Maa Katyayani is the sixth of the nine Navadurga forms. She is the warrior goddess of Navratri Day 6. In 2026, devotees worship her on Friday, 16 October, on Ashwin Shukla Shashthi. She has four arms, carries a sword and a lotus, and rides a lion. Devotees wear green, offer honey, and chant Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah.
The 6th day of Navratri belongs to Maa Katyayani, a goddess whose very roar shakes the heavens. Born out of the prayers of Rishi Katyayan and the despair of the gods. She came into this world not to nurture, but to fight. She is the Devi with a lion as her Vahan and brought Mahishasura’s terror to an end.
Fierce, radiant, and unstoppable, Maa Katyayani is worshipped as both a destroyer of evil and a grantor of blessings to her devotees with marriage, love, and harmony. A rare balance of fierce protection and gentle compassion.
Her very presence is enough to drive fear into the darkest forces of the universe. Yet, in the same heart, she carries motherly compassion. That balance of strength and tenderness is what makes Maa Katyayani so deeply revered.
Key Takeaways
- Maa Katyayani is the sixth Navadurga form and the Navratri Day 6 goddess.
- Her name points to Sage Katyayana, and the Amarakosha lists Katyayani as a name of Parvati.
- She has four arms, holds a sword and a lotus, and rides a lion.
- The Navratri Day 6 colour 2026 is green, and the bhog is honey.
- The gopis’ Katyayani Vrat in the Bhagavata Purana (10.22) explains her link with marriage prayers.
Day 6 of Navratri at a Glance
| Detail | Answer |
| Goddess | Maa Katyayani, sixth of the nine Navadurga |
| नवरात्रि का छठा दिन (Day 6) | Friday, 16 October 2026 (Ashwin Shukla Shashthi) |
| Navratri Day 6 colour 2026 | Green (Friday) |
| Arms | Four |
| Mount | Lion |
| Held in her hands | Sword and lotus, with the gestures of boon and fearlessness |
| Navratri Day 6 bhog | Honey |
| Maa Katyayani mantra (simple chant) | Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah |
| Tradition links her with | Jupiter (Guru) and the Ajna chakra |
| Famous vrat | The gopis’ Katyayani Vrat, Bhagavata Purana 10.22 |
| Scripture for her place in the nine forms | Devi Kavacha, verses 3 to 5 |
Make sure to confirm the Shashthi tithi timing with your local panchang. The Sharad Navratri 2026 guide explains the full calendar.
Who Is Maa Katyayani? Meaning, Name and Form
Maa Katyayani is the warrior form of Adi Shakti, worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. The Devi Kavacha lists her sixth among the Navadurga:
Panchamam Skandamateti, shashtham Katyayaniti cha.
What is the meaning of Katyayani?
Katyayani is the feminine form of Katyayana. Katyayana means a descendant of Kata. So the name points to the Devi as Sage Katyayana’s daughter. The name is very old. The Amarakosha, the classic Sanskrit lexicon, lists Katyayani among the names of Parvati. The Yajurveda’s Taittiriya Aranyaka also invokes her in the Durga Gayatri:
Katyayanaya vidmahe kanyakumari dhimahi.
Tanno Durgih prachodayat.
Meaning: We know Katyayani. We meditate on the maiden Kanyakumari. May Durga inspire us.
Taittiriya Aranyaka 10.1.7 (Mahanarayana Upanishad),
Who was Sage Katyayana?
Sage Katyayana is a rishi of the Kata lineage. Puranic tradition says he performed tapas to seek Devi as his daughter. Several figures bear this name. They include the author of the Katyayana Shrauta Sutra and the commentator on Panini’s grammar. Whether the Puranic sage matches any of them is uncertain.
Why is Maa Durga called Katyayani?
Tradition says Maa Durga took birth as Sage Katyayana’s daughter, so devotees call her Katyayani. Puranic tellings give the Maa Katyayani story in detail. The Devi Mahatmya does not use this name in the Mahishasura battle.
Maa Katyayani form: how many arms does she have?
