Ask any devotee, "What does Navami signify to you?" The response would be a little different, as Maha Navami is observed with hearts full of mixed feelings. On Maha Navami, Goddess Durga is invoked in her divine form as Siddhidatri. Being the ninth manifestation of Durga, Siddhidatri personifies wholeness-the convergence of reverence and divine grace-and is simply shown sitting on a lotus, surrounded with beauty. But under the joy of celebrating Navami often sees a bittersweet sense which goes deep, for everyone is aware that this very victory means departure for the Goddess herself soon after Vijayadashami, when she returns to heaven. To most, Maha Navami is more like the final night of a loved guest's visit: each moment spent with the guest seems like time must not pass, and the

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