GODDESS SIDDHIDATRI
The final or 9th day of Navratri is of Goddess Siddhidhatri. She is projected as a four-armed deity sitting on a lotus, holding a mace, discus, and a book and lotus in her hands. This form of Goddess Durga signifies perfection.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Durga Navmi!
I hope you and your kids will like it.
Describe to your kids the Nine Forms of Maa Durga
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