Navratri Day 4 falls on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, and is dedicated to Maa Kushmanda, the fourth form of Goddess Durga. The colour traditionally followed for Day 4 of Sharad Navratri 2026 is Royal Blue, while Malpua is among the traditional bhog offerings associated with Maa Kushmanda.
Maa Kushmanda is associated with light, energy, creation and vitality. Her worship on the fourth day of Navratri is traditionally connected with moving from darkness towards positivity and inner strength.
Who is Maa Kushmanda and what is the significance of Navratri Day 4?
Maa Kushmanda is regarded as the fourth form of Navadurga. In traditional accounts, she is associated with the energy of the Sun and the creation of the universe, with her radiance described as comparable to solar brilliance.
She is commonly depicted with eight arms, which is why she is also known as Ashtabhuja Devi. Her hands may hold symbolic objects such as a kamandalu, bow, arrow, lotus, kalash, chakra, mace and japa mala, depending on the depiction.
The fourth day of Navratri can therefore be viewed as a celebration of energy, confidence, creativity and the strength to move forward. For devotees, the worship of Maa Kushmanda is also an opportunity to pray for wellbeing, clarity and the energy needed to fulfil responsibilities.
What is the Navratri Day 4 colour in 2026?
The colour for Navratri Day 4 on October 14, 2026 is Royal Blue. The 2026 nine-colour sequence places Royal Blue after Red on Day 3 and before Yellow on Day 5.
Royal Blue is a rich and striking festive shade that works beautifully for sarees, lehengas, salwar suits, kurtas and dupattas. You can also incorporate the day’s colour through bangles, jewellery or other accessories if you do not want to wear an entirely blue outfit.
Royal Blue silk-thread bangles paired with gold-toned kundans, pearls or stones can create an especially elegant Navratri combination.
How can Maa Kushmanda be worshipped on Navratri Day 4?
Begin Day 4 by preparing a clean and peaceful puja space. Families who established a Kalash on Day 1 generally continue their worship at the same Navratri setup.
Light a diya and incense according to your family tradition, offer fresh flowers and fruits, and place the prepared bhog before Maa Kushmanda. Red flowers are traditionally mentioned among offerings associated with her worship. The Times of India
Devotees may also chant the simple mantra:
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah
You can then perform aarti and spend a few quiet moments in prayer or reflection.
Puja methods differ across regions and households, so established family traditions should always take priority over a generic online procedure.
What prasad is traditionally offered to Maa Kushmanda?
Malpua is one of the traditional bhog offerings associated with Maa Kushmanda on Navratri Day 4. Multiple traditional Navratri guides list Malpua for the fourth day.
Malpua is a soft Indian sweet pancake commonly prepared with flour, milk and sugar and cooked in ghee before being served plain or with sugar syrup.
For households observing a strict Navratri fast that excludes wheat or particular grains, fasting rules can differ considerably. In that case, follow your family’s permitted ingredients or prepare another customary offering rather than changing your vrat rules.
Easy Malpua recipe for Navratri Day 4 prasad
This simple version can be prepared at home with basic ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons semolina, optional
- 1 to 1½ cups milk as required
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- A pinch of fennel powder, optional
- Ghee for shallow frying
- Chopped pistachios or almonds for garnish
For the sugar syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- A pinch of cardamom
- A few saffron strands, optional
How to make Malpua for Maa Kushmanda
Begin by preparing the batter. Add wheat flour to a bowl along with sugar, cardamom and semolina if you are using it. Gradually pour in the milk while mixing continuously until you have a smooth batter without lumps.
The batter should be pourable but not extremely thin. Allow it to rest for around 15 to 20 minutes so the ingredients combine properly.
Meanwhile, prepare a light sugar syrup by heating sugar and water together. Once the sugar dissolves and the syrup becomes slightly sticky, add cardamom or saffron and switch off the flame. The syrup does not need to become very thick.
Heat a little ghee in a pan over medium-low heat. Pour a small ladle of batter into the pan and allow it to spread naturally into a small round shape.
Cook until the bottom becomes lightly golden, then carefully turn it over and cook the other side.
Remove the Malpua and place it briefly in the warm sugar syrup. Take it out and arrange it on a clean plate.
Garnish with chopped pistachios or almonds if desired.
Before serving the family, keep a separate portion for the puja. After completing the worship according to your household tradition, the Malpua can be distributed as prasad.
Simple Navratri Day 4 puja checklist
A little preparation can make the morning puja much easier. Depending on your family tradition, you may keep the image or idol of Maa Durga, diya, incense, flowers, fruits, kumkum, akshat, water and your prepared Malpua bhog ready before beginning.
If you have maintained a Kalash or Akhand Jyoti from the first day, continue caring for it according to your family’s established practice.
Navratri does not have to become complicated. A clean puja space, sincere prayer and consistency throughout the nine days can be more meaningful than trying to make every ritual elaborate.
What can Maa Kushmanda teach us on Day 4?
Maa Kushmanda’s association with light and energy makes Day 4 a good opportunity to think about where you are directing your own energy.
You can ask yourself:
What deserves more of my energy, and what am I allowing to drain it unnecessarily?
Perhaps there is a creative idea you have postponed, a responsibility you need to approach with more confidence or a habit that would make your everyday life more positive.
Choose one small action for the day and complete it. The spiritual symbolism of Navratri can become even more meaningful when it inspires positive action in everyday life.
How to style Royal Blue for Navratri Day 4
Royal Blue is one of the richest shades in the Navratri 2026 colour palette. Pair a Royal Blue saree or lehenga with gold jewellery for a traditional appearance, or combine blue with white pearls for a softer look.
For bangles, Royal Blue silk thread works beautifully with gold kundans, mirror-style stones, pearls and floral designs. A combination of plain Royal Blue bangles with a few decorative statement bangles can also create a balanced festive set.
At Silk Thread Materials, handmade Navratri bangles can be prepared in Royal Blue as well as the complete set of nine Navratri colours.
Because handmade sets require preparation time, advance orders are recommended.
Visit SilkThreadMaterials.com or DM @jewellerymakingmaterials for Navratri orders and enquiries.