This 12 months’s Shardiya Navratri commenced on October 15 and shall be occurring until October 23. The celebrations span throughout 9 auspicious days dedicated to worshipping the 9 types of Maa Durga, with Vijaya Dashami marking the conclusion of the festivities. This 12 months Vijaya Dashami shall be held on October 24.
Speaking concerning the deity, Maa Durga comes along with her household to go to her paternal house and to eradicate evil from society. She is the 10-armed Goddess driving a lion. Every of the ten arms of Maa Durga cradles a weapon, which serves as an embodiment of the Goddess herself, signifying distinct siddhis (powers) whereas imparting blessings of energy, safety, and progress to her devotees.
The ten arms of Maa Durga stand as a logo of her divine guardianship over her devotees. The importance of the ten weapons held in her grasp is as follows:
Trident: Lord Mahadev introduced the trident to Goddess Durga, a weapon characterised by three sharp prongs that symbolize the three qualities of Tamas, Rajas, and Satva.
Sword: Gifted by Lord Ganesha, this symbolizes information and knowledge. Its gleaming blade represents the sharpness of mind and the brilliance of data.
Spear: A present from Lord Agni, it represents auspiciousness and embodies fierce energy, discerning between proper and mistaken with precision.
Vajra: Introduced by Indradev, the Vajra is emblematic of the energy of the soul and unwavering willpower, endowing her devotees with unshakable confidence.
Axe: Lord Vishwakarma bestowed upon Maa Durga an axe and armour, symbolizing the unyielding battle towards evil, with out worry of penalties.
Sudarshan Chakra: Lord Krishna gifted the infallible Sudarshan Chakra, signifying that the universe revolves across the Mom Goddess, who holds the world in her grasp as its central creator.
Bow and Arrow: These have been gifted by the Wind God and Solar God, symbolizing vitality. The bow signifies potential vitality, whereas the arrow represents kinetic vitality, underlining Maa Durga’s management over all sources of vitality within the universe.
Mace: The mace represents information and faith, defending the reality.
Dagger: Symbolizing optimistic energy, the Mom’s dagger gives help within the battle towards adversaries.
Conch: Representing sound, Maa Durga’s conch shell embodies universality and prosperity, resonating with divine significance.