Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. In 2024, Goddess Navratri will be worshipped on 14 April. On this day special bhandaras are organized by people. Worshipping Goddess Katyayani gives instant results and her devotees get freedom from all the troubles and sufferings in life. She is known to kill the demons and sinners.The goddess is known as Katyayani as she was born to Sage Katyayan and was first worshipped by him only.
Sage Katyayana performed a hard penance of goddess Bhagawati to get goddess Durga born to him in the form of daughter. The Goddess acceded to his request and was born as the daughter of Sage Katyayana. Yogis & Sadhaks practice penance for Agya Chakra on this day. The person worshipping the goddess can feel a strong sense of enlightenment in himself. Her worship done with devotion and faith leads to the attainment of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.
Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Maa rupena samsthita I
Namestasyai Namestasyai Namestasyai II
Historical Significance of Goddess Katyayani
According to Hindu mythology, there was a sage named Kat whose son Sage Katyayana performed a hard penance of Maa Bhagvati to get Maa Durga born to him in the form of daughter. The goddess acceded to his request and took birth to him on Dakshin Krishna Chaturdashi. Katyayana worshiped her for three days on Shukla Saptami, Ashtami and Navami. On the tenth day i.e on Vijayadashami she killed Mahishasura and gave freedom to all the gods from his atrocities.
She took birth in Katyayan’s ashram to protect the sages and devas from the demons and devils. The wrath of the demon, Mahishasura was increasing terribly in all the three worlds. In order to kill this demon, the trinity of Gods – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, created the Goddess Durga who was an aggregate of the powers of all the deities.
Rituals to Worship Goddess Katyayani
The devotee should worship the goddess on the sixth day with rituals to please her. The devotees should seek the blessing of the goddess and sit in meditation. Her worship done with devotion and faith leads to the attainment of Dharma, Artha, Karma and Moksha.
The appearance of Goddess Katyayani is as radiant as a gold. She can be seen seated on a Lion. Her arms blesses the devotees. Her one hand is in Abhay Mudra and the second hand is in Varamudra. She holds weapons in one hand and lotus in the other.
Worship the Kalash on the sixth day and all the gods residing inside it followed by worshipping the family of the goddess seated on the both sides of her. Goddess Katyayani is worshipped in the end with flowers and mantras.