Mar 21, 2025, 06:59 AM IST

Maa Durga's 108 names and their meanings

Shivani Tiwari

Navaratri is a nine-night festival dedicated to Maa Durga, whose 108 names represent different aspects of her divine persona, reflecting her power, compassion, and ability to restore balance to the universe.

These names are an integral part of Durga's worship, particularly during the Navaratri festival, a nine-night celebration dedicated to the goddess Durga.

Durga (the warrior who fights evil for peace, prosperity, and dharma), Shailaputri (Daughter of the Himalayas), brahmacharini (practices penance or devotion), Chandraghanta (symbol of beauty and bravery), Kushmanda (creator of the universe)

Skandamata (Mother of Skanda (Kartikeya)), Katyayani(Powerful, fierce and warrior-like attributes), Kalaratri (destroyer of darkness and ignorance), Mahagauri (purity and austerity), Siddhidatri (giver of supernatural powers)

Bhavani (the giver of life), Chandika (a fierce and powerful form of the Goddess Durga), Bhadrakali (a fierce form of Kali), Kamalatmika (the one who dwells in lotuses), Annapurna (the giver of food and nourishment), Sarvamangala (one who is all auspicious)

Bhavaprita (dear to the universe), Jagadamba (mother of the universe), Rajarajeshwari (the supreme queen of all kings), Tripura Sundari(beautiful goddess of three world), Mookambika (the silent or mute mother), Vishalakshi (who has large eyes)

Lalita (beauty and charm), Mahashakti (Supreme Power), Sundari (inner beauty of the soul), Bhairavi (fierce and powerful goddess), Aparajita (eternal victory), Tara (saviour and guide)

Chinnamasta (worshipped for self-sacrifice), Dhumavati (represents the darker aspects of life), Bagalamukhi (protects from negative forces, harm, and misfortune), Matangi (Goddess of wisdom and arts), Kamakhya (fertility, desire, and energy of creation), Bhagavati (source of all energy and power)

Rajeshwari (queen of queens), Shyamala (dark and beautiful goddess), Kamalini ( purity), Parvati (daughter of the mountain), Uma (light, the splendour), Gauri (fair one), Ambika (nurturing and protective goddess), Devi (feminine divine), Bhargavi (form of Lakshmi), Sati (The virtuous one)

Adishakti (The primal power), Vagdevi (the Goddess of speech),  Katyayini (the young form of Goddess Durga), Kalika (the black goddess), Shoolini (holding a trident in her hands to destroy evil), Bhavamochani(the absolver of the universe), Aarya (Goddess),  Jaya (The Victorious), Aadya (The Initial reality), Trinetra (One who has three eyes) 

Pinaakadharini (One who holds the trident of Shiva), Chitra (The Picturesque),  Chandaghanta (One who has mighty bells),  Mahatapa (With severe penance), Manah (Mind), Buddhi (Intelligence), Ahankaara (One with Pride), Chittarupa (One who is in a thought state), Chita (Death-bed), Chiti (The thinking mind)

Sarvamantramayi (One who possesses all the instruments of thought), Satta (One who is above all), Satyanandasvarupini (Form of Eternal bliss), Ananta (One who is Infinite or beyond measure), Bhaavini (The Beautiful Woman), Bhaavya (Represents Future), Bhavya (With Magnificence), Abhavya (Improper or fear-causing), Sadagati (Always in motion, bestowing Moksha (salvation))

Shaambhavi (Consort of Shambhu), Devamata (Mother Goddess), Chinta (Tension), Ratnapriya (Adorned or loved by jewels), Sarvavidya (Knowledgeable),  Dakshakanya (Daughter of Daksha) Dakshayajñavinaashini (Interrupter of the sacrifice of Daksha) Aparna (One who doesn't eat even leaves while fasting)

Anekavarna (One who has many complexions), Paatala (Red), Paatalavati (Wearing red-colour attire), Pattaambaraparidhaana (Wearing a dress made of leather), Kalamanjiiraranjini (Wearing a musical anklet), Ameyaa (One who is beyond measure), Vikrama (Violent), Krrooraa (Brutal (on demons)), Sursundari (Extremely Beautiful)

Anekavarna (One who has many complexions), Paatala (Red), Paatalavati (Wearing red-colour attire), Pattaambaraparidhaana (Wearing a dress made of leather), Kalamanjiiraranjini (Wearing a musical anklet), Ameyaa (One who is beyond measure), Vikrama (Violent), Krrooraa (Brutal (on demons)), Sursundari (Extremely Beautiful)

Vandurga (Goddess of forests), Maatangi (Goddess of Matanga), Matangamunipujita (Worshipped by Sage Matanga), Braahmi (Power of God Brahma), Maaheshvari (Power of Lord Mahesha (Shiva)), Aeindri (Power of God Indra), 

Kaumaari (The adolescent), Vaishnavi (The invincible), Vaarahi (One who rides on Varaah), Purushaakriti (One who takes the form of a man), Kriya (One who is in action), Nitya (The eternal one), Buddhida (The bestower of wisdom), Bahula (One who is in various forms), Bahulaprema (One who is loved by all) Sarvavahanavahana (One who rides all vehicles)

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