Maa Katyayani, the fierce and powerful form of Goddess Durga is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. Navratri, the 9 day long festival which is celebrated right after Pitru Paksh and is a 9 day or 10-day long celebration of the supreme feminine power, Maa Durga. 9 forms of Maa Durga, which are known NavDurga are celebrated on each day of Navratri. Maa Katyayani who is worshipped on Day 6 of Navratri, is known as the warrior goddess and she is an emblem of strength, bravery, soldier spirit and victory of truth over deceit. It is a common belief that Maa Katyayani blesses her unmarried female devotees with worthy life partners.
Maa Katyayani: Significance and Origin
Day 6 of Navratri is dedicated to the worship of Maa Katyayani who is considered one of the most dominant and vigorous forms of Maa Durga. She is famously known as the fierce warrior Goddess, and is an epitome of bravery, valour, courage, integrity of the victory of truth and all that is good.
The source of Maa’s name culminates from Rishi (Sage) Katyayan who was a prominent follower and devotee of Maa Durga and he carried out intense tapasya (penance) in order to be blessed with the supreme feminine divinity as his daughter. His penance paid off and Maa was moved by his devotion, and then Maa Durga took the form of Maa Katyayani as Rishi Katyayan’s daughter. As she was the daughter of Rishi Katyayan, she came to be known as Katyayani.
Not only was Rishi (Sage) Katyayan’s wish to have the supreme feminine power as his daughter fulfilled but also had taken birth the destroyer of demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura was a demon who had gained the boon or the blessing that no man will be ever able to kill him. He had even defeated the Devs. To destroy his power and his kingdom and to finish him, Maa Durga was brought to the world.
In her portraits and images Maa Durga is depicted riding a lion and in one of her many hands can be seen a sword and different weapons in other hands as well which symbolizes strength, courage, valour, bravery and intense determination and resolution. Worshipping Maa Katyayani blesses one with strength to overpower inner and outer demons, she also provides positivity and determination to achieve one’s aim.
Since time immemorial it has been seen that unmarried or bachelor girls have been predominantly worshipping Maa Katyayani and seeking her blessings so that they be blessed with suitable husbands. Seeking Maa Katyayani’s blessings and worshipping her blesses the devotees with prosperity, triumph, glory, mental peace, self confidence, peaceful relationships and enlightenment of spirit. Maa Katyayani is the fierce warrior Roop/form of Maa Durga who is the supreme feminine power and thus worshipping her is almost necessity of the day.
It has been mentioned in Bhagavata Purana also, that in Vrindavan the Gopis (unmarries girls) particularly prayed to Maa Katyayani for suitable and ideal husbands like Lord Krishna. It has been a practice in Mathura and Vrindavan to pray to Maa Katyayani to bless them with husband who is just like Lord Krishna.
Puja Vidhi and rituals followed for Maa Katyayani’s Puja
Those following and celebrating Navratri or Durga Puja should wake up early, take bath and then clean their temples /Mandirs or wherever they are performing the puja. Portrait, idol or photo of Maa Katyayani may be placed at the place of worship and a kalash which isa pot filled with holy water or ganga jal be placed in front of the photo or idol. five leave mango leaf and a dry/puja coconut be placed on the kalash.
Red flowers mainly hibiscus and also yellow flowers should be offered to the Goddess in addition to honey, haldi (turmeric), halwa and other home made sweets if possible. Mitti diyas ( earthern lamps) filled with ghee, dhoop and incense sticks should also be lighted.
Chanting the Katyayani mantra and either listening to or reading the Durga Chalisa invoke the blessings of the Maa on the devotees. Maa Katyayanihas an amalgamation of traits like courage and compassion, bravery and empathy, and thus praying to her with full faith brings prosperity, happiness, strength, healthy relationships, inner peace, self-confidence and positivity.
Mantras to be recited for Maa Katyayani
Chanting and reciting the below mentioned mantras are said to please the Goddess and bless those following the puja rituals on Day 6 of Navratri:
- Main Mantra:
“Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah” - Dhyana Mantra:
Chandrahasojjwal Karaa Shardoolvarvaahanaa,
Katyayani Shubham Dadaad Devi Daanavghatini. - Katyayani Vrata Mantra (for marriage):
Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadheeshwari,
Nanda Gopasutam Devi Patim Me Kuru Te Namah.
It is believed that if unmarried young girls chant the 3rd Mantra they will be blessed with husband like Lord Krishna and will have a happy married life.
Colour of the Day
The colour associated with the sixth day of Navratri and Maa Katyayani is Grey. The colour grey is a very neutral, balanced colour and thus wearing it on this day will bring balance and clarity in thoughts and in life. Just like Maa Katyayani who is a balance and amalgamation of qualities and strength and sympathy, valour and compassion, in the same way if one adorns grey coloured clothes on Day 6 of Navratri and prays to Maa, they can also bring balance and composure in their lives.
Conclusion
Maa Katyayani is the epitome of supreme divinity and feminine power. Followers and believers pray to her on the sixth day of Navratri with faith and belief that Maa will bless them with strength, divinity, confidence, courage to overcome outer obstacles and inner demons, maintain balanced healthy relationships and a positive and balance approach to life.
It has always been seen that praying to aa Katyayani has been a driving agent to conquer anxiety, fearfulness, insecurity, anger and panic. Maa Katyayani blesses her devotees with strong will power, determination, strength, decisive, discipline and balance. She has since ages been the favorite and the revered Goddess of unmarried females to attain the divine Lord Krishna like husbands.
Good read, wish similar on other festival