A Journey Through the Feminine Divine

Every year, as autumn gets closer, my heart stirs in anticipation of Navaratri—the nine nights dedicated to the Goddess Durga in her many forms. For me, it is not simply another festival in the calendar; it is a profound spiritual rite of passage, a reminder of the sacred stages of womanhood, and a celebration of the divine mother who protects, nurtures, and empowers us all.

Navaratri, rooted in the Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana, tells the story of the Goddess as the ultimate protector, rising in fierce and compassionate forms to defeat the demons of ego, ignorance, and injustice. Each day is dedicated to a different aspect of the Goddess—Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati—and within this rhythm, I see the unfolding of life itself, especially the stages of womanhood.

The Feminine Archetypes of Navaratri

The nine nights are often divided into three sets of three. The first honours Durga, the fierce mother who destroys negativity. The second is dedicated to Lakshmi, who blesses us with abundance, wisdom, and strength. The final set of nights belongs to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and illumination. In these three triads, I see mirrored the passage of a woman’s life. Durga represents the fierce strength of girlhood and adolescence, when one learns to fight, to assert, and to survive. Lakshmi symbolises the nurturing abundance of adulthood, the phase of creating and sustaining—whether through family, career, or service. Saraswati embodies the wisdom of maturity, where reflection, teaching, and guidance take precedence.

The nine nights are also marked by the worship of the Navadurga, the nine manifestations of the Goddess:

1. Shailaputri – daughter of the mountains, symbolizing strength and rootedness.
2. Brahmacharini – the ascetic, embodying devotion and discipline.
3. Chandraghanta – the warrior with the crescent moon, a call to courage and protection.
4. Kushmanda – creator of the cosmos, radiating vitality and life-force.
5. Skandamata – nurturing mother of Skanda, embodying unconditional love.
6. Katyayani – fierce destroyer of injustice, representing righteous anger.
7. Kalaratri – dark, formidable night, teaching fearlessness in the face of darkness.
8. Mahagauri – radiant and pure, symbolizing renewal and forgiveness.
9. Siddhidatri – bestower of wisdom and spiritual powers.

In these nine forms, I see the archetypes of femininity across the stages of life: the fearless protector, the disciplined seeker, the nurturing mother, the fierce justice-bringer, and the wise elder. As I follow the days through their rituals and prayers, I am reminded that womanhood is not a linear story but a cyclical dance, where we carry all these archetypes within us. Sometimes, life calls forth our Durga energy—to protect, to resist, to stand tall. At other times, Lakshmi’s grace flows through us in acts of generosity and love. And often, Saraswati whispers in our choices, calling for clarity, creativity, and wisdom. And in each one of them, you can dive into a vast ocean of wisdom and encouragement.

Navaratri as a Personal Rite of Passage

For me, celebrating Navaratri each year is like re-entering this sacred cycle of transformation. The rituals are not just about lamps, flowers, or chanting—they are acts of devotion that help me remember my own spiritual journey.

Lighting the diya each evening feels like igniting the fire of courage within. Offering flowers at the altar is my way of honouring the gentle and beautiful aspects of femininity. Singing the hymns from the Devi Mahatmya, which describe the Goddess as both saviour and protector, reminds me that the divine feminine is not distant; she lives through me, through every woman, and even in men who embrace compassion, courage, and wisdom.

The Goddess as Protector and Guide

The Markandeya Purana describes the Goddess appearing in her many forms—Kali, Chandi, Ambika—to defeat the asuras (demons) that threaten cosmic balance. On a spiritual level, I see these demons as our inner struggles: doubt, fear, anger, lust, and despair. The Goddess becomes a mirror of our inner strength, reminding us that protection does not always come from outside—it rises within when we embody her energy.

There is something deeply moving about worshipping the divine in a female form. In a world where women often face challenges to their dignity and worth, Navaratri loudly proclaims that the ultimate power is Shakti—feminine energy. It is a celebration that makes me feel both humbled and empowered: humbled in devotion to the mother of the universe, and empowered to see that her strength flows through all of us.

Returning Each Year

Each year, when the nine nights conclude, I feel renewed. Navaratri is not just a festival I celebrate; it is a sacred reminder that the divine feminine is eternal, within me and around me. It reminds me that womanhood is vast and multifaceted, a spectrum of archetypes that deserve to be honoured. It reminds me that the Goddess protects, but also invites us to rise and become protectors ourselves.

Navaratri is my annual pilgrimage of the heart, a rite of passage I return to again and again as a healing journey to my own femininity in this life and body. It is a devotion to the Goddess as saviour and protector, but also as teacher, nurturer, and companion. Through the Navadurga, I remember: to be a woman is to carry Shakti—the strength of Durga, the abundance of Lakshmi, and the wisdom of Saraswati—always within.

Hari Om Tat Sat.