The seventh manifestation of Durga is Kaalraatri. This is the fiercest form of Navdurga. She appears with four arms and three eyes which are round like universe. She holds a sharp sword in her upper right arm and her lower arm is in blessing gesture. There is a mashaal (burning torch) in her upper left upper arm and lower one in the gesture of providing protection. She wears a necklace shining like lightening and sits on a donkey.
She is the goddess who killed the Raktabeej, the demon who produced a demon like him from every drop of blood that dropped from his body on the ground. In the war with the demons, the goddess eventually licked the blood before it could reach the ground and consequently got him killed.
You should worship Maa Kaalraatri for wiping out any bad effects arising due planetary positions, mending bad relationships and opportunities. Any type of fear disappears by chanting of Kaalratri mantra. You can revive old stuck business activities or relationships on this auspicious day. Specially empowering energy constantly flow from her eyes to all the beings during throughout day and night during Navratri. True faith, restraint and concentration are necessary to invoke her.
On yogic sadhana, the sadhak’s (striver’s) mind enters Sahasrara Chakra. The door of all Siddhis of the universe start opening for him. On this day, the Sadhaka with all his faculties is identified with the mother Kaalraatri. As a result of Mother’s darshan, the Sadhak becomes able to earn all sorts of virtues.
Kaalraatri form of Durga refers to dark side of the nature. Here Kaal is referred to as time and death. Hence Kalraatri is the one who destroys ignorance and remove darkness. This form primarily depicts that life too has dark side – the violent Mother Nature creates destruction to remove all dirt.
Devi Kaalraatri is the personification of power. Being auspicious she is called "Shubhamkari" too. Trinetri and chaturbhuji are her other names. Her famous shrine is in Calcutta, India.
Navratri Tithi
In Chaiti Navratri 2019, Maa Kaalraatri will be worshipped on 12th Apr, the seventh day of Navratri known as Saptami. The day changes according to lunar calendar.
Brief Legend
This form of Durga is called Kalratri because she is as dark as night. With her bountiful of unlocked hairs, dead dark and repulsive looks, and breathing fire while respiring she invokes fears.
Customs and Traditions
Navratri Pooja is very simple. You should observe fast whole day or have fruits or juice in the day and eat pure vegetarian food in the night. If fasting is not possible for you, you can simply chant the following mantra as much as you can:
"Om Ang Haring Kalimg Shreeng Maha Durgay Namah”
During Navratri, you should be careful about your aahar (food), vyavhar (behavior), and aacharan (character); eat pure vegetarian food, like fruits, Kuttu ka aataa, Shinghare ka aataa, curd or potatoes - strictly avoid non-vegetarian food. Consumption of garlic and onion is also not recommended.
Navratri is celebrated in the honour of female form of God. Hence, you should also worship only goddesses during Navratri days.
You can please Kaalraatri Devi with the following mantras:
"Durga kshama shiva dhaatri svaha svadhaa Namostute”
Offer seven ‘cheekoos’ fruits (sapota or mud apple) and a deep (lamp) to Mother Kaalraatri in the morning and evening; accept and share the cheekoo-prasad in the evening with others. You should also offer variety of fragrant flowers, fruits, gems, and clothing to the divine mother.
Blue, red, and white colours are associated with Kaalraatri Devi. Prefer wearing dresses of these colours to please her.
Pooja Vidhi with Mantras
Pooja Items
- Picture or image of Maa Kaalraatri
- Durga Sapthashati book, Devi’s armour
- Water in a kalash, mango leaves, coconut
- Roli, moli, chawal, paan, beetle nut.
- Cloves, cardamom, sindoor, abhir, gulal
- Dhoop, deepak, matchsticks
- Flowers white or pink, such as hibiscus, lotus, roses and belpatr leaves
- Fruits of five types such as pomegranate and sweets such as laddoo and peda
- Panchpatra containing spoon and water, pata, mat to sit (Aasan)
Panchamrit Preparation
Take a little raw cow milk and mix small amount of dahi (curd), shakkar (sugar), madhu (honey), and ghee in it.
Wash the place of pooja with water and gangajal (the water from the Gnages). Place some grains of wheat on a beetle leaf; put on the ground and place water-filled on kalash (pot) on it. Insert five joined mango leaves in the kalash and, then, place a coconut on it. Tie moli (coloured thread representing cloth) in the kalash-neck.
