NEW DELHI: The auspicious occasion of Navratri began from the 28th of September and will last till the 7th of October, Vijayadashami is celebrated on the 8th of October. The nine-day long festival marks the victory of good over evil and is celebrated with must gusto and fervour across the globe.

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Navratri is celebrated in different ways in the country. While some observe fasts, others enjoy Dandiya and Garba nights. Also, this is the time of Durga Puja festivities which is the major festival of Bengalis and holds a great significance for them.

During Navratri, each form of Maa Durga is worshipped. On the 7th day or Saptami, Maa Kalratri or Kalaratri, also known as Kaalratri is prayed to. Devi Kalratri is regarded as one of the many destructive forms of Maa Shakti which includes Kali, Mahakali, Bhadrakali, Bhairavi, Mrityu, Rudrani, Chamunda, Chandi and Durga.

Often Kali and Kalratri are used interchangeably but the two deities are separate.

Chant this Kalratri Mantra:

ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah॥

Prarthana:

एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्त शरीरिणी॥
वामपादोल्लसल्लोह लताकण्टकभूषणा।
वर्धन मूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयङ्करी॥

Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita।
Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini॥
Vamapadollasalloha Latakantakabhushana।
Vardhana Murdhadhwaja Krishna Kalaratrirbhayankari॥

(The mantras were mentioned in Drikpanchang.com)

Maa Kalratri puja vidhi 
Devotees offer kumkum, red flower and roli to Goddess Kalratri. Offer a garland of lemon to the goddess and lit an oil lamp in front of her. Offer red flowers and jaggery to her. 
 
After this, recite the above-mentioned mantras or recite Saptashati to please the goddess. On this day, God Shiva and God Brahma ji are also worshipped after worshipping Maa Kalratri.
Goddess Kalratri is believed to be the fiercest form of Durga, and her appearance often invokes a feeling of fear. She is the destroyer of all demon entities, ghosts, spirits and negative energies, who flee upon knowing of her arrival.

Kalratri is also associated with the crown chakra (the sahasrara chakra). She bestows the believer with siddhis and niddhis, namely knowledge, power and wealth.

Also called the Shubankari which means auspicious in Sanskrit, it is said that she gives auspicious and positive results to her devotees, making them fearless. She is also known by the names Raudri and Dhumorna.

Her weapons include hooked vajra and curved sword, Abhayamudra, Varadamudra. She is mounted on a donkey, lion or tiger as per various legends.

Happy Navratri and Shubho Durga Pujo!