Navratri which arrives during autumn is known as Shardiya Navratri. It is considered to be one of the most important festivals in India. During the nine days of the Navratri celebration, nine different avatars of Goddess Durga are worshipped. The seventh day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Kalaratri.
Who is Maa Kalaratri?
Goddess Kalaratri, also known as Shubhankari, is regarded as the most powerful form of goddess Parvati. She brings auspicious powers (shubh), with her fierce form. She is a warrior who blesses her devotees with fearlessness. According to the scriptures, she is seen as one of the catastrophic forms of Goddess Durga.
She rides on a donkey and is depicted with three eyes, and fire flames gushing through her nostrils. She has four arms, with which she is holding a hooked vajra and curved sword in left two hands while right two hands are in Abhaya Mudra (protecting) and Varada Mudra (blessing). Her complexion is dark as night. Kalaratri is believed to rule Saturn (Shani).
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History
History says once upon a time, there were two demons named Shumbh and Nishumbh. They invaded devaloka creating an imbalance in the universe. All the devtas prayed to Goddess Parvati to help them. She was requested to create terror and to fight against all the evil powers. It is believed, the goddess created a dark Goddess named Kali or Kalaratri, who killed Chand and Mund; they were the two demons sent by Shumbh and Nishumbh. Therefore, Kalaratri is also recognised as Chamunda.
Maa Kalaratri Puja Vidhi
First of all, devotees should take bath early in the morning and wear clean clothes.
Place the idol of the Goddess near Kalasha on an elevated place like table or chowki.
Now offer pan and supari to the Goddess.
Then offer flowers such as night-blooming Jasmine flowers.
Then the deepak of ghee is lit in front of the idol.
Chant the mantra mentioned below:
Maa Kali mantra:
Om Devi Kaalratryai Namah॥
Maa Kali prayer:
Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita।
Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini॥
Vamapadollasalloha Latakantakabhushana।
Vardhana Murdhadhwaja Krishna Kalaratrirbhayankari॥
Now perform arti and offer bhog to the idol of Kali and then distribute it in the morning as well in the evening.
Timings of the puja
Saptami of Navratri will be observed on October 12 as it will commence at 11:50 PM on October 11 and last up to 09:47 PM on October 12.
-1633777075.jpg "Navratri Day 3: Devotees worship Maa Chandraghanta")
