On the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri, devotees honor the majestic form of Goddess Durga known as Maa Kushmanda. This year, falling on April 12, 2024, the day of Chaitra Navratri holds significance as devotees offer prayers to Maa Kushmanda with serene devotion.
According to religious experts, worshipping Maa Kushmanda should be done with a calm mind. It is customary to offer yellow fruits, yellow flowers, and yellow attire to the deity, as yellow is considered auspicious to the goddess. Additionally, the favorite offering of Maa Kushmanda is Malpua, a sweet dish that devotees prepare and offer at her lotus feet.
Maa Kushmanda’s Divine Form:
Maa Kushmanda is depicted as exceedingly beautiful and majestic, with eight arms carrying various symbols. Each arm holds a distinct item, including a kamandal (water pot), a bow and arrow, a lotus flower, a conch shell, a chakra (discus), a mace, and a rosary representing all accomplishments. She also holds an amrita Kalasha (pot of nectar) in one hand. Maa Kushmanda’s mount is a lion.
Traditional Beliefs and Practices:
It is believed that Maa Kushmanda favors the offering of pumpkin (Kaddu). Hence, she is also known as Kushmanda. It is said that the smile of this divine form of the goddess is responsible for the creation of the universe, and therefore, she resides in the solar system. Devotees rise early in the morning for her worship, purify themselves with a bath, and take a vow of fasting.
- Offer green cardamom and fennel seeds along with pumpkin during the worship of Maa Kushmanda.
- Chant the mantra “Om Bum Budhaya Namah” while offering cardamom.
- It is believed that offering green cardamom wrapped in a clean green cloth during worship brings happiness and prosperity throughout Navratri.
Observing Chaitra Navratri and worshipping Maa Kushmanda brings immense joy and prosperity to devotees, uplifting their spirits with divine blessings.
