Dashain’s fourth day for Kushmanda

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Sept. 29: Dashain enters its fourth day on Thursday and people all across the country mark it by worshipping the fourth form of Goddess Durga Kushmanda.

Kushmanda is credited with creating the whole world with her divine smile. “This is reflected in the name itself,” said priest Madhav Chalise. “Ku means little, Ushma means warmth and Anda means egg which denotes to her role as the creator of the universe,” he said.

Chalise informed that Kushmanda, who has eight hands and is depicted mounted on a lion, worshipped with the chant “Om Ain Hri Kli Kushmandayai Nama” and offered wax gourd, milk and curd.

On this day, devotees visit the Kalmochan Tirtha in Thapathali, Kathmandu and various temple dedicated to energy (Shaktipeeth) all across the country.

Cultural   scholars   and   experts   believe that the worship of   Durga in Dashain shows Nepali society’s reverence for Matrishakti (motherly power) and the importance placed on the concept of Devi (a supernatural extension of   the female form) for the defeat of evil and triumph of good.