Auspicious Nine Nights apiece Mata....

 Hello everyone, welcome back once again this is Snigdhaa and today we are going to talk about something very special...

Well... I think you all guessed it, yeah, I am talking about the Navratri..

We all are aware that, because of this situation which is prevailing currently we all are unable to enjoy this festival and are bound to stay at home... But it's ok, this time we are going to stay home but going to learn or recall about this auspicious festival...

So, come on in....

In this modern world we all enjoy the festivals, but most of us are forgetting something, yes the story behind these festivals... So let's know the story behind Navratri.. The story goes like this..

Legend has it that the demon king Mahishasura was granted immortality by Lord Brahma, the condition  were that he could only be defeated by a woman.

Mahishasura attacked all the three spheres, namely, Trilok, which includes Earth, Heaven and Hell, and nobody could defeat him. Then Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva combined their powers to create Goddess Durga.

What ensued was a 15-day log battle between Mahishasura and Goddes Durga, during which the demon king kept changing his form to confuse the goddess. When Mahishasura turned into a buffalo, Goddess Durga slayed him with her trishul. It was the day of Mahalaya when Mahishasura was killed. 

And this battle was a sign of good over the evil..

Now I am sure you are aware of the story behind but now let's talk about it's significance..

During this festival families, relatives, friends, everyone get together to celebrate it as per their tradition. In Gujarat,Garba and dandiya is played during the festival and mostly people fast and spend their time in prayer.

In the East of India the festival is celebrated as Durga Puja while in the North, Ram Leela, a visual retelling of the Ramayana is held and the nine days end with Dussehra during which straw effigies of Ravana are burnt to depict the victory of good over evil.

Lastly let's have a glance in all the avatars of Mata, during these 9 days..

1. Shailaputri

It means the daughter of the mountains, she is known with different names at different places like, Sati, Bhavani, Parvati, and Hemwati. 

2.Brahmacharini

She is the Maa of austerity and penance as her name Brahmacharini represents the female who practices Brahmacharya (renunciation from worldly pleasures).

3.Chandraghanta

She adorned her forehead with the half-moon after marrying Lord Shiva. She mounts on a tigress and is described with ten hands and three eyes.

4.Kushmanda

Deity Kushmanda possesses the power to live inside the blazing sun, hence the name Kushmanda. Having a luminous body as that of the sun, she is credited to create a world with her divine and radiant smile.

5.Skandamata

Skandamata- mother of the war God Skanda (Kartikey). She rides ferocious lion and carries Lord Skanda(infant) in her lap. 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.Katyayani

Katyayani also adored as Mahalaxmi. Katyayani was born to destroy bull demon Mahishasura. 

7.Kalaratri

Maa with a dark complexion, furious soul, and a fearless posture. Her big red eyes, sticking out blood-red tongue and sobre on hand makes her the Goddess of death. Also, she is well-known by the names of Kali Maa and Kalratri.

8.Mahagauri

It is regarded as the most graceful form among the navaforms. Her beauty glows like pearl purity. Being the Goddess of purity, cleanliness, endurance, and peace, her worshipper's flaws and mistakes are burnt to ashes. 

9.  Siddhidharti

She possesses natural healing powers. She sits in a blissfully happy and enchanting pose. She is the Goddess Siddhidharti either journeys on a lotus or a tiger or lion.

Well, I think it is enough for today...

Will meet soon, bye, 

STAY HOME,STAY SAFE...

And Happy Navratri....

                                                        ~Snigdhaa Singh