The days thus far.

Today is one of the major Hindu festivals that marks the end of Navaratri. It is observed on the tenth day in the calendar month of Ashwin or Kartik. The day marks Lord Rama's victory over the evil king Ravana. The nine forms of goddesses, Durga, Shakti and Saraswati, remembered during the Dussehra.....

Day 1       Pratipada/Ghatasthapana

The first day is the day Shailaputri Devi. Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana - the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas.

Day 2       Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durgs with great powers and divine grace. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation - Moksha.

Day 3        Chandraghanta

Chandraghanta is worshipped for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a 'chandra' or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a 'ghanta' or bell. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.

Day 4         Kushmanda

The meaning of the name 'Ku-shm-anda' is as follows; 'Ku' - a little, 'ushma' - warmth. 'anda' - the cosmic egg. So, she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often, she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc in her hands and she rides a lion. 

Day 5          Skandamata

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 Lord Skanda in his infant form. Devi Skandamata is a symbol of the mother-son relationship. She is also called as Padmasani since She is often depicted seated on a lotus flower. She is also worshipped in the form of Parvati, Maheshwari or Mata Gauri. 

Day 6           Katyayani

The legend behind the name goes thus : Once upon a time there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. He underwent long austerities and penancein order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire, the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga. 

Day 7           Kalaratri

She has a dark complexion and a fearless posture. Her large red eyes, open red tongue and sabre in hand violently demolish devils and monsters. She is also glorified with the name 'Kali Maa'. Devi Kalaratri has three round eyes and scattered long black hair. She wears a bead that gleams like fire of electric power. Durga manifests herself and completely destroys dirt and demons from existence. She is revered with the name, Kalaratri because she represents herself as the death of Kaal and appears like a dark night for demons.

Day 8            Maha Gauri

Goddess Maha Gauri is eighth form of Devi Durga and one of the graceful goddesses among the navadurgas. Her beauty glows like the gleam of a white pearl. She denotes peace and endurance. she is represented with four arms seated on a Vrishabha (bull). Her upper left hand holds Trishul (Trident), lower right hand carries Damru (hand drum) and other two hands are in different Mudras (positions). She cleans dregs from the hearts of her worshippers.

Day 9              Siddhidatri

Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle.. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. She is the possessor of 26 different wishes (siddhis) which She grants her worshippers. The legend is that Lord Shiva got all those Siddhis by worshipping Ma Shakti.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a quarter past 6, the chores and was ready by 10.

A quiet day to begin with.

Leela chittamma, Saji, Salini and Lekshmi dropped by for dinner from Edappalli. A nice get together but they left by 10.