Fourth Day of Navratri Dedicated to Goddess Kushmanda

Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The day also marks the beginning of worshipping of Goddess Lakshmi during Navaratra. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu was able to begin the creation of universe, when she smiled and receded. Goddess Kushmanda represents that form of Durga, which is the source of all. Goddess Durga is also worshipped as Bhuvneshwari on the fourth day in many parts of India.

Goddess Kushmanda is also depicted as having four hands. She is also known as ‘Ashtabhuja,’when she is depicted as having eight arms.

It is believed that the eternal darkness ended when she smiled. And this led to the beginning of creation. This form symbolizes that Shakti is the primordial source.

 4th - 6th day of Navratri

During these days, Lakshmi Maa, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped. On the fifth day which is known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all literature available in the house, light a lamp or 'diya' to invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.
 
Fourth day of Navratri is also known as Varad Vinayak Chaturthi or Maha Chaturthi or Bhouma Chaturthi. In 2010, fourth day of Navratri date is October 11th, Monday. As part of Navadevi sampradaya puja, Annapurna puja is observed on fourth day of Navratri. Goddess Durga is adorned and worshipped in the form of Annapurna mata. Kushmanda Navadurga is worshipped in Navadurga Puja.
Shodashi Dasamahavidya puja (Lalita Tripura Sundari Puja) is also performed by some sects of devotees on Maha Chaturthi of Navratri Durga Puja. Goddess Vaishnavi Devi is the Saptamatrika devata worshipped on Chaturthi in Navratri puja.

In some places Lord Ganesha is also worshipped with special pujas and food offerings on fourth day of Navratri.





Goddess Durga is worshipped in the form of Annapurna on the fourth day during Durga Navratri 2010. In 2010, on October 11th, Monday, (Maha Chavithi) alankaram decorated in South Indian temples, especially Kanakadurga Temple Vijayawada is Annapoorna Matha. Annapurna is the Hindu Goddess of food.

Devotees who worship of Goddess Annapurneshwari will be blessed with prosperity and health. Women worship Annapurneshwari Devi for their better married life. They also perform Annapurneswari Pooja for their childrens health and better growth.