Shardiya Navratri 2025 is going on right now and Day 7 (technically day 6 since the worship of Maa Chandraghanta lasted 2 days) of the festival celebrates Maa Katyayani, the sixth and the most fierce form of Goddess Durga.
She is often worshipped as a warrior goddess, and is believed to rule the planet Brihaspati. The colour of day 7 of Navratri is orange.
The Importance Of Day 7: Maa Katyayani Vrat Katha
According to Hindu scriptures, Goddess Parvati took the form of Maa Katyayani to destroy Mahishasura. It is in this avatar that she is called Mahishasurmardini and worshipped in Bengal as part of the Durga Puja. Her name Katyayani also supposedly comes from the name of sage Katya, in whose home Goddess Parvati is sait to have been born. She is shown riding a lion, and depicted with four hands. She carried a lotus in one hand, a sword in another, and keeps her other two hands in Abhaya and Varada Mudras.
Maa Katyayani Puja Vidhi
Clean your home and place an idol or image of Maa Katyayani on a decorated altar. You can use grey or white since that is the colour associated with her. Light a diya infront of her idol and and offer fresh red flowers, especially roses, and fruits. You should also offer vermillion and homemade bhog, especially honey. Recite Durga chalisa, Katyayani Mantras and the sacred Vrat Katha to worship her.
Maa Katyayani Mantra
ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah॥
Maa Katyayani Aarti
Jai Jai Ambe Jai Katyayani. Jai Jag Mata Jag ki Maharani.
Baijnath sthan tumhaara. Vahavar daati naam pukaara.
Kai naam hai kai dhaam hai. Yah sthan bhi to sukhdhaam hai.
Har mandir mein jyot tumhaari. Kahi Yogeshwari mahima nyaari.
Har jagah utsav hote rahte. Har mandir mein bhagat hai kehte.
Katyani rakshak kaaya ki. Granthi kaate moh maya ki.
Jhoothe moh se chhudaane waali. Apna naam japaane waali.
Brihaspativar ko pooja kariye. Dhyaan Katyayani ka dhariye.
Har sankat ko door karegi. Bhandare bharpoor karegi.
Jo bhi Maa ko bhakt pukaare. Katyayani sab kasht nivare.