It is said that a void enveloped the Universe in the beginning and there was neither day nor night. Only an infinite concentration of undefined and uncontainable Divine Energy (called) Adi Shakti existed. It is Her laughter that eventually filled the void and unleashed the cosmos. ‘Kushmanda’, the fourth appellation of Mother Durga represents the Adi Shakti and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratras. Ritual worship with true devotion easily wins her over.
Her iconography puts up an intensely luminous form of Goddess believed to be assimilating a Hundred Thousands Suns within. Her ten hands hold a broad assortment of items, including a Kalash (Urn) of Amrit (immortalizing nectar), Kamandalu, Chakra, Mace, Bow, Arrow, rosary and lotus flower. Her ride is a magnificent Lion.
She, as a potent female force, claims to own Anahat Chakra (or the Heart Chakra) symbolized by a lotus with 12 petals.
The mantra chanted for Devi Kushmanda is given below:
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me॥
So, worship Goddess Kushmanda today and get blessed with inner strength, good health and prosperity.
Kushmanda Devi is invoked with a Kushmadevi Puja Mantra. Kushmanda Puja begins with inviting other gods, goddesses and their families by worshiping a kalash. Several strotra path, kawach and aartis are performed during Kushmanda Devi’s Puja. Devotees keep flowers in their hands to offer to this goddess. This offering is called naivaidhya or naibidhya. Curd, milk and halwa are distributed as prasad among devotees. According to shastras and puranas, Lord Shiva and Brahma must be worshiped after the Kushmanda Puja. Kushmanda Puja performed with incense, dhoop and durya is considered to be highly auspicious.