Day 7 of Navratri
Kalaratri
कालरात्रि
The dark night that destroys ignorance (kala = time/death, ratri = night)
Color
Royal blue / black
Planet
Saturn
Mount
Donkey (gardabh)
Chakra
Sahasrāra (crown)
Sacred story
The fiercest form. When demons Shumbha-Nishumbha and Raktabija could not be killed, the dark goddess Kalaratri emerged from the third eye of Durga, drank Raktabija's blood drop by drop and destroyed all evil. Outside she is terrifying; inside she is Shubhankari — the giver of auspiciousness.
Iconography
Four-armed, deep black complexion, dishevelled hair, three eyes, fiery breath. Mounted on a donkey. Wields sword & iron hook. Garland of skulls. Despite the fearsome appearance her two free hands give abhaya and varada — peace and boons.
Weapons & mudras
- • Sword (khadga), iron hook (vajra), abhaya mudra, varada mudra (4 hands)
Daily mantra
ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः
Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah
Beej mantra (advanced)
ह्रीं कालरात्र्यै नमः
Recite 108× on Day 7 of Navratri. Best at Day 7 of Navratri (Saptami). Midnight worship most potent..
Prasad / bhog
Jaggery (gur)
गुड़
Sacred flower
Krishna kamal (passion flower)
Blessing & what she grants
Destroys fear of death, removes black magic / evil eye / negative entities, frees from Saturn's troubles (Sade-Sati), grants sudden breakthroughs.
Best-suited for these devotees
Avoid today (per tradition)
- • Speak ill of any woman today
- • Mock dark-skinned persons
Want a Day-7 Kalaratri puja done at a temple?
A pandit can perform the full Kalaratri sadhana for you with the right muhurat — color, mantra, prasad, flower offered exactly as Devi Mahatmya prescribes.