Just like the blog on Losar, the Tibetan New Year that we didn’t know we were celebrating, I want to talk to you about another celebration that most people are unaware of, which concluded just a few days ago.
Navaratri, which literally means "nine nights," is one of India’s most vibrant festivals, honoring the different manifestations of Śakti, the Divine Mother, the feminine expression of "God" according to Hinduism.
This festival, which occurs twice a year (during spring and autumn), is a time of deep devotion and spirituality, as well as an opportunity to express joy through music, dance, and colors. But beyond the visible celebrations, there is an incredible richness tied to this festival, and, most importantly, each day is dedicated to a manifestation of the Goddess, embodying a different aspect of the divine feminine. You will find both terrifying and saving aspects, in a delightful mix far from good and evil, from black and white—everything in bright and vibrant shades, just like India itself.
DAY 1
Shailaputri (Daughter of the Mountain)
AI illustration of Sati
Shailaputri holds great significance as the first manifestation of Goddess Durga. Her name represents the primordial and unchanging force that sustains the universe. She is seen as the reincarnation of Sati, the daughter of the powerful king Daksha, who fell in love with and married Lord Shiva, despite her father's disapproval.
Daksha organized a grand yagna (ritual sacrifice) and invited all the gods except Shiva. Offended by the insult to her husband, Sati immolated herself in the sacrificial fire. Grief-stricken, Shiva began his dance of destruction, the Tandava, causing chaos in the universe. After Sati's tragic death, the myth says she was reborn as Shailaputri, showing how the divine feminine faces sacrifice and rebirth to maintain cosmic balance. DAY 2
Brahmacharini (The One Who Observes Celibacy)
AI illustration of Brahmacharini
"Brahmacharini" is derived from "Brahma" (penance) and "Charini" (female), meaning a woman who practices devoted austerity. This goddess represents purity, determination, and spiritual knowledge.
To understand how Brahmacharini was "created," we must speak of Parvati, the goddess who sought to win Shiva’s heart. She embarked on a rigorous penance to capture his attention, retreating to the forest and adopting an extremely austere lifestyle. She gave up fine foods, choosing only herbs and roots to sustain herself. Dressed in simple white clothes, she carried a rosary and a water pot, symbols of purity and devotion.
Her penance lasted thousands of years, during which she endured the most difficult conditions without ever losing her resolve. Her ascetic practices earned her the title Brahmacharini, meaning "one who practices penance."
DAY 3
Chandraghanta (She Who Has the Lunar Bell)
AI illustration of Chandraghanta
She is known for her fierce and combative form and her fight against demons. After her marriage to Shiva, Parvati assumed the form of Chandraghanta to protect the world from demons and evil. In this form, she is depicted with ten arms, each wielding a different weapon such as a trident, a discus, and a mace. Her presence emanates an aura of terror for demons but of protection and benevolence for her devotees.
The sound of her bell, the ghanta, is said to be so powerful and menacing that it makes demons tremble and flee. During one of the most epic battles, Chandraghanta led the divine forces against a demon army, using her combat skills and fury to defeat evil.
This representation of Chandraghanta highlights the warrior aspect of the goddess, showing that the divine feminine is not only a source of beauty and love but also of strength and destructive power against evil. DAY 4 Kushmanda (She Who Created the Universe)
AI illustration of Kushmanda
It is believed that the world was in darkness before her divine laughter, which created light and life, beginning the formation of the universe. Her name can be broken down into "Ku" (small), "Ushma" (heat), and "Anda" (egg), suggesting the creation of a small cosmic egg.Kushmanda is also associated with healing and health.Legend has it that when Kushmanda created the universe with her laughter, she didn’t stop at creating stars, planets, and life. Having established the sun as her abode, she began to cultivate the earth with plants and herbs endowed with healing properties, which had the power to cure and alleviate the suffering of living beings.According to the legend, the healing plants and medicinal herbs created by Kushmanda are the foundation of ancient Ayurvedic medicine, a system of healing that relies on natural remedies to restore balance and health. Every plant she created serves a specific function, from strengthening the immune system to curing serious illnesses.The healing properties of plants are seen as a direct gift from the goddess, and Ayurvedic doctors often invoke Kushmanda for blessings before gathering and using these herbs in their treatments.
