Navratri 2024 Day 6: Maa Katyayani, Puja Vidhi, Mantra and colour

Navratri 6th Day2024 : Maa Katyayani, Puja Vidhi, Mantra and colour

On Day 6 of Navratri, Maa Durga is worshipped in her fierce form as Maa Katyayani, known for slaying the demon Mahishasura. The sixth day is observed on the Sashti Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwina. In 2024, this falls on October 8. Maa Katyayani, a powerful form of Durga, is celebrated for her role as a destroyer of evil forces and is famously referred to as Mahishasura Mardini.

Aspect	Details
Goddess	Maa Katyayani
Navratri Day	Day 6 (Sashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Ashwina month)
Date (2024)	October 8, 2024
Manifestation	Fierce form of Maa Durga, slayer of the demon Mahishasura (also known as Mahishasura Mardini)
Depiction	Four arms holding a sword, lotus flower, with Abhaya Mudra. She rides a lion and shines like the sun.
Weapons	Trishul (Lord Shiva), Sudarshan Chakra (Lord Vishnu), Conch Shell (Varuna), Bow and Arrow (Vayu), Rosary and Water Pot (Lord Brahma), other weapons from Lord Vishwakarma
Ruler of Planet	Jupiter (Brihaspati)
Special Blessings	Grants wishes, especially for those seeking a life partner
Mantra for Worship	ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥ (Om Devi Katyayani Namaha)
Mantra for Life Partner	कात्यायनी महामाये , महायोगिन्यधीश्वरी। नन्दगोपसुतं देवी, पति मे कुरु ते नमः।। (Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadheeshwari, Nandgopsutam Devipatim Me Kurute Namah..!!)
Puja Vidhi (Worship Procedure)	Morning bath, lighting diya, offering hibiscus flowers, sindoor, fruits, sweets, performing five shringaar, lighting camphor, chanting mantras, breaking fast
Associated Story	Sage Katyayan’s penance for Maa Parvati to be born as his daughter. She is also revered for fulfilling wishes of those seeking Lord Krishna as a partner (Bhagavad Purana).

Who is Maa Katyayani?

Maa Katyayani is the warrior form of Maa Durga, full of power, strength, and divine energy. She was born to eradicate evil from the earth and successfully destroyed the demon Mahishasura. Legends state that all the deities bestowed their weapons upon her:

Lord Shiva gave her his Trishul (trident).
Lord Vishnu provided his Sudarshan Chakra.
Varuna, the deity of water, gave her a conch shell.
Vayu, the wind god, presented her with a bow and arrow.
Lord Brahma offered a rosary and water pot.
Lord Vishwakarma gave her several other weapons.

Maa Katyayani is depicted with four hands. She holds a sword and a lotus flower, while the other two hands are in the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of protection). She rides a lion and shines as brightly as the sun. She is also the ruler of the planet Jupiter (Brihaspati) and is revered for granting wishes and blessings to her devotees.

Birth of Maa Katyayani

According to Hindu scriptures, a sage named Katyayan undertook strict penance to please Maa Parvati, desiring her to be born as his daughter. Pleased by his devotion, Maa Parvati granted his wish and incarnated as his daughter, hence the name Katyayani.

Maa Katyayani and the Story of Lord Krishna

The Bhagavad Purana narrates a story where many young women worshipped Maa Katyayani to have Lord Krishna as their husband. They created a clay idol of the goddess and worshipped her with deep devotion, and she fulfilled their wishes. Thus, Maa Katyayani is also revered as a goddess of marriage, and those seeking a suitable partner often worship her for fulfillment.

Navratri Day 6 Puja Vidhi (Worship Procedure)

Morning Rituals: Wake up early, take a holy bath, and begin your puja.
Lighting a Diya: Light a desi ghee diya (lamp) in front of Maa Durga’s idol.
Offerings: Present fresh hibiscus flowers, vermillion, fruits, and homemade sweets to the goddess.
Shringaar Items: Offer haldi (turmeric), sindoor (vermillion), mehendi (henna), a saree, and a bindi to the goddess. Unmarried women seeking a life partner can especially follow this ritual.
Camphor Offering: Light camphor along with two cloves and present it to the goddess.
Chanting Mantras: Recite mantras dedicated to Maa Durga and Maa Katyayani.
Seek Blessings: Pray for blessings and forgiveness from the divine mother.
Breaking the Fast: Devotees can end their fast after offering Bhog Prasad to the goddess.

Katyayani Mantra

ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
- *Om Devi Katyayani Namaha॥

For seeking a life partner, one can recite the following mantra:

कात्यायनी महामाये , महायोगिन्यधीश्वरी। नन्दगोपसुतं देवी, पति मे कुरु ते नमः।।
- Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadheeshwari, Nandgopsutam Devipatim Me Kurute Namah..!!

This sixth day of Navratri offers an opportunity to connect with the divine energy of Maa Katyayani, asking for her blessings to remove all obstacles and fulfill desires, especially related to finding a life partner.