Maa Kushmanda is another manifestation of Goddess Durga who is worshipped on day four of Navratri. The nine auspicious days of the Hindu festival are being celebrated with great enthusiasm and people observe fast in order to please the Goddess. Today is the Chaturthi Tithi of Chaitra, Shukla Paksha. This year, Chaitra Navratri celebrations began on April 13. They chant various mantras and slokas while worshiping the deity. Maa Kushmanda is believed to have eliminated darkness by giving birth to light.
Chaitra Navratri 2021: Maa Kushmanda Significance
The name Kushmanda is formed with three words —'Ku', 'Ushma' and 'Anda'; Ku stands for little, Ushma stands for warmth and Anda means egg. It stands for someone who created this universe as a small cosmic egg. Thus, Maa Kushmanda is the true symbolism of divine spark. Belief suggests that she created the Brahmanda (Universe) with her divine smile that radiated energy. She has eight arms holding Kamandalu, Gada, Chakra, Dhanush, lotus-flowers and other edges and a japmala. She is mounted on a lion and since she has eight arms, she is also known as 'Devi AshtaBhuja'.
She governs the Sun, and devotees worship her for getting rid of their diseases and illnesses.
Also Read: Vastu tips for Navratri: Never offer Bel, Harsingar and these kinds of flowers to Goddess Durga
Chaitra Navratri 2021: Maa Kushmanda Puja Vidhi
Pray to Goddess Kushmanda with all your heart but make sure you take flowers in your hands and bow down before the Goddess before starting your puja. Then offer flowers, coconut, fruit, milk, sindoor, and dhoop to the idol. Next is to adorn the Goddess with jewelry and other pious things. Invoke Maa Kushmanda by chanting the following Mantras.
Chaitra Navratri 2021: Kushmanda Mantras
ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥
सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
Surasampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha।
Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Chaitra Navratri 2021: Maa Kushmanda Stotr Path
Durgatinashini Twahi Daridradi Vinashneem
Jayamda Dhanda Kushmanda Pranmamyaham
Trailokyasundari Twahi dukh shok Nivarineem
Parmanandmayi Kushmanda Pranmabhyaham
Also Read: Chaitra Navratri 2021: Date, Puja Vidhi, Muhurat, Timings, Significance
