Ma Durga is worshipped in different forms. SHE is a form of "Shakti". The evolution of Shri Maha Saraswati, Shri Maha Laxmi and Shri Mahakali (the 3 main forms of "Shakti") took place from Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu and Shri Mahesh respectively. Each of these 3 deities gave rise to 3 more forms and hence in all, these 9 forms together are known as Nav-Durga .....
1. Ma Shailputri ..... Navratri commences with the 1st night devoted to the worship of Ma Shailputri. Shail means mountains; Parvati, the daughter of king of Mountains Himavan, is known as "Shailputri". HER 2 hands, display a trident and a lotus. SHE is mounted upon a bull
2. Ma Bhramcharni ..... One hand holds a "Kumbha" or water port and the other rosary. SHE personifies love and loyalty. Ma Bhramcharni is storehouse of knowledge and wisdom. Rudraksha is HER most adorned ornament
3. Ma Chandraghanta ..... Worshipped on the 3rd night this Ma Durga Shakti is astride a tiger, displays a golden hue to HER skin, possesses ten hands and 3 eyes. Eight of HER hands display weapons while the remaining two are respectively in the mudras of gestures of boon giving and stopping harm. Chandra + Ghanta, meaning supreme bliss and knowledge, showering peace and serenity, like cool breeze in a moonlit night. Ma is worshipped in this form in Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) India
4. Ma Kushmanda ..... The 4th night begins the worship of Ma Kushmanda, possessed of eight arms, holding weapons and a mala or rosary. HER mount is a tiger and SHE emanates a solar like aura. "Kumbh Bhand" means to see cosmic vivacity in Pindi shape or knowledge of cosmic intricacies in human race. The abode of Ma Kushmanda is in Bhimaparvat.
5. Ma Skandmata ..... Using a lion as a vehicle SHE holds HER son, SKAND in HER lap while displaying 3 eyes and 4 hands; two hands hold lotuses while the other 2 hands respectively display defending and granting gestures. Its said, by the mercy of Ma Skandmata, even the idiot becomes an ocean of knowledge. The great and legendary Sanskrit Scholar Kalidas created his two masterpieces works viz. "Raghuvansh Maha Kavya" and "Meghdoot" by the grace of Ma Skandmata.
6. Ma Kaatyayani ..... As mother, Ma Kaatyayani stayed in the Ashram of sage Katyayan for penance, hence SHE named as Kaatyayani. This 6th Shakti is also astride a lion with 3 eyes and 4 arms. One left hand holds a weapon and the other a lotus. The other 2 hands respectively display defending and granting gestures. HER complexion is golden coloured.
7. Ma Kaalratri ..... Black skin with bountiful hair and 4 hands, 2 clutching a cleaver and a torch, while the remaining 2 are in the mudras of "giving" and "protecting". HER vahana is a faithful donkey. The destroyer of darkness and ignorance, Ma Kaalratri is the seventh form of Nav-Durga meaning scourer of darkness; enemy of darkness. Ma Kaalratri's famous shrine is in Calcutta, India
8. Ma Mahagauri ..... Four arms with the fairest complexion of all the Durga
Shaktis. Peace and compassion radiate from HER being and SHE is often dressed in a white or green sari. SHE holds a drum and a trident and is often depicted riding a bull. Ma Mahagauri can be seen in a temple at Kankhal near pilgrim centre Haridwar, India
9. Ma Siddhiratri ..... Ensconced upon a lotus, most commonly, with 4 arms, and is the possessor of 26 different wishes to grant HER bhakts. Ma Siddhiratri's famous pilgrim centre, is located in Nanda Parvat in the Himalayas.
Yesterday, at around 3.30 pm Bangur and its surrounding area had torrential rains with thunder and lightning. Bangur was completely flooded in just two hours rain.
Lightning struck somewhere very near to our house but fortunately no damage was done.
One large advertisement hording was blown over on VIP road and the entire traffic on this main arterial road going to the airport was disrupted for over two bours. Cars stood bumper to bumper for anout 3 Km
Around this time, at around 3.58 pm, my son Ajay was blessed with a daughter.
I have now become a grandfather.
Ajay's wife, Shalini and the baby are well.
Our Durga Pujas have started and yesterday was the 6th day of Navratri.
This is the day Ma Katyayani is worshipped.
So, she has chosen her own name, Kaatyayni
I have posted a picture of my grandaughter taken this morning.
My family thanks God for all His grace and kindness.
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