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Shardiya Navratri 2022:

The ten-day festive season is going on, worshiping Goddess Shakti or Goddess Durga. Navratri, precisely defined as nine nights, is celebrated all over the nation. Each of the nine days is devoted to one of the nine incarnations or avatars of Goddess Shakti – Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmcharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandmata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. On the fourth day of Navratri, Maa Kushmanda will be honored.

Goddess Kushmanda:

The fourth avatar of Goddess Durga is acknowledged for producing the entire universe with her smile. According to another legend, Maa Kushmanda emerged to reclaim Dharma by destroying Asuras (devils). Her name relates to – Ku denoting little, ushma indicating warmth, and anda meaning cosmic egg. According to Hindu folklore, Maa Kushmanda created the whole universe, Brahmanda, by simply a sparkle of her smile. 

She is also understood as the Ashtabhuja Devi as she has eight hands. Boarded on a lion, she clasps a bow and arrow, lotus, and a kamandal in the right hands and a mace, discus, a kalash and a japmala in the left hands. This configuration of the Mother Goddess governs the Sun. Therefore, the disciples worship her to get rid of ailments and complaints.

The Color of Navratri 2022 Day-4 :

Yellow is the color of the fourth day of this festivity, illustrating delight and prosperity.

Shubh Muhurat of Day 4:

The Chaturthi Tithi, according to Drik Panchang, will start from 1:27 AM, on 29th September, and stop at 12:08 AM, on 30th September. Brahma Muhutra will commence from 4:37 AM and will stay till 5:25 AM on September 29.

Abhijeet Muhurat – 11:47 AM to 12:35 PM

Vijay Muhurat – 2:11 PM to 2:58 PM

Godhuli Muhurat – 5:58 PM to 6:22 PM

(All the three above Muhurat belong to 29th September)

Puja Vidhi and Samagri:

• Summon Lord Ganesha (Vighnaharta) seeking his boons for a Navratri puja without any hurdles.
• Then convene the Goddess by chanting the Mantras of Maa Kushmanda, then Prarthana and Stotra are also recited.
• Followers presume that Maa Kushmanda admires red flowers, so it is dedicated to the Goddess. 
• The cosmetic items or shringar samagri of bindi, sindoor, kajal, comb, mirror, bangles, anklets and toe ring are also contributed. 
• A particular bhog made of halwa, malpua, and curd is offered to Maa Kushmanda. 

Day 4 Significance:

On this day, Maa Kushmanda is prayed with red flowers. It is assumed that Maa Kushmanda controls the Sun God as she empowers him with strength and guidance. She is also supposed to dwell inside the sun as her shine and brilliance are as illuminated as that of the sun. Believers offer their puja to Maa Kushmanda on the fourth day, to yearn for her blessings for their family’s well-being. The Goddess in turn showers them with fortune, good health, and vitality.

-Shashi Thakur