Visit the best and largest 108 and 1008 names collection
"Nava", a Sanskrit word meaning both ‘nine’ and ‘new’, holds deep symbolic and spiritual significance in Indian tradition. Across Vedic and Purāṇic thought, the number nine is revered as sacred and complete — appearing in concepts like Navaratri (nine nights of divine worship), Navagraha (nine planetary deities), Navapatrikā (nine sacred plants), and most prominently, Navadurga — the nine divine manifestations of Goddess Durgā.
Each form of Navadurga represents a distinct aspect of the Divine Feminine — from fierce protectress to nurturing mother, from spiritual teacher to cosmic warrior. These nine goddesses, worshipped especially during the festival of Navaratri, are believed to awaken higher consciousness, purify the inner being, and fill devotees with strength, clarity, and renewal. Their names and powers are glorified in ancient scriptures such as the Devī Kavacha of the Candi Pāṭha, and each is associated with a specific day of Navaratri.
On this page, you'll discover the symbolism, iconography, and spiritual significance of each of these nine goddesses. Accompanied by evocative watercolor paintings, this collection is a visual and devotional journey through the radiant forms of Śailaputrī, Brahmacāriṇī, Chandraghaṇṭā, Kūṣmāṇḍā, Skandamātā, Kātyāyanī, Kālarātri, Mahāgaurī, and Siddhidātrī. May reading about and meditating on these forms uplift your spirit and bring the divine presence of Durgā into your heart.
Shailaputri means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati, or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana – the king of the Himalayas- she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.
She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and is the second form of the Mother Goddess. Bharmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity, and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation – Moksha.
The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility, and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden, bright complexion, and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes, and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.
Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness until her light spread in all directions like rays from the sun. Often, she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.
The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ – the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by the gods as their commander-in-chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. She is accompanied by Lord Skanda in his infant form.
Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper arm, and a lotus in her right hand, which is slightly raised upwards. The left arm is in a pose to grant boons with grace,e and in the left lower hand, which is raised, also holds a lotus. She has a bright complexion and is often depicted as seated on a lotus.
The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshipped on the sixth day of Navaratri. The legend behind her name goes thus: Once upon a time, there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire, the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.
This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair, and a fearless posture. A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck. She has three eyes that shine bright, and terrible flames emanate from her breath. Her vehicle is the donkey. Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all worshippers, and all her right lower hand is in the pose of allaying fears. Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron, and there is a dagger in the lower left hand. She is black like Goddess Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand to battle all evil. Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles. So she is also known as ‘Shubhamkari’ – one who does good.
She is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. As a result of her worship, all sins of the past, present, and future get washed away, and devotees get purified in all aspects of life. Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful, and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleansed her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty, and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which means extremely white. She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Her right hand is in the pose of allaying fear, and her right lower hand holds a trident. The left upper hand holds a ‘damaru’ (a small rattle drum,) and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees.
Siddhidatri is the ninth form of the Goddess. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms, and she is always in a blissful, happy, enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics, and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. In ‘Devi Bhagavata Purana’, it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was blessed with all Siddhis (supernatural powers). By her blessing, his half body became female and the other half male in the avatar of Ardhnarishvara.