Cutting Chai with Bhawana Somaaya - Day 205

Navratri –Navadurga piii

09.10.2013, Mumbai 

 

Day 7/ Saatam is dedicated to Devi Kaal Ratri who is worshipped on the seventh day and is as dark as the night, her hair disheveled hair and is embodiment of fearlessness.

She has three eyes, adorns a necklace flashing lightning and emanates flames from her breath. She rides a donkey, her right hand raised to grant boons to devotees and right lower hand in the pose of allaying fears. Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon and lower left shows a dragger. She is black like Goddess Kali and frees us from troubles. So she is also known as Devi Shubhamkari – one who does auspicious. The seven day devi puja is called Maha Saptami and the colour of the Goddess for today is Green.

Day 8/ Aatham is dedicated to Devi Maha Gauri whose power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. It is believed that worshipping her cures you of all your sins. 

 According to the stories Gauri spent long, difficult years in the deep forests of the Himalayas praying to Shiva to accept him as his consort and turned tanned in the harsh sunlight. When Lord Shiva granted her darshan he showered her with Ganges which helped her regain her colour and beauty after which she came to be recognized as Maha Gauri, which mean extremely fair and which is the reason Goddess Gauri is always dressed in white. Maha Gauri has four arms and rides on a bull. Her one hand is in the pose of allaying fear, second holds a trident, the third holds a rattle drum and the fourth grants boons to her devotees. The eighth day devi puja is called Maha Ashttami/ Maha Durga/ Maha Saraswati  Puja and the colour of the Goddess for today is Peacock Green.

Day 9/ Noam is dedicated to Devi Siddhidatri who has supernatural healing powers. 

 She rides a lion and blesses all the Gods, the saints, the yogis, the tantriks and all her devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. As per the Devi Bhagvata Purana it is mentioned that even Lord Shiva had to worship her to be blessed with all siddhas (supernatural powers) and it is her boon to Mahadev that he is the only God who has the power to transform into an avtaar of Ardhnarishvara that is half male and half female body. The ninth day devi puja is called Maha Navvmi/ Kanya Puja and the colour of the Goddess for today is Purple. 

To be continued

 Bhawana Somaaya / @bhawanasomaaya