Navadurga are the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga in Hinduism, especially worshipped during the festival of Navratri or Nav Ratri means nine nights dedicated for nine divine forms of Maa, Adishakti Maa Durga. Each manifestation of goddess Durga is known by her respective name, governing planet, iconography, mantra for invocation. Durga Devi Yatra is prescribed during Navratri where devotees have been exhorted to worship Durga Devi on all the nine days of Navratri. The 9 names of Maa Durga are:
Sage Agasthya wanted to know from Lord Kartikeya as to how Goddess got the name of Durga.
Lord Kartikeya narrated, once there was a Demon named Durgasur who underwent intense prayers for several long years and achieved the powers whereby no man could defeat him. Due to this and on account of his sheer arrogance, he began tormenting all religious people; he got several worlds (Bhoo Lok, Swarg Lok etc.) under his control.
He destroyed various Gurukuls (residential schools), Yagya Shalas (places where Yagya/fire rituals were performed), imprisoned various religious Heads, imprisoned various Rishi Patnis (wives of sages). Rivers started flowing in wrong direction; crops started giving different kinds of yields.
All the devas and human beings approached Lord Shiva and sought refuge. Lord Shiva knew about the powers of Durgasura especially that the latter could not be killed by a Man. He hinted Devi Parvati to do the needful.
Devi sent her emissary, Kalratri, alongwith few other ladies to warn Durgasur. Kalratri reached Durgasur’s abode and passed on the message and asked him to refrain from tormenting religious people, return the land etc. grabbed by him and go elsewhere otherwise Devi Parvati would certainly slay him. With utter arrogance, Durgasur asked his warriors to capture Kalratri and imprison her.
When the warriors approached her, Kalratri exhaled with a roar which produced jets of fire balls and thousands of the warriors were killed. This further infuriated Durgasur, who ordered more warriors to chase her. Kalratri immediately flew through the sky, reached Devi’s abode near Vindhyachal Mountains and reported the entire happenings to her.
Soon Durgasur arrived at the place where Maa AdiShakti was stationed and a fierce war ensued. In the process, Devi released all her Shaktis which took form of various female warriors (with extreme powers).
Devi with her extreme powers killed Durgasur and all his deputies. There was extreme joy in the entire world and peace with happiness returned.
All devas and other people praised Devi by reciting Vajra Panchakam. Devi was pleased and assumed the name of Durga Devi on account of slaying Durgasur. Maa Durga told the people that devotees should recite Vajra Panchakam which will help them in overcoming any sort of obstacles. Maa durga will bless devotees with purity in thoughts and deeds.
Shailputri Devi is worshipped on the first day of Navratri falling in September-October. With Lord Shaileshwar, devotees also had aastha on Shaileshwari also known as Shailputri.
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Brahma charini Devi is worshipped on the second day of Navratri falling in September-October. With Lord Brahmeshwar, devotees also had aastha on Brahma Devi also known as Brahmacharini devi.
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It is advised in various puranas that the devotees should take bath in Chitra Koop, worship Chitragupteshwar and perform pooja of Chitra Ghanta Devi.
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Kushmanda is worshiped on the fourth day of the festival of Navratri and she is believed to improve health and bestow wealth and strength
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Maa Durga’s 5th form is Skand Mata. She has child Skand (Kartikeya) seated on her lap and so she is called Skand Mata.
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Maa Durga’s 6th form is Katyayini. She got this name on account of Sage Katyayan who was the first person to perform her puja so she is recognized with the name Katyayini
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Maa Durga’s seventh form is Kalratri. Her body is pitch black just like darkness. Her hair is in disorder. She has garland around her neck which shines like lightning.
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According to puranas Maa Annapurna in ancient Vishwanath temple has been called as Mahagauri. She is Maa Durga’s eighth form. She is fair complexioned and her fairness is compared with shell, conch and moon.
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Devotees worship Siddheshwari Devi on the 9th day of Navratri falling in September-October. Maa Durgas 9th form is Siddhi Dhatri. She gives all sorts of siddhi to her devotees.
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