Sharad Navratri Day 7: Glory Of Worshipping Maa Kalratri

Worshipping Maa Kalratri on the seventh day of Navratri blesses the devotees! Also know the importance of the first day of Durga Puja and rituals!

In 2019 on 5 October, i.e. tomorrow, the seventh day or Saptami of Navratri will be observed with zeal and enthusiasm. On this occasion, a massive influx of devotees can already be seen at the temples and Shakti Peethas across the country. The seventh day of Sharad Navratri holds extreme importance. This day is considered as the first day of Maha Saptami Durga Puja festival mainly in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Assam. In such a situation, the importance of this date increases.

Venerating Maa Kalratri On The Seventh Day Of Navratri

As we all know, Goddess Durga and her nine incarnations are duly worshipped throughout the Sharad Navratri. Out of these nine forms, Maa Kalratri is worshipped on the seventh day. The Kalratri form of the Goddess is also called as Shubankari Devi. Just like her name “Kal”, this form of Goddess Durga is equally fierce and fearful, which is why she is known as the Destroyer of Sinners. It is believed that anyone who gains the blessings of the Goddess gets rid of all the negatives and obstacles in life.

Maa Kalratri in her Form

• Talking about her form, Maa Kalratri rides a donkey. 
• The complexion of the Goddess is dark, and her hair are scattered.
• Maa has three eyes, which are as fiery red in colour.
• In this form, the Goddess emits fire from her mouth, through which she eliminates the demons and sinners.
• Maa Kalratri has fours arms.
• Two of her arms are in Var and Abhaya Mudra respectively, where in two of her hands, she holds a Curved Sword and a Hooked Vajra.

Read in Detail: Glory of Maa Kalratri and Mythological Legend

Puja Rituals For Seventh Day Of Navratri

Worshipping Maa Kalratri as per the rituals with devotion helps to get rid of negative energies and attain success. The puja rituals for the seventh day is the same as others, but Tantra Puja scholars and pundits, this puja should be done as per the guidelines: –

• Before commencing with the rituals, worship the Kalash Devta, i.e.e Lord Ganesh with devotion.
• Offer flowers, Akshat, Roli, and Sandalwood to Lord Ganesha, bathe him with milk, curd, sugar, ghee, and honey, and offer the Prasad to him.
• After the prasad, offer Achman,Paan, and Betel nut to him.
• After worshiping the Kalesh Devta, worship the Navagraha or Nine Planets, Dash Dikpal, City Deity or Nagar Devta, and Village Deity or Gram Devta.
• Only after worshiping all of them, venerate Maa Kalratri as per the rituals.
• While worshiping the Goddess, take a flower in your hands and remember her name.
• After this, carry out the Panchopchar Puja of the Goddess and then offer her red flowers, Sindoor, Akshat, Kumkum etc..
• Then perform the Goddess Aarti with Ghee and Camphor.
• At the end, chant the mantras and ask the Mother for forgiveness and peace.
• Remember, that the best time to venerate Maa Kalratri is at midnight.
• Red and black coloured objects are widely used during the puja ceremony.

Get Details About Festivals, Rituals and Mantras 

Importance Of Seventh Day in Navratri

The seventh day of Navratri is the most auspicious to appease Goddess Kalratri, one of the forms of Maa Durga. Apart from the devotees, this day is also considered very important for the Yogis and Spiritual Seekers for the attainment of the Siddhi. According to the beliefs, this is the day when a person can atone for his sins and achieve the Sahasrara Chakra in Kaliyuga. Therefore, every puja performed on this day incurs substantial results. Maa Kalratri, despite in horrific and fearful form, remains kind and gentle towards her devotees. In her Kal form, she saves her devotees from any evil and sinners. Hereby, any devotee who worships her with true devotion gets his/her wishes fulfilled.

Wear Navdurga Kavach To Gain Prosperity

Maha Saptami During Durga Puja

Durga Puja during Sharad Navratri is celebrated with great fervour, especially in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha and some other states including Bihar. This festival commences with Ghatasthapana on the sixth day of Navratri, and the first day of Maha Saptami Durga Puja festival is celebrated on the seventh day of Navratri. On this occasion, Navpatrika Puja is carried out on the first day of Durga festival, also known as Kalabau Puja. in this ceremony, nine types of leaves are mixed together to worship Maa Durga, with every leaf symbolizing an incarnation of the Goddess.

Note: The time mentioned in the above table is effective for New Delhi. Click here to know for your city: Nabapatrika Puja Rituals & Muhurat

Nabapatrika Puja Rituals

• The Maha Saptami Puja during Durga Puja is carried out after the Maha Snan, which is also known as Kalabau Snan. this ritual holds great significance in Hinduism, as it is believed that by carrying out this Snan, the devotees attains the blessings of Goddess Durga.
• After the bathing is over, all nine leaves are tied together, with every leaf manifesting one incarnation of Durga, and are bathed in a sacred river. The native too have to take a dip in the sacred waters. 
• Navapatrika is foremost bathed in the sacred Gangajal, then rain water and at the end, with the water from the Saraswati river. 
• Using Sea Water during the fourth time, pond water during the fifth time with a Lotus, and then the water from a spring for the last bath is considered auspicious.
• After this, the devotee must get dressed in traditional clothes. For this, women in  Bengal wear white sarees with red border and decorate the Nabapatrika.
• After this, the Navapatrika is dressed like a traditional bride with a garland of flowers around it.
• After the bath and decorations, Pran Pratishtha is carried out, for which a Navpatrika idol of Devi Durga is established at the altar.
• Before placing the idol, the place is thoroughly cleaned and Gangajal is sprinkled to purify the place. After this, the place is decorated with flowers, and a red coloured cloth is spread.
• Many people perform this ritual on the banks of a holy river or ghat.
• Shodashopachara Puja is commenced after the Pran Pratishtha of Goddess Durga, for which she is worshipped with 16 things.
• During this time, the Navapatrika is presumed to be a form of the Goddess, and then the sandalwood, flowers, kumkum etc. are offered to her.
• After this, these Navpatrika are placed on the right side of the Lord Ganesha’s idol.
• In the end, everyone performs the Maha Aarti of Durga Puja and after this, Prasad is distributed after offering the Bhog to the Goddess.

Happy Navratri & Durga Puja to all the readers from AstroSage!