Chaitra Navratri 2019: On Saptami, seek Maa Kalratri's blessings, know all about her

One of the most important festivals of the Hindu calendar, the pious Chaitra Navratri began on April 6. The nine-day festival marked the beginning of the new year according to several communities across India. Not just Goddess Durga but this Navratri will also celebrate Lord Ram’s birth. The markets are decorated with bright, colourful red ‘chunnis’, garlands and Goddess Durga’s beautiful posters. Out of the four Navratris, the Chaitra and the Sharadiya are the most popular.

Today is the seventh day of Navratri known as Saptami and it is dedicated to Maa Kalratri. Devi Kalratri is regarded as one of the many destructive forms of Maa Shakti which includes Kali, Mahakali, Bhadrakali, Bhairavi, Mrityu, Rudrani, Chamunda, Chandi and Durga. Often Kali and Kalratri are used interchangeably but the two deities are separate.

Kalratri is also associated with the crown chakra (the sahasrara chakra). She bestows the believer with siddhis and niddhis, namely knowledge, power and wealth. Also called the Shubankari which means auspicious in Sanskrit, it is said that worshipping her gives positive results to devotees, making them fearless. She is also known by the names Raudri and Dhumorna.

Her weapons include hooked vajra and curved sword, Abhayamudra, Varadamudra. She is mounted on a donkey, lion or tiger as per various legends.

Mantra:

Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah॥

Prarthana:

Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita।

Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini॥

Vamapadollasalloha Latakantakabhushana।

Vardhana Murdhadhwaja Krishna Kalaratrirbhayankari॥

(Source: Drikpanchang.com)