Goddess Durga Devi
On 19 June 2023 Ashada Navratri begins. In 2023, Ashada Navratri begins on June 19 and ends on June 27.
This festival is celebrated in Ashad month hence it is also known as Ashad Navratri. Varahi Devi is not much popular among the Hindu devotees since the festival is popular as Guhya Navratri or Gupt Navratri in many places.
Varahi Navratri is celebrated with lot of fervor in Varahi Temple in Chaurasi of Orissa and MahaVarahi Temple in Ulsoor, Bangalore. Goddess Varahi Devi appears with the face of a boar and worshipped as Tantric Goddess. Varahi Nigrahastakam and Varahi Anugrahastakam are the popular prayers dedicated to Goddess Varahi Devi.
During Ashada Navratri, for three days, Goddess Kanakadurga idol (presiding deity in Durga Malleshwara Swamy temple in Vijayawada) is appeared in the alankar of Shakambari Devi. Durga idol is decorated with vegetables and fruits and worshipped as Shakambari Ma. And all other alankarams are worshipped as Maha Navratri festival (Ashwayuja Sharan Navratri Utsavams).
Ashada Navratri is very important festival for those who worship Goddess Varahi, one of the Saptha Matrukas (Seven Mothers) who helped Devi in slaying the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.