Navratri is a special occasion, a time for new beginnings and offering your dedication and reverence to the Goddess Shakti. The fourth day of Navratri is celebrated to worship the manifestation of Goddess Durga known as Kushmanda. Maa Kushmanda is considered to be the creator of the universe and the name in itself means Hiranyagarbha - "the cosmic egg". As per the Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu was able to start creating the universe when Maa Kushmanda smiled like a flower which blossomed with a bud. She created the world out of nothing, at no time when there was no space with the eternal darkness all around. Since she created the universe, she is called Adiswarup and Adishakti.

As per Tantra spiritual practice, Maa Kushmanda is the goddess of the Anāhata Chakra. In the symbolic picture of Anahata Chakra there is a Lotus with twelve petals. These represent the Divine qualities of the heart, such as bliss, peace, harmony, love, understanding, empathy, clarity, purity, unity, compassion, kindness and forgiveness. The Anāhata Chakra is one of the most beautiful and richest Chakras, and invites us to dwell longer in its inexhaustible treasures of delightful feelings and experiences. It is located in the region of the heart, in the centre of the chest, and this is why it is also known as the Heart Centre. And it is not without reason that the heart is regarded as the symbol of love, for the Anāhata Chakra is the seat of love.

Chant this mantra to worship Maa Kushmanda

सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च ।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे ॥