Maa Katyayani has four arms. Her left hands carry a sword and a lotus. Her right hands show the abhaya mudra and the varada mudra, the gestures of fearlessness and boons. She has a golden complexion and three eyes.
| Symbol | Interpretation |
| Sword | Courage that cuts through ignorance and evil |
| Lotus | Compassion that stays pure in battle |
| Abhaya mudra | The promise of protection |
| Varada mudra | The gift of blessings |
| Lion | Fearless strength |
Why does Maa Katyayani ride a lion and carry a sword?
The lion is the Devi’s traditional mount. In the Devi Mahatmya, chapter 2, Himavan gifts her a lion. The prarthana names her sword, the Chandrahasa. Teachers read the lion as courage and the sword as discernment.
Is Maa Katyayani the Same as Mahishasura Mardini?
Yes, in devotional tradition. Devotees identify Maa Katyayani with Mahishasura Mardini, the slayer of Mahishasura. The Devi Mahatmya narrates the battle without using the name Katyayani. Later Puranic texts link the two names. So the Maa Katyayani form in the Mahishasura story is a devotional identification. It is not directly quoted from the Devi Mahatmya.
Why Do Devotees Link Maa Katyayani With Marriage?
Devotees link Maa Katyayani with marriage because of the gopis’ vrat. In the Bhagavata Purana (10.22), they prayed to her for Bhagwan Shri Krishna as their husband. Devotees later adopted her as the Devi of marriage prayers. The Maa Katyayani significance for marriage comes from this vrat.
The Katyayani Mahamaye mantra
The gopis’ prayer is the famous Katyayani Mahamaye mantra. It sits in Bhagavata Purana 10.22.4:
कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि ।
नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नम: ।
Katyayani mahamaye mahayoginy-adhishvari.
Nanda-gopa-sutam devi patim me kuru te namah.
O Katyayani, great Maya, great yogini, supreme Devi, make Nanda Gopa’s son my husband. I bow to you.
So the answer to “Is the Katyayani marriage mantra from the Bhagavata Purana?” is yes. The verse names Bhagwan Shri Krishna. Devotees today adapt it as a general prayer for a life partner. That adaptation is a devotional practice.
Can unmarried and married women worship Maa Katyayani?
Yes. Unmarried women follow the gopis’ example and pray for a life partner. Married women pray for family harmony and strength. Men and children can worship her too. No text restricts her worship.
But please keep that in mind that no vrat or mantra guarantees a marriage. Marriage depends on many factors. Treat the Maa Katyayani Vrat as a devotional practice, not a promise.
What Is Maa Katyayani Vrat?
The Maa Katyayani Vrat is a devotional vow to Maa Katyayani. Its model is the gopis’ month-long worship in the Bhagavata Purana. Many unmarried women observe a shorter Katyayani Vrat on Navratri Day 6.
The gopis’ version had a clear routine. They rose before dawn and bathed in the Yamuna. They made a sand image of the Devi and worshipped her with simple offerings. And, repeated the prayer daily for the whole month.
Modern families adapt this to home life. They fast or eat simply, worship Maa Katyayani in the morning, and chant the Mahamaye mantra. Practices vary by region and family. The Katyayani Vrat remains a personal vow, so each household chooses its own form.
Which Goddess Do Devotees Worship on नवरात्रि का छठा दिन?
Devotees worship Maa Katyayani on the sixth day of Navratri. In Hindi: नवरात्रि का छठा दिन मां कात्यायनी को समर्पित है. The Devi Kavacha lists her sixth, and the Shashthi tithi marks the sixth day.
The sequence also tells a story. Day 5 shows Maa Skandamata nurturing a child. Day 6 shows Maa Katyayani rising to protect the world. So in Maa Katyayani Navratri tradition, care leads to courage. The Maa Katyayani katha above shows this order at work.
Maa Katyayani Puja Vidhi: How to Worship Her at Home?
Begin with a clean puja space and a steady mind. Then offer red flowers, honey, mantra, and aarti. This Maa Katyayani puja vidhi follows a common North Indian method. Maa Katyayani Navratri worship needs no priest, so any family can do it at home.
What samagri do you need for Maa Katyayani puja?
