Deity guide
Goddess Durga
Mahishasuramardini, Amba, Bhavani, Chandika, Katyayani, Sherawali, Jagdamba, Vaishno Devi, Chamunda, Aparajita, Mahashakti, Simhavahini, Dasabhuja
Explore key symbols, mantra, worship traditions and related prayers in one place.
Goddesses
Worship at a glance
Key traditions and symbols
Worship Day
Tuesday (Mangalvar) and Friday (Shukravar)
Offerings
Red flowers, red cloth, coconut, kumkum, sindoor, fruits, sweets, animal sacrifice (in some traditions)
Color
Red, orange, yellow (all nine colors during Navaratri)
Main Mantra
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः (Om Dum Durgayai Namah)
Goddess Durga
The Invincible One, Mahishasuramardini, The Supreme Mother Goddess
Famous temples
Vaishno Devi Temple (Jammu) — Most visited Devi temple; 8 million annual pilgrims
Chamundeshwari Temple (Mysuru, Karnataka) — On Chamundi Hill
Kamakhya Temple (Guwahati, Assam) — Shakti Peetha
Naina Devi Temple (Himachal Pradesh) — Shakti Peetha
Vindhyavasini Temple (UP) — Ancient Durga shrine
Dakshineswar Kali Temple (Kolkata) — Ramakrishna's temple
Durga Temple, Varanasi (UP)
Ambaji Temple (Gujarat) — Shakti Peetha
Jwala Ji Temple (Himachal Pradesh) — Eternal flame
51/52 Shakti Peethas across India — Where Sati's body parts fell
🎉 Festivals
Sharad Navaratri — 9 nights (Ashwin month — September/October) — BIGGEST festival
Chaitra Navaratri — 9 nights (March-April)
Durga Puja — Bengal's greatest festival (last 4-5 days of Navaratri)
Vijaya Dashami / Dussehra — 10th day (victory day)
Durga Ashtami — 8th night (most powerful night)
Sandhi Puja — Moment between Ashtami and Navami (most sacred moment)
Kanya Puja — Worshipping young girls as Durga (Ashtami/Navami)
Significance
The Invincible One, Mahishasuramardini, The Supreme Mother Goddess
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Prayers and readings for Durga
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