The complexion of Kalaratri is that of the darkest of nights with bountiful hair and a heavenly shaped form. She has four hands – the left two hands hold a scimitar and a thunderbolt and the right two are in the varada (blessing) and Abhaya (protecting) mudras. She wears a necklace that shines like the moon. Kaalratri has three eyes which emanate rays like lightning.

The story behind her creation is believed to be that there were two demons Shumbh and Nishumbh who were disturbing the Devtas. The ruler of Dev, Indra went to Lord Shiva for help. The goddess Parvati heard their prayer and created a Devi called ‘Chandi’. ‘Chand’ and ‘Mund’ were the two demons sent by the Shumbh and Nishumbh to kill the Devtas but Devi ‘ Chandi’ created a new form ‘Kali’ which was more fierce and killed those demons and hence get name Chamunda.

Another demon ‘Raktbeeja’ who was blessed that if any drop of blood falls on the ground, his clones appear. In a war with Kal Ratri, his blood spilled on the ground and created clones of him. To defeat him, Devi formed her furious form and drank all his blood to stop it from falling down and killed Raktbeeja.

 Goddess Kaalratri can be seen as bearing doom for evil-doers. But she always bears good fruits for her devotees and should avoid fear when faced with her, for she removes the darkness of worry from the life of such devotees.

Maa Kalratri Aarti

Kaalaraatri jay-jay mahaakaalee .

kaal ke munh se bachaanevaalee ..

dusht sanghaarak naam tumhaara .

mahaachandee tera avataara ..

prthvee aur aakaash pe saara .

mahaakaalee hai tera pasaara ..

khadg khappar rakhanevaalee .

dushton ka lahoo chakhanevaalee ..

kalakatta sthaan tumhaara .

sab jagah dekhoon tera najaara ..