Goddess Nirrita is a Hindu Goddess. Nirrita means ‘destruction’ or ‘misery’. The other names of Nirrita are Nirrti and Nirritu. As mentioned in the Vedas, Goddess Nirrita is born to the cow goddess Surabhi. Nirrita is also the Goddess of Death and Disease. Her spouse is Destroyer of All Things, ‘Adharma’. Rakshasas and Rakshasis are the children born to her. People worship her to eliminate disease.
She is known to be the goddess of corruption and death and is considered to be the guardian of the south west direction. Her name appears in one of the hymns of the Rig Veda. This deity manifests herself in death, decay, cowardice, need, old age and anger. Goddess Nirrita represents the dark side to the Vedic vision of feminine divinity. As per the Taittiriya Brahmana she is dark in color and dresses in dark clothing.
Nirrita is related to pain and generally kept away from regular affairs people follow. She is also related to sacrifice for which offerings are made to her. In another description in the Atharva Veda, she has golden colored hair. As per the Shatapatha Brahmana her region is the south west corner. It is believed that Nirrita resides in the south direction which is the kingdom of the dead.
Black clothing is worn by worshippers and black ornaments are used while worshipping her during the ceremony. Nirrita Goddess is believed to mete out punishment to the wrong doers. If anyone remains ethical and has yet committed a crime, then also she offers protection, it is believed.
