The Ninth day of Navratri – Goddess Durga as Devi Siddhidhatri

The ninth and final day of the Navaratri festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Siddhidhatri. This day, also known as Maha Navami, holds great religious significance, and devotees seek the goddess's blessings, as she is believed to be their protector. Several rituals are associated with this day, including Kanya Pujan, Saraswati Puja, Ayudha Puja, and Hawan. Additionally, Durga Puja and Battukamna festivals are also celebrated on this day.

Who is Goddess Siddhidhatri?

Devi Siddhidhatri is the ninth and final form of Navdurga or nine forms of goddess Durga. The term Siddhidhatri means giver of supernatural powers. Here Siddhi means powers and Dhatri means giver. Thus, by worshipping her the person gets spiritual powers and skills. Devi Siddhidhatri relates to the Ardhnarishwara form of Lord Shiva. In Hindu scriptures, it is mentioned that Lord Shiva gained Siddhis by worshipping Goddess Siddhidhatri and hence he is portrayed as half male half female popularly known as Ardhnarishwar.

Read Also: - Chaitra Navratri 2024: A Complete Guide

When is Navami 2024?

During Chaitra Navratri 2024, the Maha Navami is on 18th April, 2024.

Kundalini and Goddess Siddhidhatri

Goddess Siddhidatri is connected with the seventh chakra, known as the Sahasrara or Crown Chakra. Hindu tradition worships her on the ninth day of Navaratri, which celebrates the nine forms of the Goddess Durga. The Goddess is believed to bestow spiritual powers and grant her devotees knowledge and wisdom. The Sahasrara Chakra is located at the crown of the head. It is linked with spiritual enlightenment, connection to the divine, and the realization of higher consciousness.

Iconography

Goddess Siddhidhatri is portrayed as sitting on a big lotus flower and riding a lion. In her depictions, she is shown with four hands carrying a mace in one hand while Sudarshan Chakra in the other. She carries a conch and a lotus flower in her other two hands. 

Legend

Initially, there was no world anywhere, and the universe was nothing but a massive void filled with darkness. Suddenly, a ray of divine light illuminated the entire universe, spreading everywhere. There was light in every corner, but the light was without any form or shape. It then started taking shape and size, and on completion, it emerged as the Goddess Siddhidhatri herself. The goddess Siddhidhatri created the divine trinity, i.e. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. 

Goddess Siddhidhatri advised the three gods to understand their roles in using their powers for the world. The gods followed her advice and performed penances for a year while sitting on three lotuses on the universal ocean. The Goddess Siddhidhatri appeared and gave Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Parvati to Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, respectively. 

Goddess Siddhidhatri asked Brahma to become the creator of three worlds, Vishnu to assume the responsibility of preserving the worlds, and Lord Shiva to become the destroyer of the worlds. Siddhidhatri encourages them that their powers come from within themselves and their consorts, who will assist them in creating the universe. She also promises to grant them Siddhis, making them even more powerful. 

She gave them Asht Siddhis named Anima, Garima, Mahima, Laghima, Prakamya, Prapti, Ishitva and Vashitva. These eight words describe supernatural abilities that can be attained through spiritual practices. Anima refers to the ability to shrink one's body to a tiny size, while Mahima means extending one's body to the size of the universe. Garima means becoming heavy, and Laghima means becoming lightweight. Prapti means being present everywhere, Prakamya means achieving all desires, Ishitva means having absolute power, and Vashitva means holding power to do everything. 

Goddess Siddhidatri granted the Trideva and Tridevi supreme abilities, and they created various beings in all Lokas. All were created through them. The creation of the universe was complete with planets, stars and other celestial bodies placed in the sky. The Earth had land, sky, oceans, air, etc. All living species were given their proper habitats. 

Siddhidhatri, in her current form, is known for removing ignorance and providing the knowledge to realize supreme existence. She is worshipped by both deities and devils and is surrounded by Siddhas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Devas. She provides the Siddhis and is the goddess of all achievements and perfections.

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Devi Siddhidatri and astrology

The Goddess Siddhidhatri is associated with the planet Ketu, which signifies the knowledge of the unknown and delving deeper into astrology. Siddhidhatri provides energy and direction to the planet, removing ignorance and granting wisdom and skills. As she is known to bestow siddhis, all sadhakas and tantriks worship her to seek her blessings.

Maha Navami 2024: Significance 

According to Hindu beliefs, the Goddess Siddhidhatri protects her devotees from negative energies and troubles. Whoever takes her shelter gains the wisdom and power to fight against all odds. Maa Siddhidatri blesses everyone with prosperity and wish fulfilment.

Lucky colour

The lucky colour associated with the goddess Siddhidatri is ivory. To please the goddess, one should wear and offer articles in ivory or beige colour. Offering jasmine flowers is also a way to seek blessings from the goddess. 

Prasadam or Bhog

On Navami, one should offer poori, halwa, and chana to the Goddess Siddhidatri. After that, everyone eats them as prasadam.

Puja Rituals on Mahanavami 2024

• Astra/Ayudha Puja 

In South India, Maha Navami is celebrated with Astra or Ayudha Puja. On this day, people offer prayers to their tools and weapons. Some also worship their vehicles and perform Devi Saraswati Puja.

• Kanjak

Kanjak or Kanya Pujan is widely followed on Navmi Day. People invite nine young girls to their homes, who are seen as the depiction of Navdurga. The households wash their feet and offer halwa, poori, and chana. They are also given special gifts as a symbol of respect and love. 

• Saraswati Puja

In West India, people perform Saraswati Puja, the goddess of wisdom, learning, and education. People also immerse idols of the goddess Durga or Saraswati in rivers today. 

• Hawan 

Many devotees perform fire sacrifice or Hawan on maha Navami. 

• Battukamna Festival

Women celebrate the Battukamma festival, which is a festival of flowers. The festival celebrates the Aadishakti or female power in the form of Maa Durga.

Mantra

Om Devi Siddhidhatryai Namah॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Siddhidatraye Rupena Samsthita।

Namastasyaye Namastasyaye Namastasyaye Namo Namah॥

Temples

The famous temples of Devi Siddhidhatri are located in Varanasi, Chattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.