Light up a Deepak (lamp) there and keep it lit till the pooja lasts. Light up some dhoop (fragrant wood/material) too there.
Place Maa Kaalraatri on a beetle leaf in front of you. Concentrate on Maa Kaalraatri with the following mantra:
Karala roopaa kaalabjaa samanakruthi vigraha !!
Kalaratri shubha dadhath devi chandatta hasini !!
Now, worship her step by step chanting the following mantras:
1. Atma-pooja
Perform ‘Atma-pooja’ for self-purification with the following mantra
Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavastham Gatoapi Va,
Yah Smrait Pundarika Aksham Sa Vahy Abhyantarah Shuchih
Meaning: whoever contemplates on Vishnu gets purified physically and mentally.
2. Tilak and Aachman
Tilak is considered auspicious mark and Aachman is considered helping washing off sins committed by action, thought, and speech.
Apply Tilak on your forehead and do ‘Aachman’ (drinking of holy water after accepting it in your palm) with the following mantra:
Om Keshavaya Namah, Om Narayanaya Namah, Om Madhavaya Namah, Om Govindaya Namah
Meaning: I bow to thee Keshav, I bow to thee Narayan, I bow to thee Madhav, I bow to thee Govind.
3. Sankalpa
To achieve the purpose of the pooja, do sankalpa (resolve) by taking a little water in hand and saying your wish in whispering voice to Maa Kaalraatri.
4. Aawahan
Pray to invite Maa Kaalraatri with the following mantra:
Aagachha Tvam Mahadevi ! Sthane Chatra Sthira Bhav. Yavata Pujaam Karisyami Tavata Tvam Snidho Bhav.
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha. Kaalraatri devimaawahayami. Aawahanartheye Pushpaanjali Samarpayami.
(Offer flowers at the feet of Maa Kaalraatri)
5. Aasan
After Dhyan and Mantras, Pray and offer:
Om sarvmangal mangaleye shivesarvaarth sadhike, Sharneye Traymbake gauri Narayani Namostute.
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha. Aasanarthey Pushpani Samarpayami.
(Offer flowers)
6. Paadha
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha. Padayoh Paadham Samarpayami.
(Offer water to Mother’s Shri Charan)
7. Arghya
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha. Hastyoh Arghya Samarpayami.
(Offer Chandan,Pushpa and Akshat mixed water)
8. Aachman
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha. Aachamanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Karpoor mixed water)
9. Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Snanartham Jalam Samarpayami.
(Offer GangaJal for Bath)
Snananga Aachaman Snanantey Punrachamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami.
(Offer water for aachman)
10. Dugdha Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha DugdhaSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Cow-milk for Bath)
11. Dadhi Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha DadhiSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer curd made from cow milk for bath)
12. Ghrit Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha GhritSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Gou-Ghee for Bath)
13. Madhu Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha MadhuSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Honey for Bath)
14. Sharkara Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha SharkaraSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer sugar for Bath)
15. Panchaamrit Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha PanchaamritSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Panchaamrit for Bath)
16. Gandhodak Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha GandhodakSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer MalayaChandan and Agaru mixed water for Bath)
17. Shudhodak Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha ShudhodakSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer holy water for final bath)
18. Aachman
ShudhodakSnanante Aachamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami.
(Offer water for Aachaman)
19. Vastra
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Vastropavastram Kanchukiyam ch Samarpayami.
(Offer sari or moli)
20. Aachman
Vastranante Aachamaniym jalam Samarpayami
21. Shobhagya Sutra
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha ShobhagyaSutram Samarpayami.
22. Chandan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Chandanam Samarpayami.
23. Haridrachurna
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Haridraam Samarpayami.
24. Kumkum
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Kumkumam Samarpayami.
25. Sindoor
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Sindooram Samarpayami.
26. Kajal
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Kajjalm Samarpayami.
27. Durvankur (Durva)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Durvankuraan Samarpayami.
28. BilvaPatra
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha BilvaPatram Samarpayami.
29. Abhushan
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Abhushnaani Samarpayami.
30. Pushpamala
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Pushpamalam Samarpayami.
