कथाThe story
The nine forms of Durga, night by night
The Devi Kavacham, recited before the Durga Saptashati, names the nine forms of Durga in order, and each night of Navratri belongs to one of them.
- Shailaputri, daughter of Himavat, king of the mountains, with a trident and a lotus, riding the bull Nandi.
- Brahmacharini, the Devi in tapas, with a japa mala and a kamandalu.
- Chandraghanta, who wears a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead.
- Kushmanda, who in tradition brought the universe into being with her smile.
- Skandamata, mother of Skanda, Kartikeya, whom she holds in her lap.
- Katyayani, born in the ashram of the rishi Katyayana; in tradition, the form that vanquished Mahishasura.
- Kalaratri, dark and fierce to look at and kind to her devotees, which is why she is also called Shubhankari.
- Mahagauri, radiant and white, the Devi after her long tapas.
- Siddhidatri, seated on a lotus, honoured on the ninth day, Navami.
In many homes the ghat is set up on the first morning, a lamp burns through the nine nights, and each night's puja turns to that night's form. On Ashtami or Navami, young girls are honoured as the Devi herself in kanya puja. The Navdurga yantra holds the nine forms together, so the whole of Navratri is in one place.
When and where families keep the Navdurga yantra
The nights. Sharad Navratri, in Ashvin, and Chaitra Navratri, in spring: from ghatasthapana on the first day to Navami on the ninth, with Vijayadashami after.
The place. Beside the ghat or the Devi's murti through Navratri; afterwards, in the puja ghar or your wallet.
The practice. Each night, turn to that night's form, from Shailaputri to Siddhidatri.
What your card carries
- The yantra and its deities. The Navdurga yantra, drawn from its traditional form.
- Your name, in your script. Printed as you type it, in Devanagari or in English, never transliterated.
- More, depending on the design: a date of birth, a gotra, a short message, a photo.
- The card's own QR. It opens the card's page: the card as it was issued, and its status today.
- A serial number on the back, beginning BC-.
You add these after payment, in the app or on the web, with a live preview. Once you press "Make my card", the details are final.
Begin it at home, in about thirty minutes
You do not need a pandit. Ideally at sunrise, and if you can, on the first morning of Navratri:
- Unwrap it with intention, in a clean space: your puja ghar, or a desk facing east.
- Cleanse it with a soft cloth dipped in water and a pinch of haldi.
- Light a diya and offer a flower, a marigold or a rose, with a few grains of rice.
- Chant its bija mantra 108 times, one mala, the card in your right hand. The mantra is printed on the activation card.
- Set your sankalpa, your intention in one sentence, with the card held to your forehead.
- Place it where it lives: beside the ghat for the nine nights, then your puja ghar or your wallet. Not the bathroom or the bedroom floor.
- Return to it each morning for one breath. There is nothing to renew; the practice is your attention.
In the envelope
- The Navdurga Yantra Card, in a gift-ready envelope.
- Its activation card, with the card's bija mantra and the seven steps.
Made in India, and dispatched from Pune within 1–2 business days by tracked courier, with tracking by SMS and email.
Giving it as a gift
For a family that sets up the ghat each year, for a mother who keeps the nine fasts, or for a daughter's first Navratri in a new home. Pay now and add their name after payment, as they write it. Add their mobile number too, and the card reaches their wallet in the Bhagya Card app, waiting for them when they sign in.
प्रश्नQuestions
Questions about the Navdurga Yantra Card
What are the nine forms of Durga, in order?
Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri, one for each night of Navratri.
When should I begin the Navdurga card?
On the first morning of Navratri, at ghatasthapana, is the traditional time. Any morning you can give it thirty unhurried minutes is right too.
Is it only for Navratri?
No. After Navratri it can stay in your puja ghar or go in your wallet, until the next nine nights come round.
Navdurga or Durga: which card?
The Navdurga card holds the nine forms, one for each night; the Durga card holds Maa Durga in one form. If you keep each night's form, choose Navdurga.