Goddess Skanda: Fifth Form Of Maa Durga

Fifth day of navaratri festival of maha-panchami is considered as very scared and auspicious day. This day has been dedicated to worship fifth form of Maa Durga in the form of Goddess Skanda. In some of the western part of the country, this day has also been referred as a day of Goddess Lalita and is also getting considered as the second of the Navaratri Lakshmi puja. Fifth form of Maa Dugra represents motherly aspect or side of Maa Durga. Goddess Skanda also gets considered as the mother of Kartik.

In some of the Hindu culture or tradition this day also gets celebrated as a day to worship Goddess Chinnamasta. Many of the devotees keeps fast referred as Lalita Panchmi vrat on this day to worship Goddess Lalita, the fifth form of Maa Durga. In some part of the country, devotes keep all their books as well as musical instrument in front of the goddess to worship it as a part of invocation to the Goddess Sawaswathi. It has been believed that by following this ritual, devotees gets the blessing and Maa Sarashwati and achieves intelligence, knowledge and success in their life.

Maa Skanda has four arms and out of which one carries the blessing posture that denotes the maternal side of Goddess Durga.

Brahmacharini - Second Form Of Goddess Durga

Festival of nine days, Navaratri is one of the most popular and scared festivals of Hindu culture or tradition, which is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine different forms. Each day of this festival is dedicated to one form of Mother Goddess. The second day of Navaratri has been referred as a day of Goddess Brahmacharini in various Hindu mythological books. The word ‘Brahma’ refers to meditative aspect of the Brahmacharini and represents Sannyasin or the pious women. 

This form of Goddess Durga has two arms in which she carries water pot and a rosary. On the second day of Navaratri, in some part of the north India as well as western region of country, devotes of Goddess Durga worship Goddess Chamunda and Goddess Tara on this day. Goddess Chamuda is the one who killed the demons called Chanda and the Munda. However, in some part of country first three days of this festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga.

The second form of Goddess Durga is associated to the pious form of Maa Shakti. She is considered as the form of Maa Durga who represents the Goddess Parvati as well as Goddess Sati, who did intense austerities for many years to get the Lord Shiva as her husband.  

First Avatar Of Goddess Durga

Navratri festival is one of the most popular festivals in Hindu culture and this year it is starting from 16^th October in year 2012. The festival is celebrated across the country with lot of faith and believes in Goddess Durga since ages. Although, in different parts of the country, celebration takes place in various forms but still the main believe behind this festival is to worship Goddess Durga and her different nine avatars.

The festival of Navratri starts with the Lalash Sthapna or the Ghata Sthapana at various puja mandals as well as at various houses also. The first day of Navratra is dedicated to the first avatar of Goddess Durga – Mata Shailputri.

In various mythological books it has been said that the Mata Shailputri, daughter of mountain king Himvantha is the first among all the nine avatar of Goddess Durga. Hence, first day of navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shailputri. Mata Shailputri is also commonly referred as Mata Parvati, who is married to Lord Shiva. In her previous birth she was referred as Sati Bhavani Mata, the daughter of King Daksha. Devotees of Goddess Durga worship Mata Parvati on the very first day of Navratri festival. Trisula is considered as a weapon of Mata Shailputri that she holds in her right hand, whereas in her left hand she holds a lotus flower. Bull is considered as a vehicle. The blissful looks and pleasant smile describes the appearance of Mata Shailputri.

Various Ways To Keep Navaratri Fast

Navaratri is one of the most popular festivals in Hindu tradition. It has been considered as the festival of power, happiness and prosperity. There are many individuals who keep nine days fast during Navaratri, where as some keep a partial fast during this time and abstain themselves from the non-vegetarian foods as well as alcohol. This year, the festival is starting from 16^th October and it will end on 24^th October.

The festival is basically dedicated to the Goddess Durga, whereas in some part of South India the festival is dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati. In the mythological books of Hindu, it has been said that the significance of Navaratri fast was actually narrated by the Goddess Durga itself to one of her favorite devotee.

There are many people who keep complete fast during nine days of Navaratri and do worship Goddess Durga in the form of kalash or idol, in the morning. There are some people who stay on just fruits and milk for entire nine days and some just take one meal in a day during this Navaratri period. There is strict rule that one needs to follow to worship Mother Goddess. One can perform the rituals as per their capacity and believe to seek the blessings of the Goddess Durga.

Why We Celebrate Navaratri Festival?

Navaratri is a celebration or festival of nine days. It is one of the most popular festivals of Hindu culture that is celebrated with huge faith in order to worship the nine manifestation of the Goddess Durga. The literal meaning of Navaratri is nine nights, which celebrated in various forms in different parts of country. However, this festival is celebrated with a belief of victory of good or truth on evil. It is also considered as a time to worship Goddess or the Shakti Durga and to get her blessings. This festival also indicates the arrival of the winter season, during which the nature goes through various changes.

The festival starts on first day of the Ashvin and ends on the ninth day of the same month. However, the tenth day of the festival is celebrated as the Vijaya Dashami or the Dasara. It has been believed that the Goddess Durga killed the demon with buffalo head, Mahishasura on the tenth day after fighting for nine days with the demon.

The believer of the Goddess, worship the nine forms of the Shakti to her blessings and to enhance their wealth, prosperity, knowledge as well as auspiciousness.