Siddhidatri

 On the ninth day of Navratri, Mother Divine takes the form of Siddhidatri. Siddhi means ‘fulfillment’  or ‘perfection’ and datri means ‘giver’ or ‘awarder’. This Goddess bestows abilities that help achieve success to those who pray to her, and she is worshipped by beings of the three worlds – devas or gods, Asuras or demons and humans.

On this day, ladies perform pujas in their houses, undertake fasts and invite young girls to their house offering them prasad (offerings of pujas or rituals) .

Form of the Devi

Siddhidatri Devi has a blissful expression on her face. She has four hands in which she holds a Chakra or discus, Shankh or conch shell, Trishul or trident and Gada or mace. In some images and statues, she is depicted holding a lotus instead of a trident. She is also seated on a blooming lotus  and rides a lion.

Origin of Siddhidatri

Lord Shiva is believed to have attained all the siddhis by worshipping Mahashakti, the Supreme Goddess. With the blessings of Shakti Devi, Siddhidatri is believed to have originated from the left side of Lord Shiva. This is why Lord Shiva is known as Ardhanarishwara. 

The eight siddhis

Goddess Siddhidatri possesses eight siddhis or spiritual powers:

1. Anima – the power to reduce to the size of an atom – Lord Hanuman had reduced himself to a minuscule version to search for Sita without anyone’s knowledge in the island of Lanka.

2. Mahima – the power to become enormous in size – Again, Lord Hanuman had become a gigantic version of himself to burn down the island of Lanka. Lord Vishnu also assumed a huge form in his Vamana avatar. With three steps, he was able to cover the three worlds.

3. Garima – the power to become very heavy in weight

4. Laghima – the power to become very  light in weight

5. Prapti –the power to acquire anything at will at any time

6. Prakambya – the power to do anything you desire from flying to walking on water

7. Ishatva – power over all the elements of creation

8. Vashitva – power to control all the natural forces, and power over life and death

 When we pray to her, she blesses us, granting our most fervent wishes. It is also believed that yoga and meditation help enhance spiritual powers within us.

There are temples in Varanasi, Devpahari in Chattisgarh, and in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh for Ma Siddhidatri that devotees visit on pilgrimages.

Spiritual significance of Siddhidatri

When we worship Siddhidatri Devi, the Divine energy enables miracles to happen in life. This energy makes the impossible, possible. You are able to think out of the box, and go beyond the reasonable and logical mind. This ability to see farther and wider beyond time and space  helps you achieve unimaginable things in life.

Worshipping this Mother Divine will help you attain the fruits of your effort that are not in your hands.  This is the significance of Siddhidatri Devi.