Goddess Durga Mother of Universe

Goddess Durga is worshiped as the mother of the universe and her name itself reflects ‘Shakti’ or power. Durga in Sanskrit means a fort or a place that is protected and thus difficult to reach. Durga Maa represents the Supreme Being that preserves moral order and righteousness in the creation.

Goddess Durga Mantra

Om Dum Durgayei Namaha
Om Aing Hring Kling Chamundayei Vichche

Goddess Durga worship during Durga Puja Festival

Durga Puja during the Navaratri festival is the main festival associated with the Goddess. Durga Pooja is the biggest Hindu festival celebrated throughout India. This falls in the month of September - October and the goddess is worshipped in nine forms these days. The goddess is dressed each day as a different devi like Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Parvati, and Goddess Lakshmi. On first day she is Shailputri, second day Brahmacharini, third day Chandraganta, fourth day Kushmanda, fifth day Skanda Mata, sixth day Katyayani, seventh day Kalratri, eighth day Mahagauri and ninth day Sidhidatri. The eight day of Navratri Festival is known as Durgashtami and weapons of Goddess Durga are worshiped on this day. The day of Durga’s victory is celebrated as Vijayadasami. There is also an elemental ritual of immersing the idol of Goddess Durga into the holy river of Ganga which points to cyclical regeneration.

Power of all Divine Forces

Goddess Durga is believed to be the power behind the work of creation, preservation and destruction of the world. She is the divine mother who protects mankind from all evils and miseries and also destroys selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger and ego. Thus Goddess Durga represents a united front of all Divine forces against the negative forces of wickedness and evil.