✨ Maa Katyayani – The Sixth Day of Navratri 2025

Navratri is one of the most significant Hindu festivals, celebrated with devotion, enthusiasm, and spiritual energy across India and worldwide. It spans nine nights, where each day is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga. The sixth day of Navratri in 2025 falls on 28th September (Sunday) and is devoted to Maa Katyayani, the warrior form of Goddess Durga, revered for her courage, strength, and divine grace.

The colour of the day is Grey, symbolizing discipline, balance, and the strength to remain grounded amidst challenges. Grey represents the destruction of evil and the calm wisdom required to lead a victorious life.

🌼 Who is Maa Katyayani?

Maa Katyayani is the sixth manifestation of Goddess Durga. According to Hindu scriptures, she was born to sage Katyayan after his intense penance to Goddess Durga. Hence, she is known as Katyayani. She is also regarded as one of the most powerful forms of Devi, embodying courage and righteous anger.

• She is described as riding a majestic lion.

• She has four hands:

  • In one hand, she holds a sword, symbolizing knowledge and strength.

  • In another, she carries a lotus, representing purity and enlightenment.

  • One hand is in abhaya mudra (blessing posture), giving fearlessness.

  • The other hand is in varada mudra (granting boons).

Maa Katyayani is often called the warrior goddess, as she destroyed the demon Mahishasura and restored peace and dharma.

📖 Mythological Story of Maa Katyayani

The Devi Mahatmya describes how Maa Katyayani manifested when the gods were suffering under the tyranny of demon king Mahishasura. To destroy the demon, the combined energies of the Trimurti – Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva) – merged to create a dazzling, powerful female form.

She was born as the daughter of Sage Katyayan and hence got the name Katyayani. With her divine powers, she fought Mahishasura for nine long days and finally slew him on the tenth day, celebrated as Vijayadashami (Dussehra).

This story reflects the triumph of righteousness over evil and highlights the role of feminine power in protecting dharma.

🌺 Significance of Maa Katyayani Worship

Worshipping Maa Katyayani is believed to:

1. Bring Strength and Courage – She blesses devotees with fearlessness, inner strength, and the ability to fight challenges in life.

2. Fulfil Desires – It is said that unmarried girls who worship her with devotion are blessed with suitable life partners. In fact, in Vrindavan, young gopis worshipped Maa Katyayani to attain Lord Krishna as their husband.

3. Remove Obstacles – She helps devotees overcome hurdles in career, education, marriage, and spiritual growth.

4. Balance Emotions – Grey colour reflects calmness and maturity, and worshipping Maa Katyayani helps balance emotions and remove negativity.

🕉️ Maa Katyayani Puja on 28th September 2025

🗓 Date and Tithi

• Day: 6th Day of Navratri

• Date: Sunday, 28th September 2025

• Colour of the Day: Grey

🛕 Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Worship Procedure)

1. Morning Rituals: Devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, and wear clean grey-coloured clothes.

2. Altar Preparation: Place the idol or picture of Maa Katyayani on a decorated altar with flowers, lamps, and incense sticks.

3. Offerings: Offer red or yellow flowers, honey, incense, fruits, and sweets. Honey is especially sacred for Maa Katyayani.

4. Mantra Chanting: Recite Maa Katyayani’s mantra with devotion and concentration.

5. Durga Saptashati Reading: Many devotees recite chapters from the Durga Saptashati to honor her victory over Mahishasura.

6. Aarti: Perform Aarti with diya (lamp) and offer prasad to family members after worship.

7. Fasting: Some devotees observe fast on this day, consuming fruits, milk, and satvik food.

🌸 Maa Katyayani Mantra

Chanting mantras with devotion helps to connect with the divine energy of Maa Katyayani.

• Main Mantra:
  ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
  Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah

• Katyayani Mantra for Marriage (mentioned in Bhagavata Purana):
  कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरी।
  नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः॥
  (Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadheeshwari,
  Nandgopasutam Devi Patim Me Kuru Te Namah)

This mantra is especially powerful for unmarried women seeking a good life partner.

🎨 Importance of Grey Colour on Navratri Day 6

Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific colour that represents the qualities of the Goddess. On the sixth day, the colour is Grey, which symbolizes:

• Strength and Wisdom – Grey balances black and white, symbolizing neutrality and wisdom.

• Detachment and Discipline – It helps in developing calmness and focus.

• Victory Over Negativity – Grey reminds us of the courage required to overcome inner demons and external obstacles.

Devotees often wear grey clothes and decorate puja spaces with grey-themed flowers and fabrics to honor Maa Katyayani.

🌍 Regional Celebrations of Maa Katyayani

1. North India (UP, Bihar, Delhi) – Devotees perform Kanya Pujan and offer honey and sweets. Grey attire is worn as part of tradition.

2. West Bengal – Durga Puja celebrations reach their peak. Maa Katyayani is worshipped as part of Shashthi rituals.

3. South India – In Tamil Nadu, Navratri Golu (doll decoration) is done, and women sing devotional songs.

4. Vrindavan and Mathura – Special prayers are offered remembering gopis’ worship of Maa Katyayani.

🌟 Spiritual Lessons from Maa Katyayani

• Be Fearless: Just like the goddess fought Mahishasura, we must face life’s challenges with courage.

• Balance Power with Purity: Her sword represents strength, while the lotus symbolizes purity – reminding us to balance action with compassion.

• Destroy Negativity: Maa Katyayani inspires us to conquer anger, ego, jealousy, and fear.

• Seek Higher Goals: Devotion to Maa Katyayani helps channel energy toward spiritual growth and righteous living.

🙏 Fasting and Food for Maa Katyayani

• Many devotees keep a strict fast or consume only fruits, milk, and water.

• Satvik food like boiled potatoes, fruits, nuts, and sabudana khichdi are preferred.

• Offering honey to Maa Katyayani is considered very auspicious.

🧘 Benefits of Worshipping Maa Katyayani

1. Protection from enemies and evil forces.

2. Blessings for a happy married life.

3. Courage to face professional and personal struggles.

4. Spiritual upliftment and inner peace.

5. Removal of negative energies from the environment.

🌿 Conclusion

On the sixth day of Navratri 2025 (28th September, Sunday), devotees will worship Maa Katyayani, the fierce yet compassionate warrior goddess who destroyed Mahishasura and restored dharma. Wearing grey colour, offering prayers, chanting her mantras, and performing rituals with devotion will bring courage, balance, and blessings in life.

Maa Katyayani teaches us that true power lies not in aggression but in righteous strength guided by purity and compassion. Her blessings help devotees overcome obstacles, attain peace, and live a life full of spiritual light.

May Maa Katyayani bless everyone with strength, happiness, and victory over all difficulties. 🌸