- The kalash and barley tray from Ghatasthapana
- An image or murti of Maa Katyayani or Maa Durga
- Red flowers, roli, akshat, and chandan
- A ghee diya, incense, and camphor
- Honey, halwa, and fruit for bhog
Which flowers should you offer Maa Katyayani?
Red hibiscus and red roses suit a warrior goddess. Yellow marigold and white jasmine also work. No primary text cited here fixes the flower.
Step-by-step Maa Katyayani puja vidhi
- Bathe before sunrise and wear clean green or red clothes.
- Water the barley, refill the diya, and clear the puja space.
- Place an image or murti of Maa Katyayani beside the kalash.
- Invoke Shri Ganesh first. Then take a sankalp, a spoken resolve to complete the puja.
- Offer red flowers, roli, akshat, and chandan.
- Light a ghee diya and show incense.
- Recite the dhyan mantra, then chant the mantra 108 times.
- Offer honey and a sweet as bhog.
- Perform aarti, then share the prasad with the family.
Can you worship Maa Katyayani without fasting?
Yes. Puja does not require a fast. Fasting is a personal vow that families choose. Bhagavad Gita 6.16 warns against both over-eating and over-fasting. People with health conditions should ask a doctor before fasting.
Can you worship Maa Katyayani at night?
Yes. Navratri means nine nights, and many families hold evening aarti and night-time jagrans. Morning puja is the common practice. No primary text cited here forbids an evening puja.
What should you do if you miss Maa Katyayani puja?
Offer the puja later the same day. Keep it short: light a diya, offer a flower, and chant her mantra. In Bhagavad Gita 9.26, Bhagwan Shri Krishna accepts a leaf, flower, fruit, or water from a devotee. Sincerity matters more than the hour.
What should you do on the sixth day of Navratri?
- Wear green or red and begin the day with Maa’s puja.
- Offer honey as the Navratri Day 6 bhog and share it as prasad.
- Follow the Maa Katyayani puja vidhi above, in your own way.
- Read or listen to the Navratri Day 6 katha with the family.
Maa Katyayani Mantra: Dhyan Mantra, Beej Mantra and Prayers
Devotees worship Maa Katyayani with different mantras and prayers during Navratri. Some are simple nama mantras, while others are traditional dhyana verses, stutis, or scriptural prayers. Their wording and use can vary across traditions, so it is better to treat them according to their source rather than calling every Katyayani chant a single “main mantra.”
Simple Maa Katyayani Mantra
For a simple devotional chant, devotees commonly recite:
ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah.
A simple meaning is: I bow to Goddess Katyayani.
Repeat it 108 times with a mala, or as often as you can. This chant needs no guru’s initiation, so every devotee can use it.
Maa Katyayani Dhyana Mantra
A commonly recited dhyana verse for Maa Katyayani is:
वन्दे वाञ्छित मनोरथार्थं चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहारूढां चतुर्भुजां कात्यायनीं यशस्विनीम्॥
स्वर्णवर्णाम् आज्ञाचक्रस्थितां षष्ठं दुर्गां त्रिनेत्राम्।
वराभीतकरां खड्गपद्मधरां कात्यायनसुतां भजामि॥
Vande vanchhita manorathartham chandrardha-krita-shekharam,
Simharudham chaturbhujam Katyayanim yashasvinim.
Svarnavarnam ajna-chakra-sthitam shashtham Durgam trinetram,
Varabhita-karam khadga-padma-dharam Katyayana-sutam bhajami.
The dhyan mantra means this. I bow to Maa Katyayani, who fulfils her devotees’ wishes and wears a half-moon as her crest. She rides a lion, has four arms, and shines with glory. Her complexion is golden, and she dwells at the Ajna chakra. She has three eyes. Her hands grant boons and fearlessness and bear a sword and a lotus. I worship Katyayana’s daughter.
Maa Katyayani Prarthana
One of the commonly recited prayers for Maa Katyayani is:
चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद् देवी दानवघातिनी॥
Chandrahasojjvalakara shardulavaravahana,
Katyayani shubham dadyad Devi danavaghātini.
Meaning: The prayer asks Maa Katyayani to bless the devotee with auspiciousness. It praises her as the Goddess whose hand shines with the Chandrahasa sword and who destroys demonic forces.
