How Does Goddess Durga Arrive Each Year During Navratri? – The Divine Journey Explained

Navratri, meaning "nine nights," is one of the most sacred Hindu festivals dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is celebrated twice a year—Chaitra Navratri (March-April) and Sharad Navratri (September-October). During these nine nights and ten days, devotees worship the nine forms of Maa Durga, seeking her blessings for strength, prosperity, and protection from evil.
A fascinating aspect of Navratri is the belief that Goddess Durga descends from her heavenly abode to Earth to bless her devotees. But how exactly does she arrive? What are the divine signs of her presence? And what rituals welcome her into our homes?
In this blog, we explore the spiritual journey of Goddess Durga during Navratri, the different ways she manifests, and how devotees can invite her divine energy into their lives.

1. The Divine Invitation: Calling Maa Durga to Earth

Before Navratri begins, devotees prepare themselves through fasting, prayer, and purification. It is believed that Goddess Durga only arrives where she is invoked with pure devotion and love.

Signs That Maa Durga is Arriving

Nature’s Changes: Navratri marks seasonal transitions. Sharad Navratri brings autumn’s freshness, while Chaitra Navratri welcomes spring. This shift symbolizes the Goddess’s arrival.
Dreams & Divine Signals: Many devotees report seeing Maa Durga in dreams or experiencing a sudden sense of peace before Navratri.
Temple Celebrations: The sound of conch shells, bells, and devotional songs in temples signifies her descent.

2. How Does Goddess Durga Travel to Earth?

According to Hindu scriptures, Maa Durga arrives in different divine forms during Navratri. Here are the most believed ways:

A. Riding Her Sacred Vahana (Vehicle) – The Lion or Tiger
Goddess Durga is often depicted seated on a lion or tiger, representing power, courage, and fearlessness. It is said that she rides her divine vehicle from Mount Kailash (where she resides with Lord Shiva) to Earth to bless her devotees.
Symbolism: The lion signifies victory over ego and evil forces, showing that Maa Durga destroys negativity.
B. Through the Ghatasthapana/Kalash Sthapana Ritual
On the first day of Navratri, devotees perform Ghatasthapana—installing a sacred Kalash (pot) filled with holy water, mango leaves, and a coconut. This represents the invocation of Goddess Durga’s energy.
How It Works:
The Kalash symbolizes the universe, and the coconut represents the Goddess’s head.
A diya (lamp) is lit near it, signifying divine light entering the home.
The water inside is considered sacred and is sprinkled daily for blessings.
C. In the Form of a Young Girl (Kanya Pujan)
On Ashtami (8th day) or Navami (9th day), young girls (usually between 2-10 years) are worshipped as living forms of Goddess Durga. This ritual, called Kanya Pujan, is based on the belief that Maa Durga visits homes in the form of little girls.
How It’s Done:
The girls’ feet are washed (a sign of respect).
They are offered halwa, puri, chana, and gifts.
Devotees seek their blessings, believing they carry the Goddess’s energy.
D. Through Idols & Durga Puja Pandals
In West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, grand Durga Puja celebrations involve installing beautifully crafted idols of Maa Durga slaying Mahishasura.
The Arrival Ritual:
The idols are brought in with drum beats and chants.
On Mahalaya, it is believed that Durga begins her journey from Kailash to Earth. On Dashami (10th day), the idols are immersed in water, symbolizing her return to heaven.
E. In Dreams & Spiritual Experiences
Many devotees experience divine visions or dreams of Maa Durga before Navratri. Some report:
Seeing a golden light or a woman in red (Durga’s color).
Feeling a sudden sense of protection or energy.
Hearing temple bells or mantras in their minds.
These experiences are considered Maa Durga’s way of announcing her arrival.

3. Why Does Maa Durga Come to Earth Every Year?

Goddess Durga’s annual visit is not just a ritual—it has deep spiritual significance:
A. To Destroy Evil & Restore Dharma
The most famous legend is her battle with Mahishasura, a demon who could not be defeated by gods or men. Maa Durga fought him for nine nights and killed him on the tenth day (Vijayadashami).
Lesson: She arrives to remove negativity, ego, and injustice from our lives.
B. To Bless Her Devotees
Navratri is a time when prayers are believed to be most powerful. Maa Durga comes to:
Grant health, wealth, and success.
Remove fear, obstacles, and negativity.
Strengthen faith and devotion.
C. To Teach the Power of Feminine Energy (Shakti)
The nine forms of Durga (Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri) represent different aspects of divine feminine power.
Message: Women are embodiments of strength, wisdom, and nurturing energy.

4. How to Welcome Maa Durga into Your Home?

If you want to invite Goddess Durga’s blessings during Navratri, follow these rituals:
A. Clean & Decorate Your Home
Sweep and purify the house before Navratri.
Place a red cloth on your puja altar (red is Durga’s color).
Decorate with flowers, rangoli, and lights.
B. Light a Diya & Offer Prayers Daily
Light an akhand diya (continuous lamp) for nine days.
Offer flowers, incense, and sweets.
Chant Durga Chalisa, Devi Stotram, or Mantras.
C. Observe Fasting & Eat Sattvic Food
Many devotees fast or eat fruits, milk, and vrat-friendly foods.
Avoid onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food (as they are considered tamasic).
D. Perform Kanya Pujan (Worship Young Girls)
On Ashtami or Navami, invite 9 young girls (symbolizing the 9 forms of Durga).
Wash their feet, offer food, and seek blessings.
E. Participate in Garba & Dandiya
In Gujarat and other regions, Garba and Dandiya dances are performed to honor the Goddess.
The circular movements symbolize the cycle of life and divine energy.

5. The Spiritual Departure: When Does Maa Durga Leave?

After nine days of blessings, Maa Durga returns to Mount Kailash on Vijayadashami (Dussehra).
How It’s Celebrated:
In North India, Ramlila is performed, and effigies of Ravana are burned.
In Bengal, Durga idols are immersed in water (Visarjan), symbolizing her return.
Devotees exchange gifts and sweets, marking a victorious conclusion.

Conclusion: The Eternal Return of Divine Mother

Goddess Durga’s arrival during Navratri is not just a myth—it is a spiritual experience that brings hope, strength, and divine grace. Whether she comes riding a lion, through a Kalash, or in the form of a little girl, her presence fills hearts with faith and fearlessness.
By purifying our minds, performing rituals, and embracing positivity, we invite Maa Durga into our lives. May her blessings bring prosperity, protection, and inner peace to all devotees this Navratri!