Chaitra Navratri – From Shakti to Ram
The chilling winter has ended, and it is when the cuckoo sings on mango trees. Yes, the spring season has arrived, and the scorching hot summer is fast approaching. According to the Hindu Lunar Calendar, it is the first month, Chaitra.
The Chaitra month falls mostly during the March and April months of the English calendar. It is considered the first month of the Hindu Calendar, so basically we celebrate the Hindu New Year around this time. Also, Hindus celebrate several important festivals during this first month. The most important one is Chaitra Navaratri.
We pray and take the blessings of Maa Durga on these nine days. Many people even fast on these nine days or survive only on fruits and dairy. Devotees conduct cleaning of the puja place and maintain extreme purity at homes while celebrating this auspicious festival of Shakti.
Each day, a new form of Shakti is welcomed to pray, which denotes different aspects of life.
Let us discuss them one by one.
Shailputri
Devi Parvati is the daughter of Himalaya. So, she is called ‘Shail’, meaning mountain, and ‘Putri’, meaning daughter.
Brahmacharini
As Devi attained wisdom, she went into deep meditation to win over Mahadev. So, she is called Brahmacharini
Chandraghanta
When Devi got married and arrived on Kailash with Mahadev, she took charge of taking care of the place. She started praying Mahadev properly at her puja place with Shankh, dhoop and loud volume of Ghanta. The loud vibrations of Ghanta kept all negativities away from the auspicious Kailash. So, she was named Chandraghanta.
Kushmanda
She is the one who gave birth to all the living beings on the planet. The story says that one day Devi was roaming in the garden, and with each smile, a new living being took birth on Earth. This form of Devi is prayed to as Devi Kushmanda.
Skandmata
While Shakti is the Mother of the universe, in her personal life, she first became the mother of Kartikeya or Skanda. So, she is also known as Skandmata.
R
Katyayni
Devi Katyani is the avatar of Devi Parvati when she took birth again to become the daughter of Rishi Katyan. She is the warrior goddess who killed the demon Mahishasur. She is the Devi who is also prayed to as Devi Durga.
Kalratri
Kalratri is one of the fiercest forms of Devi Parvati. She came to kill the uncontrollable demons Shumb, Nishumb, and Raktbeej.
Mahagauri
As per the stories, after the continuous fight with different demons, Devi took a dip in Ganga. Soon, her dark skin got healed and she attained a much fairer skin with a golden hue. Due to her beautiful aura, she was named Mahagauri.
Siddhidatri
Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Devi Adishakti. It is said that she is the one who bestowed the tridev, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, with extreme powers.
Ram Navami
On the ninth day of Chaitra Navrati, when we worship the ninth form of Shakti, Devi Siddhidatri, we also celebrate Ram Navami. It is the pious day when Lord Rama took birth to bless the world.
It seems an astral moment when Shakti reminds us of the power within, while Maryada Purushottam Raja Ram teaches us how to control this power and divert it towards good.
