Navratri is a special occasion, a time for new beginnings and offering your dedication and reverence to the Goddess Shakti. The ninth day of Navratri is celebrated to worship the manifestation of Goddess Durga known as Siddhidatri. Maa Siddhidatri is one side of Lord Shiva, hence also known as Ardhnarishwar. According to Vedas and Shastras, Lord Shiva attained all the siddhis by worshiping Maa Siddhidatri.

According to Hindu Vedic Scriptures and Shastras such as Markand Puran, this Goddess helps devotees in attaining perfection in Mahima, Garima, Ladhima, Prapti, Prakaamya, Ishitya and Vashitva. According to the Brahmavaivart Purana, the Devi can bestow 18 different types of siddhis or perfections. These siddhis are Mahima, Garima, Ladhima, Prapti, Prakaamya, Ishitva and Vashitva sarvakaamaal, Saadhita, Sarvagynatva, Amaratva, Sarvanyayakatva, Bhavana and Siddhi. Worshiping Maa Siddhidatri wholeheartedly heart helps devotees attain perfection along with happiness and purity of heart, mind and soul. She is also worshipped by Deva, Gandharva, Asura (Demons), Yaksha and Siddhas. Riding on a lion, Maa Siddhidatri sits on the Lotus flower wearing a pious Red Saree, mounted on a Lion. In her four hands, she holds a Gada (Mace) in her upper right hand, a Chakra in her lower right hand, a Lotus flower in lower left hand and a Shankha (Conch) in upper left hand. One can also see disc of loght around her golden crown. Maa Siddhidatri bestows occult powers on her worshipers and is therefore revered by beings from all three realms i.e. heaven, hell and earth.

Ashta Siddhi

Maa Siddhidatri bestows upon the devotess these ashta sidhhis:

Anima

The Yogi can become as minute as he pleases.

Mahima

This is the opposite of Anima. He can become as big as he likes. He can make his body assume a very large size. He can fill up the whole universe. He can assume a Virat Svarupa.

Laghima

He can make his body as light as cotton or feather. Vayustambhanam is done through this Siddhi. In Jalastambhanam also the power is exercised to a very small degree. The body is rendered light by Plavini Pranayama. The Yogi produces a diminution of his specific gravity by swallowing large draughts of air. The Yogi travels in the sky with the help of this Siddhi. He can travel thousands of miles in a minute .

Garima

This is the opposite of Laghima. In this the Yogi acquires an increase of specific gravity. He can make the body as heavy as a mountain by swallowing draughts of air.

Prapti

The Yogi standing on the earth can touch the highest things. He can touch the sun or the moon or the sky. Through this Siddhi the Yogi attains his desired objects and supernatural powers. He acquires the power of predicting future events, the power of clairvoyance, clairaudience, telepathy, thought-reading, etc. He can understand the languages of the beasts and birds. He can understand unknown languages also. He can cure all diseases.

Prakamya

He can dive into the water and can come out at any time he likes. The late Trilinga Swami of Benares used to live for six months underneath the Ganges. It is the process by which a Yogi makes himself invisible sometimes. By some writers it is defined to be the power of entering body of another (Parakaya Pravesh). Sri Sankara entered the body of Raja Amaruka of Benares. Tirumular in Southern India entered the body of a shepherd. Raja Vikramaditya also did this. It is also the power of keeping a youth-like appearance for any length of time. Raja Yayati had this power.

Vashitvam

This is the power of taming wild animals and bringing them under control. It is the power of mesmerising persons by the exercise of will and of making them obedient to one’s own wishes and orders. It is the restraint of passions and emotions. It is the power to bring men, women and the elements under subjection.

Ishitvam

It is the attainment of divine power. The Yogi becomes the Lord of the universe. The Yogi who has this power can restore life to the dead. Kabir, Tulsidas and range of blessed souls had this power of bringing back life to the dead.

Kanjak Puja

This is also known as Kumari Pujan or Kanya Pujan. Conclusion of a Navratri always happens with this ritual only. Many devotees perform Kanya pujan on this day and some does the same on Durga Ashtami (eighth day). Devotees invite nine young girls to their house and worship them. These girls represent the Navdurga or the Nine avatars of Goddess Durga. Devotees ensure that these colorfully dressed girls are seated on pedestals and offer them black chana, puris and halwa. As a part of the ritual, they also present them with money, fruits and clothes. They apply tilak (tika) and touch their feet to seek their blessings in the form of Maa Durga before bidding farewell to them.

Chant this mantra to worship Maa Siddhidatri

सिद्धगधर्व यक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि।
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी।।