Navratri Day 6 (October 16, 2026): Maa Katyayani Puja Vidhi, Mantra, Bhog, Colour and Significance

Shardiya Navratri 2026 Day 6 will be observed on Friday, October 16, dedicated to Maa Katyayani, the sixth form of Goddess Durga. Known as the warrior form of the goddess, Maa Katyayani symbolises courage, protection, determination and the power to overcome obstacles. Devotees worship her to seek strength, confidence, prosperity and blessings for a harmonious married life.

On the sixth day of Navratri, devotees perform Maa Katyayani Puja, chant her sacred mantra and offer traditional bhog. Green is the commonly followed colour for Navratri Day 6 in 2026, while honey is a traditional offering associated with the goddess. Her worship also holds special significance for devotees praying for marriage and the removal of difficulties in their lives.

Here is everything you need to know about Maa Katyayani Puja Vidhi, mantra, bhog, colour, katha and religious significance for October 16, 2026.


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Navratri Day 6 2026: Date, Goddess and Colour

• Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
• Navratri day: Day 6
• Goddess worshipped: Maa Katyayani
• Navratri colour: Green
• Traditional bhog: Honey
• Main significance: Courage, protection, determination and overcoming obstacles

Maa Katyayani is the sixth manifestation of Navdurga, the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during Navratri. Her fierce yet benevolent form represents the divine power that protects devotees and restores righteousness.

Devotees observe the day through prayers, mantra chanting, offerings and other customary rituals. Since colour traditions and puja practices can vary by region, families may follow the customs prevalent in their community.

Check Out: Navratri Day 6 Colour 2026: Why Green Is Worn on October 16 and What It Symbolises

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Who Is Maa Katyayani? Know Her Significance

Maa Katyayani is regarded as a powerful warrior manifestation of Goddess Durga. According to Hindu tradition, she appeared to defeat the demon Mahishasura and restore balance between good and evil. Her worship represents the victory of righteousness over negative forces.

The goddess is named after Sage Katyayana, who, according to a popular account, performed penance to invoke the divine feminine power. Goddess Durga manifested as Maa Katyayani in response to the prayers of the gods and the sage.

Maa Katyayani is commonly depicted riding a lion and carrying weapons, including a sword, which symbolise courage, protection and the destruction of evil. Her divine form reminds devotees that strength must be accompanied by determination and a commitment to righteousness.

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Maa Katyayani Puja Vidhi for Navratri Day 6

Devotees can worship Maa Katyayani at home by following simple rituals and their family traditions. The puja is an opportunity to express gratitude, seek protection and strengthen one's faith.

Here is a simple Maa Katyayani Puja Vidhi for October 16, 2026:

1. Wake up early and bathe: Clean the puja area and prepare the goddess's picture or idol.
2. Continue the Navratri worship: Offer prayers to the kalash established during Ghatasthapana, following your household customs.
3. Light a diya: Light a lamp and incense in front of the goddess, observing appropriate safety precautions.
4. Offer flowers and akshat: Present fresh flowers, rice grains, kumkum and sandalwood paste according to your tradition.
5. Offer honey as bhog: Place a small quantity of honey before Maa Katyayani as a traditional offering.
6. Chant the goddess's mantra: Recite Maa Katyayani's naam mantra with devotion and concentration.
7. Perform aarti: Conclude the worship with aarti and prayers for courage, protection and well-being.
8. Distribute prasad: Share the offerings with family members after completing the puja.

Maa Katyayani Mantra for Navratri Day 6

Chanting Maa Katyayani's mantra is an important part of the sixth day's worship. Devotees recite it while praying for courage, strength, protection and spiritual well-being.

Maa Katyayani Naam Mantra

ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥

English transliteration: Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah.

Meaning: I bow to Goddess Katyayani, the divine form of Goddess Durga associated with courage, protection and the destruction of evil.

Devotees may chant this mantra 11, 21 or 108 times, according to their personal practice. These repetition counts are customary devotional choices rather than compulsory requirements.

Maa Katyayani Dhyana Mantra

चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।

कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद् देवी दानवघातिनी॥

English transliteration:

Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana,

Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danav Ghatini.

Meaning: May Goddess Katyayani, who shines with her divine sword and rides a mighty animal, bless her devotees with auspiciousness and well-being.

Devotees may recite this traditional verse during their prayers, according to their customary practice.

Maa Katyayani Bhog: What Should You Offer?

Honey is a traditional bhog associated with Maa Katyayani on the sixth day of Navratri. Devotees offer it as part of their prayers and seek the goddess's blessings for harmony, strength and well-being.

A small quantity of honey can be placed in a clean bowl before the goddess after the other customary offerings have been arranged. Some households may also offer fruits, sweets and other vegetarian preparations according to their regional traditions. After completing the puja, the offering is distributed as prasad. Devotees observing a fast should follow their usual dietary rules when consuming prasad.

Read Detailed: Navratri Day 6 Bhog 2026: Honey, Fruits and Sweets, What to Offer Maa Katyayani on October 16

Navratri Day 6 Colour 2026: Why Is Green Auspicious?

Green is the commonly followed colour for Navratri Day 6 in 2026, which falls on Friday, October 16. In popular Navratri colour traditions, green represents growth, renewal, harmony and prosperity. Wearing green clothing during the day's worship is a way for devotees to participate in the festival's colour tradition and express their devotion to Maa Katyayani. The colour also symbolises new beginnings and the ability to move forward with confidence. However, Navratri colour lists can vary according to regional calendars and customs.

Maa Katyayani Katha: The Story of the Warrior Goddess

According to a popular Hindu account, the gods were troubled by the growing power of Mahishasura, a demon who threatened the balance of the universe. Unable to defeat him individually, the gods combined their divine energies to create Goddess Durga.

In another widely recounted tradition, Sage Katyayana performed penance to invoke the goddess. Pleased with his devotion, the divine mother manifested as his daughter and came to be known as Katyayani.

Armed with divine weapons and riding a lion, Maa Katyayani fought Mahishasura and ultimately defeated him. Her victory represents the triumph of righteousness over arrogance, injustice and destructive forces.

The story of Maa Katyayani is remembered during Navratri to inspire courage and faith. Her worship reminds devotees that difficulties can be confronted through determination, wisdom and the strength to stand up for what is right.

Why Do Devotees Worship Maa Katyayani for Marriage?

Maa Katyayani holds a special place in Hindu devotional traditions associated with marriage. The Bhagavata Purana describes how the young gopis of Braj worshipped Goddess Katyayani during the month of Margashirsha, praying to be united with Lord Krishna. Inspired by this account, many unmarried women worship Maa Katyayani and recite prayers seeking a suitable life partner and a harmonious married life. Some devotees also observe specific vows or fasts dedicated to the goddess.

Navratri 2026: 9 Days, 9 Goddesses and Colours

Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga. The traditional colour associated with each day also changes according to the weekday sequence.

Day	Date	Goddess	Navratri Colour
Day 1	October 11	Maa Shailputri	Orange
Day 2	October 12	Maa Brahmacharini	White
Day 3	October 13	Maa Chandraghanta	Red
Day 4	October 14	Maa Kushmanda	Royal Blue
Day 5	October 15	Maa Skandamata	Yellow
Day 6	October 16	Maa Katyayani	Green
Day 7	October 17	Maa Kalaratri	Grey
Day 8	October 18	Maa Mahagauri	Purple
Day 9	October 19	Maa Siddhidatri	Peacock Green