1. Goddess Shailputri is the first form of Goddess Durga and worshipped on the first day of Navratri. She’s an epitome of strength and devotion and leads us to discover ourselves. The person we are today must be better than the person we were yesterday. It is therefore incredibly important that we recognize our strengths, our areas of growth, and work towards improving ourselves on a daily basis. And Maa Shailputri guides us to learn this life lesson. Those who worship her will enlighten their spirituality.

 2. Goddess Brahamcharini is the second form of Goddess Durga who is synonymous with Penance. She guides us that we should strive hard to achieve what we desire and always move ahead with determination despite any kind or number of challenges we come across.

3. Goddess Chandraghanta is the third form of Durga that symbolizes positive aura, vigilant, to be calm and observant in every situation. She guides us to remain alert about the challenges and chances that we get and observe people and circumstances we work with.  We should plan our moves according to other’s needs.

4. Goddess Kushmanda– the fourth form of goddess Durga and the lesson she gives is that we should have a clear vision, aim, and goal in life and must tried everything to reach there. Any obstacle or difficulty that occurs in our path will get removed by worshipping Maa Kushmanda.

5. Goddess Skandamata is the fifth form of Goddess Durga and the lesson she gives is that we should be understanding and open to people we met in our day to day life. We encounter a number of people in our daily life those are different in nature, mindset, and mood and we should meet them with grace and affection.

6. Goddess Katyayani– the sixth form of Goddess Durga teaches us to take initiative to fight against all odds in life. No matter what life throws at you, you must take it as a lesson and fight with the ongoing situation.

7. Goddess Kaalratri is a symbol who destroys evil. She is the seventh form of Goddess Durga and teaches us that we should destroy all the evil emotions like Lust, Greed, Anger, Jealousy, Hatred, Ego, and Guilt from our thoughts, words, and deeds. These have to be replaced with Love, Sharing, Understanding, Admiration, Forgiveness, Sharing, and Correction.

8. Goddess Mahagauri is the eighth form of Goddess Durga who is known as the epitome of beauty. The lesson she gives is that we should be enthusiastic, cheerful, and have a good sense of humor to keep our self motivated and confident.

9. Goddess Siddhidhatri is the ninth and the ultimate form of Goddess Durga who blesses us with Siddhis (extraordinary capabilities). She guides that in this modern world, a person should upgrade capabilities like knowledge, attitude, skills, habits, and strategies.

Therefore, all the embodiments of Goddess Durga lead us to improve ourselves and become a stronger and more successful person in a holistic way.

May these 9 Goddesses bless you and fulfill your dreams!!

Happy Navratri!!!

In Hinduism, Shukla Paksha Navami of Chaitra month is considered as the festival of Ram Navami. On this day Lord Rama, the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born. This year the festival of Ram Navami is on 2 April. According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Shri Rama born in Tretayuga to end the atrocities of Ravana and to re-establish religion. With this festival, the Navratri of Maa Durga also ends. People send wishes and greetings to family and friends on Ram Navmi.

There is a curfew in many places due to the coronavirus epidemic in India, while entire India is under lockdown till 14 April. All temples have been closed. In such a situation, it is difficult to celebrate Ram Navmi in temples. People have to celebrate the festival at home under being quarantine. It is considered significant to read Ram Navmi Katha on Ram Navmi.

Ram Navmi Katha

According to Hindu scripture Ramayana, Lord Rama was born on this day, so the devotees celebrate this auspicious day as Ram Navami. According to the epic Ramayana, King Dasaratha of Ayodhya had three wives but for a long time, no queen was able to give children to Dasaratha. Due to which King Dasharatha was very upset. In order to have a son, Rishi Vashistha gave the idea to King Dasharatha to perform a Putreshti Yajna.

After finishing the Yagna, Maharishi gave a bowl of kheer to the three wives of Dasharatha. All three queens became pregnant only a few months after eating kheer. 9 months later King Dasharatha’s eldest queen Kaushalya gave birth to Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Kaikayi to Bharata and Sumitra gave birth to twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

The complexion of Kalaratri is that of the darkest of nights with bountiful hair and a heavenly shaped form. She has four hands – the left two hands hold a scimitar and a thunderbolt and the right two are in the varada (blessing) and Abhaya (protecting) mudras. She wears a necklace that shines like the moon. Kaalratri has three eyes which emanate rays like lightning.

