Navratri thread: Ma Durga Information - Page 7

Durga Puja begins on the day ofPratipadaand ends on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha. This festival is celebrated twice a year i.e on first onChaitra month and second onAshwin month. Chaitra Navratra is also known as Varshik Navratra and Ashwin Navratra is called Sharidya Navratra. On the ninth day of the Navratra, Kanya Pujan is performed according to the rituals described in the Shastras. One improves his fortune by worshipping one girl child and salvation by worshipping two girls on this day. By worshipping 3 girls, one gets the devout mind and wealth, treasure by worshipping 4 girls, wisdom and success by worshipping 5 girls, six kind of achievements by worshipping 6 girls, kingdom by worshipping 7 girls, wealth and prosperity by worshipping 8 girls and domination of earth by worshipping 9 girls. Girls up to 10 years of age are worshipped in Kanya Pujan.

Rituals to perform Puja

Kanya Pujan is performed on Ashtami and Navami days of the Navratra. On the ninth day unmarried girls between the age of 2-10 years are invited to have food. Girls who are older than 10 years of age are not considered for this Pooja. The number of the girls should be 9 in total equivalent to nine forms of the goddess or there should be at least 2 girls present while performing the Kanya Pujan.

First of all, the feet of the girls are washed with water and are made to sit in a row on a pedestal. The girls are worshipped by chanting the Mantras. Then, Kumkum is applied on the forehead of all the girls followed by tying kaleva on their hands. Halwa, Puri and black grams are served to them. Once the girls finish eating the prasad the devotee touch their feet to get the blessings. Then give them some kind of dakshina before departing them. Goddess Durga gets pleased when the devotee performs Kanya Pujan with proper rituals and gives him freedom from all the troubles in his life.

Maa Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess Durga worshiped in Navaratri. The last among the nine forms of Maa Shakti is Goddess Siddhidatri who is worshiped on the ninth or final day of Navratri. 'Siddhi' is a Sanskrit term which means 'perfection'. Goddess Siddhidatri has four arms. She holds a Chakra in her right lower hand and a mace in the upper. In the left lower hand there is a conch and in her upper left hand a lotus flower. She is seated on a lotus flower with the lion as her mount.

The Goddess Siddhidatri is capable of giving all sorts of occult powers and is also the possessor of 26 different wishes to grant her worshipers. All these achievements [Siddhi], which according to the Markandaye Purana:- Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakaamya, Ishitva and Vashitva are 8 siddhis. As per the Brahmavaivart Purana there are 18 types of achievements which are Anima, Mahima, Garima, Ladhima, Prapti, Prakaamya, Ishitva,Vashitva, Sarvakaamaal, Saadhita, Sarvagynatva, DurShravana, Parkaayapraveshan, VakaSiddhi, Kalpavrushatva, Shrishti, Samharkaransaamarthya, Amaratva, Sarvanyayakatva, Bhavana and Siddhi.

Legend has it that the Supreme God Shiva got all these 'siddhis' by worshiping Maha Shakti. With her gratitude the half body of Shiva became that of the Goddess Shakti and therefore he also came to be called as 'Ardhanarishvar'. Dev, Danav, Gandharva, Kinnar, Yaksh, Manav, all do worship Maa Siddhidaatri and attain achievements. Maa Durga removes ignorance and she provides the knowledge to realize That or Brahman. That is why She is surrounded by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Demons and Gods who are worshiping her. The Siddhi that she provides is the realization that everything is Supreme Being or Brahman. If a "sadhaka" worships in the prescribed manner with his full faith he acquires all "Siddhis" and nothing remains unattainable from him in the universe.

sadaa bhooyaath siddhidaa Siddhidaayini Siddhidatri dhyana ll

What is Navratri (Nav Durga)?

Navratri (Nav Durga) is a nine-day festival of Hindus to honor the Mother Goddess. This celebration occurs twice a year: first in the spring, during March/April, and then another in the fall, during September/October based on the lunar cycle "Navratri is not just a time to celebrate and of joy but is to attain Everlasting happiness, Peace and Anandam (Bliss) through self-discipline, self-control, and sacrifice. It is Nine Days of Living in Mother Goddess Consciousness and Experiencing Her Grace. Love.

How do people celebrate the festival?

Different types of pujas and ceremonies are performed by different communities on each of the nine days. Many people (Hindus) observe fasting; eating only fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. They do specific sadhana, prayers, practice celibacy, and visit temples. Many temples, as well as people in their homes, offer special prayer programs with singing and music throughout the night, called "Jagran." On the final day, young girls up to age nine are worshipped as goddesses and given gifts as an offering of gratitude to mother goddess for her blessings. It is believed that at that age the girls have pure energy like mother goddess. In some parts of India, the idol of the Goddess Durga is immersed in the holy rivers on the tenth day (Dashehra).

What is the significance of Navratri (Nav Durga)?

The festival signifies the nine glorious aspects of the Divine Mother and is celebrated for nine days, not only in India but in many parts of the world.

Mother Goddess is also called Shakti, the energy of God. She is the energy of the Trinity, as the creative aspect of Lord Brahma, sustaining aspect of Lord Vishnu, and destructive aspect of Lord Shiva are all encompassed within Her.

The Divine Trinity of Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati together represent feminine energy that provides protection, love, prosperity, and knowledge to all their devotees. Goddess Durga is known to remove evil, misery, and pain from our lives. Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of Wealth and Goddess Saraswati is also known as the Goddess of Knowledge. Nav Durga is therefore a special time to worship and sing the glories of the Goddesses, and pray for good health, prosperity, purity of mind, love, peace, and Anandam/bliss. As large numbers of people pray during this time, the collective energy becomes very powerful and it is said that the prayers offered are often heard by the Goddesses.

Who is Durga Maa?

Durga Maa, the symbol of Pure Love, Pure Energy (Divine Shakti) and Light within (Jyoti).

Durga Maa, the Supreme Goddess, is a symbol of Pure Love, Courage (Shakti), Light within and Bliss. Sherepresents the power of the Supreme Being that preserves moral order and righteousness in the creation. The Sanskrit word Durga means fort or a place that is protected and thus difficult to reach. Durga, also called Divine Shakti, protects mankind from evil and misery by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, and ego. She is referred to as Universal Mother and the mother of Ganesh. Sometimes she is also referred to as Parvati, She is also known as Maha-mayi (Great, Terrific) because she is a composite goddess of different elements of many Gods and Goddesses. Durga Maa is depicted as a warrior woman with eight hands carrying weapons of almost all the Devas, assuming mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, and riding a lion or a tiger.