Navratri : Mata Siddhidatri

The ninth day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri. Siddhi literally stands for ‘perfections’, while datri symbolizes the one who bestows. This incarnation of Maa Dugra possess miraculous power to heal the pain of devotees. She is depicted in a calm and smiling posture, wearing red saree, and sitting on a beautiful pink lotus. Her right hands are depicted holding a mace (gada) and chakra; while her left hands are holding a scallop shell (shankha) and lotus. One can notice most of the Devtas, Daanavas, Manushya and others offering prayers to her. This shows the supremacy of Goddess Siddhidhatri. According to various puranas, worshipping Maa Siddhidatri leads to the fulfillment of all 26 different wants and wishes (siddhis).

According to Markand Puran, Maa Siddhidatri is governs all the eight types of siddhis, namely Anima, Mahima, Garima, Ladhima, Prapti, Prakaamya, Ishitva and Vashitva. A devotee can achieve all these 8 siddhis by worshipping this form of Durga.

MYTHOLOGICAL STORY

According to the Devi Puraan, the Supreme Lord Shiva worshipped Maa Siddhidatri to obtain great power and achieved all eight siddhis. To offer gratitude, soon after receiving the blessings from Maa Siddhidatri, Lord Shiva turned half of His body in the form of Goddess Shakti. This form of Lord Shiva is known as ‘Ardhanarishvar’. This manifestation of Maa Durga removes darkness from the devotee’s life and makes way for positivity in all aspects of their lives. This is the major reason why all demons, Gods and sages devote themselves to seek Her blessings.

WHICH COLOR IS DEDICATED TO MAA SIDDHIDATRI

HOW TO OFFER THE PUJA ON THE NINTH DAY OF NAVRATRI

• One must follow the daily routine of bathing and cleaning the puja sthal (worshipping area).
• The devotees should put the tilak on the idol and later, on themselves.
• Sitting in the northeast direction, devotees should chant the following mantra for minimum 108 times to attain a peaceful mind in this unsatisfactory world.
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता।
• After offering the prayers, water the urn (ghatsthapna). One can notice the grains, which now might have grown up to 4 to 5 inches. Devotee should ask a young girl (kanya) to pluck some of the grass from the urn and should keep it in the place where they keep their valuables, and it should be distributed as prashad.
• On this last day of Navratri, devotees should visit the Mata Mandir and should offer prayers to the Kanyans by performing Kanya Pujan. Many devotees make halwa, poori, channa as prashad and offer it to young girls and seek blessings from them.
• Many devotees organize the jagrata for Maa Durga on the last day of Navratri.