The story behind her creation is believed to be that there were two demons Shumbh and Nishumbh who were disturbing the Devtas. The ruler of Dev, Indra went to Lord Shiva for help. The goddess Parvati heard their prayer and created a Devi called ‘Chandi’. ‘Chand’ and ‘Mund’ were the two demons sent by the Shumbh and Nishumbh to kill the Devtas but Devi ‘ Chandi’ created a new form ‘Kali’ which was more fierce and killed those demons and hence get name Chamunda.

Another demon ‘Raktbeeja’ who was blessed that if any drop of blood falls on the ground, his clones appear. In a war with Kal Ratri, his blood spilled on the ground and created clones of him. To defeat him, Devi formed her furious form and drank all his blood to stop it from falling down and killed Raktbeeja.

 Goddess Kaalratri can be seen as bearing doom for evil-doers. But she always bears good fruits for her devotees and should avoid fear when faced with her, for she removes the darkness of worry from the life of such devotees.

Maa Kalratri Aarti

Kaalaraatri jay-jay mahaakaalee .

kaal ke munh se bachaanevaalee ..

dusht sanghaarak naam tumhaara .

mahaachandee tera avataara ..

prthvee aur aakaash pe saara .

mahaakaalee hai tera pasaara ..

khadg khappar rakhanevaalee .

dushton ka lahoo chakhanevaalee ..

kalakatta sthaan tumhaara .

sab jagah dekhoon tera najaara ..

The story behind the maa Skanda Mata is quite interesting. When Sati immolated herself, lord Shiva gets sad and make himself detached from the world. When lord shiva gets detached, devtas were came under the attacked of the asuras. They approached Lord shiva for the help as it was only he and his son can destroy the asuras Tarakasur and Surapdman. But devtas were feared because Lord Shiva may not having any offspring. So they went to Lord Vishnu and he suggested the name of Parvati to them who is an incarnation of Adi shakti and destined to be the wife of Lord Shiva. Parvati penance for years and get Shiva as her husband. When the energy of both lord shiva and Parvati combines they produced seed. The energy of the seed was unbearable for lord Agni and he hands over that to goddess Ganga. Goddess Parvati took the form of the water body and took that seed to Sarvana forest. Later, six-faced Kartikeya is born and taken care by six kritikas (mother).

The devotees who worship her selflessly, get the double benefit as by worshipping Maa Skanda Mata, lord skand is automatically worshipped. She gives power, prosperity, and treasure to the devotees. She also blessed them with intelligence and splendor.

Aarti for Maa Skandmata
jay teree ho skand maata.
paanchavaan naam tumhaara aata.
sabake man kee jaanan haaree.
jag jananee sabakee mahataaree.
teree jot jalaata rahoo main.
haradam tujhe dhyaata rahoo mai.
kaee naamon se tujhe pukaara.
mujhe ek hai tera sahaara.
kahee pahaado par hai dera.
kaee shaharon mein tera basera.
har mandir mein tere najaare.
gun gae tere bhakt pyaare.
bhakti apanee mujhe dila do.
shakti meree bigadee bana do indr aadi devata mil saare.
kare pukaar tumhaare dvaare.
dusht daity jab chadh kar aae.
too hee khanda haath uthae.
daason ko sada bachaane aayee.
bhakt kee aas pujaane aayee.

There is a proper ritual that a devotee should follow while praying for Maa Chandraghanta. First worship all the Gods, Goddesses and Planets in the Kalash and then offer prayer to Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya and Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi, Vijaya, Jaya – the family members of Goddess Durga. The pooja should be concluded by worshipping Goddess Chandraghanta followed by a heartfelt prayer to Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma.

Maa Chandraghanta  Aarti :- 

Navaraatri ke teesare din chandraghanta ka dhyaan, mastak par hai ardh chandr, mand mand muskaan.

