The document discusses the nine different forms of the Hindu goddess Durga worshipped during Navratri. Each form has a distinct name and symbolizes a different religious significance. The forms include Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. Each form has specific iconography depicting Durga with different weapons, vehicles, and physical attributes representing her various powers and roles.

1. 9 Different Forms of GodessDurga The festival of DurgaPuja is celebrated with religious observance in the Indian states. Hindu Goddess Durga is portrayed as having ten arms and believed to have nine different forms. Each form symbolizes a religious significance. On one hand, where we get to see her in the form of a gracious woman, who symbolizes the female dynamism, then on the other hand, she is given a terrifying look of a destroyer that is apt to frighten the demons. Here is the 9 different forms of GodessDurga ……

2. Shailputri The first form of Goddess Durga is known as Shailputri or the Daughter of Mountain. As DurgaShailputri, she is worshipped as the daughter of the mountain Himalaya. Shailputri is the absolute form of Mother Nature. She is also known as Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.

3. BrahmachariniBrahmachariniBrahmacharini Brahmacharini is the second form of Durga who is worshippied on the second day of Navratri. As Brahmacharini, she is portrayed as having rosary in her right hand and Kamandal in the left one. Here word 'Brahm' refers to 'Tapa'. So Brahmcharini means TapaCharini, the one who perform Tapa. It is said that the 'Vedas', 'Tatva' and 'Tapa' are synonyms of word 'Brahm'.

4. Chandraghanta The name of third Shakti is Chandraghanta who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. In the form of Chandraghanta, she is portrayed as having a half moon on her forehead. She is shown as a beautiful woman with golden hair. A symbol of bravery, she is portrayed as having ten hands holding different kinds of weapons in each. This image of Durga is meant to frighten people having evil minds.

5. Kushmanda In the form of Kushmanda, she is shown as a charming woman riding a lion. She has been given the name "Kushmanda", as she really likes the offerings of "Kumhde'. She resides in solar systems and she she shines brightly in all the ten directions like Sun. In this form she has eight hands.

6. Skanda Mata The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as 'Skanda Mata', the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is accompanied by the 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 pose to grant boons with grace and in left lower hand which is raised also holds a lotus. She has a bright complexion and often depicted as seated on a lotus.

7. Katyayani The sixth form of Durga is Katyayani. People believe that, when Durga was born to RishiKatyayan in the form of Paramba, she was given the name "Katyayani". She has three eyes and eight hands. These are eight types of weapons in her seven hands and her vehicle is Lion.

8. KalratriKalratri Kalratri is the seventh form of Goddess Durga. As Kalratri, she is portrayed as dark as night. She has three round eyes. Flames of fire are shown coming out of her nose. She takes a ride on the Shava, as in dead body. In her right hand, she is holding a sharp sword. By her scary look, she frightens the demons.

9. MahaGauri Mahagauri is the eight forms portrayed as an eight year old girl, who is wearing clean white clothes. She is shown as taking a ride on the bull. She has got three eyes and four hands. There is a trishul in her left hand. She is calm and peaceful and exists in peaceful style.

10. Siddhidatri The ninth and the last form of Durga is Siddhidatri. In totality, there are eight siddhis, namely Mahima, Prapti, Prakamya, Garima, Anima, Laghima, Iishitva and Vashitva. It is said in "Devipuran" that the God Shiv got all these Siddhies by worshipping MahaShakti. The Goddess drives on Lion. She has four hands and looks pleased. This form of Durga is worshiped by all Gods, Rishis-Munis, Siddhas, Yogis, Sadhakas and devotees for attaining the best religious asset.