7th Day Of Navratri – Saptami Is Devoted To Maa Kaalratri. Here Is The Colour And Mantra

This nine-day long festival, Navratri, also known as Durgotsav, always brings joy and happiness with all its mythological stories that give us reasons to worship goddess Durga, and celebrate. 7th day of Navaratri is devoted to Goddess Kaalratri. On this day the nights are darker than other usual days. The significance of Goddess Kaalrati lies in the fact that she symbolizes protection. Protection from all forms of troubles in our lives and saves us from all of them. She is showcased in an aggressive posture and has a dark complexion.

Tithi: Saptami
Date: 7th October, 2016 (Friday)
Start Time & Date: 7:41 PM on 7th October 2016, (Friday)
End Time & Date: 9:24 AM on 8th October 2016, (Saturday)
Goddess Worshipped: Kaalratri
Color of the day: Red, Blue and Peacock Green

Maa Kaalratri Story:
The story behind this avatar of Goddess Durga is frightening and fierce-some. Goddess Kaalratri is believed to be quite dangerous avatar of Goddess Durga. She is said to be the one who destroys the time and darkness. It is believed that this form of Maa Durga came into being when once three demons Shumbha, Nishumbha and Raktabeej were ruining the three parts of the universe – Earth, Heaven and, Ocean. Even Lord Indra and other Gods were distressed and so, they went to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva asked Goddess Parvati to kill the demons and restore the balance of the universe.

Goddess Parvit agreed to what her husband – Lord Shiva said and appeared as Maa Durga. She killed demons – Shumbha and Nishumbha but as she slaughtered Raktabeej, many bloodlines began to appear from the blood of Raktabeej. She then created the form of Kaalratri with the fire in her.

As Maa Kaalratri began the fight with demon Raktabeej, she filled her mouth with his blood and began slashing the necks of all the bloodlines and killing Raktabeej.

The power in Maa Kaalratri is immense and devotee worshiping Maa Kaalratri is blessed with power and energy on this day.

A Story from Epic Ramayana:
According to our Hindu Mythology, there are many legends related to the celebration of Navratri. We have already mentioned a few of them. Today, we have brought another one. It is said that Lord Rama asked Goddess Durga to bless and shower her powers upon him so that Lord Rama can fight and defeat Ravana. He prayed for nine days and during these nine days Lord Rama worshipped different forms fof
Goddess Durga. At the end of 9th day, Goddess Durga appeared and bestowed him with his blessings. On the 10th day, Lord Ram fought Ravana and led him to his death. This day is known as Viajaya Dashmi or Dussehra.

Colour of the Day:
The color for the seventh day of Navratri is Red or Peacock Green. Maa Kaalratri is a form of Maa Durga and hence, red colour is adoured while Maa Kaalratri represents night so, people can also go with peacock green, blue or any dark colour.

Navratri Food Offering for Saptami:
The food that is offered to Goddess on this day is Jaggery or things made of Jaggery. Devotees should also intake jaggery. And for devotees who observe fast can have pooris or halwa made of kuttu ka atta, singade ka atta, fruits, things made from milk.

Maa Kaalratri Mantra

Chanting of this mantra gives power in the devotee to fight the evil. One must chant these mantra while offering prayers and performing havana on the seventh day – Saptami – of Navratra.

Dhyan Mantra –

ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah॥

Prarthana –

एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्त शरीरिणी॥
वामपादोल्लसल्लोह लताकण्टकभूषणा।
वर्धन मूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयङ्करी॥
Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita।
Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini॥
Vamapadollasalloha Latakantakabhushana।
Vardhana Murdhadhwaja Krishna Kalaratrirbhayankari॥

Stuti –

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कालरात्रि रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kalaratri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Dhyana –