Maa Kaalratri: Fierce Protector avatar of Maa Durga worshipped on Day 7 of Navratri, माँ कालरात्रि का जन्म क्यों हुआ था, पूजा विधि क्या है और क्या है माँ का मंत्र

Maa Kaalratri who is considered to be one of the most ferocious, powerful and fiercest forms of Maa Durga is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri. Maa Kaalratri is known amongst her followers as the fierce protector and as the destroyer of wrong, bad, sinful and the dark. She is also a representation of all that is true, right, virtuous and powerful. MaaKaalratrimay have an intimidating and a terrifying outer impression but at the same time she is also a big and tender-hearted mother for her children and devotees who has come to their lives to remove their insecurities and fears. She is standing their steadfast so that her believers can attain all the deserved success and strength. People pray to Maa Kaalratri in order to remove hurdles and stumbles from their lives and to attain inner and outer strength.

Why Maa Kaalratri Was Born: The celestial Purpose of the Fierce Goddess

Maa Kaalratri is the seventh roop or form of Goddess Durga, is worshipped and admired as the strongest and the most ferocious exemplification of the supreme feminine divinity. Neither her outer personality is ordinary nor is the story of her origin. Demons had unfurled the universe and they were trying to spread aggression across the cosmos. Thus, to protect the cosmos the birth of Maa Kaalratri had become inevitable.

Kaalratri the word in itself is a representation and amalgamation of two words: “kaala” and “ratri”. Kaala means black or dark and ratri means night, thus Kaalratri means the black or dark night. Therefore, Maa Kaalratri is a personification of the divine force in existence which may look dark, but she takes away the negativity and darkness and absorbs it and then spreads positivity and truth all around.

The Hindu scriptures and ancient mythological tales, the divine Maa Kaalratri was born and originated during a very tough, tasking time when the demons had spread their negativity in the universe. They had used their negative force and violence to wreak havoc across the universe; they had not spared anyone or any place.

Three demons or asurs or rakshas Shumbha, Nishumbha, and Raktabeej were the ones who were at the centre of this destruction. They had gone through extreme immense which had earned them boons of unlimited power and indestructibility. Theses demons had become as powerful as the Gods, but they were not using their powers for constructive things instead they were destroying the world. They had become extremely arrogant because of how powerful they had become and truth and virtue had become endangered. It was then that Goddess Parvati took the avatar of the fierce protector, Maa Kaalratri.

Maa Kaalratri’s origin is a representation of the fact that no matter how strong lies and darkness are, glory, truth, radiance and light will eventually take over it and prevail everywhere. Maa as seen in her photos, portraits and idols adorns a dark complexion, red flaming eyes, unorganized and disheveled hair and red tongue which she can be seen outside her moth in fury. Maa Kaalratri carries a huge sword, a hook and rides on a donkey. her persona is the one where it truly signifies that she if too to destroy the evil and protect the good and worthy.

Maa Kaalratri is the embodiment of the fact that you do not need to be physically larger than your opponent, but your inner strength and intentions have to overpower anything and everything else. This avatar of Maa Durga teaches us that a mother and a protector Goddess not only has the task to protect her devotees, but also to destroy the demons be it inner or outer. She teaches that change is the only constant in this cosmic universe.

Maa Kaalratri via her story gives the message that there is light at the end of every tunnel. Praying to Maa brings in strength, radiance, clarity and spiritual and mental peace. Maa teaches us that it is necessary to maintain balance in life, in our thoughts and also our actions.

Maa Kaalratri Puja Vidhi, rituals and customs

Following rituals and steps must be followed for performing the puja vidhi on the day 7 of Navaratri which is dedicated to Maa Kalaratri:

1. Wake up early after taking a bath, clean the temple or the place of worship. Place the idol or picture of Maa Kaalratri and decorate it with red and white flowers.
2. A kalash which is pot filled with holy water be placed and on top of ir 5 leafed mango leaves and a puja coconut be put. Beetel leaves and coins of 1 Re be placed in front of Maa’s idol.
3. Ghee diyas (earthen lamps) may be lighted and on the altar incense sticks (agarbatti) be lighted.
4. White and red flowers must be offered to Maa. The idol must be offered kumkum, haldi (turmeric) and chandan (sandalwood) to invite Maa Kaalaratri.
5. Home made sweets made of jaggery, milk and sesame are specially offered to Maa Kaalaratri.
6. Aarti should be done, so that the holy smell fills one’s homes and hearts.
7. Throughout the puja vidhi and ritual mantras should be constantly chanted.

Powerful Mantras of Maa Kaalratri which should be chanted

Chanting and reciting the below given Mantras are said to specially please Maa Kaalratri and bring peace, prosperity, strength and balance:

Navratri Mantra:
“Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah”

( ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः)

Dhyana Mantra:
Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita,
Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirani.
(एकवणी जापकरणपुर नग्न खरस्थित, लंबोष्टि कर्णिकाकर्णि तेलाभ्यक्त शरीरिनी)

Colour of the Day: Orange

The revered colour on the Day 7 of Navratri is Orange, as this day is dedicated to Maa Kalaratri, who is a symbol of demolition and destruction of evil and victory of truth. When evil is destructed; peace, love and warmth prevail. So, it is believed that if one wears the colour orange it will invite cheerfulness, happiness, high spirits and balance.

Conclusion

Maa Kaalratri is an epitome of self-confidence, strength, virtue and spiritual balance and peace. She makes the fact that fear, ego and pride can destroy the strongest of people. She is here to make us believe that real stregth is in your mind and not in the size of your body and being. If anyone prays with full devotion and faith to Maa Kaalratri, she will bless them with spirituality, prosperity, protection, balance and energy which will make their lifes easier and happier.