#NAVSHAKTI: SIDDHIDATRI

The long nine days festival- Navratri ends with the worshipping of Maa Siddhidatri. The day is also denoted as Maha Navmi. Siddhidatri- ‘Siddhi’ means perfection and ‘Datri’ refers to the one who gives.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva prayed to Maa Shakti to get all the Siddhis, then half of Shiva’s body merged with half of Maa Siddhidatri’s and came to be known as ARDHNARISHWAR. Maa Siddhidatri also blessed the holy trinity- Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, with the eight Siddhis. Maa Siddhidatri is pictured wearing red clothes, sitting on a lotus or a lion. She holds a Chakra in one, a Gada and a lotus in another, and a Shankh in the fourth hand.

Maa Siddhidatri is believed to be another form of Goddess Lakshmi. She possesses the Ashta Siddhi. She rules people’s minds and guides them towards a better and more spiritual life. And not just humans worship Maa Siddhidatri, but all the Devas, the Gandharvas, the Asuras, and the Siddhas bestow in front of her. Navratri is celebrated by Indians all around the world. The long nine-day festival has a different energy. We celebrate Navratri to pray to the divine female power- Shakti, that brings balance to the universe and removes negative energies.

Navratri is the time of recreation, which allows us to look within ourselves, and heal from all the botherations. Just like it takes nine months for a child to be born, the same way nine days of Navratri signifies coming out of a womb of a mother, refreshed and restored.