9 Forms of Goddess Durga
Over the nine nights of Navratri, one form of the Divine Mother is worshipped each day — beginning with the mountain-daughter Shailaputri and culminating in Siddhidatri, the giver of spiritual perfections. Each day has its traditional colour and offering.
शैलपुत्री
Shailaputri is the first of the nine forms of Durga worshipped on Day 1 of Navratri.
ब्रह्मचारिणी
Brahmacharini is the second form of Durga — the one who practises severe austerities (brahmacharya, tapas).
चन्द्रघण्टा
Chandraghanta is the third form of Durga — 'the one with a bell-shaped moon on her forehead'.
कूष्माण्डा
Kushmanda is the fourth form of Durga — 'the cosmic egg'.
स्कन्दमाता
Skandamata is the fifth form of Durga — 'the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya)'.
कात्यायनी
Katyayani is the sixth form of Durga.
कालरात्रि
Kaalratri is the seventh form of Durga — 'the dark night'.
महागौरी
Mahagauri is the eighth form of Durga — 'the greatly fair one'.
सिद्धिदात्री
Siddhidatri is the ninth and final form of Durga — 'the giver of siddhis (spiritual perfections)'.