Navratri: Maa Siddhidatri worshipped on ninth and final day of festival

On the ninth and the final day of Navratri, also called Navami, goddess Durga’s ninth incarnation Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped. As the name suggests, the goddess fulfils all the wishes of her devotees. 'Siddhi' means supernatural power or meditative ability, and 'Dhatri' means the one who blesses or gives that power.

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As mentioned in the religious texts, the goddess is figured as seated on a huge, fully-bloomed lotus, riding a lion. The four-armed goddess is shown holding a gada (mace) and sudarshana chakra in her right hands while a lotus and shankh in her left hands. Maa Siddhidatri is shown surrounded by siddhas, gandharvas, yakshas, asura (demons) and devata (gods) who are worshipping her.

Many also worship her as a form of goddess Saraswati, who imparts knowledge and intelligence and removes the ignorance of her devotees.

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According to legends, the goddess beheaded the buffalo demon, Mahishasur on this day, thereby establishing the triumph of good over evil. Kanya puja is also performed in states such as Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. As many as nine girls are invited to the homes and the girls are treated like the nine forms of the goddess and are also offered delicacies like puri, chana ka sabzi, kheer and halwa.