Navratri, the nine-day festival dedicated to the divine feminine energy, enters its fourth day with the worship of Maa Kushmanda, the fourth avatar of Goddess Durga. She is known as the creator of the universe, the one who brought life into existence with her gentle smile. On this sacred day, devotees worship her to seek health, vitality, and spiritual awakening.

 Who is Maa Kushmanda?

The name “Kushmanda” is derived from three Sanskrit words:

Ku = little

Ushma = energy or warmth

Anda = cosmic egg

Thus, Maa Kushmanda is believed to have created the universe from a tiny cosmic egg through her divine energy and radiant smile. She is also known as the Adi Shakti (primordial power) and is the source of all life and light.

Iconography

• Maa Kushmanda has eight arms (Ashtabhuja) and holds kamandal, dhanush, bada, kamal, chakra, gada, japmala, and a pot of nectar (amrit).
• She rides a lion, symbolizing bravery and courage.
• Her aura shines like the sun, radiating divine energy.

Spiritual Significance of Day 4

• Worshipping Maa Kushmanda on Navratri Day 4 is believed to:
• Energize the Anahata Chakra (Heart Chakra), promoting compassion, love, and inner balance.
• Bestow strength, vitality, and longevity.
• Eliminate darkness, fear, and disease from one’s life.
• Invoke divine creativity, clarity, and purpose.
• As the cosmic womb of creation, Maa Kushmanda connects devotees with the original source of life and energy, making this day ideal for healing and spiritual renewal.

 Puja Vidhi for Maa Kushmanda (Step-by-Step Worship)

 Pre-Puja Preparation:

• Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean or new clothes.
• Purify the puja space using Ganga jal or incense.
• Set up a clean altar with the image or idol of Maa Kushmanda.
• Prepare a kalash (sacred pot) and place it near the deity.

 Required Items:

• Idol/photo of Maa Kushmanda
• Kalash with coconut & mango leaves
• Flowers (especially marigolds and lotuses)
• Dhoop, Deep, Diya
• Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar)
• Fruits, sweets (especially Malpua), and coconut
• Red and orange cloth
• Incense sticks, rice, turmeric, kumkum

Main Puja Ritual:

• Kalash Sthapana: Place the kalash, fill it with water, and adorn with coconut and mango leaves.
• Dhyana (Meditation): Meditate on the form of Maa Kushmanda, imagining her radiant presence.
• Mantra Jaap: Chant the following mantra 108 times:
• ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः
  Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah
• Offer flowers, fruits, and sweets while reciting her 108 names or Durga Saptashati (Chapter 4).
• Perform Aarti using camphor or ghee diya.
• Distribute the prasad among family and guests.

Colour of the Day: ORANGE

• The auspicious colour for Day 4 is Orange – a symbol of energy, enthusiasm, positivity, and divine vitality. It is recommended to:
• Wear traditional attire in bright orange shades.
• Decorate your home altar with orange flowers or cloth.
• Offer orange-colored sweets (like laddoo, kesari halwa) to the goddess.
• This colour aligns with the energetic vibrations of Maa Kushmanda, making the day spiritually vibrant.

Bhog/Offerings for Maa Kushmanda

• Offering the right bhog is essential to please the goddess. On Day 4, the most favored offerings are:
• Malpua (sweet fried pancake made of flour and milk) – believed to be Maa Kushmanda’s favorite.
• Pomegranate – symbolizing fertility and health.
• Coconut, bananas, and sugarcane – for sweetness and strength.
• Panchamrit – for purification and divine blessings.
• Homemade sweets – offered with love and devotion.

Powerful Mantras & Aarti for Day 4Main Mantra:

“ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं कूष्माण्डायै नमः”
Om Aim Hreem Kleem Kushmandayai Namah

This mantra enhances mental clarity, removes obstacles, and invokes divine blessings.

 Aarti :

जय अम्बे जगदम्बे माता, जय कुष्मांडा सुखदाता
तेरे दर्शन का फल पाया, जीवन सफल बनाया।

You may also recite the Durga Aarti or play it during the puja for a divine ambiance.

Meditation & Affirmation for Day 4

Sit in a quiet place after the puja and focus on your Heart Chakra (Anahata). Visualize a radiant green or golden light spreading warmth and healing energy.

Daily Affirmation:

“With the grace of Maa Kushmanda, I radiate joy, vitality, and divine purpose.”

This inner connection magnifies the blessings of the day and aligns your soul with the divine source.

 Blessings and Final Thoughts

Navratri Day 4 with Maa Kushmanda is not just about rituals — it’s a journey into the heart of creation itself. Her smile represents the origin of life, her radiance dispels fear, and her strength awakens vitality.

Worship her with:

• Faith in your heart
• Cleanliness in your space
• Positivity in your actions
• Let the divine light of Maa Kushmanda enter your life and home, filling it with health, harmony, and happiness.

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