Each of the nine days of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of the Goddess. From Shailputri to Siddhidatri — learn each form, mantra and offering.
Navdurga — Nine Forms, One Shakti
Navratri is the supreme festival of Shakti worship in Hinduism. Nine days, nine nights, nine goddesses. This is not merely a religious celebration — it is a sadhana in which the practitioner's consciousness moves through nine levels of divine power toward ultimate awareness.
The Navdurga are: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
Day 1 — Shailputri
Daughter of Himalaya, the Lord of Mountains. Her mount is the bull (Vrishabha). She holds a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left. She presides over the Muladhara chakra.
Mantra: "Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Shailputri rupena samsthita." Prasad: cow's ghee and jaggery.
Days 2 and 3 — Brahmacharini and Chandraghanta
Brahmacharini is the goddess of austerity and sadhana. White robes, rudraksha mala, kamandal and japa mala. She is the power of the Swadhisthana chakra. Day 3 honours Chandraghanta — who bears a crescent moon on her brow and symbolises valour and heroism.
Brahmacharini prasad: sugar and mishri (rock candy). Chandraghanta prasad: milk and milk sweets.
Days 4 through 6
Kushmanda (Day 4): creator of the universe, eight arms, radiant as the sun. Prasad: malpua. Skandamata (Day 5): mother of Kartikeya, seated on a white lotus. Prasad: banana.
Katyayani (Day 6): daughter of Maharishi Katyayan, the slayer of Mahishasura. Prasad: honey. She is especially propitious for marriage — unmarried women worship her with special devotion.
Days 7–9 — Kalaratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri
Kalaratri (Day 7): the goddess of dark nights. Dark-complexioned, fiery eyes, carrying vajra and kanta weapon. She destroys all fears. Prasad: jaggery. Mahagauri (Day 8): pure white, supremely peaceful. Prasad: coconut.
Siddhidatri (Day 9): granter of all siddhis — Anima, Mahima, Garima and the eight supernatural powers. Prasad: sesame seeds. On Navami, Navratri concludes with Havan and Kanya Pujan.