Celebrate Navratri 2025 Day 4 with Goddess Kushmanda. Discover rituals, colour of the day, pumpkin kheer prasad recipe, attire, and spiritual significance.
Why is Goddess Kushmanda worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri 2025?
On September 25, 2025 (Thursday), the fourth day of Navratri is devoted to Goddess Kushmanda, known as the radiant creator of the universe. Her name combines Ku (little), Ushma (warmth or energy), and Anda (cosmic egg). It is said that with her gentle smile she produced the cosmic egg that brought creation into being, earning her the title of Adishakti.
Kushmanda is depicted with eight arms, each carrying symbols of creation and protection — the discus, mace, bow and arrow, rosary, lotus, nectar pot, and a kamandalu. She rides a lion, embodying strength and fearless determination. Worshippers believe she blesses devotees with vitality, joy, health, and clarity, driving away sorrow and ignorance.
What does Goddess Kushmanda symbolize for modern devotees?
Kushmanda’s story speaks of the power of beginnings — of light born out of warmth, and of creation from seemingly small acts. In today’s fast-paced world where exhaustion, burnout, and negativity dominate, her energy reminds devotees that a simple spark is enough to create meaningful change. Whether it is the smile we share, the discipline we cultivate, or the nurturing of a new idea, Kushmanda inspires resilience and renewal.
Her blessings are said to foster positivity, enhance inner strength, and guide worshippers toward harmony in both spiritual and practical life.
What is the colour of the day and how should devotees use it in rituals?
Day 4 of Navratri 2025 is associated with yellow and green, colours that represent warmth, growth, and fertility. Yellow symbolizes brightness and clarity, while green denotes vitality and balance.
Devotees wear yellow or green sarees, kurtas, or dupattas. Altar spaces are decorated with marigold flowers, mango leaves, and yellow cloth. Rangolis often include these shades, and lighting ghee lamps amplifies the golden aura of the day. Many families also place pumpkins on the altar, since “Kushmanda” is another name for pumpkin, making it a fitting symbol for the goddess.
How is Goddess Kushmanda worshipped on Navratri Day 4?
The rituals begin with a purifying bath, followed by setting up a clean altar draped in yellow or green cloth. An idol or image of Kushmanda is placed and adorned with flowers, incense, and diyas. Offerings typically include fruits, sweets, and milk-based dishes.
The mantra “Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah” is recited, and devotees may also read the Durga Saptashati. The puja is completed with aarti and distribution of prasad. It is believed that worshipping Kushmanda on this day invites energy, dispels fear, and fills homes with health and abundance.
What is the healthy prasad recipe of the day and what are its benefits?
For Day 4, a fitting prasad is Pumpkin Kheer (Kaddu Payasam) — a sweet, nourishing dish that resonates with Kushmanda’s symbolism of creation and energy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin, peeled and diced
- ½ cup rice (or rice with moong dal)
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup jaggery or sugar
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- Cashews, raisins, and cardamom pods
Method
Cook pumpkin until tender and mash lightly. Simultaneously, cook rice with milk until soft and creamy. Add mashed pumpkin and jaggery or sugar, stirring until the mixture thickens. In another pan, heat ghee and fry cashews, raisins, and cardamom. Add this tempering to the kheer before offering it to the goddess.
Calories and health benefits
A serving of pumpkin kheer (100 g) contains around 180–200 calories. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and fiber, supporting eye health and digestion. Milk adds calcium and protein, while jaggery provides iron and minerals. Cashews and raisins supply healthy fats and antioxidants, making the dish both festive and wholesome.
What attire and decor ideas suit Navratri Day 4?
Wearing yellow or green attire is central to Day 4. Women often choose yellow sarees or salwar suits, while men may opt for green kurtas paired with stoles. Accessories in gold or floral motifs further enhance the look.
Decor can include marigold garlands, banana leaves, and diyas glowing against yellow-green drapes. Pumpkin-themed decorations are also seen in some regions, directly tying back to the goddess’s name.
Final takeaways on Navratri 2025 Day 4 and the worship of Goddess Kushmanda
Day 4 of Navratri celebrates Goddess Kushmanda, who reminds us of the power of light, creation, and positivity. By embracing yellow and green colours, preparing nourishing prasad like pumpkin kheer, and worshipping with devotion, devotees honour her role as the cosmic creator.
Her blessings are believed to grant health, wealth, and happiness, while encouraging us to find light in the smallest acts. Navratri Day 4 thus becomes not only a celebration of divinity but also an invitation to live with energy and balance in our daily lives.