Table of Content
- Shailputri
- Brahmacharini
- Chandraghanta
- Kushmanda
- Skandamata
- Katyayani
- Katyayani
- Mahagauri
- Siddhidatri
Amongst the many festivals celebrated in India, Durga Puja is one of the most widely revered festivals in the country. A Hindu festival, Durga Puja, celebrates the divine feminine energy of the Goddess Durga and is carried out by worshipping the goddess with grandeur. She is the embodiment of feminine power, courage, bravery, protection, motherhood, as well as, destruction. The goddess Durga is also known as Maa Shakti–the cosmic divine energy which is responsible for the working of the Universe.
Durga Puja is a festival in the Hindu religion that celebrates feminine power. It helps one look at femininity with a unique perspective, devoid of the sexist narratives that may exist in our societies. It empowers women and men to regard the feminine quality within everyone with esteem and admiration.
The festival of Durga Puja is celebrated by worshipping the nine incarnations of the goddess Durga, and hence this period is known as Navratri.
Typically, according to the Hindu calendar, a total of five Navratris take place in a year, each time with a different pivot to them. These five Navratris are as follows: Chaitra, Ashadha, Sharad, Paush, and the Magh Navratri. Of these, the Chaitra and the Sharad Navratris are widely celebrated, all-over the country, with much pomp and splendour. The rest of the three Navratris, are categorically called the Gupt Navratris. The word ‘gupt’ literally translates to hidden and thus, the rituals and the worship during these are rather secretive.
The Sharad Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri, is the festival where Durga Puja is of great essence. It usually occurs during the Ashwin month of the Hindu lunar calendar (roughly during the months of September-October).
This grand festival celebrates the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It is especially celebrated with great joy and vigour in the capital city of West Bengal–Kolkata. The city is lit during these nine days in honour of goddess Durga, and huge installations, called Pandals, are erected on the streets of the city, with the Pratima (clay idol) of the goddess situated inside, for the devotees to worship. What is more interesting is that, while in north and west India, the people do not even consume onion or garlic during this festival; in east India, the people who celebrate Durga Puja offer non-vegetarian Prasad (a religious offering in the form of food and water) to the goddess.
Lalabagan Nabankur Pandal
Amongst the Bengali tradition, many devotees also perform the Dhunuchi dance. It is a unique traditional dance specially done while paying respect to the goddess Durga, in West Bengal. It is performed with a clay incense burner, which is called Dhunuchi in Bengali, held in one or both hands of the performer. The rhythmic movements of this dance, coupled with the aroma of the incense add a divine mystical quality to the celebration of this festival.
The Story of Mahishasurmardini
Glory of Goddess Durga: Bengal Pattachitra painting by Manoranjan Chitrakar
The goddess Durga is also known as Mahishasurmardini by her Hindu devotees. The name ‘Mahishasurmardini’ literally translates as ‘the slayer of Mahishasura’. Mahishasura was a demon, whom the goddess Durga had slain, signifying the victory of good over evil. This is the underlying message of the Durga Puja festival.
The story of goddess Durga defeating the demon Mahishasura is a riveting one, and is narrated in the Hindu text Markandeya Puran.
Mahishasura was the child of the demon-king Rhumba and a female buffalo–Mahishi. The name ‘Mahishasura’ is derived from two words, where ‘Mahisha’ means buffalo and ‘asura’ means demon.
Mahishasura grew up to become a very power-hungry tyrant. In his quest to become the most powerful, he decided to do penance and pray to the god Brahma, the Creator. After a rigorous and long process of penance, Lord Brahma appeared, pleased with Mahishasura’s perseverance. The god, in his benevolent mood, granted a boon to Mahishasura and told him that no one, other than a woman, could defeat him. Mahishasura, drunk with power, deigned women to be too weak to do any harm to him and thus, set off wreaking havoc on Earth as well as the Deva Lok (the realm of gods).
