Kalaratri (sometimes spelled Kaalratri) is the seventh of the nine Navadurga forms of the mother Goddess Mahadevi. She is first referenced in the Devi Mahatmya. Kalaratri is one of the fearsome forms of the Mother 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 oral transmission possible to be dated to a much earlier time period, but impossible to verify). Kaalratri is traditionally worshipped during the nine nights of Navratri celebrations. The seventh day of Navratri pooja (Hindu prayer ritual) in particular is dedicated to her and she is considered the fiercest form of the Mother Goddess, her appearance itself invoking fear. This form of Goddess is believed to be the destroyer of all demon entities, ghosts, evil spirits and negative energies, who flee upon knowing of her arrival. The Saudhikagama, an ancient Tantric text from Orissa referenced in the Silpa Prakasha, describes Goddess Kalaratri as being the goddess that rules the night portion of every day and night. She is also associated with the crown chakra (also known as the sahasrara chakra), thereby giving the invoker, siddhis and niddhis (particularly, knowledge, power and wealth). Kaalratri is also known as Shubankari (शुभंकरी) - meaning auspicious/doing good in Sanskrit, due to the belief that she always provides auspicious results to her devotees. Hence, it is believed that she makes her devotees fearless. Other less well-known names of Goddess Kaalratri include Raudri and Dhumorna. Scriptural References Mahabharata One of the earlier references to Goddess Kaalratri is found in the Mahabharata (dated by the text itself to have occurred between 3137 BC - 3067 BC but not believed to have been actually written down until, at the earliest the late 5th century, with additions and alterations continuing on through the 1st century BCE), specifically in the Sauptika Parva (Book of Sleeping), the tenth book of eighteen Parva epic. Post the historic battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas, Ashwatthama, the son of Dronacharya vows to avenge the death of his father. Going against the rules of war in the stealth of the night, he creeps into the Kuru camp dominated by the followers of the