In the sacred cave of Maa Vaishno Devi Dham, after receiving the blessings of Maa Chandraghanta, devotees behold the radiant idol of Maa Kushmanda. This divine idol is about 6.11 feet in height, 6.9 feet in width, and 3.1 feet in diameter. Adorned with gentle light and natural decorations, the idol appears as if the Mother herself is glowing like the radiant Sun, showering divine blessings on her devotees. The very sight of her fills devotees with energy, peace, courage, and deep devotion.
The fourth day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Kushmanda. With her smiling face, she illuminates the entire universe with her divine radiance, just like the Sun lights up all directions. She is regarded as the source of life and energy in the cosmos, the one who sustains the solar system.
Maa Kushmanda is depicted with eight arms. Six hands hold powerful weapons, while the other two carry a lotus flower and a rosary (japmala). Seated on a lion, she blesses her devotees with fearlessness and strength.
The name Kushmanda comes from three words – Ku meaning "small," Ushma meaning "energy," and Anda meaning "cosmic egg." Thus, Maa Kushmanda is the Divine Power from whom the entire creation began. She conveys that energy flows from the subtle to the vast, and from the vast back to the subtle — just like a seed gives rise to a tree, and the tree gives seeds again. In the same way, consciousness holds both the smallest and the greatest forms of existence.
Maa Kushmanda loves the color orange. On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees who worship her with pure devotion while wearing orange clothes receive her blessings of good health, prosperity, and divine energy.
Jai Maa Kushmanda!
