15 April, 2024 Monday Saptami #Red #Kalaratri Puja

#Maa Kaalratri is one of the terrifying forms of #Goddess #Durga and is also referred to as Maa Kaali. The word Kaal usually refers to #time or #death and the word Ratri means night. Hence, she is also known as the Goddess who brings an end to darkness.

Maa Kaalratri is known to destroy ghosts, evil spirits and demon entities. She is also referred to as Shubhankari, since it is believed that she brings about auspicious news.

Soon, they launched a fierce attack on the Gods and managed to defeat them. They were helped in this attack by Chandha, Mundha and Raktabeej. These three were old friends of the demon Mahishasura, before he was killed by Maa Katyayani. Together, all of them began to rule over the three worlds.

Indra and the other Gods went to the Himalayas and prayed to Goddess Parvati. She understood their fears and created another goddess - Chandi - to help them. Goddess Chandi was able to kill most of the demons sent by Shumbha and Nishumbha

However, demons like Chandha, Mundha and Raktabeej were too powerful and she was unable to kill them. So, Goddess Chandi created another goddess from her forehead, who came to be known as Kaalratri or Kaali.

Maa Kaalratri fought Chandha and Mundha and eventually killed them. Hence, she is also known as Chamunda. After this, Goddess Chandi and Goddess Kaalratri went on to fight the powerful demon Raktabeej.

Raktabeej possessed a special boon from Lord Bramha that if any drop of his blood fell to the ground, another lookalike of him would be created from that drop. So, as Maa Kaalratri fought and injured Raktabeej, several clones of him were being created.

Looking at this, Maa Kaalratri got immensely furious and started drinking the blood of every clone of Raktabeej. This prevented his blood from falling to the ground and eventually he was killed by Maa Kaalratri. Later, she also killed Shumbha and Nishumbha and brought peace back to the three worlds.

Maa Kaalratri is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri. She is a ferocious manifestation of Goddess Durga and is feared by all demons and evil spirits.

She is known to have a very dark complexion and has long, untied hair. Maa Kaalratri is drenched in blood, wears a garland of skulls around her neck and has four hands. She holds a thunderbolt and a scimitar in two of her hands, while her other two hands are in the abhaya (protecting) and varada (blessing) positions.

Therefore, it is believed that Maa Kaalratri blesses her devotees and also protects them from all evil. She is worshipped and honoured during Navratri, as she can destroy all darkness and bring peace to the world.