Original text
नाम मंत्र: ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥ प्रार्थना (ध्यान श्लोक): सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च। दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥ स्तुति: या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Transliteration
Naam mantra: Om devi kushmandayai namah || Prarthana (dhyana shloka): Surasampurna kalasham rudhiraplutameva cha Dadhana hastapadmabhyam kushmanda shubhadastu me || Stuti: Ya devi sarvabhuteshu man kushmanda rupena sansthita Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah ||
Who is Maa Kushmanda?
Maa Kushmanda is the fourth of the Navdurga, the nine forms of Maa Durga worshipped on the nine days of Navratri. Her name means usually explained as ku (a little) + ushma (warmth, energy) + anda (the cosmic egg) — she who created the universe with a little warmth. In Shardiya Navratri 2026 she is worshipped on Day 4 (Chaturthi), Wednesday 14 October.
Tradition says that when there was nothing but darkness, Kushmanda smiled, and from that smile the cosmic egg — the universe — came into being. She is therefore the source of creation, and is said to live in the core of the sun, giving it its light and warmth.
The ash gourd (kushmanda in Sanskrit, kumhda in Hindi) is also linked to her name, and in many places a gourd is offered to her as bali in place of animal sacrifice. Devotees pray to her for health, energy and the strength to begin new work.
Her form
She has eight arms — hence Ashtabhuja — holding a kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, a pot of nectar, chakra, mace and a japa mala, and she rides a lion.
Mantras of Maa Kushmanda
Naam mantra: ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥ — chant 108 times on a mala.
Prarthana (dhyana shloka):
सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
Stuti:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा 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 Kushmanda — salutations to her, again and again."
Puja vidhi on Day 4
- 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 Kushmanda 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: malpua (sweet fried pancakes), traditionally for wisdom and good judgment.
- 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.
The nine days
← Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta · Day 5: Maa Skandamata →
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 Kushmanda worshipped?
On the fourth day (Chaturthi); in Shardiya Navratri 2026 that is Wednesday 14 October.
What is the mantra of Maa Kushmanda?
The naam mantra is ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥, chanted 108 times, along with her prarthana shloka and the "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu" stuti.
What bhog is offered to Maa Kushmanda?
Traditionally malpua (sweet fried pancakes), traditionally for wisdom and good judgment. Customs vary between families and regions.
What does Kushmanda mean?
The goddess who created the cosmic egg with a little warmth — ku (little), ushma (warmth), anda (egg).
Why is an ash gourd offered to Maa Kushmanda?
Kushmanda is also the Sanskrit name of the ash gourd; in many regions a gourd is offered to her in place of animal sacrifice.
Spotted a mistake?
If you find any grammatical, Hindi, English, mantra-text or other mistake on this page, tell us — we will correct it within 24 hours.