Navadurga

Navadurga (नवदुर्गा, ), also spelled Navdurga and Navadurgas, are nine manifestations and forms of Durga in Hinduism, especially worshipped during Navaratri and Durga Puja. They are often considered collectively as a single deity, mainly among the followers of Shaktism and Shaivism sect of Hinduism.

According to Hindu mythology, the nine forms are considered the nine stages of Durga during the nine-day long duration of the war with demon-king Mahishasura, where the tenth day is celebrated as the Vijayadashami (lit. 'victory day') among the Hindus and is considered as one of the most important festivals.

Background
During the festival of Navaratri, nine unmarried virgin girls up to the age of nine years are worshipped and fed as they are considered to be the incarnations of these nine goddesses. Then, the Nabapatrika ritual during Durga Puja involves tying the branches of eight plants with their leaves with a banana plant (naba meaning 'nine', and patrika meaning 'leaves').

The nine forms
The main nine forms of Durga worshipped in Hinduism:

Agni Purana
The Agni Purana lists the Navadurgas as:


 * 1) Rudrachanda
 * 2) Prachanda
 * 3) Chandogra
 * 4) Chandanayika
 * 5) Chanda
 * 6) Chandavati
 * 7) Chandarupa
 * 8) Atichandika
 * 9) Ugrachanda