Chaitra Navratri is an auspicious festival widely celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. The nine-day celebration honours Maa Durga and her nine forms, known as Navadurgas, which include Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmcharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandmata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Sidhidatri.
During the festival, devotees worship Maa Durga and her nine forms, fast, consume satvik food, and ask for the goddess’s blessings. Today, we will talk about the sixth form of the Goddess Katyayani.
Who is Goddess Katyayani?
The sixth day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Katyayani, the warrior Goddess who embodies the most intense form of Goddess Durga. She is also referred to as Mahishasur Mardini, meaning “the destroyer of the demon Mahishasur.” Devi Katyayani is depicted seated on a majestic lion adorned with four arms.
Which colour is followed on Navratri Day 6?
Green is the colour that is designated for the sixth day of Chaitra Navratri. This colour represents tranquility, nature, growth, hope and fertility. On the sixth day of the auspicious festival, devotees should wear green clothes and offer green flowers to the goddess for divine blessings.
Maa Katyayani | Pinterest
Puja Vidhi of Maa Katyayani
On auspicious days, devotees should wake up early, clean their houses with Ganga Jal, and take a bath before sunrise. Clean the area of the temple and create an asan for Goddess Katyayani. Put a green plain cloth on the asan and place the goddess’s idol on it.
Start worshipping the goddess by lighting a diya using desi ghee in front of the idol. Present traditional offerings such as betel leaves (paan), areca nut (supari), cloves (laung), honey, and cardamom (elaichi). After all this, offer coconut and different types of fruits which is available to you.
Devotees should offer a green color chunari to the goddess idol and bhog prashad, including curd, makhana kheer, halwa, and sweets. Enchant the goddess mantra and perform aarti to seek the goddess’ blessings.
Maa Katyayani Mantra
The mantra of Katyayani is “ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः.” You can also chant another mantra of Devi, which is “कात्यायनी शुभं दद्यादेवी दानवघातिनी” which means “O Goddess Katyayani, please bestow your auspicious blessings upon me, you are the (ferocious) destroyer of demons.” At last, recite Durga Chalisa and Durga Saptashati.
