Navratri Day 4 (October 14, 2026): Maa Kushmanda Puja Vidhi, Mantra, Bhog, Colour and Significance

Shardiya Navratri 2026 Day 4 will be observed on Wednesday, October 14, dedicated to Maa Kushmanda, the fourth form of Goddess Durga. According to Hindu tradition, Maa Kushmanda created the universe with her divine smile and is associated with cosmic energy, light and vitality. Devotees worship her to seek blessings for health, happiness, prosperity and inner strength.

On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees perform special prayers, chant Maa Kushmanda's mantra and offer traditional bhog. Royal blue is the commonly followed colour for the day in popular Navratri colour lists, while malpua is a traditional offering associated with the goddess. Here is everything you need to know about Maa Kushmanda Puja Vidhi, mantra, bhog, colour, katha and religious significance.

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Navratri Day 4 2026: Date, Goddess and Colour

• Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
• Navratri day: Day 4
• Goddess worshipped: Maa Kushmanda
• Navratri colour: Royal blue, according to a popular 2026 colour list
• Traditional bhog: Malpua
• Main significance: Creation, energy, vitality and prosperity

Maa Kushmanda is worshipped as the fourth form of Navdurga. Her name is associated with the cosmic egg, symbolising the universe and the energy behind creation. Devotees observe the day with prayers, offerings and mantra chanting.

The colour associated with each day of Navratri can vary across regional customs and calendars. Devotees should follow the tradition observed in their household or community.

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Who Is Maa Kushmanda? Know Her Significance

Maa Kushmanda is regarded as the cosmic creator among the nine forms of Goddess Durga. According to Hindu belief, before the creation of the universe, darkness prevailed. The goddess brought the universe into existence through her divine smile, illuminating the cosmic expanse with her radiant energy.

She is often depicted with eight arms and is therefore also known as Ashtabhuja Devi. Her hands hold different objects, which may include a kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, chakra, mace, rosary and a pot of nectar. She is traditionally shown riding a lion, representing courage and strength. Maa Kushmanda is also associated with the Sun, the source of light, warmth and life. Her radiant form symbolises the energy that sustains the universe and supports creation.

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Maa Kushmanda Puja Vidhi for Navratri Day 4

Devotees can worship Maa Kushmanda at home by following simple rituals and their family traditions. The focus of the puja is devotion, cleanliness and sincere prayer.

Here is a simple Maa Kushmanda Puja Vidhi for October 14, 2026:

1. Wake up early and bathe: Clean the puja area and prepare the goddess's picture or idol for worship.
2. Continue the Navratri rituals: If you performed Ghatasthapana on the first day, offer prayers to the kalash according to your household tradition.
3. Light a diya: Light a lamp and incense before the goddess, taking appropriate fire-safety precautions.
4. Offer flowers and akshat: Present fresh flowers, rice grains, kumkum and sandalwood paste as customary offerings.
5. Offer bhog: Prepare malpua or another suitable vegetarian offering and place it before the goddess.
6. Chant Maa Kushmanda's mantra: Recite the mantra with devotion and concentration.
7. Perform aarti: Conclude the worship with aarti and prayers for peace, health and prosperity.
8. Distribute prasad: Share the offering with family members after the puja.

Devotees observing a Navratri fast may follow their usual vrat rules and prepare food according to their family customs. Elaborate rituals are not compulsory for everyone; a simple prayer offered with sincerity is also a meaningful way to worship.

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Maa Kushmanda Mantra for Navratri Day 4

Chanting Maa Kushmanda's mantra is an important part of the fourth day's worship. Devotees recite it while praying for strength, vitality, wisdom and spiritual well-being.

Maa Kushmanda Mantra

ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥

English transliteration: Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah.

Meaning: I bow to Goddess Kushmanda, the divine form associated with cosmic creation, energy and light.

Devotees may chant the mantra 11, 21 or 108 times, depending on their personal practice. Using a japamala can help maintain concentration during the recitation.

Maa Kushmanda Dhyana Mantra

सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।

दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥

English transliteration:

Surasampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha,

Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me.

This traditional verse invokes Maa Kushmanda and seeks her auspicious blessings. Devotees may recite it during their prayers according to their customary practice.

Maa Kushmanda Bhog: What Should You Offer?

Malpua is a traditional sweet offering associated with Maa Kushmanda on the fourth day of Navratri. Prepared using ingredients such as flour, milk and sugar, malpua is a popular festive delicacy in many Indian households. Devotees may prepare malpua at home and offer it to the goddess after completing the puja. In some traditions, pumpkin or ash gourd, fruits and other vegetarian foods may also be offered.

The name Kushmanda itself is associated in some interpretations with the ash gourd, also known as petha or kushmanda. However, offerings vary according to regional and family customs. After the puja, the bhog is distributed as prasad among family members. Those observing a fast should ensure that any offering they consume follows their vrat dietary rules.

Navratri Day 4 Colour 2026: Why Is Royal Blue Auspicious?

Royal blue is the commonly listed colour for Navratri Day 4 in 2026, which falls on Wednesday, October 14. The colour is often associated with confidence, stability, dignity and strength. Wearing royal blue during the day's prayers is a popular way for devotees to participate in the Navratri colour tradition. The practice also adds to the festive spirit as people dress in colours associated with each form of Goddess Durga. However, Navratri colour lists differ across communities and regional traditions. Wearing royal blue is a customary observance, not a religious requirement.

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Maa Kushmanda Katha: The Story of the Goddess Who Created the Universe

According to Hindu tradition, Maa Kushmanda is believed to have created the universe through her divine smile when darkness prevailed. Her radiant energy brought light and set the process of creation in motion. The goddess is associated with the Sun because of her luminous nature and the vital energy that sustains life. She is believed to reside at the centre of the Sun, symbolising the source of warmth and illumination.

Her eight-armed form represents her divine powers and ability to protect devotees. Riding a lion, she also embodies courage, fearlessness and strength. The story of Maa Kushmanda carries a spiritual message about the power of light in overcoming darkness. Her worship reminds devotees that even a small beginning, guided by positivity and determination, can lead to meaningful change.

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Navratri 2026: 9 Days, 9 Goddesses and Colours

Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga. The traditional colour associated with each day also changes according to the weekday sequence.

Day	Date	Goddess	Navratri Colour
Day 1	October 11	Maa Shailputri	Orange
Day 2	October 12	Maa Brahmacharini	White
Day 3	October 13	Maa Chandraghanta	Red
Day 4	October 14	Maa Kushmanda	Royal Blue
Day 5	October 15	Maa Skandamata	Yellow
Day 6	October 16	Maa Katyayani	Green
Day 7	October 17	Maa Kalaratri	Grey
Day 8	October 18	Maa Mahagauri	Purple
Day 9	October 19	Maa Siddhidatri	Peacock Green