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Navratri: Origin Story Of Nav Durga & Dhyan

In Navratri, all the nine days belong to these nine Devi, each day for each Devi -- first day starts for Devi ShailPutri and ninth day ends with Devi SiddhiDatri. All these Devi are Durga Herself, that's why they are called Nav Durga.

I tried to write about each one, I think during Navratri this may help you in building an image of all the nine Nav Durga in your mind.

1) ShailPutri / शैल-पुत्री

Story: GiriRaj Himalaya did a very hard Tapasya for Devi to take birth as his daughter -- that's why Devi is called ShailPutri (Shail, refers to Himalaya + Putri, means daughter). Kurma Purana has this story in detail.
Dhyan: I salute to the Devi Who wears half-moon on Her Head, rides on Taurus (वृष-वाहिनी) and holds a Trident (शूल-धारिणी).

2) BrahmCharini / ब्रह्म-चारिणी 

Story: She exists in Vedas, and helps a Sadhak to attain Brahm (Moksha) -- that's why this Devi is called BrahmCharini.
Dhyan: I salute to the Devi Who carries Rudraksha Mala and Kamandal in Her hands.

3) ChandraGhanta /चन्द्र-घण्टा 

Story: She is more beautiful and pleasing than Chandrama (Moon), that's why She is called ChandraGhanta, and it is also said that in Her Ghanta, Chandrama has its place. Now you can assume the splendour of a Devi who carries a Chandrama.
Dhyan: I salute to the Devi Who rides on a Lion (व्याघ्र-बाहिनी) and hold Shastras (Vedas) and Astras (weapons).

4) Kushmanda / कूष्माण्डा 

Story: There are three kinds of Tapa -- Dehik, Devik, and Bhotik. She possesses all of them. And for providing protection to Her devotees (by finishing negative impacts / energies), She is called Kushmanda. 
Dhyan: I salute to the Devi Who carries Kushmand (घड़ा) in her hand.

5) SkandMata / स्कन्द-माता 

Story: She is the mother of "Skanda" that's why She is called Skandmata.
Dhyan: I salute to the Devi Who rides on a Lion, holds a lotus flower in Her hand and is a mother of the Skanda.

6) Katyayana / कात्यायनी

Story: Katyayan rishi got Her as his daughter -- that's why She is being called Katyayani.
Dhyan: I salute to the Devi Who holds shining sword in Her hand, rides on a Lion and kills demons.

7) KalRatri / काल-रात्रि

Story: She can even kill to the death itself, Her power of destruction is so great that She can finish anything. 
Dhyan:I salute to the Devi Who is black in colour like a blue lotus, looks terrible and powerful, and Her voice is like a thunder.

8) MahaGauri /महा-गौरी

Story: It is written in Kali Purana that Devi Parvati was little dark in colour so Shiv Ji made fun of Her by saying "Kali." At this, Devi Parvati turned Herself up in a beautiful white color and was called, MahaGauri.
Dhyan: I salute to the Devi Who rides on a Taurus wears white clothes and is pleasing to the Mahadev.

9) SiddhiDatri / सिद्धिदा

Story:  She gives all kinds of Siddhis (expertise) that's why She is called SiddhiDatri.
Dhyan: I salute to the Devi Who is worshipped by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Asuras and Devatas, and pray Her to give me the Siddhis I deserve.


Navadurga
Image Credit:ShotgunMavericks, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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