Durga Maa Defeated Demons: Know Nine Navratri Related Beliefs

Navratri is a Sanskrit word that means Nine Nights. 

Nava means nine and Ratri means nights. 

It is the Hindu Festival of nine nights. It is observed in the honor of Devi Durga. In this festival, we worship the nine incarnations of Devi Durga. 

Durga means to sought out all the problems from life. There is another similar festival, also called Navratri, which is celebrated at various stages of the year.

Why Do We Celebrate Navratri

There is a story behind the Navratri festival that a battle occurred between the Maa Durga and a demon called Mahishasura. 

A long time ago, there was a wicked demon king called Mahesvasura, he wanted to be powerful and rule the three worlds. 

Therefore, he performed intense atonement to please Lord Bharama. when Lord Bharama was pleased and appeared before him then, king Mahesvasura asked a boon from Lord Bharama to be immortal that is to never die but Lord Bharama said whoever is born on the earth must die, this is a universal law you cannot escape that. 

King Mahesvasura thought for a while and said if I must die it should be in the hands of the woman. Lord Brahma agreed and granted him the boon.
Mahesvasura thought ‘ How can a woman kill a man. 

He became the most powerful person in the whole universe and he started to take advantage of his boon. 

He ordered his army to attack humans and the Gods in the Devlok. 

The king of Heaven called ‘Indra’ went to trimurtis called Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, and explained them the situation. By hearing that, they created a powerful woman with several hands to kill Maheshvasura. 

The day Goddess Durga killed the wicked demon Mahishvasura is celebrated as Vijay Dashmi, this day is also celebrated as a victory of good over evil

Meaning of Each Nine Days of Navratri

1. Devi Maa Shailputri – The first night of Navratri is devoted to the Maa "Shailputri"."Shaili" means mountains; Goddess Parvati is the daughter of the king of Mountains Himavan is known as "Shailputri". Her 2 hands occupy with a trident and a lotus. Her occupant is a bull.                                            
2. Devi Maa Brahmacharini - Maa Brahmacharini is a house of knowledge and wisdom. Her one hand holds Kumbha and the other one is the rosary. The identity of Maa Brahmacharini is love and loyalty. Rudraksha is her most adorned ornament.                                                                                    
3. Devi Maa Chandraghanta- The third-night worship is for the Devi Maa Chandraghanta. The meaning of Chandraghanta is half-moon shaped like a bell. She is always ready to do war from demons and her third eye always remains open.                                                                                            
4. Devi Maa Kushmanda - The 4th night is for the worship of Maa "Kushmanda", possessed of eight arms, holding weapons and a mala. Her mount is a tiger. "Kumbh Bhand" means to see cosmic vivacity in Pindi shape or knowledge of cosmic intricacies in the human race. The place of residence of Maa "Kushmanda" is in Bhimaparvat.                                                      
5. Devi Maa Skandamata – She uses a lion as a vehicle and She holds her son, "Skand" in her lap while displaying 3 eyes and 4 hands. Two hands hold lotuses while the other 2 hands display defending and granting gestures. By the blessings of Maa "Skandmata", even the idiot becomes an ocean of knowledge such as "Kalidas".                                                                         
6. Devi Maa Katyayani – The sixth day of Navratri is for Devi Maa Katyayani. She is the symbol of peace and intelligence and it is admissibility that the planet Brihaspati is governed by Goddess Katyayani.                                         
7. Devi Maa Kalaratri – seventh night is for Maa Kalaratri. This is supposed that Maa Kalaratri is the most dangerous Devi for the demons. She is the symbol of the fiercest and violent.                                                                            
8. Devi Maa Mahagauri – she has four arms with the fairest complexion of all the Durga Shaktis. Peace and compassion are the identities of Devi Maa Mahagauri and She is often dressed in a white or green sari. She holds a drum and a trident. Maa "Mahagauri’s famous temple is situated in Kankhal near pilgrim center Haridwar.                                                                        
9. Devi Maa Siddhidatri - She sits upon a lotus, has 4 arms, and is the possessor of 26 different wishes to grant Her bhaktas. Maa Siddhidatri's pilgrim center is located in Nanda Parvat in the Himalayas.

Written By: Lakshya Thakur

Edited By: Komal Jha