Navratri day four honours Goddess Kushmanda; blue is the colour of the day
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The fourth day of Navratri falls on Wednesday, October 14. The day is dedicated to Goddess Kushmanda, who is worshipped on it. Kushmanda is regarded as the fourth of the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
Kushmanda means the power that created the universe with her divine smile. For this reason, Mata Kushmanda is worshipped as the primordial power of creation and as the goddess who grants energy and health.
According to religious tales, when there was darkness everywhere, the goddess created the universe with her divine smile. She is therefore also called the primordial power of the universe. It is believed that Goddess Kushmanda inspires devotees with energy, courage and positive thoughts.
The goddess is described as radiant, with eight arms. In her hands she is shown holding a kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, a pot of nectar, a chakra and a mace. Her mount is a lion.
The colour of the day is blue. Blue is regarded as a symbol of peace, stability, trust, restraint and positivity. It is therefore customary to wear blue clothes when visiting or worshipping the goddess on this day.
As for the offering, in some places there is a tradition of offering the Mata malpua, petha or other sweets. A white pumpkin, known as pushpand, fruit and panchamrit are also offered. Because the name pushpand is associated with the pumpkin, some devotees offer pumpkin. However, the manner of the offering may differ by family and region.
On this day, one should bathe in the morning and wear clean clothes. A lamp should be lit before the goddess, and flowers, akshata and the offering presented. If possible, wear blue clothes, remember Mata Kushmanda, and perform aarti and chant her name.
To please the goddess, the mantra "Om Devi Kushmandaye Namah" should be chanted. According to one's faith, the Durga Shakti Stotra, Devi Stotra or the Navratri aarti can also be recited.
According to religious belief, Mata Kushmanda grants devotees health, happiness, prosperity, energy and positivity. It is also believed that worshipping this form of the goddess removes negativity from life and gives strength to the mind. It is therefore said that on the fourth day one should remember this power of the goddess and perform one's devotion with a positive spirit.
