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How To Worship On Fourth Day Of Navratri In Hinduism - A Comprehensive Guide

Comprehensive Guide to Worship on the Fourth Day of Navratri in Hinduism

Navratri is a significant Hindu festival, celebrated over nine nights, dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Durga in her nine forms. The fourth day of Navratri is devoted to Maa Kushmanda, the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga, also known as the creator of the universe. She is believed to reside in the center of the sun and radiates light and energy to the cosmos. Worshipping her on this day brings health, wealth, and prosperity.

Here is a detailed and eco-friendly guide to worshipping on the fourth day of Navratri.


Cleanliness and Preparation for the Puja

Cleanliness is of utmost importance in any Hindu ritual, especially during Navratri. Before starting the worship, follow these steps:

  1. House and Puja Room Cleanliness: Clean your house thoroughly, especially the area where you will conduct the puja. This ensures a positive and sacred environment.
  2. Personal Hygiene: Take a bath and wear clean, preferably cotton clothes. White, yellow, or green are considered auspicious colors to wear on the fourth day.
  3. Eco-friendly Decorations: Use natural flowers like marigold, jasmine, and leaves of the mango tree or banana leaves to decorate your puja space. Avoid synthetic or plastic items to honor nature.

Best Time (Muhurta) for Fourth Day Navratri Puja

The puja can be performed either in the morning or in the evening. It’s best to consult a local priest for the most auspicious time (muhurta), but in general, early morning after sunrise is considered ideal.


Puja Items Required (Eco-friendly Options)

  1. Clay or Metal Idol of Maa Kushmanda: Prefer using a traditional clay or metal idol to avoid plastic.
  2. Fresh Flowers: Marigold, hibiscus, and lotus are ideal choices for offering to Maa Kushmanda.
  3. Garlands: Eco-friendly garlands made from real flowers, mango leaves, or betel leaves.
  4. Coconut: Wrapped in red cloth for offering.
  5. Fresh Fruits: Bananas, apples, and pomegranates for prasad.
  6. Eco-friendly Diyas (Earthen Lamps): Use earthen lamps filled with ghee or sesame oil.
  7. Organic Incense Sticks and Dhoop: Ensure that the incense sticks are made of natural ingredients.
  8. Red Cloth: Maa Kushmanda is associated with the color red, so use a red cloth for covering the puja platform.
  9. Panchamrit: A mixture of milk, honey, ghee, sugar, and curd, offered during the puja.
  10. Camphor: For the aarti (use bio-degradable camphor if possible).

Simple Steps for Performing the Fourth Day Navratri Puja

Step 1: Prepare the Puja Altar

  • Set up a clean altar with the idol of Maa Kushmanda.
  • Place a clean red cloth on the platform.
  • Arrange the flowers, fruits, and other offerings in front of the deity.

Step 2: Invoke Maa Kushmanda

  • Light the eco-friendly diya and incense sticks to purify the surroundings.

  • Meditate briefly and chant the following mantra to invoke the goddess:

    "ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः"
    "Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah"

This mantra is chanted to invite the presence of Maa Kushmanda into the space.

Step 3: Offerings (Naivedya)

  • Offer fresh flowers and garlands made of natural items.
  • Place fruits and sweets (Prasad) in front of the goddess.
  • Offer Panchamrit to the goddess in a clean, eco-friendly container.

Step 4: Recite Prayers and Mantras

  • After offering the naivedya, recite the Durga Saptashati or Devi Stotra to praise and invoke blessings from the goddess. You can also recite the following specific mantra:

    "सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च |
    दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे ||"

    "Sura Sampurna Kalasham Rudhira Plutameva Cha,
    Dadhana Hasta Padmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me"

This prayer praises the goddess as the creator and protector, and seeks her blessings for a prosperous life.

Step 5: Aarti

  • Perform aarti using camphor and eco-friendly diya. While doing the aarti, chant Navratri Aarti, or sing devotional songs in praise of Maa Kushmanda.

Prasad to Be Prepared

On the fourth day, Malpua or Halwa is traditionally prepared as prasad. Both can be made with eco-friendly and organic ingredients.

  1. Malpua: A simple dish made from flour, milk, and sugar syrup. Fry the batter in ghee and soak it in sugar syrup.
  2. Halwa: A classic sweet dish prepared from semolina, ghee, and sugar.

Ensure the prasad is served in biodegradable plates or banana leaves to maintain the eco-friendly theme.


How to Conclude the Puja

  1. Closing Mantras: After the aarti, conclude the puja by thanking Maa Kushmanda for her blessings. Chant the following closing prayer:

    "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti"
    This mantra is recited to invoke peace in the surroundings and within oneself.

  2. Distribute Prasad: After the puja, distribute the prasad to family members and devotees.

  3. Donations: It is considered auspicious to donate food, clothes, or other essentials to those in need, especially using eco-friendly products.


What to Do with Puja Leftover Items

It’s essential to dispose of the puja items in an eco-friendly manner:

  1. Flowers: Collect all the used flowers and place them in a compost bin. Alternatively, you can immerse them in a water body (preferably non-toxic and natural materials only) or bury them in your garden.
  2. Incense Sticks and Ash: Dispose of them in a compostable container.
  3. Coconut and Fruits: These can either be consumed or buried under a plant/tree as a form of natural offering back to nature.
  4. Diya Oil/Remaining Panchamrit: Use any leftover oil for lighting lamps in the future. Panchamrit can be poured into a garden, as it is considered sacred.

By ensuring all these materials are biodegradable, you contribute to an eco-friendly and spiritually fulfilling Navratri celebration.


Importance of Worship on the Fourth Day

Worshipping Maa Kushmanda on the fourth day of Navratri is believed to:

  • Bring abundance and prosperity into one’s life.
  • Boost health and immunity, as Maa Kushmanda radiates positive energy.
  • Enhance inner strength and confidence, especially for those facing obstacles.
  • Bring light to the mind, body, and soul, leading to spiritual elevation.

Benefits of the Puja

  • Spiritual Growth: Devotees gain peace, happiness, and spiritual growth by dedicating themselves to the worship of the goddess.
  • Health and Wealth: Maa Kushmanda’s blessings bring good health, vitality, and prosperity.
  • Success in Life: People who sincerely worship the goddess on this day experience success in their endeavors.

By keeping the entire process eco-friendly, you also honor the environment, promoting sustainability and harmony with nature.


By following these simple, yet powerful steps, you can perform a meaningful and eco-conscious worship of Maa Kushmanda on the fourth day of Navratri.