Ashada Gupta Navratri Katyayani Puja 2026 Date, Tithi Timings & Significance

Ashadha Gupta Navratri Katyayani Puja

Day Six of Ashadha Gupta Navratri: Worship of Katyayani

On Ashadha Shukla Shashti, the sixth day of Ashadha Gupta Navratri, devotees worship Katyayani, the sixth Navadurga. She is famous as Mahishasura Mardini and as the mother who grants a suitable life partner. Her puja on this day is done quietly and devotedly at home.

The Shakti Who Appeared in a Sage's Ashram

Sage Katyayana performed long penance hoping the Divine Mother would be born as his daughter. When Mahishasura's atrocities grew, a goddess emerged from the combined radiance of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara, and the sage was the first to worship her. Hence she is called Katyayani. She rides a lion and holds a sword and a lotus while showing the gestures of blessing and protection; some traditions describe her with eight or ten arms. The mother who destroyed Mahishasura in battle stands for courage and the protection of dharma.

The Gopikas' Katyayani Vratam

The Bhagavata Purana tells how the gopikas of Vraja bathed in the Yamuna, made an image of the goddess in sand and prayed for a month with the words "Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadhishvari", asking for Sri Krishna as their husband. Based on this story, girls whose marriage is delayed, and their parents, seek Katyayani's blessings.

Order of Worship

Bathe on Shashti morning; some families wear yellow clothes for this puja.
Bow to the Kalasha and lamp, and offer turmeric, kumkum and red roses or hibiscus to the goddess.
Chant "Om Devi Katyayanyai Namaha".
Many homes offer honey as the special naivedyam, along with sweet pongal or pulihora.
After the puja, giving turmeric, kumkum and tamboolam to married women is considered auspicious.

Blessings of the Day

Devotees believe that worshipping Katyayani removes obstacles to marriage, brings a compatible partner and deepens harmony between husband and wife. Weddings are not usually held in Ashadha, but many families pray on this day for the auspicious muhurtams that follow.

May Mother Katyayani bless every home with the sound of wedding music.

Frequently asked questions

When is Katyayani Puja in Ashadha Gupta Navratri?

Katyayani Puja is on the sixth day of Ashadha Gupta Navratri, Ashadha Shukla Shashti.

How do you pray to Katyayani for marriage?

After bathing, offer turmeric, kumkum and flowers to the goddess and chant "Om Devi Katyayanyai Namaha" with devotion. Giving tamboolam to married women after the puja is considered auspicious.

What is the story of the Katyayani Vratam?

In the Bhagavatam, the gopikas of Vraja made a sand image of the goddess and prayed to Katyayani for a month to have Sri Krishna as their husband. This is known as the Katyayani Vratam.

What naivedyam is offered to Katyayani?

Many homes offer honey as Katyayani's special naivedyam. Sweet pongal and pulihora can also be offered.

Can Katyayani Puja be done in Ashadha even though weddings are not held then?

Yes. Although weddings are usually not held in Ashadha, many families pray to Katyayani in this month for the auspicious muhurtams that follow.

Which demon did Katyayani slay?

Goddess Katyayani slew Mahishasura, which is why she is also called Mahishasura Mardini.

Ashada Gupta Navratri Katyayani Puja 2026

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