Navratri Day 4 2026: Maa Kushmanda — Date, Colour, Mantra, Bhog and Puja Vidhi
Navratri Day 4 in 2026 is Wednesday, 14 October, the day of Maa Kushmanda — the Goddess who brought the universe into being with a smile.
- Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026
- Tithi: Chaturthi — 11:29 PM on 13 October to 1:14 AM on 15 October
- Goddess: Maa Kushmanda
- Sunrise (Delhi): 6:21 AM
- Colour (popular custom): Royal Blue
- Traditional bhog: Malpua
Maa Kushmanda: the fourth form of Durga
Her name is read as ku (a little), ushma (warmth) and anda (the cosmic egg): the one whose gentle warmth brought forth the universe. She has eight arms, and is therefore also called Ashtabhuja; she holds a kamandalu, bow and arrow, lotus, a pot of nectar, discus, mace and a rosary, and rides a lion. She is said to dwell at the heart of the Sun, which is why her form is described as radiant.
The story of Maa Kushmanda
Before creation there was only darkness. Then the Goddess smiled, and from that smile the cosmic egg — the brahmanda — came into being, and with it light and the directions of space. Because the universe began in her, she is worshipped on the fourth day as the source of energy and health. The word kushmanda also means the ash gourd, and in some traditions an ash gourd is among her offerings.
Mantra and dhyana
ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च। दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
The dhyana verse describes her holding two full vessels in her lotus hands and asks that Kushmanda be auspicious to the worshipper. Chant the short mantra 108 times.
Colour and bhog for Day 4
The colour for Wednesday, 14 October in the popular list is royal blue. The traditional bhog is malpua, the sweet fried pancake, offered and then shared.
How to worship Maa Kushmanda on Day 4
- Invoke Maa Kushmanda at the kalash with the dhyana verse.
- Offer red or orange flowers, akshat, kumkum and the malpua bhog.
- Chant her mantra 108 times; many recite her kavach on this day.
- Close with the aarti.
The daily kalash, akhand jyoti and the general Navratri vidhi are in the Navratri 2026 guide; the Kushmanda Devi kavach.
Why Chaturthi lasts more than a day this year
In 2026 Chaturthi is unusually long: it begins at 11:29 PM on Tuesday, 13 October and ends at 1:14 AM on Thursday, 15 October — more than twenty-five hours. It holds the sunrise only on Wednesday, so Wednesday is Day 4, but the tithi is still running through Wednesday night. Tithis vary in length because the Moon's speed varies; the same variation makes Saptami hold two sunrises later this Navratri and turns nine tithis into ten days.
← Day 3 · Maa Chandraghanta · → Day 5 · Maa Skandamata · All nine days of Navratri 2026
Frequently asked questions
When is Navratri Day 4 in 2026?
On Wednesday, 14 October 2026. Chaturthi runs from 11:29 PM on 13 October to 1:14 AM on 15 October.
What does the name Kushmanda mean?
It is read as ku (a little), ushma (warmth) and anda (the cosmic egg) — the Goddess who created the universe with her smile.
What is the colour of Navratri Day 4 in 2026?
Royal blue, in the popular list that assigns colours by weekday.
What bhog is offered to Maa Kushmanda?
Malpua is the traditional offering on the fourth day.
