Kalaratri

Kalaratri (Sanskrit: कालरात्रि, romanized: Kālarātri) is the seventh of the nine Navadurga forms of the goddess Mahadevi. She is first referenced in the Devi Mahatmya. Kalaratri is one of the fearsome forms of the goddess. It is not uncommon to find the names Kali and Kalaratri being used interchangeably, although these two deities are argued to be separate entities by some. Kali is first mentioned in Hinduism as a distinct goddess around 300 BCE in the Mahabharata, which is thought to have been written between the 5th and 2nd centuries BCE (with possible oral transmission from a much earlier period).

Kalaratri is traditionally worshipped during the nine nights of Navaratri celebrations. The seventh day of Navaratri in particular is dedicated to her, and she is considered the fiercest form of the goddess, her appearance itself invoking fear. This form of the goddess is believed to be the destroyer of all demon entities, ghosts, evil spirits and negative energies, who are said to flee upon knowing of her arrival.

The Saudhikagama, an ancient Tantric text from Orissa referenced in the Silpa Prakasha, describes the goddess Kalaratri as being the goddess ruling over the night portion of every calendar day. She is also associated with the crown chakra (also known as the sahasrara chakra), said to yield the worshipper siddhis (supernatural skills) and nidhis (riches): knowledge, power and wealth in particular.

Kalaratri is also known as Shubankari (शुभंकरी), meaning auspicious in Sanskrit, due to the belief that she always provides positive results to her devotees. Hence, it is believed that she makes her devotees fearless.

Other, less well-known names of this goddess include Raudri and Dhumorna.