SHARDIYA NAVRATRI 2022
NAVARATRI - DAY # 7
Goddess Kalaratri
Goddess Kalaratri is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri. Goddess Kalaratri is also known as Shubhankari (शुभंकरी).
Significance of the name
According to the holy scriptures, Kalaratri is the goddess of night and hence the name. Some scholars opine that Devi is very furious and annihilates all evil things. Since the word Kaal also means death, she is worshipped as Kalaratri.
Origin (Purpose of Avatar)
Devi Durga gave up her golden glow complexion and assumed a pitch dark skin colour to kill demon brothers named Shumbha and Nishumbha. Chapters 9 and 10 of Devi Mahatmyam covers Nishumbha vadam and Shumbha Vadam respectively.
Description of the Devi
Goddess Kalaratri's complexion is dark black and She rides on a donkey. She is depicted with four hands. Her right hands are in Abhaya and Varada Mudra and She carries sword and the deadly iron hook in her left hands.
Governing Planet
It is believed that the planet Shani is governed by Goddess Kalaratri.
Colour for the Day
On the 7th day of Navaratri, we should worship goddess Kalratri wearing orange colour. The colour represents warmth and exuberance and is full of positive energy.
Prarthana
एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्त शरीरिणी॥
वामपादोल्लसल्लोह लताकण्टकभूषणा।
वर्धन मूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयङ्करी॥
Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita। Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini॥
Vama padolla salloha Lata kantaka bhushana। Vardhana Murdha dhwaja Krishna Kalaratrir Bhayankari॥
Author's personal Note
In Karnataka it is a popular culture to observe the annihilation of Shumbha and Nishumbha in form of a stage show called Shumbha Nishumbha Yakshaganam.
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