The seventh form of Maa Durga, who is Kaalratri Devi, is worshipped on the seventh day of the nine days of the Navratri celebration. The appearance of Kaalratri is considered to be a very fearsome form among the other nine forms. She is also referred to as Devi Mahatmya. As her name suggests, she is the ruler of the night. Curious to know more about the goddess Kaalratri story? Well, read along to find out who is Kaalratri Devi and the reasons why is Maa Kaalratri worshipped on seventh day of Navratri.
Who Is Kaalratri Devi?
Being the most powerful and deadly-looking form of Durga Maa, Maa Kaalratri is also known as Kali. However, this notion is opposed by many, stating that they both are different entities. As her name means, ‘Kaal’ which is a reference to time or death, and ‘Ratri’ which is night or moreover a depiction of darkness. Thus, together her name means the one who brings an end to the darkness.
She is also called Shubhankari, which means the bringer of good news. More widely, she is the destroyer of all demons, evils, and bad spirits or ghosts.
Appearance Of Kaalratri Maa
The appearance of Kaalratri that is described in Mahabharat is that of an elderly woman with an entirely black complexion. She is shown wearing a red piece of clothing wrapped around her warm and crimson-coloured flowers as her garland.
Maa Kaalratri held a noose in her hand and her whole being was smeared with red liquid, supposedly blood. It was described as the humanised form of the atrocities associated with war. Commonly, as a deity, the appearance of Kaalratri consists of the iconic dark complexion, followed by a garland of skulls.
In one of her hands, Maa Kaalratri holds a scimitar and in the other, she holds a thunderbolt. Her other two hands are held in abhaya mudra and varad amudra. In some depictions, she is also associated with the form of Kali, having an extended tongue smeared entirely with red blood.
Also Read- Are Maa Parvati, Maa Laxmi, Maa Durga And Maa Vaishno Devi Same?
Goddess Kaalratri Story
There are different versions of the goddess Kaalratri story of origin. In the version explained in Mahabharata, in the Sauptika book, she is said to have appeared for the first time.
After Dronacharya was deceived and had to surrender himself to the Pandavas, his son Ashwatthama vowed to avenge his father’s death.
Thus, on the night of Pandava’s victory, he invades their camp illegally. The camp held several believers of the Pandavas and Ashwatthama started slaughtering them mercilessly. This is when Maa Kaalratri appeared to put an end to the horrifying manslaughter.
In another goddess Kaalratri story, Maa Kaalratri was created from the forehead of Maa Chandi to defeat three demons, Chandha, Mundha and Raktbeej. While Maa Kaalratri had a fiercely easy win against the first two demons, Raktbeej was a problem due to having a blessing that whenever his drop of blood spilled on the ground, numerous copies of himself would emerge. Infuriated, Maa Kaalratri started drinking every drop of blood coming out of Raktbeej and eventually killed him.
Why Is Maa Kaalratri worshipped On Seventh Day Of Navratri?
The reason why is Maa Kaalratri worshipped on seventh day of Navratri by her believers is that she will bless and protect them from all evils of the world. It is believed that praying to her will bring peace to the chaotic world. Maa Kaalratri, true to her name, is associated with dispelling all the darkness and bringing good light.
Also Read- Goddess Katyayani Story – Why Is Maa Katyayani Worshipped On Sixth Day Of Navratri?
Conclusion
Navratri is a celebration filled with joy, festivities, and a surrounding of prevailing holiness. It is a festival that continues for nine days and each day is dedicated to worshipping different supreme energy, called Maa Durga or Shakti. With the seventh being dedicated to Maa Kaalratri, we hope you had a good enjoyment for the past six days, and may the goddess bless you.
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