On Friday 16 October 2026, the sixth day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Katyayani, the fierce warrior form of Durga who destroyed the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
Who is Maa Katyayani?
The sage Katyayana performed long penance hoping the Goddess would be born as his daughter. When the demon Mahishasura grew too powerful for the gods, the combined energy of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva took form as a goddess in Katyayana’s ashram, and she came to be called Katyayani, “daughter of Katyayana”. It is in this form that she rode into battle and killed Mahishasura.
She has four arms, holding a sword and a lotus, with the other two hands in the gestures of fearlessness and blessing. She rides a lion and her colour is described as bright gold.
What Day 6 symbolises
- Victory over arrogance. Mahishasura, half-man and half-buffalo, stands for ego and brute force. Katyayani is the power that brings them down.
- Love and marriage. The Bhagavata Purana tells how the gopis of Vraj kept a month-long vow to Katyayani, praying for Krishna as their husband. To this day, young women pray to her for a good life partner and couples for a happy marriage.
- The Ajna chakra. Day 6 is linked to the third-eye chakra and to clear judgement.
How to worship Maa Katyayani
- Mantra: Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah
- Bhog: honey. It is believed to bring sweetness and charm into one’s life.
- Flowers: red roses or red flowers.
- Practice: those praying for marriage traditionally chant the Katyayani mantra used by the gopis and offer turmeric to the Goddess.
Why Day 6 matters
Day 6 is where Navratri turns towards its climax. The story of Mahishasura’s defeat is the heart of the Durga Saptashati, and in Bengal and eastern India this is the day the Goddess is welcomed for Durga Puja (Shashthi). Because of the gopis’ story, it is also the day Navratri and the Radha-Krishna tradition meet, which is why the raas of the garba feels so close to Vrindavan.
Handcrafted pieces for Day 6
For the Krishna connection, Radha-Krishna pieces from our workshop, a lion pair for the Goddess’s mount and our dandiya dancers for the evening. The Navratri Festival Sale takes an extra 10% off automatically until 20 October, with free shipping across India.
Tomorrow (Day 7, 17 October): Maa Kalaratri, the fiercest form of the Goddess.
Navratri 2026: all nine days
- Day 1 (Sunday 11 October): Maa Shailaputri
- Day 2 (Monday 12 October): Maa Brahmacharini
- Day 3 (Tuesday 13 October): Maa Chandraghanta
- Day 4 (Wednesday 14 October): Maa Kushmanda
- Day 5 (Thursday 15 October): Maa Skandamata
- Day 6 (Friday 16 October): Maa Katyayani (you are here)
- Day 7 (Saturday 17 October): Maa Kalaratri
- Day 8 (Sunday 18 October): Maa Mahagauri
- Day 9 (Monday 19 October): Maa Siddhidatri
For decoration ideas for the whole festival, read our Navratri decoration guide.
