Navratri  is a major festival of Hindu. It’s a ten day festival of Goddess Durga where each day is assigned to a different form of Devi Durga. It is believed that Devi Durga along with Ganesha, Kartikey, Saraswati and Lakshmi comes to earth, stays here for nine days and then goes back on the tenth day.  Idols are immersed in water on the 10th day. This article talks about the significance of arrival and departure of Goddess.

Each year, she alters her mode of transport for her arrival and departure during Navratri. Though, her nine manifestations during Navratri arrive on different Vahans (mount) that symbolize a special message for the world.

Vahan of Devi Durga

We all know that the lion is the vahana of Devi Durga,  but during navratri she uses different vahan for her arrival and departure. Vahan of Devi during Navratri are Elephant, Horse, Palanquina and Boat. Arrival and departure of Devi is very significant. The choice of her vahan predicts how the following year will be for the world and its inhabitants. Devi Durga can use different vahan for her arrival and departure or may choose one vahan for both. When she chooses one vahan for both her arrival and departure then that is a doomsday.

The manner of arrival and departure of Devi Durga is decided from the day Navratri begins and ends. Each day of the week was assigned with a Vahana.

शशिसूर्ये गजारूढ़ा शनिभौमे तुरंगमे।

गुरौ शुक्रे चदोलायां बुधे नौका प्रकी‌र्त्तिता ।।

As per Hindu beliefs, Maa Durga changes her mode of transportation; besides Lion, who is her vital mount, she has four other Vahans- elephant, horse, boat, and a palanquin.

There is also another notion related to Goddess Durga’s Vahan- apparently every year, she arrives and departs on two different Vahans, but whenever she chooses to stick to one particular ride, both the times, it means doomsday.

Monday,  Sunday – Elephant

It’s a good omen. When Devi arrives or departs on elephant, year brings happiness and joy, harvest will be good and plentiful. The arrival or departure of Maa Durga on an elephant means that the mother will fill your life with good deeds, blessings, love and happiness. The departure of the Mother Goddess riding on an elephant is a sign of the best year.

Saturday, Tuesday – Horse

Arrival and departure on Horse spells doom for the world. It’s not good. It’s a sign of danger and destruction.  The horse name is Turang. It symbolises that there will be war between kings (ie. Nations in todays context). There will be destruction and social unrest in the society and political instability as well.

Thursday, Friday – Palanquin (Palki)

Is a bad omen. Arrival and departure on  this foretell outbreak of pandemic.  It tells us that hard times lie ahead. It is represented by four men carrying a person on a haulier; here it means outbreak of an epidemic. Maa Durga arriving or departing on this Vahan interprets that unless, humans help each other and stand united, the upcoming epidemic would be their toughest journey ever.

Wednesday – Boat

Goddess Durga arriving or leaving on a boat symbolises that she will bless you with all the resources that you need to fulfill your desires. It indicates good harvest and floods as well. It’s a good omen but not for too long. Arrival and departure on boat foretell good harvest, heavy rain and flood. Flood at first glance may seem to be a bad omen at a first but also bring fertile soil to land which ensures good harvest. 

This concludes the article on Maa Durga’s aspect of arrival.