This verse is widely used as a Katyayani prarthana in Navratri worship. It is also preserved in the Rishikrita Katyayani Stuti tradition.
Maa Katyayani beej mantra
ॐ क्लीं कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
Om Kleem Katyayanyai Namah.
Many traditions advise taking beej mantras from a guru. If you have no guru, use the simple chant above.
Katyayani Mahamaye Mantra
कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि।
नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः॥
Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginy Adhishvari,
Nanda-gopa-sutam Devi patim me kuru te namah.
It means: O Goddess Katyayani, O Mahamaya, O great Yogini, O supreme ruler, please make the son of Nanda my husband. I offer my obeisance to you.
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Stuti
You can also recite the following verse from the Devi Mahatmya, where Devi is praised as the embodiment of faith:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु श्रद्धारूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shraddharupena Samsthita,
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.
Its meaning is: I bow again and again to the Goddess who abides in all beings in the form of faith.
Maa Katyayani Bhog: What to Offer on Day 6
Offer honey to Maa Katyayani. Tradition names honey as her favourite bhog. No primary text cited here prescribes the Maa Katyayani bhog, so it rests on devotional tradition. The Navratri Day 6 bhog also includes halwa, kheer, and fruit.
Why is honey offered to Maa Katyayani?
Tradition names honey as her bhog, and no primary text gives a reason. Honey also forms part of madhuparka, the offering for an honoured guest. The Grihya Sutras describe it. Many devotees see honey as a symbol of sweetness in life and relationships. That reading is an interpretation.
Bhog for fasting households
Keep the Maa Katyayani bhog simple if your family fasts. Honey, fruit, and makhana kheer all suit a fast. Use rock salt, never table salt, in any savoury offering. Health note: do not give honey to infants under 12 months. People with diabetes should take only a small taste of sweet prasad.
Maa Katyayani Aarti
Devotees sing the Maa Katyayani aarti after the bhog, with a lit ghee diya. The aarti praises her sword, her lion, and her victory over Mahishasura. Many families sing मां कात्यायनी की आरती together.
मां कात्यायनी की आरती
जय जय अंबे जय कात्यायनी।
जय जगमाता जग की महारानी॥
बैजनाथ स्थान तुम्हारा।
वहाँ वरदाती नाम पुकारा॥
कई नाम हैं कई धाम हैं।
यह स्थान भी तो सुखधाम है॥
हर मंदिर में जोत तुम्हारी।
कहीं योगेश्वरी महिमा न्यारी॥
हर जगह उत्सव होते रहते।
हर मंदिर में भक्त हैं कहते॥
कात्यायनी रक्षक काया की।
ग्रंथि काटे मोह माया की॥
झूठे मोह से छुड़ानेवाली।
अपना नाम जपानेवाली॥
बृहस्पतिवार को पूजा करियो।
ध्यान कात्यायनी का धरियो॥
हर संकट को दूर करेगी।
भंडारे भरपूर करेगी॥
जो भी माँ को भक्त पुकारे।
कात्यायनी सब कष्ट निवारे॥
How to perform the Maa Katyayani aarti?
Ring a small bell and fold your hands. Move the lit diya in a clockwise circle before the image of Maa. Keep singing until the circle ends. Then bow, take the prasad, and share it with everyone present.
Navratri Day 6 Colour 2026: Green
The Navratri Day 6 colour 2026 is green. The colour follows the weekday, and 16 October is a Friday.
| Year | Day 6 date | Weekday | Colour |
| 2025 | 27 September | Saturday | Grey |
| 2026 | 16 October | Friday | Green |
No scripture prescribes this colour, so the custom is modern and optional. Many devotees prefer red for a warrior goddess. Both choices work. Green suits the barley shoots that now stand tall in the kalash tray.
Maa Katyayani Significance: What She Stands For?
The Maa Katyayani significance in Navratri rests on three ideas: courage, protection, and devotion. She ends tyranny, protects her devotees, and answers a heartfelt prayer. This Maa Katyayani form shows that strength and compassion belong together.
What should devotees pray for on Maa Katyayani day?
