The fourth day of Navratri, Wednesday, 14 October 2026, is dedicated to Maa Kushmanda. Her bhog today is malpua, and those reading the Saptashati in its seven-day order read Chapter 5 (The Gods' Hymn and Shumbha's Messenger), Chapter 6 (The Slaying of Dhumralochana), Chapter 7 (The Slaying of Chanda and Munda), Chapter 8 (The Slaying of Raktabija).
Today's panchang
- Tithi
- Shukla Chaturthi, until 1:13 AM on 15 October
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:21 AM / 5:52 PM
- Rahu Kaal
- 12:07 to 1:33 PM
The puja is best done in the morning, after sunrise. By tradition no new auspicious work is begun in Rahu Kaal (12:07 to 1:33 PM). Since it is a Wednesday, the Abhijit Muhurat is not observed today.
Who is Maa Kushmanda?
It is believed that when nothing yet existed and darkness was everywhere, Maa Kushmanda created the universe with her gentle smile. That is why she is called the primal power of creation, and she is said to dwell within the sphere of the sun. Her eight arms also give her the name Ashtabhuja Devi.
One popular reading of her name is 'ku', a little, 'ushma', warmth or energy, and 'anda', the cosmic egg: she whose little warmth made the universe. Another links it to the kushmanda, the white pumpkin, which she is said to love. Because she dwells in the sun, her planet is held to be the Sun, and she is believed to grant intelligence, sound judgement and good health. One of her hands holds a pot of nectar, a sign of the power that gives life.
- Mount
- Lion
- Form
- Eight hands, holding the kamandal, bow, arrow, lotus, nectar pot, japa mala, mace and chakra
- Bhog
- Malpua
- Favourite flower
- Red flowers
- Planet (belief)
- the Sun (Surya)
How to worship today
After the morning bath, worship the kalash and the akhand jyoti, then meditate on Maa Kushmanda with the prayer below. Offer her red flowers and malpua as bhog, chant her mantra at least 108 times, recite the stuti and perform the aarti in the evening. Those keeping the fast take only fruit and permitted foods during the day.
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah
ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Today's Durga Saptashati reading
If you are reading the Saptashati in its seven-day order, today's portion is Chapter 5 (The Gods' Hymn and Shumbha's Messenger), Chapter 6 (The Slaying of Dhumralochana), Chapter 7 (The Slaying of Chanda and Munda), Chapter 8 (The Slaying of Raktabija). Read them after the Kavach, Argala and Keelakam.
Four chapters are read today, and Chapter 5 opens the Final Charitra, presided over by Mahasaraswati. Oppressed by Shumbha and Nishumbha, the gods sing the 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu' hymn on the Himalaya, and Ambika emerges from Parvati's body. Shumbha's messenger brings an offer of marriage, which she turns away: only the one who defeats her in battle may marry her. Chapter 6 tells of Dhumralochana's death, Chapter 7 of Chanda and Munda, and Chapter 8 of Raktabija, from every drop of whose blood a new demon was born.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Thursday, 15 October 2026, is the fifth day of Navratri, when Maa Skandamata is worshipped with a bhog of banana. In the seven-day order, tomorrow's reading is Chapter 9, Chapter 10.
Dates and times checked against Drik Panchang and our own panchang, for New Delhi.
