The nine-day festival of Shardiya Navratri began on September 22 and will conclude on October 2 with Vijayadashami (Dussehra).

The fourth day of the festival is dedicated to Maa Kushmanda, the fourth form of Goddess Durga, worshipped for her power to create energy and life in the universe.

Significance of Maa Kushmanda

The name ‘Kushmanda’ combines three words — ‘Ku’ (small), ‘Ushma’ (warmth or energy), and ‘Anda’ (cosmic egg) — symbolising the goddess as the creator of the universe through her divine smile. Maa Kushmanda rides a lioness and is depicted with eight hands (Ashtabhuja Devi) holding:

Right hands – Lotus, Kamandal (water pot), Bow, and Arrow

Left hands – Amrit Kalash (nectar pot), Japa Mala (rosary), Gada (mace), and Chakra (discus)

She is believed to govern the Anahata (

See Full Page