Navratri, the nine-day festival of devotion to Goddess Durga, celebrates her nine divine forms known as Navadurga. On the sixth day, devotees worship Maa Katyayani, the warrior goddess known for destroying the demon Mahishasura. She represents shakti (power), courage, and victory over evil.
The name Katyayani comes from the sage Katyayana, who performed intense penance and received the blessing that the goddess would be born as his daughter. She later took the fierce form to slay the demon Mahishasura.
Navratri Day 6 is especially important for young unmarried girls who worship Maa Katyayani for early and happy marriage. Married women seek her blessings for a harmonious relationship, while all devotees pray for courage and freedom from fear.
Maa Katyayani – Iconography and Symbolism
Maa Katyayani is depicted with:
- Four arms – carrying a sword and lotus, while blessing devotees with Abhaya (fearlessness) and Varada (boon-giving) mudras.
- Radiant form – glowing like gold, symbolizing divine energy.
- Riding a lion – representing fearlessness and power to conquer evil.
- Fierce expression – denoting her warrior aspect against injustice.
Her worship reminds devotees to cultivate inner strength, confidence, and courage to fight life’s difficulties.
Navratri 2025 Day 6 Puja Vidhi (Worship Rituals)
Here is the step-by-step puja vidhi for worshipping Maa Katyayani on Day 6:
- Purification – Begin the day by taking a holy bath and wearing clean clothes in the auspicious colour of the day.
- Prepare the altar – Place Maa Katyayani’s idol or picture on a clean red/yellow cloth. Decorate with flowers, kumkum, and incense sticks.
- Kalash Sthapana – If following traditional Navratri rituals, offer water, mango leaves, and a coconut on a kalash.
- Invocation (Dhyana) – Meditate upon Maa Katyayani, visualizing her radiant golden form on a lion.
- Offerings (Naivedya) – Offer fresh flowers, kumkum, fruits, honey, jaggery, and the special bhog of Day 6.
- Chanting of Mantras – Recite Maa Katyayani mantras with devotion.
- Aarti – Perform aarti with camphor and lamps while singing devotional hymns.
- Distribution of Prasad – Share the bhog as prasad with family and devotees.
Maa Katyayani Mantras
Chanting mantras dedicated to Maa Katyayani invokes her blessings of courage and marital harmony.
1. Main Katyayani Mantra
ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah॥
2. Katyayani Beej Mantra
कात्यायनी महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि।
नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः॥
Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadheeshwari,
Nandagopasutam Devi Patim Me Kuru Te Namah॥
This mantra is especially chanted by unmarried girls to seek a good husband, just as the gopis of Vrindavan prayed for Lord Krishna.
3. Dhyana Mantra
चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद्देवी दानवघातिनी॥
Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana,
Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghātinī॥
Significance of Navratri Day 6
The worship of Maa Katyayani holds immense importance:
- Remover of Obstacles – She helps overcome obstacles in life and blesses devotees with courage.
- Blessings for Marriage – Unmarried girls worship her for a good life partner, while married women pray for marital harmony.
- Destroyer of Evil – She represents the power of truth and dharma, destroying negativity and injustice.
- Spiritual Growth – She awakens the inner strength required for spiritual progress.
- Planetary Influence – Worshipping Maa Katyayani is believed to remove the malefic effects of the planet Jupiter (Guru Graha).
Colour of the Day – Navratri 2025 Day 6
Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific colour. On Day 6, the auspicious colour is usually yellow (in 2025 as per Panchang).
- Yellow symbolizes knowledge, wisdom, and positivity.
- Devotees wear yellow clothes to attract blessings of Maa Katyayani.
- Temples and homes are decorated with yellow flowers like marigold.
Bhog for Maa Katyayani
Maa Katyayani is fond of honey. Offering honey as bhog on Day 6 is considered very auspicious. Devotees also prepare and offer:
- Honey-based sweets
- Fruits, jaggery, and sugarcane
- Herbal drinks and milk-based dishes
It is believed that offering honey ensures the devotee’s life is filled with sweetness and free from bitterness.
How to Celebrate Navratri Day 6 in 2025
- Temple Visits – Visit Durga temples and offer flowers and honey.
- Kumari Pujan – Worship young girls symbolizing goddess energy.
- Fasting – Many devotees observe fast, consuming fruits, milk, and sattvic food.
- Group Aarti & Bhajans – Collective chanting of hymns creates divine vibrations.
- Charity – Donate food, clothes, and sweets to the needy, as Maa Katyayani is pleased with acts of kindness.
Spiritual Benefits of Worshipping Maa Katyayani
- Inner strength to face challenges.
- Removal of fear, anxiety, and negativity.
- Peaceful married life and resolution of relationship issues.
- Protection from evil forces.
- Fulfillment of righteous desires.
Conclusion
Navratri Day 6 dedicated to Maa Katyayani is a celebration of courage, positivity, and righteousness. By performing the puja vidhi, chanting her mantras, wearing the colour of the day, and offering the sacred bhog of honey, devotees invite divine blessings into their lives. Maa Katyayani inspires us to stand strong against injustice, cultivate inner power, and live a life filled with harmony and light.
Let this Navratri 2025 be an opportunity to connect with the warrior goddess and embrace the strength within.