Overpowered by the destruction and chaos caused by Mahishasura, all the gods of Deva Lok resolved to go to the Trimurti (the three gods), Brahma (The Creator), Vishnu (The Preserver), and Shiva (The Destroyer). The three gods together, in all their divine power, created the goddess Durga.
With all the knowledge and qualities bestowed to her by the three gods, goddess Durga was also given a Trishul (trident) by Lord Shiva, Sudarshan Chakra (a divine discus) by Lord Vishnu, and a lotus by Lord Brahma. The goddess then embarked on her journey to confront and defeat Mahishasura.
A nine day long, intense battle ensued between the goddess and the demon, where Mahishasura took many forms like buffalo, elephant, etc. in order to deceive the goddess.
In the end, however, the goddess was successful in destroying the demon and killing him with a Trishul.
The festival of Durga Puja is broadly based on this legend of the goddess Durga. Devotees worship all the nine incarnations of the goddess, and on the tenth day Vijayadashami is celebrated, where ‘Vijay’ means victory.
Listed below briefly, are the nine incarnations of the goddess Durga:
Shailputri
The goddess Shailputri is known to be the daughter of the Himalayas. She is understood to have been goddess Sati in her previous life, who was the consort of Lord Shiva. She represents strength, patience, and devotion, as in her birth as Shailputri, she continued her admiration and devotion for Lord Shiva. People worship her on the first day of the nine-day festival to invoke strength and dedication.
Brahmacharini
After being born as Shailputri, the goddess realised that she had to perform severe penance in order to marry Lord Shiva. Therefore, she set out to perform strict austerities and penance for thousands of years, surviving only on leaves. With a rosary in one hand and a water utensil (Kamandalu) in the other, while also performing such acts of worship, the goddess came to be known as Brahmacharini. Pleased with her penance and meditation, Lord Brahma appeared and granted her the boon of becoming Lord Shiva’s consort in this lifetime as well.
Brahmacharini is thus associated with purity, asceticism, perseverance, and dedication. People worship her on the second day of the Navratri, and invoke these qualities for themselves.
Chandraghanta
Goddess Chandraghanta represents the form of the goddess after her marriage to Lord Shiva. She is depicted riding a tiger with an adornment of a half-moon shaped bell on her forehead. This goddess is believed to embody courage, fearlessness, harmony, and also known for dispelling negativity.
On the third day of the Navratri, goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped by the people for bringing grace, harmony, peace, and courage into their lives.
Kushmanda
The goddess Kushmanda is believed to be the creator of the universe. It is said that when the universe did not exist and there was only void, goddess Kushmanda appeared and through her mere smile, the birth of the universe took place. She is revered as the goddess of creativity and energy. The name ‘Kushmanda’ can be broken down with ‘ku’ meaning small, ‘ushma’ meaning light or energy, and ‘anda’ meaning the cosmic egg. Thus, the goddess Kushmanda is believed to have been the maker of the cosmic egg through which the universe began.
She is said to reside in the core of the sun, and is associated with being a nurturer.
Worshipping the goddess on the fourth day of Navratri is believed to bring good health, prosperity, and energy into one’s life.
Skandamata
The goddess Skandamata is the mother of Kartikeya (the god of war and the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati). She is a form of goddess Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva) and represents the protective and nurturing nature associated with motherhood.
She is depicted as holding her infant son on her lap and riding a lion.
Worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri, devotees pray for the safety and welfare of their families from her.
Katyayani
Demolishing the Demon: Goddess Durga’s Kalighat portrayal by Uttam Chitrakar
The goddess Katyayni is known to be the most popular incarnation of the goddess Durga. She was born as the daughter of the sage Katyayan, after a long penance. As mentioned above, when the asura Mahishasura terrorised Earth as well as the Deva Lok, the goddess Katyayani waged a war against him. She was victorious in slaying the demon and bringing about peace.
