Ninth day also known as Navami or the last day of Navratri, is the day of Goddess Siddhidatri who is the Datri (Giver) of Siddhi (Perfection). She is the Goddess who is capable of bestowing every achievement in life.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।
Chant this Mantra and seek the blessings of the Goddess of Ninth day of Navratri, Maa Siddhidatri.
Appearance of the Goddess
Goddess Siddhidatri is always in a graceful, charming and heavenly pose. She sits on a lotus flower and has four arms. In her right lower hand she holds a Chakra and in the upper hand holds a mace (Gada). There is a conch (Shankh) in her left lower hand and in the upper left hand she carries a lotus flower. Her vehicle is Lion.
To read more about the Goddess, click here- Devi Siddhidatri
Rituals performed
On the 9th day (Navami), a special homa is performed and before that all the Gods and Goddesses are worshipped. Shlokas of Durga Sapta Shati are chanted while giving the Ahuti to the Gods and Goddesses. Beej Mantra (“Om Hrim Kalin Chamundaya Vichche Namoh Namah”) of the Goddess is recited 108 times while giving Ahuti to her. Lord Shiva and Brahma are worshipped in the end. The sacred fire is cooled down with holy water and the ashes obtained from this are believed to keep the evils and fear away. In the end Prasad is distributed among the devotees.
Durga Puja is performed in many homes and Kanya Puja is also performed in which nine young girls are worshipped as they symbolize the nine Avatars of Maa Durga.
Significance of Worshipping the Goddess
The glory of Devi Siddhidatri is infinite. On this day the temples are decorated beautifully to worship all the nine forms of the Goddess. Manav (Human), Danav (Demons), Deva (Gods), Yaksha (Demigods), Gandharva and Kinnar (Beast) all worship her with devotion and the Devi showers her compassion on them. The Goddess offers all eight types of perfection (Sidddhi) to her devotees and therefore, she is known as “Siddhidatri”. On this day wearing pink colored clothes is considered auspicious.
Devi Bhagvata Purana
In the Hindu Scripture, Devi Bhagvata Purana, narrated a story, according to which Lord Shiva worshipped Goddess Siddhidatri to obtain all the Siddhis. His wish was accepted by the Goddess and she blesses him with all kinds of Siddhis (powers). After receiving the Siddhis, one half of the body of Lord Shiva became like the Goddess, due to which his body transformed into two parts, half man and the other half into women. For this reason Lord Shiva is also known as Ardhanarishwaar which means Ardha (Half) + Nari (Female) + Ishwar (God).
Maha Navami is celebrated on the ninth and final day of Navratri. This day is the last day of Durga Puja also. The celebrations and rituals performed on this day vary from region to region all over India. In South India, Ayudha Puja is celebrated on this day and all utensils, tools and books are worshipped.
With this day ends the nine divine days and nights of Navratri and comes Dussehra on the next day.
