Kalratri Devi has disheveled hair which is spread out. She
wears a garland made of shining material. Fire emits from her eyes and
nostrils. She rides a donkey. Her upper part of the body is covered with a red
cloth and lower part is covered with skin of a tiger.
Kalratri Mata is four armed and two of her hands are in
Varada Mudra (blessing) and Abhaya Mudra (protection). One hand holds a sickle.
Sometimes in one hand she holds the head of an Adharmic person – at other times
the hand holds a trident.
The popular belief is that worshipping Kalratri Devi will
provide relief from fear of darkness, ghosts, fire and water. Constant worship
of her helps in defeating the enemies.
The Goddess might look fierce but all her
ferocity is directed towards those who perform Adharma. For good people she is
the loving mother. She is also known as Shubankari Devi as she provides instant
relief to her devotees.