Invoking the Nine Durgas – Chandika Invocation
The Nine Chandikas or Durgas are: Śailaputrī, Brahmachāriṇī, Chandraghaṇṭā, Kūṣmāṇḍa, Skanda-Mātā, Kātyāyanī, Kālarātrī, Mahāgaurī, and Siddhidātrī. In the Chandika Invocation, we perform two complete recitations of the Durga Saptashati, which are recited all over India during Navratri. We follow that with the homa or havan, a vedic fire sacrifice, to each of the Nine Mother Goddesses. We ask for their blessings and protection.