Goddess Siddhidhatri is the ninth incarnation of goddess Durga and is worshipped on the 9th and the final day of the festival. Dhatri means a giver and siddhi means fulfilment. Hence a goddess that gives her devotees the sense and strength of fulfilling their responsibilities and duties in life is known as the Siddhidhatri goddess. She is known to bestow siddhis (perfection) on her devotees. She is the goddess of accomplishment and blesses her devotees with unlimited knowledge and wisdom.
Since there is the mention of perfection in her name, she does help her devotees to attain perfection, happiness, joy and makes them pure at heart. The Devi has a calm and peaceful expression. Her four hands hold Chakra (discus), Shankha (conch shell), Trishul (trident) and Gada (mace). In some images, she is also shown holding a Kamala or Padma (lotus flower). She is pictured to be seated in a lotus and is riding on a lion.
Let us understand the legend behind the origin of this goddess. It is believed that Shiva had attained all the siddhis by worshipping the prime goddess of strength, Mahashakti. With her blessing, Siddhidhatri originated from the left side of Shiva and he was started to be called Ardhanari Nateshwar (composite forms of Shiva and Parvati according to Hindu culture).
After mentioning the siddhis it is important to give some information about them. There were eight siddhis or spiritual powers that were existent in the universe. Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakambya, Ishatva and Vashitva. They all signify the superior strengths and powers witnessed by the world.
“Anima” talks about the power to be reduced down to a smaller size or rather an atom. “Mahima” talks about the power to grow enormous in size. Many ancient stories give us an indication of these powers like Lord Hanuman, Vamana Avatar etc “Garima” talks about the power to become extremely heavy in weight and “Laghima” talks about the power of becoming light as air. “Prapti” much like the word talks about the power to acquire anything that one wishes for at any given time and “Prakambya” talks about the power to do anything from flying to walking on water and any other impossible thing one desires. “Ishatva” speaks about the power over all the elements of creation meaning the universe and “Vashitva” speaks about the power to control all the natural forces and having a command over life and death itself.
Goddess Siddhidatri is surrounded by Gandharvas, Yakshas, Devas, Siddhis and Demons and they all bow down to her and worship her signifying that she is the only thing that exists and holds the supreme power over all creations.
She is offered til (sesame seeds) as bhog while praying to her. It is believed that the sesame seeds will protect the devotees from unfortunate mishaps in their life and keep them under the shelter of goddess siddhidatri. There are various temples of this goddess in India in the district of Varanasi, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Mantra for Siddhidhatri is “Om Devi Siddhiyatryai Namah”.
