नवरात्रि
A guide to the sacred mantras of Navaratri
Navaratri is the nine-night festival celebrating the divine feminine. Across India, devotees worship nine forms of Goddess Durga — one each night — through fasting, prayer, and the chanting of sacred mantras. Each form carries her own story, her own colour, her own power.
What follows is a complete guide to each goddess and her mantra, presented in Devanagari with transliteration. Whether you are beginning your practice or deepening a lifelong devotion, these mantras are the thread that connects you to thousands of years of unbroken tradition.
Universal Navarna Mantra — chanted all nine nights
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे
Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche
The Navarna (nine-syllable) mantra invokes Chamunda, the fierce aspect of Durga. It is chanted across all nine nights regardless of which goddess is worshipped that day.
Day 1 · Yellow
Primary Mantra
ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः
Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah
Beej Mantra
ह्रीं शिवायै नमः
Hreem Shivayai Namah
Daughter of the mountains. First form of Durga. Rides a bull, carries a trident and lotus. She represents the power of nature and the beginning of the spiritual journey.
Day 2 · Green
Primary Mantra
ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः
Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah
Beej Mantra
ह्रीं श्री अम्बिकायै नमः
Hreem Shree Ambikayai Namah
The ascetic form. Walked barefoot through harsh penance for thousands of years to win Shiva as her husband. She embodies devotion, austerity, and the power of unwavering focus.
Day 3 · Grey
Primary Mantra
ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः
Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah
Beej Mantra
ऐं श्रीं शक्तये नमः
Aim Shreem Shaktaye Namah
Wears a crescent moon shaped like a bell on her forehead. Ten-armed warrior who rides a tiger. The sound of her bell terrifies demons and dispels all negativity.
The First Triad
The first three forms — Shailputri, Brahmacharini, and Chandraghanta — represent the journey from earthly origin through intense penance to divine readiness. Together they embody the creation of spiritual resolve.
Day 4 · Orange
Primary Mantra
ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah
Beej Mantra
ऐं ह्री देव्यै नमः
Aim Hree Devyai Namah
Creator of the universe. She lives inside the Sun. Eight-armed, rides a lion. Her name means "cosmic egg" — Ku (little) + Ushma (energy) + Anda (egg).
Day 5 · White
Primary Mantra
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः
Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah
Beej Mantra
ह्रीं क्लीं स्वामिन्यै नमः
Hreem Kleem Swaminyai Namah
Mother of Kartikeya (Skanda). Seated on a lion with baby Skanda in her lap. Four-armed, holding lotuses. The embodiment of fierce maternal love and compassion.
Day 6 · Red
Primary Mantra
ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः
Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah
Beej Mantra
क्लीं श्री त्रिनेत्रायै नमः
Kleem Shree Trinetrayai Namah
The warrior form. Born from the collective rage of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva to slay the demon Mahishasura. Rides a lion, four-armed with sword and lotus.
The Second Triad
Kushmanda, Skandamata, and Katyayani channel the full force of divine feminine energy — the creator of the cosmos, the fierce mother, and the warrior born from the rage of the gods.
Day 7 · Royal Blue
Primary Mantra
ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः
Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah
Beej Mantra
क्लीं ऐं श्री कालिकायै नमः
Kleem Aim Shree Kalikayai Namah
The fiercest and most terrifying form. Dark as the darkest night. Her name means "the death of time." Destroys all negativity, fear, and evil. Rides a donkey with flames from her breath.
Day 8 · Pink
Primary Mantra
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah
Beej Mantra
श्री क्लीं ह्रीं वरदायै नमः
Shree Kleem Hreem Varadayai Namah
The purest form. She endured thousands of years of penance — her body darkened by ash. Shiva washed her with Ganga water and she became radiantly fair. Durga Ashtami — the most powerful puja day.
Day 9 · Purple
Primary Mantra
ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः
Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah
Beej Mantra
ह्रीं क्लीं ऐं सिद्धये नमः
Hreem Kleem Aim Siddhaye Namah
Giver of all 8 supernatural powers (siddhis). Worshipped by gods, demons, and celestial beings. Seated on a lotus. The final, complete form — all knowledge, all power, all grace.
The Final Triad
Kalaratri destroys what must end. Mahagauri purifies what remains. Siddhidatri grants the powers that make the devotee whole. From darkness through purity to enlightenment — the cycle completes.
Anukriti listens to your chanting and offers expert-level feedback — so every syllable resonates with tradition.
Originally shared as an Instagram carousel during Chaitra Navaratri 2026.
Follow @anukriti.ai
