Navadurga Kalaratri

Kalratri
Auspicious
She is also known as Shubhamkari
Affiliation	Avatar of Shakti
Weapon	Thorn like weapon and dagger
Mount	Donkey

The combined 9 forms of Durga create Navdurga--who killed the demon Mahishasura

Maa Kala Ratri is the seventh form amongst the Navadurga or the nine forms of the Hindu goddess Parvati or (Shakti). She is worshipped during the nine nights of Navratri celebrations. . The seventh day of Navratri pooja (ritual) is dedicated to Durga Kalaratri and she is considered the most violent form of Goddess Durga. Kalaratri is the one of the fiercest forms of Durga and her appearance itself evokes fear.

This form of Goddess is believed to be the destroyer of all demon entities, ghosts, spirits and negative energies, who flee upon knowing of her arrival.

Mythology

Kaal Ratri means the One who is “the Death of Kaal”. Here Kaal is dedicated as time & death and ratri means night. Kaal Ratri is the one who destroys ignorance and removes darkness. This form primarily depicts that life also has a dark side – the violence of Mother Nature, creating havoc and removing all dirt. She is also known as Shubhamkari or "good-doing". In taking this form the Goddess Kalaratri killed the demon Raktabeej, who could multiply from every drop of his blood as it fell on the ground. The Goddess Kalaratri killed him by licking his blood before it could reach the ground and hence conquered him. She is believed to endow her devotees with both calm and courage.

The complexion of Maa Kalaratri is like dark night with bountiful hair and heavenly shaped form, and, she has four hands. The left two hands holds a cleaver and a torch, and the right two are in the mudras of “giving” and “protecting”. She wears a necklace that shines like the moon. Kalaratri has three eyes which emanate rays like lightning. Flames appear through her nostrils when she inhales or exhales. Her mount is the donkey, often considered as a donkey's corpse. Blue, red and white colors should be used to wear on this day.

The appearance of Maa Kalaratri can be seen as being very dangerous for evil-doers. But she always bears good fruits for her devotees who are not afraid of her and all should avoid fear when faced with her, for she removes the darkness of worry from life of her bhaktas or worshipers. Her worship on 7th day of Navratri has very much a high importance to Yogis and Sadhakas. Yogis & Sadhaka penance on Shahtra Chakra on this day. For the worshipers on this day door opens of every siddhi, power and practice in the universe.

Temples

References