On the sixth day of Navratri, this goddess is worshipped for her immense power. She is especially venerated by unmarried women, in order to find an ideal partner for themselves, as the goddess also represents might and virtuousness.
Kalaratri
Maa Kaai with her devotees in Bengal Pattachitra by Laila Chitrakar
The goddess Kalaratri is worshipped on the seventh day of the Navratri and is known to be the fiercest form of the goddess Durga. She is widely known as the destroyer of darkness, negative energies, and all evil. Her image is also depicted in a fearsome manner, possessing a dark complexion, dark and messy long hair, holding a sickle-like weapon, and breathing fire. According to a Hindu legend, she is known to have slain the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.
The goddess is worshipped by devotees to eliminate fear, darkness, and negativity from their lives.
Mahagauri
Durga: Kavad Painting by Dwarka Prasad
On the eighth day of the Navratri, the goddess Mahagauri is worshipped. She is represented riding a bull, holding a trident and a drum. She embodies divine grace.
The story goes that after slaying the Demons, the body of Parvati was covered with dirt and soot. Lord Shiva then cleansed her body with water from the river Ganges. The radiant form of the goddess that was revealed after washing, came to be known as Mahagauri. She symbolises calmness, virtuousness, purity, and serenity.
Worshipping goddess Mahagauri grants devotees wisdom, peace, balance, and spiritual purity.
Siddhidatri
On the ninth and the last day of the Navratri, goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped. The name of the goddess derives from the words ‘Siddhi’ meaning knowledge or wisdom or supernatural powers and ‘Datri’ meaning the act of giving. Therefore, the goddess Siddhidatri is revered as the one who bestows immense wisdom, knowledge, and other supernatural powers. She is represented as sitting on a lotus, with all the gods, goddesses, sages and demons around her seeking her blessings.
According to religious accounts, after the creation of the universe, it was still incomplete. Lord Shiva then ardently worshipped the goddess Siddhidatri. She then blessed Lord Shiva by transforming half of his body as a woman. This form of Lord Shiva came to be known as Ardhanarishvara (half man-woman).
The goddess is thus known to symbolise the union of the male and female energies. She is worshipped by devotees for the fulfilment of their desires and enlightenment.
These various forms thus illuminate the many incarnations of the goddess Durga, and celebrate the divine feminine.
References
- “A Comprehensive Guide to Maa Durga Puja Rituals and Significance.” n.d. Www.cottage9.com. https://www.cottage9.com/blog/a-comprehensive-guide-to-maa-durga-puja-rituals-and-significance/.
- Batra, Nikhil. 2024. “What Are the Differences between Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri.” Jagranjosh.com. Jagran Josh. April 9, 2024. https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/differences-between-chaitra-and-sharad-navratri-1712652520-1.
- Cosentino, Simona. 2024. “Durga Puja Festival: Where It Originated and How It’s Celebrated.” The Conversation. October 7, 2024. https://theconversation.com/durga-puja-festival-where-it-originated-and-how-its-celebrated-240413.
- Sharma, Mahima. 2024. “Gupt Navratri 2024: When Is Magha Gupt Navratri? Know Date, Time and Its Significance.” The Times of India. Times Of India. February 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/gupt-navratri-2024-when-is-magha-gupt-navratri-know-date-time-and-its-significance/articleshow/107314265.cms.
- “The Story of Mahishasur | Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.” 2023. Maavaishnodevi.org. 2023. https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/blog/story-mahishasur.
- Vijayan, Vrinda. 2018. “Story of Goddess Durga (Mahishasura Mardini) for Children.”Medium. October 14, 2018. https://vrindavijayan.medium.com/story-of-goddess-durga-mahishasura-mardini-for-children-a6c99f882ea5.
- “WHAT IS NAVRATRI.” 2010. Navratrimanchester Festival. August 26, 2010. https://navratimanchester.wordpress.com/what-is-navratri/.
