Fourth Day of Dashain: Worshiping Goddess Kushmanda in Shakti Peeths

On the fourth day of Dashain, a major Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in Nepal and across the Hindu community, worshippers flocked to Shakti Peeths, shrines, and temples to pay their respects to Goddess Kushmanda. This day holds significant cultural and religious importance as it symbolizes good deeds and the act of creation.

Goddess Kushmanda, revered as a symbol of divine creation, is believed to have played a crucial role in forming the world by holding a threefold heat within her womb. According to ancient mythology, it is her power that can create both heat and cold, shaping the balance of nature.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Goddess Kushmanda’s worship is her association with the warm blood group, which includes humans and birds, and the cold blood group, consisting of snakes, fish, and other creatures. She is perceived as the divine mother of these different life forms, nurturing and protecting them with her cosmic energies.

In various depictions, Goddess Kushmanda is often portrayed riding a powerful lion and holding two pots of blood in her hands. These pots are considered the very foundation of creation, representing the primal forces that gave birth to the universe. The mythological significance of her actions is deeply rooted in the creation of the Earth, the ignition of the Sun god through the infusion of heat energy, and the orchestration of the solar system.

As devotees gather to celebrate this auspicious day, they offer prayers and offerings to Goddess Kushmanda, seeking her blessings for health, prosperity, and harmony in the world. Dashain, often referred to as Nepal’s biggest festival, continues to be a time for reflection, family gatherings, and spiritual rejuvenation.

The fourth day of Dashain is a reminder of the rich tapestry of traditions and beliefs that define the cultural landscape of Nepal, uniting people in celebration and reverence for the divine.