Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
On the fourth day of Sharadiya Navratri, devotees worship Maa Kushmanda with special rituals, offer her favourite bhog and chant sacred mantras to seek her blessings. According to religious beliefs, the Goddess is associated with the creation of the universe and is worshipped for health, happiness and prosperity.
Deep blue is considered an auspicious colour for the day. Devotees may wear clothes in this colour while offering prayers to the Goddess.
Who Is Maa Kushmanda? Know the Religious Significance
Maa Kushmanda is regarded as the creator of the universe among the nine forms of Goddess Durga. According to Hindu mythology, darkness prevailed everywhere before the creation of the universe. The Goddess created the universe with her divine smile and illuminated it with her radiant energy.
Devotees worship Maa Kushmanda during Navratri to seek her blessings for well-being, peace and prosperity. She is also believed to protect devotees from diseases and negative influences.
Maa Kushmanda Puja 2026: Auspicious Timings
Devotees can perform Maa Kushmanda's worship during the following auspicious periods:
Brahma Muhurta: 4:54 am to 5:43 am
Abhijit Muhurta: 11:44 am to 12:30 pm
Vijaya Muhurta: 2:22 pm to 3:09 pm
Amrit Kaal: 4:14 pm to 5:57 pm
Godhuli Muhurta: 6:17 pm to 6:42 pm
Devotees are advised to check the local Panchang for the applicable timings, as auspicious periods may vary by location.
Maa Kushmanda Puja Vidhi: How to Worship the Goddess
Devotees can follow these traditional rituals to worship Maa Kushmanda on the fourth day of Navratri:
Wake up early in the morning, take a bath and prepare the place of worship.
Place the idol or picture of Maa Kushmanda on a clean platform and apply roli or sindoor to the Goddess.
If Kalash Sthapana was performed on the first day, worship the Kalash according to family traditions and light a lamp before the Goddess.
Offer flowers and akshat (unbroken rice) to Maa Kushmanda.
Offer malpua or another sweet as bhog.
Chant the Goddess's sacred mantra and recite her religious story. Reading the Durga Saptashati is also considered auspicious.
Conclude the puja with the Goddess's aarti and pray for peace, good health and prosperity.
Distribute prasad among family members after the worship.
Maa Kushmanda Mantra to Chant on Navratri Day 4
Chanting Maa Kushmanda's mantra is considered auspicious on the fourth day of Sharadiya Navratri.
Mantra: Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah.
Sanskrit: ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
Devotees can chant this mantra 11, 21, 51 or 108 times, according to their convenience and religious practice. According to Hindu beliefs, sincere prayers and mantra chanting help devotees seek the Goddess's blessings for health, happiness and prosperity.
Bhog Offered to Maa Kushmanda
Devotees traditionally offer malpua and other sweets to Maa Kushmanda during worship. The offering is made with devotion, followed by prayers and the distribution of prasad among family members.
Observing the rituals with faith and devotion is considered an important part of Sharadiya Navratri, a festival dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
