Nava Durga - The Nine Forms of the Goddess
by Nalini Ramachandran and illustrated by Priyanka Pachpande
“Nava Durga - The Nine Forms of the Goddess” by Nalini Ramachandran and illustrated by Priyanka Pachpande. Published by Penguin. A beautiful book celebrating the glory of the powerful Goddess Durga and her nine avatars perfect for the Navaratri season.
The book starts off with what is commonly known about Goddess Durga and Navaratri. It then goes on to talk about Goddess Adi Shakti and calls upon her warrior form Goddess Durga to tell her story. This is followed by the stories of each of the nine forms of Durga worshipped during Maha Navaratri. Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri.
Each one of these forms of the Goddess are unique not just in terms of appearance but the qualities that they represent and the powers they have. While some create worlds with just a smile others fight evil asuras with their powers. These Shaktis reside in each one of us and help us in many ways. Navaratri, the festival of nine days and nine nights is celebrated in diverse ways across India. The Goddess is honoured and called upon to bestow her divine blessings upon her devotees. The significance of many of these traditions from different regions has been showcased. Read the book to know more about the goddesses and their glory.
My eight year old and I found the book very interesting and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It helped that he had recently re-read the stories of Shiva, Parvati and Kartikeya from the Ganapati Bappa pack of Amar Chitra Katha. He was hooked to the book and was happy to know the significance about the different ways of celebrating Navratri. The narrative flows so smoothly across chapters and it doesn’t get monotonous at all as there is interspersing of topics related to the festival in between the stories of the goddesses. The book is ideal for knowing about the significance of the Navaratri festival and the stories of the goddesses.
This is a vast topic and the book is not a comprehensive one as rightly mentioned by the author. The book is apt for children above 7 years. It is ideal for children and adults alike as there is something for everyone to take away. Nuggets of information are stacked in an interesting manner. The illustrations are beautiful and add to the enriching experience. Overall a must read! We just finished reading the book in time for the festive season. I finally know the significance of why Golu is kept in the homes of people something which I have seen since childhood. It was lovely to read about the different beautiful ways in which the festival is celebrated across India. Added to the memories of having grown up in Mysore where the festival is celebrated with pomp and grandeur. This is an erstwhile tradition that was continued by the Wodeyar kings after the destruction of the glorious Vijayanagara empire. I always wonder how they must have celebrated Vijayadashami with Krishnadevaraya at the Mahanavami Dibba in Hampi!
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 7 and above.
Reasons to Read
The book is a good starting point for knowing about the forms of the Goddess Durga, the significance of the Navaratri and the various ways in which it is celebrated across the country.
Where to buy from?
An independent bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.