DAY 5
Skandamata (Mother of the God of War)
AI illustration of Skandamata
The story of Skandamata as the mother of Skanda is one of the most fascinating and meaningful myths in Indian mythology.
Skanda, also known as Kartikeya, was born to defeat the demon Tarakasura, who terrorized the world. This demon had gained a boon that made him nearly invincible, and only Shiva's son could defeat him.After Skanda’s birth, the goddess took the name Skandamata and is often depicted with the divine child on her lap, highlighting her protective and nurturing nature. Her strength as a mother not only symbolizes the power of fertility and procreation but also the incredible determination and sacrifice that mothers are willing to make for the sake of their children.
Her four arms, two of which hold lotus flowers, represent purity and divinity, while one arm holds Skanda, and the last is in a blessing position, showing her benevolent nature.
DAY 6
Katyayani (The Warrior)
AI illustration of Katyayani
To understand the birth of Katyayani, we must first understand who Mahishasura was. He was a shape-shifting demon who had gained a boon making him invincible to any man or god. Abusing this power, he began terrorizing heaven and earth. The gods, unable to defeat him alone, combined their anger and collective power to create a supreme warrior.
From this union of divine energies, Katyayani was born, a goddess armed with the most powerful weapons provided by the gods, such as Shiva’s trident, Durga’s sword, and Vishnu’s bow and arrows. Riding a fierce lion, Katyayani was the incarnation of divine justice, ready to punish evil, and as she was neither a man nor a god, she was the only one able to defeat Mahishasura.
The battle was intense, with the demon constantly changing forms, but Katyayani, with her skill and might, faced him in each of his incarnations. Eventually, the goddess managed to overpower the demon, killing him and freeing the world from his tyranny.
DAY 7
Kalaratri (The Dark Night)
AI illustration of Kalaratri
Kalaratri is a fierce incarnation of Goddess Parvati, who, when she decided to combat evil forces more decisively, stripped away her ornaments and beauty. She transformed into Kalaratri, representing the destruction of malevolent forces.
Her appearance is terrifying: she is often depicted with dark skin, disheveled hair, and blazing red eyes. She rides a donkey and wields a sword and a trident. Her appearance is meant to strike fear into the hearts of demons and dark forces. It is said that her mere presence is enough to dissolve darkness and drive away evil spirits. Her form emphasizes that destruction is necessary for regeneration and the creation of a new order.
DAY 8
Mahagauri (The White Goddess)
AI illustration of Mahagauri
According to myth, Mahagauri had dark skin due to the severe penances she had undergone to win Shiva as her husband. When Shiva finally accepted Parvati (Mahagauri) as his consort, he decided to purify her and remove all traces of fatigue and suffering that she had accumulated during her penance.
Shiva advised Parvati to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. When she did so, her dark complexion disappeared, revealing clear and radiant skin. This act of purification was not only physical but also symbolic of her purity, devotion, and spiritual commitment.
This myth highlights the Ganges' power as a sacred and purifying river, emphasizing how inner and outer purity can be achieved through devotion and divine blessings. Mahagauri’s transformation represents the transition from a period of austerity and penance to a state of purity and divine grace.
DAY 9
Siddhidatri (She Who Grants Powers)
AI illustration of Siddhidatri
The ninth and final form of the Goddess is famous for granting eight Siddhis, or supernatural powers, to her devotees. These powers are not just legends for believers but are seen as manifestations of divine grace for those who achieve a high level of devotion and meditation.
The eight supernatural powers are:
Anima: The ability to become microscopic, small enough to enter infinitesimal spaces.
Mahima: The ability to become gigantic, expanding immensely.
Garima: The ability to become extremely heavy, so much so that one cannot be moved.
Laghima: The ability to become incredibly light, like a feather.
Prapti: The ability to obtain anything desired and be anywhere in the cosmos.
Prakamya: The ability to realize one’s desires and control the natural elements.
Ishatva: The ability to control and create entire worlds.
Vashitva: The ability to control living beings and objects.
Now you know a little more about this festival rich in traditions, and if you find yourself in India during this time, the celebrations will surely not go unnoticed! Have you decided to which aspect of the goddess you will make your offerings this year? Which of her terrifying or devotional forms has captivated you the most?