The sixth day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani. She is one of the well-known incarnations of Goddess Durga. This bold and beautiful roop of Maa Durga is seen sitting on the lion, wearing pink saree with a rosary around the neck. She is seen having three eyes and four hands. The idol is depicted with the left hands holding a sword and lotus; whereas the right hands are in Abhayamudrā and Varadamudra hand gestures. Abhayamudrā indicates the gesture of fearlessness; and Varadamudra indicates showering of blessings. She is believed to provide strength needed to knock down negativity from the devotee’s life, and helps bring positivity. By worshipping Her, the devotee enters the ‘Āgyā Chakra’, the chakra on forehead, also known as the third-eye chakra. This chakra is the centre of clarity and wisdom, and after entering this chakra, the devotee can achieve a divine level of satisfaction. Single women, who are looking for a husband, commonly worship Maa Katyayani as She is often known to remove hurdles that are obstructing the marriage.

MYTHOLOGICAL STORY

Rishi Katya was born in the family of a sage, Maharishi Kat; and as a part of his extended family, a well-known rishi took birth as Rishi Katyayan. Rishi Katyayan was a great admirer of Goddess Bhagwati (roop of MaaDurga) and conducted difficult penance to please Maa Bhagwati. He requested Her to take birth as his daughter. Goddess Bhagwati, when pleased with his devotion, granted the rishi his wish and took birth as his daughter. Once upon a time, a demon Mahishasur began troubling the inhabitants of BrahmaaLok. Seeing the destruction caused by him, all the Lords (Lord Vishnu, Lord Bramha, Lord Shiva) requested Maa Bhagwati to destroy the demon. Hearing this, Maa Durga took the responsibility to put a full stop on the torments of demon Mahishasur. Devi Katyayani (a form of Maa Bhagwati who took birth as the daughter of Rishi Katyayan), successfully destroyed the evils and got famous as a manifestation of Maa Durga.

COLOR DEDICATED TO MAA KATYAYANI Mata Katyayani is always seen dressed in a beautiful pink saree. Devotees are advised to wear red color on this auspicious day. HOW TO OFFER PUJA TO MAA KATYAYANI

By worshipping this roop of Maa Durga, the devotee can get positivity and fulfillment in life.

    • The devotee, after bathing and cleaning the puja ghar, should apply red sindoor on the idol of Maa Durga.
    • The devotee, while sitting towards the northeast direction, should chant the following mantra 108 times, to experience spiritual bliss.

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:

  • The Ghatsthapna urn should be watered regularly (the small grasses can be seen in the urn, which enhances the positivity in house).
  • The akhand jyoti should be kept burning until the 9th day.
  • Many devotees perform Yagya, on each day of Navratri, in the morning to remove the negativity from their houses.

|| …JAI MAA KATYAYANI… ||