Here are the mantras for all nine forms of Navdurga:
1. Shailaputri (First Day)
Mantra:
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्॥
Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Vrisharudham Shuladharam Shailaputreem Yashaswinim॥
Meaning: I worship Goddess Shailaputri, who fulfils all desires, who is adorned with the crescent moon, rides a bull, and holds a trident.
2. Brahmacharini (Second Day)
Mantra:
दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमाला कमण्डलू।
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥
Dadhana Karapadmabhyam Akshamala Kamandalu।
Devi Prasidatu Mayi Brahmacharinyanuttama॥
Meaning: I offer my salutations to the goddess Brahmacharini who holds a rosary in one hand and a water pot in the other, and blesses her devotees with supreme knowledge.
3. Chandraghanta (Third Day)
Mantra:
पिण्डजप्रवरारूढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥
Pindajapravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta।
Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta॥
Meaning: I bow to Goddess Chandraghanta, who rides a tiger and carries weapons, destroying evil and granting peace to her devotees.
4. Kushmanda (Fourth Day)
Mantra:
सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रूधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
Suraasampurnakalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha।
Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me॥
Meaning: I worship Goddess Kushmanda who holds a pot of nectar and blood in her hands, and blesses the world with health, strength, and prosperity.
5. Skandamata (Fifth Day)
Mantra:
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashritakaradvaya।
Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashaswini॥
Meaning: I bow to Goddess Skandamata, seated on a lion, holding a lotus in both hands, and carrying her son Skanda in her lap, who blesses her devotees with good fortune.
6. Katyayani (Sixth Day)
Mantra:
चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दद्यादेवी दानवघातिनी॥
Chandrahansojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana।
Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghathini॥
Meaning: I bow to Goddess Katyayani, the destroyer of demons, who holds a shining sword and rides a lion, and grants boons to her devotees.
7. Kalaratri (Seventh Day)
Mantra:
एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्टी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्तशरीरिणी॥
वामपादोल्लसल्लोहलताकण्टकभूषणा।
वर्धनमूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयंकरी॥
Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita।
Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyaktasharirini॥
Vamapadollasallohalatakantakabhushana।
Vardhanamurdhadhvaja Krishna Kalaratrirbhayankari॥
Meaning: I worship Goddess Kalaratri, who has a terrifying form, dark complexion, rides a donkey, and grants fearlessness to her devotees.
8. Mahagauri (Eighth Day)
Mantra:
श्वेते वृषे समारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेवप्रमोददा॥
Shwete Vrishesarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchi।
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyan Mahadevpramodada॥
Meaning: I bow to Goddess Mahagauri, who is mounted on a white bull, dressed in white, and bestows blessings and happiness on her devotees.
9. Siddhidatri (Ninth Day)
Mantra:
सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि।
सेव्यते सदा भूयात् सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी॥
Siddha Gandharva Yakshadyair Asurair Amarair Api।
Sevyate Sada Bhuyat Siddhida Siddhidayini॥
Meaning: I worship Goddess Siddhidatri, who is served by celestial beings and grants all forms of success and perfection to her devotees.
Importance of Kanya Puja
The ritual of Kanya Puja, also known as Kumari Puja, is performed during the Navratri festival on either Ashtami or Navami. This ritual worships young girls, which is said to be a manifestation of the nine various forms of Goddess Durga, known as the Nava Durga. The very idea behind this tradition was to celebrate the aspect of Shakti, or divine feminine energy.
Divine Feminine Energy
The true heart of the Navratri lies in worshipping Shakti, but Kanya Puja is a respect for this cosmic feminine force. Women and little girls represent the power that helps create, nurture, and protect; hence, Hindus worship little girls. While worshipping these little girls, various forms of the goddesses, like Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, are remembered. Each girl embodies different aspects of strength, knowledge, and purity.
The Ritual of Innocence and Purity
The puja is performed by young girls because they are deemed to be pure and without worldly desires; thus, become perfect emblems of the goddess. Their innocence relates to divine purity, symbolizing the qualities of the goddess in her nourishing and protective forms. The rituals remind the devotees of the goddess's present, watchful, and protective nature.
Social and Cultural Significance
Kanya Puja also holds great social importance. It trains people to respect girls and women, as the girl child is a personality of the powerful feminine energy embodied in the godly. Countering the historical gender discrimination trend within the society, Kanya Puja teaches mankind to respect and protect the girl. In this regard, the ritual holds a two-fold meaning-the spiritual meaning, and that referring to the message of gender equality and the sanctity of women.
Seeking Blessings and Protection
Young girls are worshipped during Kanya Puja, with the belief that it summons the blessings of goddess Durga for the household and family to protect its prosperity, protection, and well-being. The girl is offered everything from foodstuffs to gifts-clothes. It is said that pleasing the goddess with such an act of devotion protects it from any bad influence as well as propels good luck.
Conclusion
Kanya Puja is a beautiful synthesis of spirituality and cultural values. It reminds one to worship the Divine Feminine aspect, an aspect wherein women are substantial in society. Through this ritual, devotees seek the blessings of the goddess for a prosperous, protected, and peaceful life.