Shubh Navratri - Aaja Maa Ghar Mere .. | Chaand Chupa Badal Mein

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Origins of Maa Durga

MAA DURGA is a ferocious form of Devi, the Mother Goddess, the all-powerful almighty goddess. Once the Gods could not defeat the buffalo demon Mahishasur, who was threatening the existence of the universe, the Gods were afraid of this water-buffalo bull because neither Vishnu nor Shiva could prevail against him. They begged lord Shiva for his assistance, and Shiva advised all the Gods to release their shaktis as it was seemed that the joint energy of shakti was only capable of vanquishing Mahishasur.

The shaktis of the Gods emerged in female form. Which arose a splendid Goddess with many arms, she was as beautiful as she was lethal andit was the ten-armed who went out to do battle.

The Gods called this Goddess DURGA, the invincible one. MAA DURGA was born fully-grown and is depicted as exceptionally beautiful and full of rage.

Gods armed her with all their weapons. Thus armed, MAA DURGA rode to the top of a mountain on a lion. In a bloody battle, she defeated Mahishasur and his army of demons and thus saved the Universe from this demon's menace.

Therefore, MAA DURGA is also called Mahishasuramardini (the demolisher of Mahishasur). This holy battle has come to symbolise the triumph of Good over Evil.

DURGA PUJA is observed in her honor, to celebrate her victory over evil.

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"My Wishes, May Mata Bless You And Your Family,
And Fill your Home With Happiness And Prosperity,
Happy Navratri Season"

"Before The New Sun Rise,
Let Me Enhance Each Of The Rays,
With My Heartly Wishes Of Good Luck,
Prosperity And Joy For You'.
JAI MATA DI"

"May Mata Bless You On This Special Day Of Navratri,
And May On This Festive Season Dhan, Yash And Samriddhi Comes To Your Home,
Happy Navratrey"

108 Names of Maa Durga

Sr. No.	Name	Meaning
1	Akashagamini	Flew in The Sky
2	Arogyada	Granter of Good Health
3	Asurakshayamkari	Reducer of The Number of Demons
4	Ataviduhkhandhara Rakshika	Protector From Ignorance And Distress
5	Ayurdas	Granter of Longevity
6	Balarkasadrushakara	Like The Rising Sun
7	Bandhananashini	Detacher of Attachments
8	Bhaktavatsala	Lover of Devotees
9	Bhayanashini	Remover of Fear
10	Bhootanushruta	Well-Wisher of Bhootaganas
11	Brahmacharini	Seeker of Brahman
12	Chandravispardimukha	Beautiful Like The Moon
13	Chaturbhuja	Four-Armed
14	Chaturvakttra	Four-Faced
15	Daya	Compassionate
16	Devi	The Diety
17	Dhanakshayanashini	Controller of Wealth Decrease
18	Dhanurdharini	Holder of Bow
19	Dhruti	Valiant
20	Divamalya Vibhooshita	Adorned With Beautiful Garlands
21	Divyambaradhara	Beautifully Robed
22	Durga	The Inaccessible
23	Durga	Remover of Distress
24	Durga	Deity Durga
25	Hri	Holy Chant of Hymns
26	Indradhwaja Samabahudharini	With Shoulders Like Indra's Flag
27	Jaya	Victorious
28	Jyotsana	Radiant Like Flames
29	Kali	Dark-Complexioned
30	Kali	Goddess of Death
31	Kamacharini	Acting On One's Own Accord
32	Kamsavidravanakari	Threatened Kamsa
33	Kantha	Radiant
34	Kanttadhara	Holder of Shiva's Neck
35	Kaumaravratadhara	Observer of Fasts Like Young Girls Do
36	Keyurangadadharini	Bejewelled With Armlets And Bracelets
37	Khadgaketaka Dharini	Holder of Sword And Shield
38	Khama	Embodiment of Forgiveness
39	Kirti	Famed
40	Krishna	Sister of Krishna
41	Krishna	Dark-Complexioned
42	Krishnachhavisama	Like Krishna's Radiance
43	Kulavardhini	Developer of The Race
44	Kumari	Young Girl
45	Kundalapurnakarna Vibhooshita	Wearer of Earrings Covering The Ears
46	Mahachakradharini	Holder of Chakra
47	Mahakali	Wife of Mahakala
48	Mahishasuranashini	Destroyer of Mahisha
49	Mamsapriya	Fond of Flesh
50	Mangalya	Auspicious
51	Mati	Wise
52	Mayoora Pichhavalaya	Wearer of Peacock-Feathered Bangles
53	Mohanashini	Destroyer of Desires
54	Mruthyunashini	Destroyer of Death
55	Mukutavirajita	Shining With Crown Adorned
56	Nagararakshika	Protector of Land
57	Nandagopakulajata	Daughter of The Nandagopa Race
58	Narayanavarapriya	Fond of Narayana's Boons
59	Nitya	Eternal
60	Padmapatrakshi	Eyes Like The Lotus Leaf
61	Pankajadharini	Lotus-Holder
62	Papadharini	Bearer of Others' Sins
63	Papaharini	Destroyer of Sins
64	Pashadharini	Holder of Rope
65	Pashupriya	Fond of All Beings
66	Patradharini	Vessel-Holder
67	Peenashroni Payodhara	Large Bosomed
68	Prabha	Dawn
69	Prasanna	Cheerful
70	Pravasarakshika	Protector of Travellers
71	Purnachandra Nibhanana	Beautiful Like The Full Moon
72	Putrapamrityunashini	Sustainer of Son's Untimely Death
73	Rajyada	Bestower of Kingdom
74	Ratri	Night
75	Sagaragirirakshika	Protector of Seas And Hills
76	Sandhya	Twilight
77	Sangramajayaprada	Granter of Victory In The War
78	Sangramarakshika	Protector of Wars
79	Sankarshanasamanana	Equal To Sankarshana
80	Santati	Granter of Issues
81	Sarvakaryasiddhi Pradayika	Granter of Success In All Attempts
82	Saukhyada	Bestower of Well-Being
83	Seedupriya	Fond of Drinks
84	Sharanya	Granter of Refuge
85	Shatrusankata Rakshika	Protector From Distress Caused By Foes
86	Shikhipichhadwaja Virajita	Having Peacock-Feathered Flag
87	Shilathata Vinikshibda	At Birth,Slammed By Kamsa
88	Shiva	Auspicious
89	Shiva	Shiva's Half
90	Shree	Auspicious
91	Siddhi	Successful
92	Surashreshtta	Supreme Among The Celestials
93	Sutada	Granter of Issues
94	Trailokyarakshini	Protector of The Three Worlds
95	Tribhuvaneshwari	Goddess of The Three Worlds
96	Tridashapujita	The Goddess of The Celestials
97	Tridivabhavayirtri	Goddess of The Three Worlds
98	Vapurda	Granter of Beautiful Appearance
99	Varada	Granter of Boons
100	Varada	Bestower
101	Varada	Bestower
102	Vasudevabhagini	Sister of Vasudeva
103	Vidhya	Wisdom
104	Vijaya	Conqueror
105	Vindhyavasini'	Resident of The Vindhyas
106	Vividayudhadhara	Bearer of Various Weapons
107	Vyadhinashinis	Vanquisher of Ailments
108	Yashodagarba Sambhoota	Emerging From Yashoda's Womb

