Navratri is a sacred festival devoted to worshiping the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Devotees express their reverence in various ways, often by observing fasts. On the sixth day of Navratri, Goddess Katyayani is venerated, and this year, her worship falls on 08 October, 2024.
Navratri Day Six: Puja and Rituals
On this day, devotees pay their respects to Goddess Katyayani by placing a wooden plank covered in red cloth and installing an idol of Katyayani Maa. Offerings include fresh flowers, vermilion, fruits, lit diyas, forehead bindi, homemade sweets, and the five shringaar items (turmeric, sindoor, mehendi, saree, bindi) as part of a heartfelt prayer. A camphor lamp is lit and offered to the Goddess, followed by aarti dedicated to Goddess Durga and Maa Katyayani. This is an occasion to seek blessings and forgiveness from the divine mother.
Maa Katyayani Puja Dates 2024
Maa Katyayini Puja will be held on October 8, 2024, as part of the Navratri festivities. This day honors the fierce and warrior aspect of Goddess Katyayini, who symbolizes strength and courage. Red is the associated color for this day, representing power and energy. Devotees will offer prayers and perform rituals to seek her blessings for protection and the removal of obstacles during this auspicious occasion.
History of Goddess Katyayani
According to Hindu scriptures, there was a sage named Katyayan, an ardent devotee of Maa Parvati. Sage Katyayan undertook rigorous penance, fervently praying to the Gods for Maa Parvati to be born as his daughter. Pleased by his devotion, Goddess Parvati fulfilled his wish and took birth as his daughter, named Katyayani. She is depicted riding a lion and possessing four arms. In her left arms, she holds a lotus and a sword, while her right hands are raised in blessings.
Hindu texts and Vedas suggest that devotees worship Goddess Katyayani as she symbolizes courage, knowledge, and strength. It is believed that worshiping her imparts inner strength.
Hindu tradition tells us that unmarried girls often observe the Katyayani Vratha for a month to gain the blessings of a good husband. During this time, Goddess Katyayani is worshiped regularly with offerings of flowers, prayers, and sandalwood.
In Hindu beliefs, Goddess Katyayani holds a special place for female devotees. During Pongal in Tamil Nadu, young girls worship the Goddess for prosperity and good fortune. Worshiping Goddess Katyayani is believed to dispel negativity from the lives of her devotees.
Goddess Katyayani Mantra
ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah॥
Maa Katyayani Prarthana
चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद् देवी दानवघातिनी॥
Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana।
Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini॥
Stotra of Maa Katyayani
कञ्चनाभां वराभयं पद्मधरा मुकटोज्जवलां।
स्मेरमुखी शिवपत्नी कात्यायनेसुते नमोऽस्तुते॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
सिंहस्थिताम् पद्महस्तां कात्यायनसुते नमोऽस्तुते॥
परमानन्दमयी देवी परब्रह्म परमात्मा।
परमशक्ति, परमभक्ति, कात्यायनसुते नमोऽस्तुते॥
विश्वकर्ती, विश्वभर्ती, विश्वहर्ती, विश्वप्रीता।
विश्वाचिन्ता, विश्वातीता कात्यायनसुते नमोऽस्तुते॥
कां बीजा, कां जपानन्दकां बीज जप तोषिते।
कां कां बीज जपदासक्ताकां कां सन्तुता॥
कांकारहर्षिणीकां धनदाधनमासना।
कां बीज जपकारिणीकां बीज तप मानसा॥
कां कारिणी कां मन्त्रपूजिताकां बीज धारिणी।
कां कीं कूंकै क: ठ: छ: स्वाहारूपिणी॥
Kanchanabha Varabhayam Padmadhara Mukatojjavalam।
Smeramukhi Shivapatni Katyayanesute Namoastute॥
Patambara Paridhanam Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Simhasthitam, Padmahastam Katyayanasute Namoastute॥
Paramanandamayi Devi Parabrahma Paramatma।
Paramashakti, Paramabhakti, Katyayanasute Namoastute॥
Vishwakarti, Vishwabharti, Vishwaharti, Vishwaprita।
Vishwachinta, Vishwatita Katyayanasute Namoastute॥
Kam Bija, Kam Japanandakam Bija Japa Toshite।
Kam Kam Bijam Japadasaktakam Kam Santuta॥
Kamkaraharshinikam Dhanadadhanamasana।
Kam Bija Japakarinikam Bija Tapa Manasa॥
Kam Karini Kam Mantrapujitakam Bija Dharini।
Kam Kim Kumkai Kah Thah Chah Swaharupini॥
Mythology of Goddess Katyayani
According to Shiva Mahapurana and Hindu mythology, there was a formidable demon named Mahishasura, endowed with immense mental and physical strength. His aim was to annihilate the Earth and all its beings, including the creators. In response, Goddess Parvati took on the form of Goddess Katyayani, another incarnation of Goddess Durga. She harnessed her immense strength to confront Mahishasura and protect the Earth. When he transformed into a buffalo, Goddess Katyayani leaped from her lion and vanquished the demon by thrusting her Trishul into his throat. This heroic act earned her the title of Warrior Goddess and Savior of the Earth.
Significance of Goddess Katyayani
Goddess Katyayani represents one of the fiercest forms of Maa Durga. She was born to vanquish evil, and her four arms symbolize her holding a potent sword, a delicate lotus, and her fourth hand is raised in Abhaya Mudra, bestowing blessings upon her devotees. She embodies strength, energy, and the spirit to battle against demons. She governs the planet Jupiter and is renowned as the supreme giver. Unmarried girls who worship Goddess Katyayani with the desire for a suitable husband receive her blessings to fulfill their dreams. Married individuals encountering difficulties in their married lives may offer prayers to the Goddess for resolution.
Conclusion
On the sixth day of Navratri, worship of Goddess Katyayani removes obstacles in the path of love and blesses devotees with fruitful, happy marriages. She is one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga and is predominantly revered during the nine days of Navratri.
