Shardiya Navratri 2019 Day 9: Maa Siddhidatri & Kanya Pujan

Indian Astrology | 03-Oct-2019

The nine-day long festival which celebrates and worships the different forms of Goddess Durga is a yearly celebration to restore faith in people. It is considered that Goddess Adi-shakti was an incarnation of the goddess Durga. Goddess Shakti was incarnated to kill the demon king Mahishasura. Sharad Navratri is celebrated in the month of Ashwin and devotees worship the nine forms of Goddess by observing different types of fast and performing various rituals during this festival.

The ninth day of Navratri is celebrated to worship Maa Siddhidatri. Her name consists of two words, Sidhi which means spiritual power and Datri which means giver. Maa Siddhidatri is known for removing ignorance and giving the knowledge to realize the eternal power of the individual.

The appearance of Maa Siddhidatri

Maa Siddhidatri is considered to have four arms and she resides in a lotus flower. She is also portrayed on a lion, sometimes. She holds a Gada in her upper right hand, chakra in the lower right hand, a lotus flower in one left hand and the conch shell on the other hand. It is also said that she has a disc of light around her golden crown. This light is considered to be the major reason for instilling devotion in the heart of devotees towards supreme power. Goddess Siddhidatri bestows powers on her worshippers.

Maa Siddhidatri Puja

Maa Shiddhidatri is known to rule over the planet Ketu. Worshipping her helps a person to lead to the correct path of success and immense knowledge. She is the ultimate perfection and these sources of power, glory, and courage. The devotees try to please her by performing puja, hawan, and chanting Siddhidatri Puja mantras. Devotees offer nine oranges, burn incense, light earthen lamps, offer fragrant flowers, fruits, various gems, and clothing as a puja ritual.

Significance of Maa Siddhidatri Puja

The last day of Navratri is celebrated by worshipping the ninth form of Goddess Durga- Maa Siddhidatri. as the name suggests, Maa Siddhidatri is one goddess who posses all types of Siddhis such as Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakambya, Ishitva, and Vashitva. And she is the only goddess who can bestow these siddhis to its worshippers. Lord Shiva also worships Maa Siddhidatri in order to gain all the siddhis. After being impressed by Lord Shiva, she made him perfect by giving all that thing she had. It is also believed that Lord Shiva’s half body turned into Goddess Siddhidatri. Since that time, she got the name Ardhnarishwar.

On the ninth day of Navratri, Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped. Once the day begins, devotees bathe themselves early morning and worship “Navratri Kalash”. Durga Saptashi path is recited to worship her and “Maha Navami” fast is observed.

Kanya Pujan

Some of the devotees prefer performing the Kanya Pujan on this day of Ashtami (eighth day of Navratri). Devotees invite and welcome nine young girls to their house and worship them. These nine girls are considered as the Navdurga or the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. These girls are made to sit in an orderly way and are offered with black chana, puris, and halwa. Also as a part of some ritual, these girls are presented with money and clothes. The money and gifts are presented to these girls as a token of thanks. The devotees worship Kanyas by applying tilak and seek blessings from them by touching their feet before bidding farewell to them.

9th day of Navratri

Navratri’s 9th day will be celebrated on the 7th of October 2019 i.e. Monday. Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped by Deva, Gandharva, Asure, Yaksha, and Siddha too. The ninth day of Navratri, Maa Siddhidatri bestows all types of Siddhis to her devotees and this day marks the final day of the most important festival of Hindu tradition.

Puja Vidhi

Performing Maa Siddhidatri Puja with the proper procedures will enhance prosperity in one’s life.

In some parts of the country, the auspicious day of Navratri starts by worshipping to the Kanyas and offering them food and gifts.
The nine forms of goddess Durga are worshipped in the form of nine Kanjaks.
At the onset of the day, the most important thing which needs to be done is the Kalash puja as this helps to ward off all the negativities of one's life and help them to lead a healthy life.
The next step which must be done for Kanya puja is that 9-10 girls must be brought to his/her home. These girls must be below the age of 10. And this is a symbol of worshipping the goddess in Kanya Pujan.
The last thing which must be done is the Arti of Goddesses and these Kanyas. These Kanyas are taken to conclude the celebration of the Navratri.