Nine Forms of Maa Durga

Maa Durga is worshipped in many 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. Maa Shailputri - The Navratri commences with the 1st night devoted to the puja of Maa "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. Maa Bhramcharni - One hand holds a "Kumbha" or water port and the other rosary. She personifies love and loyalty. Maa Bhramcharni is store-house of knowledge and wisdom. Rudraksha is her most adorned ornament.

3. Maa Chandraghanta - Worshipped on the 3rd night this Maa 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.

4. Maa Kushmanda - The 4th night begins the worship of Maa "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 Maa "Kushmanda" is in Bhimaparvat.

5. Maa 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 Maa "Skandmata", even the idiot becomes an ocean of knowledge such as "Kalidas".

6. Maa Kaatyayani - As mother, Maa "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. Maa 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". She is mounted upon a Donkey. The destroyer of darkness and ignorance, Maa "Kaalratri" is the seventh form of Nav-Durga meaning scourer of darkness; enemy of darkness. Maa Kaalratri's famous shrine is in Calcutta.

8. Maa 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. Maa "Mahagauri can be seen in a temple at Kankhal near pilgrim centre Haridwar.

9. Maa Siddhiratri- Ensconced upon a lotus, most commonly, with 4 arms, and is the possessor of 26 different wishes to grant Her bhakts. Maa Siddhiratri's famous pilgrim centre, is located in Nanda Parvat in the Himalayas.

Maa Durga Aarti

Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri!
Tumko Nish-Din Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivri !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Maang Sindoor Virajat, Tiko Mrig-Mad Ko!
Ujjwal Se Dou Naina, Chandra Vadan Niko !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Kanak Samaan Kalewar, Raktaambar Raaje!
Rakt Pushp Gal-Mala, Kanthan Par Saaje !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Kehri Vahan Rajat Kharag Khapar Dhaari!
Sur Nar Muni Jan Sevat, Tinke Dukh Haari !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Kanan Kundal Shobhit , Naas-Agre Moti !
Kotik Chandra Divakar, Sum Rajat Jyoti !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Shumbh Ni-Shumbh Vidare,Mahisha Sur Ghati!
Dhumra-Vilochan Naina, Nish-Din Mad Mati !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Chandh Mundh Sangh-Haare, Shonit Beej Hare!
Madhu Kaitabh Dou Maare,Sur Bhe Heen Kare !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Brahmani Rudrani, Tum Kamla Rani!
Aagam Nigam Bakhani, Tum Shiv Patrani !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Chon-Sath Yogini Gavat, Nritya Karat Bhairon!
Baajat Taal Mridanga, Aur Baajat Damaroo !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Tum Ho Jag Ki Maata, Tum Hi Ho Bharta!
Bhakto Ki Dukh Harata, Sukh Sampati Karata !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Bhuja Chaar Ati Shobhit, Var Mudra Dhaari!
Man Vaanchit Phal Pavat, Sevat Nar Naari !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Kanchan Thaal Virajat, Agar Kapoor Baati !
Shri Maal-Ketu Me Rajat, Kotik Ratan Jyoti !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

Shri Ambe ji ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gaave !
Kahat Shivanand Swami, Sukh Sampati Paave !!
!! Jai Ambe Gauri !!

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