During Navratri, people worship Navdurga, or Durga, in her nine various manifestations, each of which represents a different aspect of the devoted goddess. Chandraghanta is the demon-destroyer, while Shailaputri is the mountain's daughter. While Skandamata is all about motherhood, Kushmanda symbolizes the goddess' presence in the universe's creation. The powerful goddess Kalaratri, who battles demons, ghosts, spirits, and all other evil forces, assumes the form of Maa Durga on the seventh day of the festival (October 21), offering the highest level of protection. Maa Kalaratri killed Chanda, Munda, and Raktabeej. Worshipping her can bless one with knowledge, power, and wealth.
The seventh Shakti of Maa Durga is Maa Kaalratri. Maa Kaalratri is honored during the pooja on the seventh day of Navratri. The goddess Durga in this incarnation is the most vicious. One of Durga's most ferocious incarnations is Maa Kalaratri, and just by looking at her, one feels afraid. Maa Kaalratri reminds us that rejecting or rationalizing away suffering, grief, decay, death, and destruction will not make things go away. Denying them is pointless since they are inescapable aspects of life. We must embrace these aspects of existence if we want to experience the entirety of who we are and reach our potential. Freedom is Maa Kaalratri's gift to us.
About Maa Kalaratri
Kaalratri, often referred to as Shubhamkari, is the seventh manifestation of Shakti, the foe of ignorance and the remover of darkness and ignorance. She had four hands, dark skin like night, and abundant hair. The right two hands are doing the mudras (gestures) of "giving" and "protecting," while the left two carry a cleaver and a torch. She has three eyes that produce lightning-like beams. She rides a donkey. It is said that Raktabeej was murdered by the goddess Kaalratri. Every drop of Raktabeej's blood that fell to the earth allowed him to grow more demons. By sucking his blood before it hit the ground, the goddess Kaalratri defeated him and killed him.
Mantras of Mata Kalratri
|| Om kaalratri deviyeh namah ||
|| Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Kalratri Rupain Sansitha Namastasyai, Namasthasai, Namasthasai Namo Namah ||
|| Om Hleem Kleem Chamundaye Vijayi Om Kalratri ||
Conclusion
In general, Mata Kalratri is not a ferocious goddess, although she is extremely enraged by evil and cruel individuals. She constantly wears a faint smile that pardons those who seek solace. Mata Kalratri tells us that as human existence is made up of both highs and lows, light and dark, we shouldn't give up while we are going through a challenging or difficult stage.