Original text
नाम मंत्र: ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥ प्रार्थना (ध्यान श्लोक): एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता। लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्त शरीरिणी॥ वामपादोल्लसल्लोह लताकण्टकभूषणा। वर्धन मूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयङ्करी॥ स्तुति: या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कालरात्रि रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Transliteration
Naam mantra: Om devi kalaratryai namah || Prarthana (dhyana shloka): Ekaveni japakarnapura nagna kharasthita Lamboshthi karnikakarni tailabhyakta sharirini || Vamapadollasalloha latakantakabhushana Vardhana murdhadhvaja krishna kalaratrirbhayankari || Stuti: Ya devi sarvabhuteshu man kalaratri rupena sansthita Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah ||
Who is Maa Kalaratri?
Maa Kalaratri is the seventh of the Navdurga, the nine forms of Maa Durga worshipped on the nine days of Navratri. Her name means "the dark night" — or "the night of Kala (death/time)", she who destroys even death. In Shardiya Navratri 2026 she is worshipped on Day 7 (Saptami), Saturday 17 October.
Kalaratri is the most fierce of the nine forms: dark as night, with dishevelled hair, three blazing eyes and breath of fire. She is the form the Devi took to destroy demons such as Shumbha, Nishumbha and Raktabija, whose every drop of blood that fell created a new demon — in the Devi Mahatmya it is Kali-Chamunda who drinks his blood before it touches the ground.
Despite her terrifying appearance she is called Shubhankari, "she who does good", because she destroys fear, darkness and evil for her devotees. People pray to her for protection from enemies, fear, and harmful influences.
Her form
She rides a donkey, has four arms — a sword and an iron hook-weapon in two, the others in fearlessness and blessing — and her body is dark with a garland that shines like lightning.
Mantras of Maa Kalaratri
Naam mantra: ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥ — chant 108 times on a mala.
Prarthana (dhyana shloka):
एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्त शरीरिणी॥
वामपादोल्लसल्लोह लताकण्टकभूषणा।
वर्धन मूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयङ्करी॥
Stuti:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कालरात्रि रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
The stuti is modelled on the Devi Mahatmya's "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu" hymn, with her name in place: "To the Devi who dwells in all beings in the form of Maa Kalaratri — salutations to her, again and again."
Puja vidhi on Day 7
- Wake early, bathe and wear clean clothes; light the lamp before the kalash and the Devi's image.
- Take a sankalpa for the day's worship (and the Navratri vrat, if you are keeping it).
- Invoke Maa Kalaratri with the prarthana shloka above, picturing her form.
- Offer water, roli, akshat, red flowers or a red chunri, dhoop and a ghee lamp.
- Offer the day's bhog: jaggery, or sweets made with it.
- Chant the naam mantra 108 times, then the stuti; read the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati if you can.
- Close with the aarti, Jai Ambe Gauri, and distribute the prasad.
Saptami is also when Bengal-style Durga Puja opens the pandal with the navapatrika (nine plants) bath.
The nine days
← Day 6: Maa Katyayani · Day 8: Maa Mahagauri →
See all nine forms on the Maa Durga page, and dates and muhurat in Shardiya Navratri 2026.
Frequently asked questions
On which day of Navratri is Maa Kalaratri worshipped?
On the seventh day (Saptami); in Shardiya Navratri 2026 that is Saturday 17 October.
What is the mantra of Maa Kalaratri?
The naam mantra is ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥, chanted 108 times, along with her prarthana shloka and the "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu" stuti.
What bhog is offered to Maa Kalaratri?
Traditionally jaggery, or sweets made with it. Customs vary between families and regions.
Why is Maa Kalaratri called Shubhankari?
Because despite her fierce form she always does good for her devotees, destroying their fear and evil.
What is Maa Kalaratri's vehicle?
A donkey.
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