Das haathon mein astr shastr rakhe khadag sang baand, ghante ke shabd se haratee dusht ke praan.

sinh vaahinee durga ka chamake savarn shareer, karatee vipada shaanti hare bhakt kee peer.

madhur vaanee ko bol kar sab ko detee gyaan, jitane devee devata sabhee karen sammaan.

apane shaant savabhaav se sabaka karatee dhyaan, bhav saagar mein phasa hoon main, karo mera kalyaan. navaratron kee maan, kripa kar do maa.

She ate very little for many years but her penance was so pure that lord shiva noticed her dedication and determination and made her wife. Due to her deep penance she is also called as Tapasyachaarini. Worshipping this form of maa Durga gives the spirit of penance, mental balance, emotional stability, confidence, and nobility, determination to withstand the tough times in life. Devotee serves a bhog of sugar and fruits to Goddess Brahmacharini.

Mantra for worshiping Maa Brahmacharini.:

Yā dēvī sarvabhūtēṣu mām̐ brahmacāriṇī rūpēṇa sansthitā |
Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namō nama: ||
Dadhānā kara padmābhyāma akṣamālā kamaṇḍalū |
Dēvī prasīdatu ma’ī brahmacāriṇyanuttamā ||

Maa Brahmachaarini Aarti  :-
jay ambe brahmaachaarinee maata.
jay chaturaanan priy sukh daata.
brahma jee ke man bhaatee ho.
gyaan sabhee ko sikhalaatee ho.
brahma mantr hai jaap tumhaara.
jisako jape sakal sansaara.
jay gaayatree ved kee maata.
jo man nis din tumhen dhyaata.
kamee koee rahane na pae.
koee bhee dukh sahane na pae.
usakee virati rahe thikaane.
jo teree mahima ko jaane.
rudraaksh kee maala le kar.
jape jo mantr shraddha de kar.
aalas chhod kare gunagaana.
maan tum usako sukh pahunchaana.
brahmaachaarinee tero naam.
poorn karo sab mere kaam.
bhakt tere charanon ka pujaaree.
rakhana laaj meree mahataaree.

Navratri Day 1 |29 September 2019:  Maa Shailputri

On the very first day of Navratri, Maa Durga in the form of  Goddess Shailputri is worshiped. She is known as Daughter of Himalayas. She has half-moon on her forehead and lotus in her hand. She is mounted on the bullock.

The word Shailputri comprises of two words Shail means Mountains and Putri means Daughter. She is the daughter of the king of Mountains” Himavan”. In her previous birth, she was called “Sati” as she sacrificed her life in honor of her husband ‘Shiva’ who was humiliated by Daksha Prajapati.

She is considered auspicious as she helps in making Mooldhara strong. Those who worship her will enlighten their spirituality. As she is the first form of Durga and worshiped on the first day of Navratri, devotees should get up early in the morning and become clean after finishing the household works. Shodasha Upachara Pooja and recitation of Durga Sapatshti should be performed to please the goddess.

She is the protector of all wild animals. She reduces all sorrows and diseases of all. The following is the Aarti and Mantra for her worship.

Maa Shailputri Aarti : –

Shailputri Maa Bail Asvaar,

Karein devta jai jai kaar,

Shiv Shankar ki Priya Bhavani,

Teri Mhima Kisi ne na jani,

Parvati tu uma kehlave,

Jo tujhe simre so suck pave,

Ridhi Sidhi parvan kare tu,

Dya kare dhanvan kare tu,

Somvaar ko shiv sang pyari,

Aarti teri jisne utari,

Uski sagri aas puja do,

Sagre dukh taklif mita do,

Ghee ka sundar deep jalake,

Gola gari ka bhog laga ke,

Shaddha bhav se mantra  gaye,

Prem sahit phir sheesh jukhaye,

Jai giriraj kishori amb,

Shiv much Chandra chakori ambe,

Manokamna purna kar do,

(Devotee name) sada such sampatti  bhar do.

Devotees, generally have a mixed feeling on these days of happiness and sombreness, for these two days embark the end of Navratri fasting and also the end of all festivity of the festival.

