Worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri, Kaalratri is the manifestation of power and fierceness in this incarnation of Shakti. The term Kaal refers to time or death, while Ratri means night. As a result, she is also referred to as the Goddess who puts an end to darkness. Her complexion is as dark as the night itself and her long untied hair adds to her striking beauty. Covered in bright red blood, she presents her fierce form with a garland of skulls hanging around her neck. Two of her hands hold a thunderbolt and a scimitar, while the other two are in the Abhaya (protecting) and Varada (blessing) positions.

 
Several legends mention the valour of Goddess Kaalratri, the most eminent recount the story of her terrific & indomitable win over Chanda, Munda, and Raktabeej (demon). She was created by Goddess Chandi to bring an end to the chaos created by these demons. Among these demons, Raktabeej was the most challenging to defeat due to the boon he possessed which stated that if a drop of his blood fell to the ground, another lookalike of him would be created from that drop. Enraged at this occurrence, Goddess Kalratri began drinking the blood of every Raktabeej clone. This kept his blood from falling to the ground, and he was eventually killed by Kaalratri. She also brought an end to the chaos of Shumbha and Nishumbha by eliminating them from the world.

The tale of her vigour displays the unstoppable spirit of courage she possesses in her incarnation. The consumption of Raktabeej’s blood is symbolic of overcoming obstacles by accepting them completely, as many times as it is required. We are often instructed to not surround our thoughts much over the obstacle but rather the aim, but it is the thorough acceptance of such obstacles itself which fuels the energy to overcome them.