श्री दुर्गा माता
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः · Jai Mata Di
Durga in Sanskrit means "the invincible." She is the principal form of the Goddess, Devi, Shakti, the collective divine energy of all gods, destroyer of evil, and eternal protector of the righteous.
Durga is the principal form of the Mother Goddess, also known as Devi, Shakti, and Adi Para Shakti. According to the great legend, Durga was created for the slaying of the buffalo demon Mahishasura by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and by the lesser demigods who were otherwise powerless to overcome him.
Embodying their collective energy (Shakti), She is both the manifestation of all divine powers and the most fearsome force in creation. Durga is the wife of Shiva, and She is also known as Uma, Parvati, and Ambika, gentle and nurturing in Her benevolent forms, fierce and blazing in Her warrior form.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
In Her Lakshmi form She bestows wealth and prosperity. In Her Sarasvati form She bestows wisdom and the arts. In Her Kali form She is wrathful and unstoppable. And as Durga, She is the supreme mother who rides the lion of dharma into battle against all that is dark and false in this world.
When the demon Mahishasura defeated all the gods, their combined divine energy coalesced into a blazing form, the goddess Durga, born fully armed, riding a lion, destined to restore dharma to the universe.
Durga fought Mahishasura for nine days and nine nights, these nine days are celebrated as Navaratri, the festival of the Divine Mother. On the tenth day (Vijaya Dashami), Durga slew the demon and restored divine order.
Durga is also Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva and mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya. She was reborn as Sati and Parvati to be with Shiva, embodying the eternal feminine principle of love and devotion.
Durga Puja is one of the greatest festivals of India, celebrated annually in Her honour with music, prayer, elaborate ritual, and the worship of Her many forms across nine sacred nights.
Daughter of the mountain, the first form, invoking stability and groundedness
The ascetic form, embodying penance, devotion, and spiritual discipline
The crescent-bell form, the warrior goddess who grants peace and prosperity
The creator of the cosmic egg, source of all creation and light
Mother of Kartikeya (Skanda), the lotus-throne goddess of motherly love
The warrior form, born in the ashram of sage Katyayana to slay Mahishasura
The dark night, the most fearsome form, destroyer of all ignorance and evil
The radiant white form, pure, gentle, and a granter of all wishes
The giver of all siddhis (powers), the ninth and most complete form of Durga
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः
Om Dum Durgayai Namah
The seed mantra of Durga, destroys all fears, obstacles, and negative energies. Chanted with devotion, it invokes Her divine protection
सर्वमङ्गल माङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते॥
Sarva Mangala Maangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute
O auspicious one, Shiva, achiever of all goals, refuge of all beings, three-eyed Gauri, Narayani, I bow to You
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shaktirùpena Samsthita
To the Goddess who abides in all beings as Power, the great salutation to Durga from the Devi Mahatmyam
Durga Mata is honoured during Navaratri, Durga Puja, and special Devi festivals at our Mandir. Her energy pervades all our prayers and Aartis. Come experience the fierce grace and boundless compassion of the Divine Mother.