Navratri 2024 Day 6: Worship Maa Katyayani – Significance, Puja Vidhi, Timings, Samagri, and Mantra

Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival celebrated with immense devotion and reverence. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to one of the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. On the sixth day, devotees worship Maa Katyayani, a powerful form of the Goddess known for vanquishing evil forces. Revered as a warrior Goddess, Maa Katyayani is believed to bless her devotees with courage, protection, and victory over their adversaries.

In this article, we will delve into the significance, story, and rituals (Puja Vidhi) for worshipping Maa Katyayani, along with details about the puja samagri, auspicious timings, and mantras for Day 6 of Navratri 2024.

Who is Maa Katyayani? The Warrior Goddess of Navratri Day 6

Maa Katyayani is one of the fiercest and most powerful forms of Goddess Durga. She is revered as the Warrior Goddess and is known as Mahishasurmardini, the destroyer of the demon Mahishasura. Her name "Katyayani" is derived from the sage Katyayana, in whose hermitage she manifested and was nurtured.

Maa Katyayani is depicted riding a lion and wielding various weapons. She has four hands – the left ones hold a lotus flower and a sword, while the right ones display the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness) and the Varada Mudra (gesture of granting boons). Her radiant form symbolizes courage, strength, and the destruction of evil forces.

The Story of Maa Katyayani and Her Battle Against Mahishasura

According to the Vamana Purana, when the demon king Mahishasura became a menace to the gods and the universe, Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and other deities combined their divine energies to create a powerful female warrior to end his tyranny. This collective energy crystallized in the hermitage of Sage Katyayana, who gave the form to the Goddess. Hence, she came to be known as Maa Katyayani, the daughter of Sage Katyayana.

Maa Katyayani waged a fierce battle against Mahishasura and eventually slayed him, bringing peace and restoring Dharma (righteousness) to the universe. This form of the Goddess is worshipped to eliminate evil and overcome obstacles in life.

Significance of Worshipping Maa Katyayani on Navratri Day 6

Maa Katyayani is believed to govern the Ajna Chakra (Third-Eye Chakra), which is associated with intuition, perception, and spiritual enlightenment. Her worship helps in activating the Ajna Chakra, promoting clarity of thought, and providing the strength to make decisions and confront challenges.

Devotees worship Maa Katyayani to seek her blessings for courage, protection, and success. Those facing obstacles in their personal or professional lives, or those seeking marital happiness, often pray to Maa Katyayani. Her divine presence is said to dispel darkness, negativity, and fear from her devotees’ lives.

Benefits of Worshipping Maa Katyayani

• Removes Obstacles: Worshipping Maa Katyayani helps eliminate obstacles and ensures victory in endeavors.

• Provides Courage and Strength: Her blessings instill fearlessness, bravery, and strength.
• Enhances Spiritual Insight: She helps activate the Ajna Chakra, leading to enhanced intuition and perception.
• Promotes Marital Harmony: Devotees seek her blessings for a harmonious and successful marriage.

Navratri 2024 Day 6 Puja Vidhi (Rituals for Worshipping Maa Katyayani)

Performing the correct rituals (Puja Vidhi) for Maa Katyayani helps attract her divine blessings. Here’s a step-by-step guide for the Puja Vidhi on the sixth day of Navratri 2024:

1. Early Morning Preparation: Take a bath early in the morning and wear clean clothes, preferably in red or yellow, which are considered auspicious colors for this day.
2. Kalash Sthapna (Installation of Sacred Pot): Place a Kalash filled with water at the center of the Puja area. Adorn it with mango leaves and place a coconut on top.
3. Invoke Maa Katyayani: Light a ghee lamp and incense sticks. Offer fresh flowers, fruits, and sweets to the Goddess. Place an image or idol of Maa Katyayani in the center of the Puja space.
4. Chant Mantras and Prayers: Recite Maa Katyayani’s mantras with devotion. Meditate on her form and pray for courage, protection, and success.
5. Offer Bhog Prasad: Prepare Bhog (food offering) like halwa, kheer, or any sweet dish. Offer it to the Goddess and then distribute it as Prasad among family members.
6. Perform Aarti: Conclude the Puja by performing Aarti with a lit camphor, singing devotional hymns dedicated to Maa Katyayani.

Puja Samagri for Navratri 2024 Day 6

Here are the essential items (Puja Samagri) required for performing the rituals on Navratri Day 6:

• Desi Ghee (clarified butter)
• Incense Sticks
• Fresh Flowers or Garland
• Red or Yellow Clothes
• Kumkum (vermilion)
• Shringaar items (beauty items)
• Ganga Jal (holy water)
• Betel Leaves (Paan)
• Supari (Betel Nuts)
• Cloves (Laung)
• Cardamom (Elaichi)

Navratri Day 6 Color and Bhog

• Color for Day 6: The auspicious color for Navratri Day 6 is Red, symbolizing power and courage.

• Bhog to Offer: Prepare dishes like halwa, kheer, or honey to offer as Bhog to Maa Katyayani. Devotees also offer fruits, especially bananas and coconuts.

Auspicious Timings for Navratri 2024 Day 6

The sixth day of Navratri 2024 falls on October 1, 2024. The best time to perform the Puja and seek Maa Katyayani’s blessings is during the Brahma Muhurta (4:30 AM - 6:00 AM) or the Abhijit Muhurta (11:45 AM - 12:30 PM).

Devotees are advised to check local Panchang for the exact timings based on their location.

Mantras to Chant for Maa Katyayani’s Blessings

Chanting Maa Katyayani’s mantras with devotion helps invoke her divine energy and seek her blessings. Here are some powerful mantras to chant on the sixth day of Navratri:

• कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि। नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नम:।।

  Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadhishwari Nandgopasutam Devi Patim Me Kuru Te Namah

  Translation: “O Goddess Katyayani, the great Mahamaya, the Supreme Power, please grant me the boon of finding a suitable husband.”

• ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥

  Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah

  Translation: “I offer my salutations to Maa Katyayani.”

• या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।

  Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Katyayani Rupen Sansthita Namastasyay Namastasyay Namastasyay Namo Namah

  Translation: “I bow to Maa Katyayani, who resides in all beings as the divine protector.”

Conclusion: Seek the Divine Blessings of Maa Katyayani on Navratri Day 6

The sixth day of Navratri 2024, dedicated to Maa Katyayani, is a day to seek strength, courage, and protection. By performing the rituals with sincerity and chanting her mantras, devotees can attract positivity, dispel negativity, and achieve success in all endeavors. May Maa Katyayani’s divine grace bring prosperity, health, and happiness to you and your family during this Navratri.

Also Read:- 

• Celebrating Navratri Day 3 with the Worship of Maa Chandraghanta
• Celebrating Navratri Day 4 with the Worship of Maa Kushmanda
• Honoring Maa Skandamata on Day 5 of Navratri 2024