Karwa Chauth

In the month of Kartik, the fourth day is celebrated, every year, by women as the festival of Karwa Chauth. Karwa Chauth is a festival that married or engaged women observe for their husbands or fiances. It is a fast where the women stay without eating or drinking for the whole day. They pray for their 'saubhagya' or the long life and prosperity of their husbands.

In the evening, when the moon comes out, the women first sight the moon, then see their husbands through a sieve. The husbands help their wives break the fast by offering the first sip of water and the first bite of food. Afterwards a big celebration ensues and everyone participates in feasting and celebrating.

Karwa Chauth is a beautiful and colorful festival. The women wear bridal fineries and look like a new bride. They beautify themselves, apply henna on their hands, wear colorful bangles and celebrate their marriages.

The prayers of the Karwa Chauth fast are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati Mata. Women read or listen to the Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha today also.

A beautiful scene taken from the very popular movie 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge'

Vijaya Dasami - Dussehra

Vijaya Dasami:
Vijaya Dasami or Dussehra is a day of celebration. Mata Durga defeats the mighty demon Mahisasur on this day. It heralds a new beginning of time where Good triumphs over Evil. 

Today is also called 'Dasha-Hara' or victory over bad fate or bad period. Vijaya Dasami is thus a very auspicious or 'Shubh' day. Its a day when people take major decisions of life..e.g. big purchases are made, homes are bought and 'Griha Pravesh' or start of living in a new house is begun, businesses are started and so on....

Today is a day of joy, hope, courage, confidence, success, and new beginnings...

HAPPY VIJAYA DASAMI

 

Siddhidatri - Navratra day - 9

Siddhidatri:
The ninth swaroop of Ma Durga is Siddhidatri. She is endowed with every possible power or 'Siddhi'...e.g. Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishitwa, Vashitwa...

Devi Puran accounts credit Ma Siddhidatri as the one who endowed all Siddhis to Lord Shiva. The blessings of this Goddess gave Lord Shiva a form of half male and half female or 'Ardha Narishwar'. 

Siddhidatri Mata has four arms and rides a Lion. She is also seen seated on a 'Kamal' or Lotus flower. 9th day is the last day of the Navratras. All Vrat/fast ends after today's puja. It is believed a devotee who worships Ma Durga with complete faith, devotion, and surrender, receives many blessings and boons from Ma Siddhidatri on this day.

Every wish and desire of the devotee is fulfilled and he/she lives with 'Devi Kripa' or protection and blessings of  Durga Mata everyday.
 

Maha Gauri - Navratra day - 8

Maha Gauri:
The eighth swaroop of Ma Durga is Maha Gauri. Her complexion is very 'gaur' or fair. She is believed to be eight years old. Her clothes and ornaments are white. She has four arms. She carries the Trishul and rides on Nandi - the bull. She has a very quiet countenance and peaceful presence. 

It is believed that Ma Parvati received Lord Shiva as her husband after a long and very difficult penance. The constant torture to her body and the hardship made her face and body extremely dark. After the completion of her penance, Lord Shiva washed her in the Holy Ganges. Maha Gauri thus emerged, clensed, bright, shining, fair, and sparkling with a wonderful peaceful glow. She is extremely beautiful.

Praying to Mata Gauri cleanses the devotee's mind and body of every sin, past and present. Praying to this Goddess is extremely beneficial and one also receives the blessings of Shiva. A devotee's every 'manokamna' or desire/wish is fulfilled. One receives wealth, health, happiness, children, name and repute. 
 

Kalratri - Navratra day -7

Kalratri:
The seventh swaroop of Ma Durga is Kalratri. She has the face and body of complete darkness. Her hair is scattered and flames flare out from her nostrils. She has 3 round eyes and she rides a donkey. 

  In spite of the fact that Ma Kalratri looks so fierce and frightening, she is extremely kind and auspicious. She is quick to please and grants easily all the hard to achieve boons. She is very gentle to her devotees and very harsh on the enemies. One should not thus fear her but love her completely and seek her blessings.

Ma Kalratri grants her devotees every wish fulfillment, quickly and easily. She destroys all obstacles and enemies that come to harm her devotees. She also destroys all demons, ghosts, destructive and evil forces that come in way. She makes her devotees fearless and confident, to face every problem successfully.

Katyayani - Navratra day - 6

 

Katyayani:

The sixth swaroop of Ma Durga is Katyayani. Once there was a Rishi - Katyayan, who did hard penance and prayers for many years to please Maa Bhagwati. He asked the Goddess to take birth as his daughter. Katyayani was thus born in his home. 

It is believed Katyayani is the Goddess who was born on Ahwin Krishna Chaturdashi day. She received the prayers from all Tridev - Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, on the 7th, 8th, 9th day and finally killed the demon Mahisasur on the 10th day of Durga Puja.

She is shiny, bright, and golden in hue. She has four arms and rides a lion. She is very beautiful to look at. Ma Katyayani grants her devotees 'Dharma', 'Artha', 'Kama' and 'Moksha' or the four greatest boons of human life - Righteousness, Wealth, Pleasures, and salvation.

Katyayani destroys all fears, diseases, saddness, and hardships. Praying to her destroys all sins from this and previous lives. She cleanses her devotees and lifts them to a higher level. One must thus completely surrender at her feet and pray to her with devotion and trust.

Skand Mata - Navratra day - 5

Skanda Mata:
The fifth swaroop of Ma Durga is Skand Mata. Kumar Kartikeya is 'Skand' and his mother, Parvati, is Skanda mata. Skand is the commander-in-chief of all the Gods. He rides a peacock. Praying to Skanda Mata, not only brings blessings from the Goddess but also from Lord Kartikeya.

Skanda Mata carries the child form of Kartikeya in her lap and rides a Lion. She has 4 arms.

So wonderful is the blessing of Skanda Mata that the devotee experiences every heavenly joy and fulfillment on earth. She blesses one with every happiness. Skanda also bestows the devotee with powers of success and victory. One should therefore, praise Skanda Mata with steadfast devotion and a clear heart.