Maa Siddhidatri is the ninth manifestation of Durga and is worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri. She is represented with four arms sitting on lotus flower. Her arms hold Gada (bludgeon), Chakra, Shankh (scallop shell) and lotus flower. Her appearance glows in red saree. Her vehicle is Lion.
The story of Maa Siddhidatri
When the Universal mother was gripped with the idea of projecting creation, She, first of all, created Lord Shiva who prayed to Her to endow him with perfections. For this purpose, the universal mother (Durga) produced Goddess Siddhidatri from Her own person. As the behest of the universal mother, Goddess Siddhidatri bestowed eighteen kinds of rare perfections and powers and potentialities (Siddhis) on Lord Shiva. By virtue of these siddhis, Lord Shiva happened to develop a divine splendor.
Lord Shiva’s becoming Ardhanarishwar
Having acquired the siddhis from Goddess Siddhidatri, Lord Shiva created Lord Vishnu who in turn created Lord Brahma who was entrusted with the task of the Creation whereas Lord Vishnu got the task of Protection and Lord Shiva that of Destruction.
Lord Brahma felt a great difficulty in his task of the Creation in the absence of man and woman. Then he remembered Mother Siddhidatri. When she appeared before him, Lord Brahma said to her, “Oh Great Mother! I cannot carry on with the task of the Creation in the absence of man and woman. You kindly solve this problem of mine through your supernatural attainments (siddhis).”
Having heard Lord Brahma, Mother Siddidatri converted half the person of Lord Shiva into a woman. Thus Lord Shiva became half-male and half-female. Thus, the problem of Lord Brahma was resolved and the task of the Creation went on smoothly. Lord Shiva obtained all Siddhis by blessings of Siddhidatri. This culminated in him becoming ‘Ardha Narishwar’. Worshipping Maa Siddhidatri solely with prescribed customs and rituals certainly endows all Siddhis and blessings to devotees.
Puja of Maa Siddhidatri
On the ninth day of Navratri, Kanya Poojan is also performed with grand touch. Little girls are offered homage and feed with blessed meals. Yagya, Maha Pooja and other grand celebrations are also performed to delight Navdurga on this day. Each day of Navratri has a significant importance, but ninth day is the most prominent, as this is the final and concluding day of Durga Puj
On the final day of Navratri pooja, worshippers and devotees of Durga wonderfully pay homage to Goddess Siddhidatri. This Goddess is revered to offer all types of Siddhi (perfection) to her devotees and thus glorified with name ‘Siddhidatri’. . Worshipping goddess Siddhidatri on the ninth and final day of Navratri bestows all Siddhis to worshippers and successfully completes their Navratri Pooja.
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