The 9 avatars of Durga are the Navadurga : Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidhatri. These are the nine forms traditionally worshipped during Navratri.

The Nine Forms

#| Avatar| Common meaning
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1| Shailaputri| Daughter of the Mountain
2| Brahmacharini| One who practices devotion and penance
3| Chandraghanta| One with a crescent-shaped bell
4| Kushmanda| Creator of the cosmic egg
5| Skandamata| Mother of Skanda
6| Katyayani| Form associated with the demon-slayer
7| Kalaratri| Fierce night form
8| Mahagauri| Greatly radiant or pure
9| Siddhidhatri| Giver of spiritual powers

Quick Scoop

  • These nine forms are also called Navadurga.
  • They are especially important during Navratri , when each form is traditionally honored on a different day.
  • Different texts and traditions may describe the forms with slightly different names or meanings, but the list above is the most widely used one.

If you want, I can also give you the one-line meaning of each avatar in a very simple, easy-to-remember format.