The nine-day Hindu holiday known as Chaitra Navratri is observed during the month of Chaitra.
The nine days and nights of Chaitra Navratri, which typically take place in March or April, are devoted to honoring Maa Durga’s nine avatars.
Navratri is a time to honor Maa Durga and her conquest of the demonic Mahishasura, represented by the goddess Mahishasura Mardini.
Additionally, the nine days and nine avatars of Maa Durga are revered annually, each with its own rites, colors, mantras, and more.
The first day is Maa Shailputri’s birthday: Devotees honor Mata Shailaputri, also referred to as the daughter of the mountains, on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. It is thought that those who worship Maa Shailaputri and her holy qualities are bestowed with the blessings of bravery and power.
The mantra to chant on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, dedicated to Mata Shailputri, is ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः or Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah.
Another mantra to chant on day 1 is: वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्। वृषारुढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम् or Vande Vanchit Labhay Chandrardhkritshekhram. Vrisharudham Shuldharam Shailputri Yashaswini.
The second day honors Maa Brahmacharini:
Devotees honor Goddess Brahmacharini, also referred to as the Goddess of virtue and penance, on the second day of Chaitra Navratri.
As her name implies, Maa Brahmacharini is a representation of love and devotion. She is a pure, heavenly version of Maa Durga and bestows virtue and wisdom upon her devotees.
The mantra to chant on day 2 is ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः or Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah.Another important mantra to chant is – दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू। देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा or Dadhanakara Padmabhyam akshamala kamandalam, Devi prasidathu mayi rahmacharinya nuththama
The third day honors Maa Chandraghanta:
Devotees honor and worship Maa Chandraghanta, a symbol of tranquility, peace, and serenity, on the third day of Chaitra Navratri. It is said that praying to Maa Chandraghanta bestows upon her devotees lifelong protection from bad energy as well as a calm and peaceful feeling.
The mantra to chant for Maa Chandraghanta is ॐ देवी चंद्रघण्टायै नमः or Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah.Another important mantra to chant is: पिण्डज प्रवरारूढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसीदम तनुते महयं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता। or Pindaj Pravrarudha Chandkpasrkaryuta Prasidam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta.
For Maa Kushmanda, Day 4:
On the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri, people worship Maa Kushmanda, who is revered as the universe’s creative force. Devi Ashtbhuja, another name for Maa Kushmanda, is claimed to bestow creativity and life upon her devotees through prayer.
The mantra to chant on day 4 for Maa Kushmanda is ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः or Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah.Another mantra for the day is वन्दे वांछित कामार्थे चंद्रार्घ्कृत शेखराम, सिंहरुढ़ा अष्टभुजा कुष्मांडा यशस्वनिम or Vande Vance hit Kamarthe Chandrarghkrit Shekhram, Singhrudha Ashtbhuja Kushmanda Yashswini.
Day 5 is Maa Skandamata’s day:
Lord Kartikeya’s mother, Maa Skandamata, bestows on him the qualities of maternal love, empathy, and safeguarding. Typically, she is depicted holding lotus flowers in her hands and the god Kartikeya on her lap. It is said that making prayers to Maa Skanda can grant her followers warmth, love, and security.
The mantra for day 5 is ॐ देवी स्कन्दमात्र्यै नमः or Om Devi Skandamatryai Namah.Another mantra that can be chanted is सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया. शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी or Sinhasangata nityam padmashritkardvya, Shubhdastu sada Devi Skandmata Yashswini.
Day 6 is devoted to Maa Katyayani, the warrior goddess:
Day 6 is also known as Shasta. She is seen riding her lion and holding a sword; she is the source of courage and strength. It is said that reciting Maa Katyayani’s name and mantra in prayer and chanting will shield the devotee from evil energy and grant bravery and victory over life’s challenges.
The mantra to chant Is ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः or Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah.Another mantra is: स्वर्णाआज्ञा चक्र स्थितां षष्टम दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्। वराभीत करां षगपदधरां कात्यायनसुतां भजामि or Swarnagya chakra sthitam shashtam Durga Trinetram. Varabhit Karam shadgpadmdharam katyayansutam Bhajami.
Day 7 is Maa Kaalratri’s day:
The strongest manifestation of Goddess Durga, Maa Kaalratri, represents the defeat of ignorance and evil. It is stated that by reciting the mantras devoted to her, followers will be released from the negativity and anxieties they carry within them or are surrounded by.
The mantra to chant for Maa Kaalratri is ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः or Om Devi Kalratri Namah.Another mantra is: करालवंदना धोरां मुक्तकेशी चतुर्भुजाम्। कालरात्रिं करालिंका दिव्यां विद्युतमाला विभूषिताम or Karalvadnam ghoram muktkeshi chaturbhjam. Kaal Ratrim karalikaam divyam vidyutmala vibhushitam.
Day 8 is Maa Mahagauri’s day:
Devi Mahagauri is honored on the eighth day of Navratri, or Ashtami. She is revered for her celestial attributes and nature, and she is regarded as the embodiment of tranquility and purity.
Chanting the mantras devoted to her is supposed to purify the devotee’s mind, soul, and thoughts.
The mantra to chant on Ashtami is ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः or Om Devi Mahagouryai Namah. Another mantra to chant for Maa Mahagauri is – पूर्णन्दु निभां गौरी सोमचक्रस्थितां अष्टमं महागौरी त्रिनेत्राम्, वराभीतिकरां त्रिशूल डमरूधरां महागौरी भजेम् or Purndu nibham gauri somchakrasthitam ashtam Mahagauri trinetram, Varabhitikaram trishul damrudharam Mahagauri bhajem.
Maa Siddhidatri is honored on Day 9:
The ninth day of Navratri is dedicated to honoring Maa Siddhidatri, the goddess who bestows celestial abilities and accomplishments.
She is described as Lord Shiva’s other half energy and is seen sitting on a fully blossomed lotus in a bright red saree. It is stated that reciting the mantras devoted to her improves a person’s spiritual state and enables them to achieve all of their goals.
The mantra for Maa Siddhidatri is ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः or Om Devi Siddhidatri Namah.