Maha Saptami(7th day) marks the major day of rituals for the goddess of power. Mythology says that after a vigorous fight of 9 days the Goddess overpowered the most treacherous demon in history – Mahisasura. Saptami was the day when the Goddess commenced the war with the buffalo demon and killed him on the 10th, that is on Dussehra.
According to legend, Dasta Shumbha-Nishumbha and Raktabeej had made a stroke in all three states. Worried by this, all the goddesses went to Shiva Ji. Shiva asked the goddess Parvati to kill the demons and protect their devotees. Considering Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati assumed the form of Durga and killed Shumbha-Nishumbha. But as soon as Durga killed the bloodbath, the blood released from her body produced millions of raktabeej. Seeing this, Durga Ji made Kalaratri from its fast. After this, when Durga killed the raktabeej, Kalaratri filled his blood in his face and slaughtered his blood base after cutting his throat.
Navratri 7th Day Rituals and Puja Vidhi
Bathing Navapatrika: This day, tithi, and timings are considered to be very auspicious to worship the nine planets. People worship the nine planets representing banana, pomegranate, turmeric, ashoke, bel, arum plant, colocasia, and paddy which are tied together and taken to the river Ganges at pre-dawn for bathing. The puja starts after that. You must be wondering why the nine planets? During the war, Devi Durga created ‘Ashtanayika’ who were the eight war partners. These eight goddesses and Devi herself symbolized “NavaDurga”. These forms helped fight the demon.
Rituals for Goddess Saraswati: Normally in certain southern parts of India, mainly in Kerala, Goddess Durga is worshipped as Goddess Saraswati on the seventh day of Maha Saptami. They keep books and musical instruments before her and pray for insight and knowledge.
Maha Snan: A beautiful ritual like this will fill your heart with satisfaction. A mirror is placed with the reflection of Goddess Durga. This mirror is given the ritualistic bath which is known as Maha snan.
Prana Pratishtha: Prana pratishta forms one of the major rituals on Saptami. A pot with holy water with a bunch of five mango leaves and a coconut is placed in front of the deity. Divine chants and hymns are sung to invoke the Goddess in the deity.
Navratri 7th Day Aaarti
Mantra: Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah.
Prarthana: Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita, Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini.
Vamapadollasalloha Latakantakabhushana, Vardhana Murdhadhwaja Krishna Kalaratrirbhayankari.
Aarti: कालरात्रि जय जय महाकाली। काल के मुंह से बचाने वाली॥
दुष्ट संघारक नाम तुम्हारा। महाचंडी तेरा अवतारा॥
पृथ्वी और आकाश पे सारा। महाकाली है तेरा पसारा॥
खड्ग खप्पर रखने वाली। दुष्टों का लहू चखने वाली॥
कलकत्ता स्थान तुम्हारा। सब जगह देखूं तेरा नजारा॥
सभी देवता सब नर-नारी। गावें स्तुति सभी तुम्हारी॥
रक्तदन्ता और अन्नपूर्णा। कृपा करे तो कोई भी दुःख ना॥
ना कोई चिंता रहे ना बीमारी। ना कोई गम ना संकट भारी॥
उस पर कभी कष्ट ना आवे। महाकाली माँ जिसे बचावे॥
तू भी भक्त प्रेम से कह। कालरात्रि माँ तेरी जय॥