What is the Navratri Mantras?
Navratri — "nine nights" — is the sacred festival celebrating the divine mother in her nine forms, each form worshipped on a specific day. Observed twice a year (Chaitra Navratri in spring and Sharad Navratri in autumn), it is one of the most powerful spiritual events in the Hindu calendar.
The Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu sloka above is the universal Navratri mantra — chanted in praise of the goddess in whatever form she takes. Below are the specific mantras for each of the nine nights.
Day 1 — Shailaputri (Daughter of the Mountain)
ॐ देवी शैलपुत्र्यै नमः — Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah
The first form, representing the foundation of spiritual practice. Offers stability, grounding and the beginning of spiritual awakening.
Day 2 — Brahmacharini (The Ascetic)
ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः — Om Devi Brahmacharinyai Namah
The goddess of austerity and spiritual practice. Invoked for discipline, dedication and the power to sustain spiritual practice through difficulties.
Day 3 — Chandraghanta (Wearing the Moon Bell)
ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः — Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah
The warrior goddess whose bell sound destroys all evil. For courage, fearlessness and victory over enemies.
Day 4 — Kushmanda (Cosmic Creator)
ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः — Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah
The goddess who created the universe with her smile. For health, vitality and cosmic abundance.
Day 5 — Skandamata (Mother of Skanda/Kartik)
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः — Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah
The nurturing mother aspect. For protection of children, family harmony and maternal blessings.
Day 6 — Katyayani (The Warrior)
ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः — Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah
The fierce warrior who slew Mahishasura. For removing all enemies, obstacles and malefic influences.
Day 7 — Kaalratri (The Dark Night)
ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः — Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah
The most terrifying form — destroyer of all darkness and ignorance. For ultimate protection and liberation from all fears.
Day 8 — Mahagauri (The Perfectly White)
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः — Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah
The goddess of purity and forgiveness. For purification of past sins, new beginnings and divine grace.
Day 9 — Siddhidatri (Giver of Perfection)
ॐ देवी सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः — Om Devi Siddhidatryai Namah
The final and complete form, granting all spiritual perfections (siddhis) and liberation. The culmination of Navratri worship.
Listen & Chant Along
Listening to an authentic rendition helps you learn the correct pronunciation and rhythm. Play this during your practice and follow along with the Sanskrit text above.
🙏 After a few sessions you will naturally memorise the correct rhythm and intonation.
Key Benefits
Regular chanting of the Navratri Mantras offers profound benefits supported by both ancient tradition and modern science.
Worshipping all nine forms of the goddess during Navratri provides a complete and comprehensive blessing from all aspects of the divine mother.
Navratri is considered the most powerful time of year for spiritual practice — the divine is most accessible and receptive during these nine nights.
Each goddess governs specific blessings — collectively they can fulfil the full range of human desires, material and spiritual.
Nine days of dedicated worship rapidly clears accumulated negative karma, creating space for new abundance and blessing to flow.
How to Chant — Step by Step
Begin on Pratipada — the first day of the lunar fortnight
Navratri always begins on the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin (autumn) or Chaitra (spring).
Fast or adopt a sattvic diet
Many devotees observe a partial or complete fast during Navratri — avoiding meat, alcohol, onion and garlic, consuming only light, pure foods.
Chant each day's goddess mantra 108 times
Use the specific goddess mantra for that day's form. The general Ya Devi mantra can be chanted on any day.
Conclude with Kanya Puja on Day 8 or 9
The traditional conclusion of Navratri involves worshipping young girls (kanya) as embodiments of the divine mother.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the nine forms of Goddess Durga in Navratri?
The nine forms are: 1. Shailaputri, 2. Brahmacharini, 3. Chandraghanta, 4. Kushmanda, 5. Skandamata, 6. Katyayani, 7. Kaalratri, 8. Mahagauri, 9. Siddhidatri. Each represents a different aspect of divine feminine power and is worshipped on a specific night of Navratri.
When does Navratri occur?
Navratri occurs twice a year: Chaitra Navratri in spring (March-April) and Sharad Navratri in autumn (September-October). Sharad Navratri is considered the more significant of the two, concluding with Dussehra (Vijayadashami).