Shardiya Navratri Day 4, Maa Kushmanda: The nine-day Shardiya, or Shrad Navratri, is an important Hindu festival observed across India, which is observed in the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin during Sharad Ritu, that is, September to October, as per the Gregorian calendar.
Out of the four Navratris—Magha (winter), Chaitra (spring), Ashadha (monsoon), and Shardiya (autumn), this Navratri is regarded as the most significant, which is why it is also known as the Maha Navratri.
This festival is devoted to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, which has already commenced on October 3, 2024, and is set to conclude on October 12, with Dusshera falling on the same day.
नवरात्रि के चौथे दिन देवी कूष्मांडा का चरण-वंदन! माता की कृपा से उनके सभी का जीवन आयुष्मान हो, यही कामना है। प्रस्तुत है उनकी यह स्तुति… pic.twitter.com/A5yZ6kVVH2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 6, 2024
Today, October 6, 2024, marks the fourth day of Navratri 2024, dedicated to the worship of Maa Kushmanda. According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious timings (muhurats) for the day include:
Maa Kushmanda, the supreme deity of the solar system, represents warmth and the sun’s life-giving energy. It is believed to bring health, positivity, and vitality to those who worship her on the fourth day of Navratri.
The ritual involves a bath, meditation, offering of Ganges water, red clothes, flowers, vermilion, Panchmeva, Naivedya, and Shringar, reciting the mantra “Ain Hree Devayi Namah,” offering curd and pudding, and a white gourd.
The puja concludes with the recitation of the Durga Chalisa and performing her aarti using a ghee or camphor lamp.