She is loving. She is giving. She is powerful as well as fierce. Maa Durga, in Her many manifestations, is revered during the nine day auspicious period of Navratri. These nine days are dedicated to the nine forms of the Goddess. She is Durga, Gauri, Shakti, Kaali. These are only some of Her many avatars. In every avatar, she embodies a woman’s different emotion. Just like a woman, the Goddess fulfills various roles.
In Her first manifestation, She is a daughter. Devi Shailputri, who is worshipped on the first day of Navratri, was the daughter of Lord Himalaya. She was born as Goddess Parvati in his home. In Sanskrit, shail means mountain and hence She is called Shailputri. On the second day of Navratri, Her maiden, unmarried form is worshipped as Devi Brahmacharini. She did strict penance in order to marry Lord Shiva. She represents piousness. She walks bare feet and holds a jap mala in one hand and a kamandala in the other. In the form of Maa Chandraghanta, the Goddess represents a married woman. She is peaceful and serene but can be fierce if provoked. She bears a half-moon on her forehead and hence called Chandraghanta.
Maa Kushmanda, the fourth manifestation of the Goddess, exudes radiance. She is the creator. She resided within the Sun and dispelled light and energy in the entire universe. She is as luminescent as the Sun. The next form represents the mother. Skandamata, as the name suggests, means the mother of Skanda (Lord Kartikeya). As a devoted mother, She carries Lord Kartikeya in Her lap, protecting Him. She represents the motherly side of a woman and blesses those who worship Her. By worshipping Her, the devotees get the benefit of worshipping Lord Kartikeya as well. She took the form of a warrior Goddess to kill the demon Mahishasur as Goddess Katyayani. She represents a fierce form of Maa Durga who takes it upon Herself to remove evil. She was born to Katyayana Rishi and therefore called Katyayani. She represents courage, strength, knowledge and the victory of good over evil.
In Her seventh manifestation, Maa Durga is the most ferocious. In this avatar, she is worshipped as Maa Kaalratri. She took this avatar to annihilate the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh. In this form, Her appearance itself invokes fear. Her hair are open and complexion is almost black. Even though She is fierce, She blesses Her devotees and makes them courageous. Her eighth manifestation is that of Devi Mahagauri. As the name suggests, Mahagauri means extremely white. She is extremely fair complexioned in this form. She fulfills the desires of Her devotees.
In the ninth and final form, Maa Durga is revered as Maa Siddhidatri. She bestows all forms of siddhis or powers to Her devotees and fulfills their desires.
Navratri is the celebration of Devi. It invokes Her power and strength in various forms. She can be a mother, a daughter, a destroyer or a giver. She is undefeated and invincible. She invokes fear as well as blesses. She is concerned about the well-being of Her devotees and protects them. She bestows upon them, health, wealth, prosperity and success.