S Venkateswaran

  Navaratri Day 8 - Mahagauri Mahagauri (Sanskrit: महागौरी, IAST: Mahāgaurī) is the eighth manifestation of goddess Durga and amongst the Navadurgas. Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. According to Hinduism, Goddess Mahagauri has the power to fulfill all the desires of her devotees. The one who worships the goddess gets relief from all the sufferings in life. Mahagauri has four arms. Her right arm is in the pose of allaying fear and right lower hand holds a trident in it. She holds a tambourine in her left upper arm and the lower one is in the form of a blessing. Goddess Mahagauri, eighth form of Durga Devanagari महागौरी Affiliation Avatar of Parvati/ Adi Parashakti Abode Kailashagiri Mantra श्वेते वृषे समारुढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः। महागौरी शुभं दघान्महादेवप्रमोददा॥ Weapon Trident, Damaru (tambourine), Abhayamudra, Varada mudra Mount Bull Personal information Siblings Ganga and Vishnu Consort Shiva Children Kartikeya, Ganesha, Jyoti, Ashokasundari Etymology...

 Navaratri Day 7- Kaalratri Kalaratri (sometimes spelled Kaalratri) is the seventh of the nine forms of the Goddess Durga, known as the Navadurga. She is first referenced in the Durga Saptashati, Chapters 81-93 of the Markandeya Purana, the earliest known literature on the Goddess Durga. Kalaratri is widely regarded as one of the many destructive forms of the Mother Goddess, which include Kali, Mahakali, Bhadrakali, Bhairavi, Mrityu, Rudrani, Chamunda, Chandi and Durga. Kaalratri She is also known as Shubhamkari, Kali, Bhadrakali and Mahakali Tamil transliteration Kāḷarātri Tamil காளராத்ரி Affiliation Avatar of Parvati Planet Saturn Mantra एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता लंंबोष्टी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्तशरीरिणी। वामपादोल्लसल्लोहलताकंठकभूषणा वर्धनमूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयंकरी।। Weapon hooked vajra and curved sword, Abhayamudra, Varadamudra Mount Donkey, Lion or Tiger Consort Shiva The combined 9 forms of Parvati/Durga create Navdurga who killed the demon Mahishasura It is n...

 Navaratri Day 6- Katyayini Katyayani is one of the main forms of The Hindu Mother Goddess, Devi. She is seen as the slayer of the tyrannical demon Mahishasura. She is also the sixth form amongst Navadurga or the nine forms of Hindu goddess Durga (Parvati), worshipped during the Navratri celebrations. She may be depicted with four, ten, or eighteen hands. This is the second name given for Goddess Adi Parashakti in Amarakosha, the Sanskrit lexicon (Goddess Parvati names- Uma Katyayani Gauri Kali Haimavati Ishwari). Goddess Katyayani was worshipped by Sita, Radha and Rukmini for a good husband. Daughter of Sage Katyayana, hence known as Katyayani Affiliation Avatar of Parvati Planet Jupiter Mantra चंद्रहासोज्जवलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना। कात्यायनी शुभं दध्यादेवी दानवघातिनि।। Weapon Khadga (longsword) Padma or Lotus, Abhayamudra, Varadamudra Mount Lion Personal information Siblings Vishnu Consort Shiva In Shaktism she is associated with the fierce forms of Shakti or Durga, a Warrior goddess,...

 Navaratri Day-5 Skandamata Skandamātā (Sanskrit:स्कन्दमाता) is the fifth form of Hindu Goddess Durga. Literally meaning Mother of Skanda, her name comes from word, Skanda is another name for war god and her son Kartikeya and Mata is the term for mother. As one of the Navadurga, Her worship takes place on the fifth day of Navaratri(the nine divine nights of Navadurga). Mother of Skanda(Kartikeya) Devanagari स्कंदमाता Affiliation Avatar of Parvati Abode Kailash Mantra सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥ Weapon Lotus, Two hands holding Skanda Mount lion Consort Shiva Symbolism  Skandamātā is four-armed and rides on a lion. She carries a lotus. Her one hand is in blessing posture. Lord Skanda can be seen in her lap. She possesses four arms out of which two often hold the lotus flowers. One of her hands is always in the boon-conferring gesture and with the other she holds her son Skanda in her lap. Her complexion is white and she is seated ...

