Navratri Day 4: Maa Kushmanda (कूष्मांडा), Story, Mantra & Puja

On day 4 of Navratri, the Chaturthi tithi, devotees worship Maa Kushmanda (माँ कूष्मांडा), the fourth of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. In 2026 her day falls on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.

The story of Maa Kushmanda

Before creation there was only darkness. Then, the Puranas say, the goddess smiled, and from that gentle smile the cosmic egg (anda) and the whole universe came into being. Ku means “a little”, ushma “warmth” and anda “the cosmic egg”: Kushmanda is the goddess whose small, warm smile created everything.

Because she brought light into the dark, she is said to dwell within the Sun and to give it its radiance. She is the source of all energy and all life.

Her form and what it means

She has eight arms, and so is also called Ashtabhuja Devi. She holds the kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, a pot of nectar, discus, mace and a japa mala, and she rides a lion. She is said to live at the core of the Sun.

Day four is about creation and joy. Devotees pray to Kushmanda for health, strength and a bright outlook, remembering that the universe itself began with a smile.

Dhyana mantra

सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥

May Kushmanda, who holds in her lotus hands two full vessels, be auspicious to me.

How to worship Maa Kushmanda on day 4

1. Bathe early, wear clean clothes, and sit before the kalash and the goddess’s picture.
2. Offer water to the kalash, and fresh flowers, kumkum and akshat to the goddess.
3. Light the diya (or tend the akhand jyoti) and incense.
4. Offer her bhog: malpua, the sweet pancake, shared afterwards as prasad.
5. Chant ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः 108 times, and recite the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati.
6. Sing the aarti “Jai Ambe Gauri” and share the prasad with your family.

The nine days

← Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta · Day 5: Maa Skandamata →

See all nine days, the dates, Ghatasthapana and fasting rules in our Navratri 2026 guide.

Artwork: the goddess riding a lion, chromolithograph, Wellcome Collection, CC BY 4.0.