Chaitra Navratri 2025 Day 3: Maa Kushmanda Puja Vidhi, Colour, Shubh Muhurat, Bhog and Mantra

Chaitra Navratri 2025 Day 3: Maa Kushmanda Puja Vidhi, Colour, Shubh Muhurat, Bhog and Mantra

The auspicious festival of Chaitra Navratri began on March 30 and will conclude on April 7. Each day is dedicated to Maa Durga and her nine incarnations: Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandmata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. According to Drik Panchang, the third day is dedicated to Maa Kushmanda.

Who is Maa Kushmanda?

As per Hindu beliefs, after taking the form of Maa Siddhidatri, Goddess Parvati started living at the centre of the Sun to radiate energy for the universe. Since then, she has been known as Maa Kushmanda, the deity who can exist inside the Sun. Her name is derived from three words: "Ku" (little), "Ushma" (warmth), and "Anda" (cosmic egg). A flicker of her smile is believed to have created the universe. She is also called Ashtabhuja Devi due to her eight hands.

She rides a lion and carries a Kamandal, Dhanush, Bada, and Kamal in her right hands, while her left holds an Amrit Kalash, Jap Mala, Gada, and Chakra. Worshipping her with red flowers is believed to bring wealth, health, and strength.

Chaitra Navratri 2025 Day 3: Shubh Muhurat

The colour associated with the third day of Navratri is Red. This colour symbolises passion, love, and energy. Devotees prefer wearing red-coloured clothes and offering a red chunri or dupatta to the Goddess.

Puja Vidhi and Samagri

Devotees should wake up early, take a bath, and sprinkle Gangajal in the place of worship. Maa Kushmanda loves the colour red, so offerings like red flowers, red chunri, and Shringaar samagri (sindoor, kajal, bangles, bindi, toe ring, comb, mirror, and anklets) should be made. Special bhog preparations include malpua, halwa, and curd.

Maa Kushmanda Prarthana and Mantras

Shri Kushmanda Mantra:

ओं देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥

Shri Kushmanda Prarthana:

सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव चृ।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥

Shri Kushmanda Stuti:

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