Forms of Devi

Core forms of Chamundeshwari

Sri Chamundeshwari
A fierce and compassionate form of the Divine Mother, worshipped as Chamunda, who is described in the Devi Mahatmya as slaying the demons Chanda and Munda. Devotees turn to her for protection and strength.
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Mahishasura Mardini
The Goddess as the slayer of the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. In the Devi Mahatmya the combined energies of the gods take form as a many-armed warrior Goddess who rides a lion.
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Durga
The invincible Divine Mother who removes difficulties. Shown with many arms bearing weapons, riding a lion, and honoured especially during Navaratri.
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Maha Kali
The Goddess as the power of time who overcomes fear and ignorance. Dark and fierce in appearance, she is praised in the first episode of the Devi Mahatmya.
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Maha Lakshmi
The Goddess as prosperity, grace and auspiciousness, worshipped as the giver of well-being.
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Maha Saraswati
The Goddess as wisdom, learning, speech and the arts. Shown in white, seated on a white lotus, with the veena.
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Parvati
The Goddess as daughter of the mountain king Himavan and consort of Shiva; the gentle, motherly form of Shakti.
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Sri Vidya is a tradition of guru-to-disciple initiation. Which forms, names and mantras appear publicly is decided by the Matha.

Lalita Tripurasundari
In the Sri Vidya tradition, the Goddess worshipped as supreme beauty and the presiding deity of the Sri Chakra. Her thousand names are recited in the Lalita Sahasranama.
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Rajarajeshwari
A name of the Goddess as the supreme sovereign, the 'queen of queens', closely associated with Lalita in the Sri Vidya tradition.
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Bala Tripurasundari
The youthful, girl form of Tripurasundari. In the Sri Vidya tradition she is the form traditionally approached first, under the guidance of a guru.
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Kameshwari
In the Sri Vidya tradition, the Goddess as consort of Kameshwara (Shiva), regarded as the first of the Nitya Devis worshipped in the Sri Chakra.
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Varahi
A fierce form with the head of a boar, regarded in Sri Vidya as a commander of Lalita's forces (Dandanatha) and also counted among the Sapta Matrika.
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Shyamala (Rajamatangi)
The Goddess of speech, music and the arts, regarded in Sri Vidya as the minister (Mantrini) of Lalita.
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Shailaputri
The daughter of the mountain (Himalaya), worshipped on the first day of Navaratri. Shown on a bull, holding a trident and a lotus.
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Brahmacharini
The form of austerity and devotion, worshipped on the second day of Navaratri. Shown holding a rosary and a water pot (kamandalu).
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Chandraghanta
Marked by a bell-shaped crescent moon on her forehead; worshipped on the third day of Navaratri. Shown riding a lion or tiger.
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Kushmanda
The form said to have brought forth the universe with her gentle smile; worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri.
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Skandamata
The mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), shown holding the child; worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri.
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Katyayani
The warrior form said to be born as the daughter of the sage Katyayana; worshipped on the sixth day of Navaratri.
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Kalaratri
The fiercest, dark form, who dispels fear and ignorance; worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri.
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Mahagauri
The radiant, fair form, worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri (Ashtami). Shown on a bull.
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Siddhidatri
The giver of siddhis (spiritual accomplishments), worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Shown seated on a lotus.
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Brahmi
The Shakti of Brahma, one of the Seven Mothers described in the Devi Mahatmya.
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Maheshwari
The Shakti of Maheshwara (Shiva), one of the Seven Mothers.
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Kaumari
The Shakti of Kumara (Skanda), one of the Seven Mothers.
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Vaishnavi
The Shakti of Vishnu, one of the Seven Mothers.
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Varahi
The Shakti of Varaha, one of the Seven Mothers. Also honoured in the Sri Vidya tradition.
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Indrani
The Shakti of Indra, one of the Seven Mothers.
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Chamunda
The fierce Mother among the Seven, associated with the Goddess who slew Chanda and Munda.
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Annapoorna
The Goddess as giver of food and nourishment, closely linked with the tradition of Annadana.
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