31. Nanaparimaldraviya (dravya or paisa)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha NanaparimalDraviyaani Samarpayami.
32. Shobhagya Patika
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Shobhagyapatikam Samarpayami.
33. Dhoop
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Dhoopmaaghrapayami.
34. Deep
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Deepam Darshyami.
(Show deep (lamp) to mother and wash your hand)
35. Naibaidha
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Naibaidham Nivedyami.
Aachman: offer aachaman
36. Rituphal
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Rituphalani Samarpayami.
37. Tammbul (paan)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Tammbulam Samarpayami.
38. Dakshina (paisa)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Dakshinaam Samarpayami.
39. Aarti (karpoor and bati)
Satavi Kaalratri Mahanmaya
Kaal ratri Jay Jay Mahakaali, Kaal ke munh se bachane wali !
Dusht sangharan naam tumhara, Maha Chandi tera avtaara!
Prithavi aur Akash pe sara, Mahakaali hai tera pasaara !
Khanda khappar rakhne wali, Dushto ka lahu chakhane wali !
Calcutta sathaan tumhaara, Sab jagah dekhu tera najaara !
Sabhi Devta sab nar nari, Gaave satuti sabhi tumhaari !
Raktdanta aur ann purnna, Kripa kare to koi bhi dukh na !
Na koi chinta rahe bimari, Na koi gum na sankat bhari !
Us per kabhi kashat na aawe, Mahakaali MA jise bachawe !
Tum sab bhi prem se kaho, Kaalratri MA teri jay !
Kaali Mata ki Aarti
Prema Sahita Nita Karuun
Aaratii
Mahaakaalii Maiyaa Ki
Ari Dala Daranii Mangala Bharanii
Dukhaharinii Sukhadaiyaa Ki
Tuma Hii Agama Bhava Bharane Waali
Tuma Hii Jagata Laya Karane Waali
Tuma Hee Kashta Lakhi Nija Bhaktana Para
Aakara Turata Sahaiyaa Ki
Tumhin Prabala Ho Hari Kii Shakti
Rudra Bhava Shankara Kii Bhakti
Tumhin Janani Patavaara Banii
Ika Sevaka Sundara Naiyaa Kii
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Karpooraratirkyam Samarpayami
40.Pradikshna (parikarma)
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Pradikshnaanm Samarpayami.
41. Mantrapushpanjali
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Mantrapushpanjalim Samarpayami
42. Namaskar
Ya devi sarva bhutesu,
shanti rupena sansitha
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shakti rupena sansthita
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, matra rupena sansthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha !
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha Namaskaraan Samarpayami.
43.Kshma Yachna
Aawahanam Na Jaanami Na jaanami Tav archanam, Pujaam ch na jaanami Kshamattam Parameshwari.
Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshwari, Yattpujitam Maya Devi Paripuranm Tadastu me.
Shri Jagadambaye Kaalraatri Devye Namha KshamaYachanam Samarpayami
44.Arpna
Aum Tattsad Brahmarpanmastu,
Vishnave Namh, Vishnave Namh, Vishnave Namh.
!! OM Kaalratri
Kali Rakhsa Karo !!
!! OM Sukhadati Maiya Rakhsa
Karo !!
!! OM Nav Durga Namah !!
!! OM Jag-Jana-ni Namah !!
Mool (main) Mantras for Navaratri:
1. Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shanti rupena sansitha
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shakti rupena sansthita
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, matra rupena sansthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha!
2. Sarva mangala maangalye shive sarvaartha saadhike. Sharanye trayambake
Gauri, Narayani namosthute
3. Namoh devyai mahadevyai shivayai satatam namah
Namah prakrutyai bhadraayai niyataah pranataahsma taam
4. Annapoorne sadapoorne shankarah praanavallabhe
Njana vairaagya sidhyardham bhikshaam dehi cha parvati
5. Om Dum Durga-ye Namah
6. Aim hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichchay
7. Aim Hreem Kleem Chamunday Vichchay, Om glon hrun kleem ju saha, jwala-ye jwala-ye, jwull, jwull prajwull prajwull, aim hrem kleem chamunda-ye vichchay, jwalam hung sung lung kshum phut swaha.
P. S.: You may chant Durga Saptashati or Devi Kavach or ask a pandit to do so, to conclude the puja.