Mata Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth day of navratri. “Siddhi” means complete understanding or enlightenment & “Datri” is the one who gives. With the help of Eight siddhis mata blesses the devotee to attain a certain level of self realisation to develop that quietude of heart which springs from within. One who achieves these siddhis becomes a master of oneself. He can control his senses, his bodily functions & his soul.
• At the beginning of the universe, Maa Siddhidatri appeared when Lord shiva worshipped Adi-Parashakti, the formless Supreme Goddess, for creation of the earth. She created two clones of herself to become Vishnu & Brahma’s wives in the form of Lakshmi and Saraswati; while goddess Adi parashakti herself was born as Sati and reborn as Parvati.
• Goddess Siddhidatri entrusted Brahma to take up the role as the creator of worlds, Vishnu with the role of preserving the creation and its creatures, and Mahadev with the role of destroying the worlds when it’s time.
• The eight siddhis:
Anima Siddhi – The ability to decrease the size of one’s body and become smaller than the smallest particle.
Mahima Siddhi – The ability to increase the size of one’s body, ultimately enveloping the universe.
Laghima Siddhi – The ability to make one’s body lighter than air and fly at will.
Garima Siddhi – The ability to become infinitely heavy.
Prapti: having unrestricted access to all places
Prakamya: realizing whatever one desires
Istva: possessing absolute lordship
Vastva: the power to subjugate all
• According to Devipuran, the supreme god Shiva achieved all this Siddhis by worshipping Maha shakti. With her gratitude Shiva’s half body became that of mata thenceforth he came to be known as “Ardhnarishvar”.
• Mata’s iconography is described as Devi seated on a huge, fully-bloomed lotus and riding a lion. Maa Siddhidatri is shown four-armed, holding Gada (mace) and Sudarshana Chakra in her right hand while a lotus and Shankh in her left hand.
• Mata is worshipped by all forms of Devas, Rishis, Munishwaras & all those common devotees who want to attain religious assets of 8 siddhis.
• The ending of the auspicious days of navratri is marked by worshipping mata Siddhidatri on the ninth day. On this day devotees welcome “nav kanya” or 9 little girls in their homes as replicas of nine divine forms of maa Durga. The feet of every kanya is washed by hands by the devotee & they are served a variety of foods such as puri, halwa, kheer etc as prasad.
• It is said that young girls are the most auspicious and most clear souled individuals, and worshipping them gives knowledge, wisdom, and a sense of fulfillment to the devotees.
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