Navratri Day Four Is Dedicated to ‘Maa Kushmanda’, Goddess who Governs the Sun

This day of Navratri is dedicated to 'Maa Kushmanda'. Devotees on this day enchant mantras and offer red flowers to Maa Kushmanda and wish for good health and prosperity in life.

Maa Kushmanda is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi, which means she has eight hands. In her figurine, she can be seen holding Kalash, chakra, gada, kamandal, rosary, lotus, bow and arrow. It is believed that all the power to bestow Siddhis and Niddhis are located in her Jap Mala.

Maa Kushmanda is also named as 'Adi Shakti'. It is believed that Goddess Kushmanda is the one who governs the sun. Goddess Kushmanda resides at the core of the Sun and provides energy. She rides a lion.

Devotees should chant this mantra for 108 times on the fourth day of Navratri :

Suraasampoornam Kalasham Rudhiraaplutamev Cha | Dahdana Hastpadmaabhyaam Kushmanda Shubhdaastu Me ||

Which means, May Maa Kushmanda who holds two pitchers full of Madira and Blood in her lotus hands, be propitious to me.