Kanya Pujan is itself a big day of celebration, as it symbolises worshipping and greeting nine forms of Goddess Durga by feeding and gifting, girl child at home.

But, it is so unfortunate and depressing to attach the factual treatment, with which girl child is attended on other days. It is not hidden from all of us that how this little boon of Universe is killed in the womb of a mother and how all the privileges had been given to male sex.

Perhaps, the facts are not as depressing as they were, now. But surely, the female sex is still taken like a burdened responsibility and end up living a ‘submissive’ life under the commands and orders of a father, brother, husband and then a son.

All her life she keeps on longing for somebody to tell her that she too has got the rights to live her life, the way she wants to, like any other child.

Therefore, it is our mindset which needs to inculcate ‘the right’ and unlearn ‘the wrong’ that is, a girl child is not a ‘burdened responsibility’ but an opportunity to win the world, over.

That, she is the boon to the universe.
That, every human life exist on the planet, because she does.
That, a father gets privilege of ‘Kanya Daan’ because she exists.
That, a mother gets a helping hand because she is there to help her.
That, a brother gets support and rescue in all scolds, because she becomes his support system.
That, a sister gets hope to survive through thick and thin, because she gets her that hope.
That a society, nation, generation learns morals, manners, equality, emotions because ‘a motherly’ form exist.

And, therefore pledge, this Navratri to change your perspective towards girl child, pledge to touch one life, pledge to take care of your utmost priority. And, in return, she will nurture the life beyond for you, tomorrow and forever.

-©Sakshi Narang, Manager Communications and Editorial, Jugaadin.com

We all indulge ourselves into fasting these nine holy days and specially, most of us in North India do fasting on sixth and seventh day of Navratri so as to create a twosome to worship and celebrate on the eight day i.e Ashthmi.

While many foods and recipes are available, nowadays to turn our fast into a feast. But, this fasting period also can be taken as an opportunity to loose kgs and munch on some nutrients that our body needs, and which we generally can’t provide to it, due to the hustle of life.

Here, are some tricks or tips, if you apply can help you enjoy your fast in a healthier way, and what’s great about these tips is, that one can apply them on other fast days as well, except Navratri fasting days.

• Eat Five Meals a day :
The purpose of fasting doesn’t mean skipping the meal. One should make a balance between starving and eating their favourite navratri dishes. Try to indulge in five smaller meals in a day such as cucumber – tomato raita, quick smoothies, Banana shake, fruit – salad etc. which would keep you healthy and energetic the whole day.

• Keep Hydrating yourself :
Due to our routine stressful and hustle filled life, we all have been addicted to tea, coffee etc. and muching some fried goodies along with them, seems to be a tempting idea, of satiating oneself.

But, we forget to analyse, that these two drinks makes us extremely dehydrated. Therefore, one must indulge oneself in coconut water (with or without chia seeds), fruit juices, buttermilk, lime water, detox drinks etc.
This way, one can’t just stay filled up for long but also can add a wholesome variety of hydration to one’s daily intake.

•Eat your nutrients:
It has not been hidden from all of us, that nutrients are an essential part of our diet as it keeps us fuller and keep us away from our routine binge eating.
Therefore, adding nutrients to our fasting days, is an excellent idea. One can opt for cottage cheese, ghee, buckwheat aata (kuttu ka atta), sago etc. which provides a satiable experience.

Try to stick to these tips and enjoy fasting these navratris in a healthier way.

Happy Navratri Everyone!
Eat Healthy and Stay fit!

-Sakshi Narang
Manager, Communication and Editorial,    Jugaadin.com

The special attraction for the event will be Gujrati Dance troop, Dandiya Games, mouth tickling food stalls, fun zone and many more. The event will be more ravishing and entertaining as Anchor Kaur is going to be host it. The event is organized by Prayatan club and the event partner is Lions club International. A fusion of favourite bollywood tracks with traditional Garba music  will make the evening something you’ve never seen before. It will also have dance Performances, fashion show, exciting prizes for Best Dressed and much, much more.

So be ready to groove on dandiya beats on 14^th oct.

Event link :-  Click Here