Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival, celebrated by many devottees all across India to honour feminine power. This year, Navratri days have started from October 10 and will end on October 18 with Ram Navami. On these pious nine days of the festival, nine manifestations of Goddess Durga is worshipped.
One out of nine avatars of goddess Durga; be it Maa Shailputri, or Maa Brahmacharini, or Maa Chandraghanta and so on is worshipped each day. Many devotees fast for entire nine days during the festival. They chant various mantras and slokas while worshiping the deity.
Though the celebration varies from state to state; in West Bengal, men and women celebrate Navratri festival as Durga Pooja and worship huge idols of Goddess Durga. In Gujarat people perform the traditional dance which is known as Garba almost throughout the night. They wear colourful dresses and mostly Indian traditional dresses are preferred.
Maa Kushmanda Significance
Maa Kushmanda is the third manifestation of Goddess Durga worshipped on Day 3 of Navratri. 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 true symbolism of divine spark.
She has eight arms holding Kamandalu, Gada, Chakra, Dhanush, lotus-flowers and other edges and a japmala. She rides a lion and since she has eight arms, she is also known as 'Devi AshtaBhuja'.
Maa Kushmanda | Navratri 2018 Day 3| Significance, puja vidhi, mantra, and stotr path
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.
Recite an aarti in front of the goddess and end the puja by distributing sweets/prasadam among your friends, or family members, or needy ones.
Maa Kushmanda Mantra
To seek the blessings of Maa Kushmanda, chant the following mantra while worshipping her:
Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu Ma Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita
OR
Vande Vanchit Kamarth Chandraghkrit Shekharam
Sinhruda Ashtabhuja Kushmanda Yashswanim
Bhaswar Bhanu Nibha Anahat Stihta Chaturth Durga Trinetraam
Kamandalu, Chap, Baan, Padamsudhakalash, Chakra, Gada, Japavatidharam
Patambar Paridhana Kamniya Mriduhasya Nanalamkar Bhushitam
Manjeer, Haar, Keyoor, Kinkini, Ratnakundal Manditam
Praful Vadnamcharu Chibukam Kant Kapola Tung Kucham
Komlangi Smermukhi Shrikanti Nimnanabhi Nitnambneem
Maa Kushmanda Stotr Path
Durgatinashini Twahi Daridradi Vinashneem
Jayamda Dhanda Kushmanda Pranmamyaham
Trailokyasundari Twahi dukh shok Nivarineem
Parmanandmayi Kushmanda Pranmabhyaham
We hope Maa Kushmanda blesses her devotees with brightness, peace and clarity. Happy Navratri!
