11 October - NAVDURGA (NINE NIGHT) SIDDHIDATRI

 

Siddhidatri is the ninth and final form of the Hindu Goddess Durga, and she is worshipped on the ninth day of the Navratri festival, which is also known as Maha Navami. Siddhidatri is believed to be the bestower of supernatural powers or siddhis to her devotees, and her name literally means "the giver of siddhis" or "accomplishments."

Key characteristics and symbols associated with Siddhidatri include:

1. Four-Armed Goddess: Siddhidatri is often depicted as a four-armed goddess. In her hands, she holds a mace (gada) and a chakra, which are traditional weapons, and a lotus flower and a conch shell, symbolizing purity and the divine.

2. Riding on a Lion: She is seated on a lion, symbolizing strength, courage, and fearlessness.

3. Supernatural Powers: Devotees believe that Siddhidatri blesses them with various siddhis, including the ability to heal, levitate, foretell the future, and gain control over the elements.

On the ninth day of Navratri, worshipers seek the blessings of Siddhidatri to obtain spiritual powers, enlightenment, and success in their endeavors. It is a day of great devotion and celebration, with prayers, pujas, and festivities held in her honor.

Siddhidatri represents the culmination of the Navratri festival, where the divine feminine energy is worshipped in various forms over nine nights, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. After Navratri, the festival concludes with the celebration of Dussehra, which marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.