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Day 6 of Navratri

Katyayani

कात्यायनी

Daughter of sage Katyayan

Color

Grey / royal orange

Planet

Jupiter

Mount

Lion

Chakra

Ājñā (third eye)

Sacred story

Born to sage Katyayan after his tapas, she manifested as the combined fury of all gods to slay Mahishasura the buffalo-demon. The original Mahishasura-Mardini. Unmarried girls of Vrindavan worshipped her to obtain Krishna as husband — making her the patron deity of marriage prayers.

Iconography

Four-armed, golden body, mounted on a lion. Holds khadga (sword) and lotus; other two hands give abhaya and varada. Fierce yet beautiful — the warrior bride.

Weapons & mudras

  • Sword (khadga), lotus (4 hands)
  • Abhaya & varada mudra

Daily mantra

ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः

Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah

Beej mantra (advanced)

ह्रीं क्लीं कात्यायन्यै नमः

Recite 108× on Day 6 of Navratri. Best at Day 6 of Navratri (Shashthi). Twilight (sandhya) sacred..

Prasad / bhog

Honey

मधु

Sacred flower

Red rose

Blessing & what she grants

Removes obstacles to marriage (especially for women), strengthens Jupiter, grants courage to fight injustice, blesses with a worthy spouse.

Best-suited for these devotees

Unmarried women seeking husbandActivists fighting injusticeDevotees of Krishna

Avoid today (per tradition)

  • Mock anyone's appearance today
  • Drink alcohol

Want a Day-6 Katyayani puja done at a temple?

A pandit can perform the full Katyayani sadhana for you with the right muhurat — color, mantra, prasad, flower offered exactly as Devi Mahatmya prescribes.