Chaitra Navratri 2023
On the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Kushmanda, an avatar of Maa Durga is worshipped. Each day of the auspicious nine-day festival is dedicated to an avatar of the goddess Durga. The nine avatars of the goddess that are worshipped during the Navratri festival are Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
Goddess Kushmanda
Maa Kushmanda, who’s known to have created the universe with her smile, resides in the abode of the Sun God. The goddess who rides a lion is depicted with eight hands holding a kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, trident, a jar of nectar, mace, and a discus.
The name Kushmanda is a combination of three words – ‘Ku’ means little, ‘ushma’ means warmth or energy, and ‘anda’ means an egg. This translates to the one who created this universe as a ‘little cosmic egg’.
Significance of worshipping Maa Kushmanda
It is believed that when the universe did not come into being and there was nothing but complete darkness around, a ray of divine light appeared. It soon started to take the form of a lady. The divine lady, the first being of the universe was called Maa Kushmanda. It is said that her smile eliminated all the darkness around her. She created the Sun, the planets, the stars, and the galaxies and took her seat at the center of the Sun.
Maa Kushmanda bestows her worshipper with happiness, prosperity, and disease-free life.
Also Read: Chaitra Navratri Day 3: All About Maa Chandraghanta; Know Subh Muhurat, Puja Vidhi, Mantras
Puja vidhi
The devotees of Maa Kushmanda take a bath and wear clean clothes before beginning the puja. The devi is then offered Shringaar samagri like sindoor, kajal, bangles, bindi, toe ring, comb, mirror, anklets, perfume, earrings, nose pin, necklace, red chunri, etc. Prasad of malpuas, halwa, or curd, is offered to Maa.
Puja mantra
Surasampoornakalasham Rudhiraluptameva Cha Dadhaana(सुरसम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिरालुप्तमेव च दधाना)
Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastume(हस्तपद्मभ्यां कुष्मांडा शुभदस्तुमे)
