In the Hindu tradition, we see God in the male and female. In fact, some Hindu religious leaders even proclaim God is in the neuter, in the wind that blows, sun that shines, moon at night and the waters.
One of the most important Sanskrit prayers in the Hindu tradition, translated in English, reads: “You truly are my Mother and You truly are my Father, You truly are my Relative and You truly are my Friend, You truly are my Knowledge and You truly are my Wealth, You truly are my All, my God of Gods.”
Hindu goddesses are the representation of Shakti, the feminine source of power in the universe. They are highly revered and powerful and play a central role in the creation, protection and destruction of the universe.
In India, throughout the archaeological remains of the Indus Valley Civilisation, which created a new standard of culture for South Asia in the third and second millennia BCE, one finds thousands of female terracotta figurines. We cannot tell exactly what functions they served or what they meant to those who made and kept them, but there seems no question about their ubiquity or importance.
In the religious life of Hindus today, there is no need to resuscitate the Great Goddess. She is alive and well. She proliferates in every new form of herself (many would, in fact, say she is fundamentally plural rather than singular), and she animates the religious lives of millions of people. Her generic name in Sanskrit and the many Indian languages related to it is “Devi”, a word that, like its Latin and Greek cognates dea and thea, means simply “goddess.”
Nau Raatri is a period of nine nights in one of the most revered Hindu festivals to honour with dedication and worship, the Supreme Goddess Durga. Pujas, meditation and other forms of worship would take place in homes, mandirs and places of worship.
During the period of Nau Raatri, devotees surrender their minds, bodies, senses and intellect to the Goddess, seeking her blessings for health, wealth, wisdom and peace.
1. Durga Devi
Durga is perhaps one of the most well-known manifestations of Shakti. She is one of the principal deities worshipped during the festivals of Navaratri, one of the most important Hindu festivals. The festival also celebrates the death of Mahisasur, one of the most powerful demon gods.
She is also the representation of feminine power in the universe. She is shown riding a lion or tiger and holding the trishul or trident. She is also portrayed with multiple hands and accompanied by the body of Mahisasur being stabbed by her trishul.
2. Maha Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the famous goddess of wealth, abundance and fertility. She is worshipped during the festival of Divali - the festival of light. It is believed that the cleanest and most beautiful house will be chosen by Lakshmi on the night of the festival. Thus, devotees clean and decorate their houses with lights and garlands of flowers during the festival.
She is also one of the goddesses of the Tridevi. She is the wife of Vishnu and reincarnates alongside her consort on Earth. Lakshmi not only represents materialistic wealth but also glory, joy, and honour. Her vahana is the owl and also the white elephant, Airawat.
3. Maha Saraswati
Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, music and learning. She is also known as Sharada. She is the wife of Brahma.
Saraswati is one of the goddesses of the Hindu Tridevi, which is the feminine counterpart of the Tridevs. Her vahana or vehicle is the swan or goose.
4. Maha Kali
Kali is the fierce representation of Shakti. She is also known as the destroyer, or the one who liberates the soul and provides moksha or enlightenment. She is an incarnation of Parvati/Durga.
Kali was born to defeat the demon Raktabeech, who, it was believed, could create new, powerful demons from every drop of his blood that touched the ground. Thus, Kali is seen as a fierce and angry goddess with a garland of skulls, a knife and a bowl in her hands. During the battle, she had to cut Raktabeech, fill her bowl with his blood and drink it. She continued doing so and as a result, became aggressive and destructive. To protect the world from her anger, Shiva, her husband, lay down under her feet to calm her. As a result, she bit her tongue from embarrassment after realising her mistake.
