🌸 4th Day of Navratri 2025: Worship of Maa Kushmanda

Introduction

Navratri, one of the most sacred Hindu festivals, is celebrated with immense devotion and energy across India and worldwide. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a specific form of Goddess Durga, and on the fourth day (Chaturthi), devotees worship Maa Kushmanda. She is revered as the creator of the universe and is often called the “smiling goddess” because her divine smile is believed to have given birth to life and energy.

In Navratri 2025, the fourth day will be observed with prayers, fasting, rituals, and chanting dedicated to Maa Kushmanda. This day holds immense spiritual significance as it symbolizes the worship of the cosmic energy that sustains creation and bestows health, wealth, and happiness.

Who is Maa Kushmanda?

The name Kushmanda is derived from three words:

• Ku – a little

• Ushma – warmth or energy

• Anda – cosmic egg

Together, it means “the creator of the universe through a little warmth”. According to scriptures, Maa Kushmanda created the universe with her divine smile, filling the cosmos with light and energy. She resides in the core of the Sun (Surya Mandal) and provides vitality and energy to all living beings.

She is often depicted as an eight-armed goddess (Ashtabhuja), holding:

• Kamandal (water pot)

• Dhanush (bow)

• Baan (arrow)

• Kamal (lotus)

• Amrit Kalash (nectar pot)

• Chakra (divine discus)

• Gada (mace)

• Jap Mala (rosary)

Her mount is a lion, symbolizing strength and courage.

Significance of Worshiping Maa Kushmanda

Worshipping Maa Kushmanda on the 4th day of Navratri holds deep spiritual and practical importance:

1. Bringer of Energy and Life – She is the source of cosmic energy that sustains the Sun and the universe.

2. Remover of Darkness – She blesses her devotees with clarity, positivity, and light in their lives.

3. Healer of Illness – Worshipping her is believed to cure ailments and provide good health.

4. Prosperity and Wealth – Maa Kushmanda blesses her devotees with material success and spiritual growth.

5. Inner Strength – She instills courage, confidence, and determination in devotees.

6. Spiritual Awakening – Her worship leads to enlightenment, wisdom, and divine knowledge.

4th Day of Navratri 2025 Date & Muhurat

• Date: Friday, 26th September 2025

• Tithi: Chaturthi (4th day of Shukla Paksha, Ashwin month)

• Muhurat for Puja: (Timings will vary as per local Panchang – check your regional calendar for exact puja muhurat)

This is the most auspicious day to seek blessings from Maa Kushmanda and invite positive energy into one’s life.

Rituals and Puja Vidhi for Maa Kushmanda

The worship of Maa Kushmanda on the 4th day of Navratri is performed with complete devotion and purity. Here’s the step-by-step puja vidhi:

1. Morning Preparations

• Take a bath early in the morning and wear clean, traditional clothes (preferably orange, the color of the day).

• Prepare the puja space with a clean red cloth on a chowki (altar) and place the idol or picture of Maa Kushmanda.

2. Invocation (Avahan)

• Light a ghee lamp (diya) and incense sticks.

• Offer flowers, kumkum, roli, rice, and turmeric to the goddess.

• Recite Durga Saptashati or Devi Kavach if possible.

3. Offerings (Bhog)

Maa Kushmanda is believed to love:

• Malpua (sweet dish made of flour and sugar)

• Fruits like pomegranate

• Kumkum and sindoor

Offering Malpua as bhog is considered highly auspicious on this day.

4. Mantra Chanting

Devotees chant her mantra with devotion:

ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
(Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah)

Chanting this mantra with devotion is believed to bring prosperity, health, and happiness.

5. Aarti

Perform Aarti with deep devotion using camphor or ghee diya, singing “Durga Aarti” or special aarti dedicated to Maa Kushmanda.

Colors and Dress for 4th Day of Navratri 2025

Each day of Navratri is associated with a color. For the 4th day, the auspicious color is Orange.

• Devotees wear orange clothes while performing puja.

• Orange symbolizes energy, enthusiasm, positivity, and divine strength.

• Decorating the home or temple with orange flowers, dupattas, and lights adds to the festive spirit.

Maa Kushmanda’s Symbolism

Maa Kushmanda represents:

• Creation & Fertility – As the creator of the universe, she blesses families with children and prosperity.

• Vitality & Health – Her association with the Sun signifies health, vigor, and life force.

• Positivity & Light – Her smile brings hope and dispels negativity.

• Spiritual Wisdom – She provides knowledge and helps devotees achieve self-realization.

Benefits of Worshipping Maa Kushmanda

1. Improves health and vitality

2. Brings happiness and harmony in family life

3. Removes fear and negative energies

4. Blesses with wealth, prosperity, and business success

5. Guides towards spiritual awakening

6. Removes obstacles and fulfills desires

Maa Kushmanda Stotra

A popular prayer for Maa Kushmanda is:

सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥

Meaning: The goddess holding a pot filled with divine nectar in her lotus hands blesses her devotees with happiness, health, and prosperity.

Maa Kushmanda and Astrology

• She is strongly connected with Surya (Sun).

• Worshipping her strengthens the Sun in one’s horoscope.

• It removes obstacles in career, government jobs, leadership, and fame.

Celebration of 4th Day of Navratri Across India

• North India (UP, Delhi, Bihar): Grand Durga Pandals and bhajans are dedicated to Maa Kushmanda.

• Maharashtra & Gujarat: Devotees wear orange, perform garba and dandiya with joy.

• West Bengal: Kumari Puja and cultural programs take place.

• South India: Special decorations in temples with flowers, lamps, and traditional bhajans.

Modern Relevance of Maa Kushmanda Worship

Even in today’s modern life, Maa Kushmanda’s worship teaches us:

• Smile through challenges – just like her divine smile created the universe.

• Balance energy – by maintaining positivity and health.

• Light over darkness – to overcome negativity, stress, and depression.

Her blessings help us achieve both material success and spiritual growth.