Who is Goddess Siddhidatri and Her Importance on the Final Day of Navratri

The final day of the Navratri festival celebrates the goddess Siddhidatri, the primordial form (mool Roopa) of Maa Parvati. The name Siddhidatri is made by combining two words where Siddhi means ‘supernatural powers’ and Datri means ‘provider’. Hence, Maa Siddhidatri is called the Goddess or provider of Supernatural powers.

In this blog, we will learn more about goddess Siddhidatri and understand her significance in Hinduism and the puja vidhi that you can follow to worship her this Navratri.

Legend Associated with Goddess Siddhidatri 

It is about the time when the universe was nothing but just a dark void with no instance of life. This is when Maa Siddhidatri created the supreme Hindu trinity - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and assigned them the task of creation, preservation, and destruction or transformation respectively. Hereafter, all three lords, following the instructions of the Mahadevi, went towards the ocean to perform deep penance in order to attain their powers. Appeased by their dedication, Maa Siddhidatri granted all of them different siddhis. She also blessed each one of them with a spouse who was none other than her own different forms or avatars.

She blessed Lord Brahma with Goddess Saraswati, Lord Vishnu with Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. Maa Shailputri also informed the Lords that all of their powers reside in the form of their respective partners and they will be guiding them to perform their respective tasks. And that’s how the universe was shaped and maintained by the Trimurti. 

Meanwhile, goddess Siddhidarti also possessed eight supernatural powers (siddhis) including:

According to the Dev Purana, Maa Siddhidatri was very much pleased by the devotion of Lord Shiva and hence blessed him with all the eight Siddhis. And hence, originated the Ardhanarishvara form of Lord Shiva which symbolizes the divine union of both masculine and feminine energies. In this form, one half of Lord Shiva’s body and the other half of Maa Siddhidatri are unified, creating the most powerful form in the universe.

Iconography of Maa Siddhidatri

Goddess Siddhidatri is depicted with four hands carrying a chakra (discus), gada (mace), shankha (conch shell), and lotus flower. She is portrayed sitting on a lotus flower often encircled by Gandharvas, Yakshas, Siddhas, Asuras, and Devas who are seen paying homage to the Mahadevi Siddhidatri.

Maa Siddhidatri Mantras 

ॐ सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः ll

Om Devi Siddhidatrya Namah

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता। 

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ll

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kalratri Rupena Samsthita |

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah ||

सिद्ध गन्धर्व यक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि। 

सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी ll

Siddha Gandharva Yakshadyairsurairamairaripi.

Sevyamana sada bhuyat siddhida siddhidayini.

Also Read : Understanding the Fierce Form of Goddess Kalaratri

Puja Vidhi : Navami Pooja Rituals

Here’s the puja vidhi that you can follow to worship Siddhidatri on the ninth day of Navratri festival:

• Start by getting up early in the morning, taking a bath, and wearing fresh, clean clothes.
• Set up the pooja altar and light a diya (earthen lamp) and some incense sticks to create a calm, fragrant aura. 
• Hereafter, perform Atma puja i.e., a practice of self-purification. For this, take some water in your palm and drink it. Apply kumkum (vermilion) tilak on your forehead.
• Make offerings like flowers, fruits, or any bhog prasad to Maa Siddhidatri 
• Recite the Durga Chalisa path and chant Maa Siddhidatri mantras to invoke the deity. 
• Perform aarti, seeking the blessings of the goddess.
• After concluding the puja ceremony, perform kanya puja by inviting nine young girls (representing the nine avatars of Durga Mata) and offering them a meal of puri, kala chana, and halwa. Hereafter, take their blessings by touching their feet and bid them off to home with some gifts, bhog prasad and Dakshina. 

In Hinduism, young girls (Kanyas) are considered as the living form of Maa Durga, and worshiping them is believed to appease the goddess.

Also Read : The Legend and Significance of Goddess Mahagauri

Conclusion 

Worshiping Goddess Siddhidatri is believed to uplift devotees with knowledge and wisdom and redirect them from the path of ignorance and evil. So, this Navratri, devote yourself to the nine supreme forms of Durga Mata to attain power, and guidance from the goddess to navigate through the biggest challenges of life.

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