Original text
नाम मंत्र: ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥ प्रार्थना (ध्यान श्लोक): चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना। कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद् देवी दानवघातिनी॥ स्तुति: या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Transliteration
Naam mantra: Om devi katyayanyai namah || Prarthana (dhyana shloka): Chandrahasojjvalakara shardulavaravahana Katyayani shubham dadyad devi danavaghatini || Stuti: Ya devi sarvabhuteshu man katyayani rupena sansthita Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah ||
Who is Maa Katyayani?
Maa Katyayani is the sixth of the Navdurga, the nine forms of Maa Durga worshipped on the nine days of Navratri. Her name means "the daughter of sage Katyayana". In Shardiya Navratri 2026 she is worshipped on Day 6 (Shashthi), Friday 16 October.
The sage Katyayana performed long penance wishing that the Devi would be born as his daughter. When the demon Mahishasura's tyranny grew unbearable, the combined radiance of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva took form in Katyayana's ashram, and the sage was the first to worship her — so she is Katyayani. In this form she killed Mahishasura, which is why she is also called Mahishasuramardini.
In the Bhagavata Purana, the gopis of Vraja kept a month-long vow to Katyayani, praying for Krishna as their husband. Because of this, unmarried girls traditionally pray to her for a good husband, and she is worshipped for removing obstacles to marriage.
Her form
She has four arms — a sword and a lotus in two, the other two in the gestures of fearlessness and blessing — and rides a lion.
Mantras of Maa Katyayani
Naam mantra: ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥ — chant 108 times on a mala.
Prarthana (dhyana shloka):
चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद् देवी दानवघातिनी॥
Stuti:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
The stuti is modelled on the Devi Mahatmya's "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu" hymn, with her name in place: "To the Devi who dwells in all beings in the form of Maa Katyayani — salutations to her, again and again."
Puja vidhi on Day 6
- Wake early, bathe and wear clean clothes; light the lamp before the kalash and the Devi's image.
- Take a sankalpa for the day's worship (and the Navratri vrat, if you are keeping it).
- Invoke Maa Katyayani with the prarthana shloka above, picturing her form.
- Offer water, roli, akshat, red flowers or a red chunri, dhoop and a ghee lamp.
- Offer the day's bhog: honey, traditionally for charm and sweetness in relationships.
- Chant the naam mantra 108 times, then the stuti; read the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati if you can.
- Close with the aarti, Jai Ambe Gauri, and distribute the prasad.
Shashthi evening is also the time of bilva nimantran in Bengal-style Durga Puja, the invitation of the goddess.
The nine days
← Day 5: Maa Skandamata · Day 7: Maa Kalaratri →
See all nine forms on the Maa Durga page, and dates and muhurat in Shardiya Navratri 2026.
Frequently asked questions
On which day of Navratri is Maa Katyayani worshipped?
On the sixth day (Shashthi); in Shardiya Navratri 2026 that is Friday 16 October.
What is the mantra of Maa Katyayani?
The naam mantra is ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥, chanted 108 times, along with her prarthana shloka and the "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu" stuti.
What bhog is offered to Maa Katyayani?
Traditionally honey, traditionally for charm and sweetness in relationships. Customs vary between families and regions.
Why do unmarried girls worship Maa Katyayani?
Because the gopis of Vraja kept a vow to Katyayani praying for Krishna as their husband, as told in the Bhagavata Purana.
Who killed Mahishasura?
The Devi in the form of Katyayani, born of the gods' combined radiance in sage Katyayana's ashram.
Spotted a mistake?
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