Katyayani : the Goddess vanquisher of evil forces.

Katyayani : the Goddess vanquisher of evil forces.

The sixth day of Navratri is devoted to the warrior Goddess, Maa Katyayani, who personifies the fiercest incarnation of Goddess Durga On the sixth day of Shardiya Navratri , devotees worship Maa Katyayani, a powerful incarnation of the Maa Parvati. The color associated with this day is red. Katyayani is worshipped as the vanquisher of evil forces. 

She is the most violent form of Goddess Parvati, also known as the Warrior Goddess. The eighth chapter of the Devi Mahatmya narrates Durga's battle with Raktabīja as a part of her battle against the asuras Shumbha and Nishumbha, who had disenfranchised the devas from Svarga.

Katyayani is an aspect of Mahadevi and the slayer of the tyrannical demon Mahishasura. She is the sixth among the Navadurgas, the nine forms of Hindu goddess Durga who are worshipped during the festival of Navaratri. She is depicted with four, ten, or eighteen hands. This is the second name given to the goddess Adi Parashakti in Amarakosha (Maa Parvati names- Uma, Katyayani, Gauri, Kali, Haimavati, Ishwari).

As per hinduism , the parents of the daughter worship Devi Katyayani for early marriage and removal of any hurdles in love marriage.

According to the iconography, She has four hands and holds a long sword in one of Her hands and a lotus in the other two hands. With Her fourth hand, she blesses Her devotees as Her fourth hand is in Abhaya mudra.

We offer fresh flowers to the idol and chant mantras and prayers. While performing the puja, hold lotus flowers in your palms and offer honey as prasad and bhog to seek the goddess's blessings. Honey is considered a favorite food item of Goddess Katyayani. Goddess Katyayani is known to love the Marigold flower and is offered the same on this pious day. 

Maa Katyani promotes Marital Harmony: for married couples, chanting the mantra is thought to enhance marital harmony and strengthen the bond between partners. Katyayani Mantra for Marriage along with the “Om Katyayani Mahamaye” Mantra 108 times.

Maa Katyayani symbolizes courage, strength, and victory. She represents the virtues of determination, protection, and the power to overcome obstacles in life.

Her exploits are described in the Devi-Bhagavata Purana and Devi Mahatmyam, which are part of the Markandeya Purana attributed to sage Markandeya Rishi. In Hindu traditions like yoga and Tantra, she is ascribed to the sixth Ajna Chakra or the third eye chakra, and her blessings are invoked by concentrating on this point. 

Subho Shashthi to all🙏🏻🪷