Navdurga: The Nine Forms of Durga, Day by Day — Meaning, Mantra and Bhog

The Navdurga are nine forms of one Devi, named in the Devi Kavach that opens the Durga Saptashati: prathamam Shailaputri cha, dvitiyam Brahmacharini… Read in order they trace a life — the daughter of the mountain, the ascetic, the bride, the creator, the mother, the warrior, the destroyer of darkness, the purified, and the giver of fulfilment. One is worshipped on each tithi of Navratri; the 2026 dates are in Navratri 2026 dates.

In many traditions the nine nights are kept in three parts — the first three for Durga, the middle three for Lakshmi, the last three for Saraswati. For families who want a puja performed in their name this Navratri, Maa Lakshmi Puja is a private puja: performed for your family alone, with the sankalp in your name and gotra, on the date you choose.

1. Shailaputri (Pratipada, 11 October) — daughter of Himalaya, riding the bull Nandi with trident and lotus. She is steadiness: the ground on which the nine days stand. Mantra: Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah. Bhog: pure ghee.
2. Brahmacharini (Dwitiya, 12 October) — the Devi as ascetic, barefoot with rosary and water-pot, in the long penance by which she won Shiva. She is discipline and patience. Mantra: Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah. Bhog: sugar and fruit.
3. Chandraghanta (Tritiya, 13 October) — ten-armed, on a tiger, with the half-moon shaped like a bell on her brow. She is courage with composure. Mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah. Bhog: milk or kheer.

4. Kushmanda (Chaturthi, 14 October) — eight-armed, said to have brought the universe into being with her smile, and to dwell in the orb of the sun. She is creative energy. Mantra: Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah. Bhog: malpua.
5. Skandamata (Panchami, 15 October) — mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), seated on a lion with the child on her lap. She is a mother’s protection. Mantra: Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah. Bhog: bananas.
6. Katyayani (Shashthi, 16 October) — born in the ashram of sage Katyayana, the warrior form that slew Mahishasura. Unmarried girls traditionally worship her for a good match. Mantra: Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah. Bhog: honey.

7. Kalaratri (Saptami, 17 and 18 October) — dark, fierce, with loosened hair, riding a donkey; fearsome to look at and called Shubhankari, the doer of good. She is the end of fear. Mantra: Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah. Bhog: jaggery.
8. Mahagauri (Ashtami, 19 October) — radiant white, on a white bull; the Devi restored after her penance. She is purity and calm. Mantra: Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah. Bhog: coconut.
9. Siddhidatri (Navami — from 10:51 am on 19 October to 12:50 pm on 20 October) — seated on a lotus, the giver of the siddhis, worshipped by gods and sages alike. She is fulfilment. Mantra: Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah. Bhog: sesame, and the halwa-puri-chana of kanya pujan.

The list of a colour to wear each day is a modern convention that changes with the weekday Navratri starts on; it has no scriptural standing. The bhog list above is a widely followed tradition, but families differ. What the texts ask for is simpler: a clean place, a lamp, flowers, and attention.

The Navdurga are named in the Kavach, but the story of the Devi’s battles is told in the Durga Saptashati itself, recited through Navratri. When that text is recited nine times over, with a havan, the anushthan is called Navchandi — arranged in Ujjain here: Navchandi Durga Puja.