Navadurga. jai Mata di Navadurga (Sanskrit: नवदुग, lit. Nine forms of Durga), are nine manifestations of the Goddess Durga in Hinduism, especially worshipped during the festival of Navratri where each of the nine manifested forms are consecutively venerated throughout all the nine nights. The nine manifested forms of Goddess Durga are: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidhatri. Etymology and Iconography Each manifestation of godess Durga of is known by her respective name, governing planet, iconography, mantra for invocation (usually repeated 108 times at each sitting during the period of Navratri), dedicated day of Navratri worship and respective prayers. Shailaputri About: After self-immolation in Her form as Sati, the Mother Goddess took birth in the house of King of Mountains, as the daughter of Lord Himalaya. Etymology: Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountain (shaila) Day of worship: 1st day of Navratri Governing planet: Moon Mantra: Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah ॐ देवी शैलपुयैनमः॥ Iconography: Devi Shailaputri is depicted with two hands and has a crescent moon on her forehead. She holds a trident in her right hand & a lotus flower in the left. She rides on mount Nandi (bull). Brahmacharini About: After the Kushmanda form, the Mother Goddess took birth at the home of Daksha Prajapati, as his daughter, Sati, who was born to marry Shiva. This unmarried form of the Mother Goddess is worshipped as Brahmacharini. Day of worship: 2nd day of Navratri Governing planet: Mars Mantra: Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah ॐ देवी चारयैनम Iconography: Walks on bare feet, carrying a japa mala in Her right hand and a kamandalu in Her left hand. Chandraghanta About: Goddess Chandraghanta is the married form of the Mother Goddess following on from Shailputri and Mahagauri. After getting married to Shiva, Goddess Mahagauri started adorning her forehead with a half moon(Chandra) shaped like a bell(Ghanta) due to which, she became known as Goddess Chandraghanta. Day of worship: 3rd day of Navratri Governing planet: Venus Mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah ॐ देवी चघटायैनम Iconography: Goddess Chandraghanta mounts the tigress. She wears the semi-circular moon(Chandra) on her forehead. The half-moon on her forehead looks like the bell(Ghanta) and hence, Her name. She is depicted with ten hands. Goddess Chandraghanta carries Trishul, Gada, sword and kamandalu in Her four left hands and keeps the fifth left hand in Varadamudra. She carries a lotus flower, arrow, Dhanush and Japa Mala in Her four right hands and keeps the fifth right hand in Abhaya Mudra. Special powers: This form of the Mother Goddess is ready for war with all her weapons, to protect the peace and welfare of Her devotees. It is believed that the sound of the moon-bell on her forehead drives all types of evil away from Her devotees. Kushmanda About: After taking the form of Siddhidatri, the Mother Goddess started living within the Sun thereby liberating the Sun's energy to the universe. Since then, this form of the Goddess has been known as Kushmanda, namely for her power and capability to live inside the Sun. The glow and radiance of her body is as luminous as that of the Sun. Day of worship: 4th day of Navratri Governing planet: Sun Mantra: Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah ॐ देवी कूमाडायैनम Iconography: Rides on a lioness and has eight hands. She holds a kamandalu, Dhanush, Bada and Kamal in Her right hands. Her left hands hold Amrit Kalash(pot of nectar), japa mala(prayer beads), Gada and Chakra - in that order. Specific power: She created the universe in the flash of Her smile and is believed to bestow siddhis(supernatural powers) and niddhis(wealth) to Her devotees. Skandamata About: In her form as mother of the God of War, Lord Skanda(also known as Kartikeya), she is known as Goddess Skandamata. Day of worship: 5th day of Navratri Governing planet: Mercury Mantra: Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah ॐ देवी कदमातायैनम Iconography: Goddess Skandamata mounts the ferocious lion. She carries baby 