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 Navratri 2024 Day 4: Puja timings and vidhi 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: Brahma Muhurat: 4:39 AM – 5:28 AM Abhijit Muhurat: 11:45 AM – 12:32 PM Pratah Sandhya: 5:03 AM – 6:17 AM Amrit Kalam: 2:25 PM – 4:12 PM Vijaya Muhurta: 2:06 PM – 2:53 PM 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. Navratri 2024 Day 4: Know more about Maa Kushmanda and the Significance On the fourth day of Navratri, believers devote themselves to Maa Kushmanda, the fourth avatar of Durga. She is adored for her bright smile, which has the power to create and maintain the cosmos. According to Hindu mythology, her holy essence was responsible for the creation of the universe. Worshipping Maa Kushmanda is claimed to ease pain and suffering, giving her adherents the strength to overcome disease, sadness, and flaws. Navratri 2024 Day 4: Colour of the day Each day of Navratri is associated with a distinct colour that has symbolic significance. On Day 4, the chosen colour is orange, a vibrant hue that indicates vitality, warmth, and positive energy. Wearing orange on this day is both a custom and a method to invoke Maa Kushmanda's blessings.