 Navaratri Day-4  Kushmanda Kushmanda is a Hindu goddess, credited with creating the world with her divine smile. Followers of the Kalikula tradition believe her to be the fourth form of the Hindu goddess Durga. Her name signals her main role: Ku means "a little", Ushma means "warmth" or "energy" and Anda means "cosmic egg". Goddess Kushmanda, fourth form of Durga Affiliation Avatar of Parvati Abode Kailasa Planet Surya Mantra सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च। दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥ Weapon Lotus, Chakra, Kamandalu, Dhanusha (Bow), Arrow, Gada (Mace), Akshamala (Rosary), Jar of holy Elixir i.e. Sura and blood Mount Tiger Consort Shiva Kushmanda is worshiped on the fourth day of the festival of Navratri (nine nights of Navadurga) and She is believed to improve health and bestow wealth and strength. Goddess Kushmanda has eight hands and because of that She is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi. It is believed that all the power to...

 Amazing temple info - 63 அதிசய கோயில் தகவல் -63 Dhari Devi a temple located on the banks of the Alaknanda River between Srinagar and Rudraprayag in the Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand, India. The temple is home to the upper half of the idol of the goddess Dhari, while the lower half of the idol is located in Kalimath, where she is worshipped as a manifestation of the Goddess Kali. Dhari Devi Affiliation Hinduism District Srinagar, Uttarakhand / Rudraprayag Deity Kali (Dhari Devi) Festivals Navaratri Location Kalyasaur State Uttarakhand Country India. Architecture Type North Indian architecture Elevation 560 m (1,837 ft) She is considered to be the guardian deity of Uttarakhand and is revered as the protector of the Char Dham’s. Her shrine is one of 108 Shakti Sthals in India, as numbered by Srimad Devi Bhagwat. 2013 Uttarakhand floods The original temple of the goddess was demolished on June 16, 2013, to give way to the construction of the 330 MW Alaknanda Hydro Electric Dam built...

 Navaratri Day 3 Chandrakanta/சந்த்ரகாந்தா Ma Chandraghanta, often considered the third incarnation of Ma Durga, represents knowledge, bliss, and justice. She is considered to be the married form of Goddess Parvati and started wearing the half Chandra after her union with Lord Shiva. She takes her name after half-moon on her forehead which looks like a bell (Ghanta), for which she is addressed as Chandra-Ghanta. Her third eye is always open and she is ready for war against demons at all times. Devi Chandraghanta is depicted with ten hands and carries Trishul, Gada, Sword, and Kamandal in her four left hands and keeps the fifth left hand in Varada Mudra. She carries lotus flower, Arrow, Dhanush and Japa Mala in her four right hands and keeps the fifth right hand in Abhaya Mudra. She is worshipped on the third day of Navratri and it is believed that the sound of the moon-bell on her forehead keeps ghostly and negative spirits away from her devotees. Navratri 2020 Day 3: Maa Chandragh...

 NAVRATRI DAY 2 Brahmacharini/ப்ரம்மச்சாரிணி Brahmacharini (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मचारिणी) means a devoted female student who lives in an Ashrama with her Guru along with other students. It is also the name of the second aspect of the goddess Durga (Parvati). The goddess is worshipped on the second day of Navratri (the nine divine nights of Navadurga). The goddess Brahmacharini wears white clothes, holds a japa mala (rosary) in her right hand and Kamandal, a water utensil in her left hand. Brahmacharini Devanagari ब्रह्मचारिणी Affiliation Navadurga, Parvati Mantra दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू। देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥2 Weapon Japa mala, Kamandalu Texts Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Devi Gita Consort Shiva Legend  According to different versions of her myths, maiden Parvati resolves to marry Shiva. Her parents learn of her desire, discourage her, but she pursues what she wants and did Tapasya for about 5000 years. In mean time Gods approached god Kamadeva - the Hindu god o...

 NAVRATRI DAY 1 Shailaputri/ஷைலபுத்ரீ As Durga Puja celebrations have started it’s the time of the year when devotees fast, we can hear bells and chanting goddesses name all over. The beautiful pandals and decoration make the city beyond perfect. "The first form of Goddess Durga among the nine is Goddess Shailputri."  She in her previous birth was named Sati and was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati. She is said to look after all living things on earth. The goddess is also known as Parvati and Hemvati. Shailputri Temple Temple location: The Shailputri temple is located at A-40/11, Marhia Ghat, Varanasi, UP.  It is open from 5 am to 12 pm and then from 3 pm to 10 pm. Arti is performed in the morning as well as in the evening. About the temple Shailputri temple in Varanasi is the place where people say that all your wishes come true. Married women visit this temple on the first day of Durga Puja and pray to the goddess for the wellness of their husbands. Red flowers, coconut...