Chaitra Navratri 2024: Decoding nine days of worship to Maa Durga's multiple incarnations

Day 1 - Maa Shailputri

The first form of Maa Durga, Shailputri means the daughter of mountains. She rides a bull holding Trishul in one hand and Lotus in the other.

Day 2 - Maa Brahmacharini

The second day of Navratri is for the second form of Maa Durga. She is known for the achran of a Yogi, thus called Devi Yogini or Tapasvini.

Day 3 - Maa Chandraghanta

The third day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta. With a crescent moon on her forehead, she rides on a tiger.

Day 4 - Maa Kushmanda

Maa Kushmanda is the fourth form of Goddess Durga. Her name is derived from three splits of her name, which are Ku meaning little, Ushma meaning warmth and anda meaning egg.

Day 5 - Skand Mata

Worshipped as the fifth form of Goddess Durga, she is also known as Panchami. She is the mother of Skanda other name of Lord Kartikeya, thus justifying her name.

Day 6 - Maa Katyayani

Maa Katyayani, the sixth form of Goddess Durga, is known as the warrior goddess. She is considered one of the most violent forms, and is the daughter of Sage Katyayan.

Day 7 - Maa Kaalratri

The Seventh Day of Navratri is of Goddess Kaalratri. As per the Hindu scriptures, she sacrificed her skin complexion to kill demons.

Day 8 - Maa Mahagauri

The Eighth Day of Navratri, known as Durga-Ashtami, is the day of Goddess Mahagauri. She rides a bull or sometimes a white elephant.

Day 9 - Maa Siddhidatri

The Ninth and final day of the Navratri is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri. She, as the form of Goddess Durga, signifies perfection.