Chaitra Navratri, an auspicious Hindu festival, spans nine days starting from the first day of the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar, which commenced this year on April 9. Each day of this festival is dedicated to honoring Maa Durga and her nine divine incarnations.
On the seventh day, known as Saptami, devotees pay homage to Maa Kalratri, one of the nine avatars of Maa Durga. She symbolizes the fierce aspect of Goddess Parvati and is associated with the planet Saturn. Depicted with a dark complexion, she rides a donkey and is depicted with four hands—two right hands in Abhaya and Varada Mudra, and two left hands holding a sword and a deadly iron hook.
Despite her fearsome appearance, Maa Kalratri is revered for fulfilling devotees’ wishes, removing obstacles, and alleviating sorrows. She is believed to protect her devotees from negative forces and is also known as Goddess Shubhankari, along with titles like Goddess Mahayogishwari and Goddess Mahayogini. Night’s Queen is her favored flower. Worshiping Maa Kalratri is believed to counteract adverse planetary influences and bring happiness.
In mythological tales, Maa Kalratri vanquished demons Chanda and Munda, but faced a challenge with Raktabeej. Empowered by Lord Brahma’s blessing, each drop of Raktabeej’s blood created a new clone of him upon touching the ground. Undeterred, Maa Kalratri drank the blood of each clone until finally defeating him.