Navaratri, Day 6: Maa Katyayani Avatar

          

         

        During the nine days of Navratri, nine forms of Goddess Durga is worshipped.Devi Katyayani is the 6th form of Mother Durga, worshipped on the 6th day of Navratri. Mother Durga is born to Sage Katya as his serene and loving daughter, being impressed with his sincere worship for her.

          Devi Katyayani is associated with the red colour, similar to Maa Durga. According to Skanda Purana, Devi Katyayani is referred to as being created from the spontaneous anger of the Gods which ultimately killed the demon - Mahishasura. She rides a lion, given to her by Goddess Parvati. She has three eyes and is four-armed, two on her left has lotus flowers and the right hands are in Abhaya and Varada mudras (hand gesture), symbolizing fearlessness and abundance.

         Maa Katyayani symbolizes knowledge and courage. Devotees worship Katyayani Devi for happiness. Katyayani symbolizes fearlessness and abundance.

Origin:

        According to the Vamana Purana she was created from the combined energies of the gods when their anger at the demon Mahishasura manifested itself in the form of energy rays. The rays crystallized in the hermitage of Kātyāyana Rishi, who gave it proper form therefore she is also called Katyayani or "daughter of Katyayana". Elsewhere in texts like Kalika Purana, it is mentioned that it was Rishi Kaytyayana who first worshipped her, hence she came to known as Katyayani. In either case, she is a demonstration or apparition of the Durga and is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri festival

      To destroy demon Mahishasura, Goddess Parvati took the form of Goddess Katyayani. It was the most violent form of Goddess Parvati. In this form Goddess Parvati is also known as Warrior Goddess.

Navratri Worship:

      Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri.

Governing Planet:

       It is believed that the planet Brihaspati is governed by Goddess Katyayani.

Iconography:

      Goddess Katyayani rides on the magnificent lion and depicted with four hands. Goddess Katyayani carries lotus flower and sword in her left hands and keeps her right hands in Abhaya and Varada Mudras.

Maa Katyayani puja vidhi:

        Katyayani Maa is worshipped on Shasthi in the Shukla Paksha tithi. Puja for Katyayani is usually done with red or yellow flowers. Devotees perform the puja early in the morning. As the colour of Katyayani is red, many women wear a red saree today. The Sanskrit mantras are recited in front of the Kalash that was established as the seat of Goddess Durga on the first day of Navratri. Devotees place a photo of Katyayani Devi near the Kalash. The puja of Katyayani is complete with aarti off the goddess. For aarti a piece of camphor and incense sticks are lit. 

Favourite Flower:

Red color flowers and Bell leaves specially

Mantra:

"Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah॥"

Prarthana:

"Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana।
Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini॥"

          On this day also devotees offer coconut and red colour flowers especially rose to appease Goddess. They even invoke Maa Katyayani by doing mantra jap, offering all relevant puja samagri, performing arti, and at last distributing Prasad.

          Interestingly, this form of the Goddess Durga was worshipped by Maa Sita, Rukmini. Hence, unmarried girls pray to Goddess Katyayani to get a life partner of their choice and married women pray to her for the healthy lives of their husbands.

Devi Katyayani Temples:

         

            Shri Katyayani Devi mandir is a mesmerizing Hindu temple devoted to goddess Katyayani. The temple is situated in Bakor in ta-Khanpur adjacent to Mahisagar district, which is just 3 km far away from Kaleshwari. The goddess Katyayani, which is one of the parts of Navdurga, is deliberated to be the 6th form of goddess Durga. Devotees from all caste and religion are greeted here. The temple has been built in north Indian architecture and is located in Gujarat.

                     Happy Navaratri

                                 Thank you