Navratri, nine festive nights dedicated to Goddess Durga, is an auspicious time to worship Nav Durga, nine aspects of Goddess Durga. Each day a Goddess or a form of Durga is worshipped during Durga Navratri. Though, nine Goddesses worshipped during Navratri may vary from place to place, the Navadurga Goddesses mentioned in the Scriptures are same in every region.

List of Nav Durga Goddesses – Dedicated days during Navratri:

• Shailaputri Mata Puja – First day (Padyami – Pratipada) – also observed Ghatasthapana
• Brahmacharini Puja – Second day (Vidiya – Dwitiya) – also observed as Preeti Vidiya
• Chandraghanta Puja – Third day (Thadiya – Trutiya)
• Kushmanda Puja – Fourth day
• Skandamata Pooja – Fifth day – also observed Lalita Panchami – Upang Lalita Vrat in Maharashtra
• Katyayani Pooja – Sixth day – also observed as Maha Sashti
• Kalaratri Pooja – Seventh day – Maha Saptami (Saraswati Puja avahan)
• Mahagauri Pooja – Eighth day – Durgashtami (Saraswati puja)
• Siddhidatri Puja – Ninth day – Mahanavami (Saraswati Puja in Kerala)

Mahagauri is the eighth form of Navadurga. She is worshipped on the eighth day or Durgashtami day during Navaratri. In 2009, the date of Mahagauri Puja is September 26.

Apperance or iconography of Mahagauri Navdurga:

Mahagauri is extremely fair in her body complexion. Hence she is compared with the conch and Moon. She is always idolized as eight year old girl. All her garments and ornaments or jewellery she wears are also white. She has four arms hence called as Chaturbhuji. She rides a bullock. She holds a Trishul (trident) with right upper hand and Damaru (drum) with left upper hand. Her both lower hands are in Abhaya and Varada mudra (blessing and boon granting postures). She remains calm and serene.

Spiritual importance of Maha Gowri Navdurga Pooja:

Maha gowri puja during Navaratras is very important one for Yogis and sadhaks. Her worship or rememberance or meditation of Mahagowri makes the devotee free from his material world and keeps him stay away from sorrows. She leads her bhakt to the path of virtue.

Dhayana Mantram of Mahagauri Mata:

Mahagowri dhyana mantram or slokam is recited on the eighth day during Navaratras.

Shwethe vrusha samaarudha shwetambara dharaa shuchih

Mahagauri shubham Dadyaan mahadeva pramodadaa

Kalaratri mata is the seventh aspect of Navadurga. Kaalratri is worshipped on seventh day during Durga Navaratri. In 2009, the date of Kalaratri Puja is September 25. Maha Saptami is the day to worship the Goddess.

Spiritual importance of Kaalratri Navadurga Puja:

On the seventh day of Navratri, Yogis and other upasaks of Shakti concentrate their mind on Sahasrara Chakra. Kaladatri represents the Sahasrara Chakra which provides him all the siddhis and nidhis of the universe. Kaaldatri puja makes the devotee free from this material world and provides him with Ashta siddhis and Nava nidhis. With this puja, all his sins and obstacles are completely vanished.

Dhyana Mantra of Kaalratri Navdurga:

Dhyana mantram of Kaalratri Navdurga is recited during the seventh day or Maha Saptami day during Navarathri. This mantra makes one free from his misfortune and keeps him fit to face any challenge in the life.     

Karala roopaa kaalabjaa samanakruthi vigraha

Kalaratri shubha dadhath devi chandatta hasini

Goddess Katyayani, the sixth aspect of Navdurga, is worshipped on the sixth day during Durga Navratri. In 2009, the date of Katyayani Mata puja is September 24.

Spiritual importance of Katyayani Navdurga Pooja:

Goddess Katyayani puja is performed on the sixth day during Durga Navratra. On the day of Katyayani puja, Yogis or Sadhak who perform the pooja keep their mind on Ajna Chakra or Agna Chakra. Ajna Chakra is the most important Chakra or the step in spiritual practice. During this pooja, devotees offer themselves to Katyayani. Katyayani pooja during Durga Navratri makes devotees mentally and physically fit and keeps them in a state to face any challenges in their life.

Dhyana Mantra of Katyayani Navadurga:

Chandrahaasojhwala karaa Shardhula varavaahana

Katyayani shubham dadyath devi danava ghathinee

The above Dhyana sloka or stotram is recited on the sixth day (Katyayani puja) in Durga Navrati pooja. Chanting the stotra of Katyayani on Maha Shashti or Durga Sashti makes the devotee free from all his sorrows and keeps him happy forever.

Skandamata is the fifth aspect of Navdurga Goddesses worshipped during Saran Navratri Durga pooja. In 2009, the date of Skanda mata puja is Septemner 23.

Spiritual importance of Skanda mata Navadurga pooja:

Skanda mata is the fifth form of among nine tremendous aspects of Durga worshipped during Saran Navratra. On this day, Yogis and other dedicated devotees stay their mind in Vishuddha Chakra. Skanda Mata represents Visuddha Chakra. Skanda as a child in the lap of Skanda mata represents the devotee’s dedicated and concentrated state of mind. Vishuddha Chakra indicated that the Yogi is in calm and completely submerged in Shakti worship. Sometimes, Skanda mata appears as seated on a lotus. Skandamata seated on lotus is called Padmasa Skanda mata.

Dhyana Mantra of Skanda mata Navdurga:

Simhasanagatha nityam padmashritha kara dwayaa

Shubhadaasthu sadaa devi Skandamaata yashaswini

The above Dhyana sloka or stotram is recited on the fifth day (Skandamata puja) in Durga Navrati pooja. Chanting the stotra of Skanda mata on Lalitha Panchami or Upang Lalita Pancham makes the devotee free from all his sorrows and keeps him happy forever.