Navratri Day 4: Kushmanda Puja on Vinayak Chaturthi

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On Oct 10, 2020 (05: 30: 00)

Navratri is known for Navadurga Puja celebrations with Garba dance and enactment of the story of Durga Devi in which her remarkable triumph over evil is performed.

This Sneh Post gives info regarding Navratri day 4 and the goddess of the fourth day of Navratri, Kushmanda. The whole festival of Navratri ends after 9 nights where each night and day is dedicated to one form of Durga.

Navratri Day 4: Kushmanda Puja on Vinayak Chaturthi

Overview

Also Known As

Durga Puja Day 4, Navdurga Puja Day 4

Also Spelled As

Kushmanda Puja

Significance

Restoration of Morals and Dharma

Event Type

Religious

Observed By

Hindu(s)

Observations

Kushmanda Puja, Durga Puja

Goddess of the Day 3 of Navratri

Devi Durga, Kushmanda (Durga Incarnation)

Celebrations

Garba Dance (Garbha)

Holiday

Panchang Day and Date

Shukla Chaturthi of Ashwin, Chaitra, Ashadha, and Magha months of Hindi Calendar (The fourth day of Navratri)

Date

Navratri in Various Years

Occurrence/ Frequency

4 Times in a Year

Other Correlated Events

Vinayak Chaturthi, Dushehra (Vijaya Dashami)

About Navratri Day 4

When Navratri Day 4 Falls?

It is observed four times in a year on Shukla Chaturthi day:

On Ashwin Shukla Chaturthi during Sharadiya Navratri (Maha Navratri)
On Chaitra Shukla Chaturthi during Vasant Navratri
On Ashadha Shukla Chaturthi during Gayatri Navratri
On Magha Shukla Chaturthi during Magha Navratri

Color of the Day

Green. It indicates the vegetation on earth.

Kushmanda Puja on Chaturthi (Navratri Durga Puja on Day 4)

People worship Kushmanda this day, which is a form of Durga. So people address this day as Durga Puja Day 4 too.

Kushmanda Puja Vidhi

Worship Rituals

Significance of Kushmanda Puja

Goddess Kushmanda is believed to be the embodiment of vegetation on earth and worshipped considering that she is the one who provides the vegetation to everyone. She is also revered believing her to be the creative power of the entire universe.

The devotees believe that the Sun God is governed by Goddess Kushmanda and has the luminous radiance and glow like Sun. She is believed to be the one who provides both energy and direction to the Sun.

The followers hold faith that the Japa Mala (garland) in the hands of Goddess Kushmanda incorporates the powers of Siddhi and Niddhi to bless the worshippers.

Vinayak Chaturthi

About Goddess Kushmanda

Devnagari Name: Kushmanda

Origin

After the emergence of Hindu Goddess Parvati as Siddhidatri, she started residing in the center of the Sun and became known as Kushmanda. She commenced living in Sun so that the energy can be liberated throughout the universe.

Nomenclature

The name of Kushmanda Devi is made of three words- “Ku”, “Ushma”, and “Anda”. Here, the meaning of Ku is “a little”; the Hindi word Ushma means “warmth” and Anda stands for “cosmic egg”.

Thus her connection with Brahmanda (universe) signifies her name.

Devi Ashtabhuja

As Devi Kushmanda possesses eight hands, she is famous as “Ashtabhuja Devi” as well.

Depiction of Kushmanda

Kushmanda goddess is depicted with eight arms on her vehicle, lioness. Her four left hands hold Dhanush (bow), Bada, Kamandal, and Kamal (Lotus). In her four right hands, she carries Chakra, Gada, Amrit Kalash (Nectar-pot with fluid that can make one immortal), and Japa Mala (Garland).