Devotees pray for courage, protection, family harmony, and a good life partner. These are devotional beliefs. They are not guarantees, and they do not replace medical, legal, or personal counsel.
Astrological and chakra associations
Jyotish tradition links Maa Katyayani with Jupiter (Guru), the planet associated with marriage prospects. Yogic and tantric traditions link her with the Ajna chakra, the third-eye chakra between the eyebrows. The dhyan mantra names this chakra. These are traditional associations, not scientific claims.
Four Myths and Facts of Maa Katyayani
- Myth: The Devi Mahatmya calls the Mahishasura slayer Katyayani. Fact: The link between the names comes from later Puranic texts.
- Myth: The Katyayani marriage mantra is a general Vedic mantra. Fact: It is the gopis’ prayer in Bhagavata Purana 10.22.4.
- Myth: Only unmarried women can worship her. Fact: No text restricts her worship.
- Myth: Red is her fixed colour every year. Fact: The Day 6 colour follows the weekday.
Conclusion
Day 6 of Navratri reminds us that Maa Katyayani is both a warrior and a mother. She is fierce against injustice, yet endlessly loving towards her devotees. She shows us that real strength comes from a place of balance: courage with calm, power with compassion.
But Navratri is a journey, and tomorrow it takes us into another divine form of Maa Durga. On Day 7, we will meet Maa Kalaratri, the most fearsome roop of Adi Shakti. But why is she known as the night of time? Why do even demons tremble at just her name? And how can her terrifying form actually bring peace, protection, and liberation to devotees?
Stay with us – the mysteries of Maa Kalaratri will unfold in the next chapter of this sacred journey.
FAQs about Maa Katyayani and Day 6 of Navratri
The simple Maa Katyayani Mantra, Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah, is a general devotional chant addressed to Maa Katyayani. The Katyayani Mahamaye Mantra comes from Bhagavata Purana 10.22.4 and is specifically the prayer of the gopis, asking Maa Katyayani to grant them Krishna as their husband.
No. The full Katyayani Vrat described in the Bhagavata Purana was a month-long practice observed by the gopis. Modern devotees may adapt the practice to their circumstances, including simply chanting the prayer as part of their regular worship. The blog does not present the month-long vrat as a requirement for chanting the mantra.
No fixed count of 108 is prescribed for the Katyayani Mahamaye Mantra in the Bhagavata Purana passage cited in the blog. The text records the prayer itself as part of the gopis’ Katyayani Vrat. The 108-count practice is commonly used for mantra japa, but it should not be presented as a requirement of Bhagavata Purana 10.22.4.
Yes. Maa Katyayani can be worshipped by men as well as women. The specific marriage prayer in the Bhagavata Purana was offered by the gopis, while the broader worship of Maa Katyayani is not restricted by gender. The blog also states that men and children can worship her.
Yes. Maa Katyayani worship is not limited to marriage prayers. Devotees also pray to her for courage, protection, family harmony and strength against difficulties. The marriage association comes particularly from the gopis’ Katyayani Vrat described in the Bhagavata Purana.
The Katyayani Vrat traditionally refers to the month-long worship performed by the gopis in the Bhagavata Purana. Navratri Day 6 Puja is a separate, shorter worship practice dedicated to Maa Katyayani during Shardiya Navratri. Families may adapt the vrat and puja according to their own regional and household traditions.
Yes. A Katyayani Vrat is a devotional vow, and modern household practices vary. The blog notes that families may fast or eat simple food while observing the vrat. Fasting is therefore not presented as the only valid form of Katyayani worship.
Yes. Honey is traditionally associated with Maa Katyayani Bhog, but the blog does not cite a primary text that makes honey mandatory. It also lists halwa, kheer and fruit as suitable offerings, allowing families to follow their household and regional traditions.
Maa Katyayani is understood as one of the Navadurga forms of Maa Durga, rather than as a completely separate goddess. Devotional tradition identifies her with Adi Shakti, while the name Katyayani specifically refers to this particular form of the Goddess.
Yes. Maa Katyayani Puja can be performed as a prayer for courage, protection, strength and family harmony, not only for a particular wish or marriage. These are devotional purposes associated with her warrior form and should be understood as matters of faith rather than guaranteed outcomes.
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