Navadurga (, ), also spelled Navdurga and Navadurgas, are nine manifestations and forms of Durga in Hinduism, especially worshipped during Navaratri and Durga Puja. They are often considered collectively as a single deity, mainly among the followers of Shaktism and Shaivism sect of Hinduism.
According to Hindu mythology, the nine forms are considered the nine stages of Durga during the nine-day long duration of the war with demon-king Mahishasura, where the tenth day is celebrated as the Vijayadashami () among the Hindus and is considered as one of the most important festivals.
1. | Nandi (bull) | Parvati in her stage of childhood with the divine and principal form being Durga | ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः | She is adorned with light ornamentation on her limbs and was clothed in red and pink robes. She has two hands both holding a trident and lotus. She is seated upon the behind of a white bull. | ||
2. | None | Durga in her phase of asceticism. | ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नम: | She is dressed as a female ascetic and is adorned by dried-up Rudraksha and flowers as her ornamentation. She has two hands, both of which carried a rosary and a water utensil. | ||
3. | Tiger | Durga in the form of Shaktism. | ॐ देवी चंद्रघण्टायै नम: | She has ten hands, nine of them are armed by a trident, mace, bow, arrow, lotus, sword, bell and a waterpot, while one other hand blesses her devotees. She is seated upon a fierce tiger. | ||
4. | | rowspan="3" Lion | Durga in the form of Maha Shakti. | ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं कूष्मांडायै नम: | She has eight hands, six of which held a discus, mace, lotus, bow, and arrow in one hand, sword and rosary and the two other hands carried a jar of honey and waterpot. She is mounted upon the back of a lion. | ||
5. | Durga in her stage of motherhood. | ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नम: | She has four hands, two of which held lotuses, the third holding her son, the six-headed infant Kartikeya seated on her lap, and the fourth saves her devotees. She is seated upon the back of a lion. | |||
6. | Durga in the warrior stage, ready to fight any Asura. | ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नम: | She is adorned with heavy ornamentation on her limbs and is dressed in green and pink vestments. Her four hands each carried a sword, shield, lotus and trident. She's seen seated on a fearsome lion. | |||
7. | Donkey | Durga in her form of destruction. | ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नम: | She has three bloodshot eyes, unkempt hairs, and wears a garland of skulls around her neck, which shone like lightning. Her four hands all held a trident, scimitar, vajra, and a cup. She is seated upon the behind of a donkey as her vehicle mount. | ||
8. | Ox | Durga in her form of recovery. | ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नम: | She has four hands, three of which carried a trident, mini-drum, and a pink lotus while her one hand promised her devotees protection. She is seated upon a white ox. | ||
9. | Lotus | Durga in her stage of reaching her highest and supreme form as Mahashakti. | ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं सिद्धिदात्र्यै नम: | Each of her four hands carried a discus, conch shell, pink lotus and a mace. She is seated upon a fully bloomed lotus. |
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