After Maa Shailadatri, Maa Brahmacharini and Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day of the Navratri.
Appearing with eight hands, Maa Kashmanda is believed to have created the universe by her divine smile. It is believed that when there was nothing in the universe, and it was a dark, black hole, Maa Kashmanda smiled and brought light, with the power She is believed to have derived from the Sun.
She rides a tiger and in her eight arms, holds, lotus, bow, arrow, kamandal (water pot), Chakra, Gada (mace), japa maala and pot of Amrit. It is believed that because of Her smile only there is light in the universe. She resides in the Suryalok, in the core of the Sun. It is believed She has so much power that only She could reside there.
Each day of the Navratri is devoted to one of the nine avatars of Maa Durga. The nine different forms are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidhatri.
