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

Quick answer: for the Navratri Day 6 2026 Katyayani mantra colour and date: Day 6 falls on Friday 16 October 2026 (Shashthi tithi in India). The Goddess of the day is Maa Katyayani, the colour is green, the traditional bhog is honey, and her naam mantra is "Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah", chanted 108 times after lighting the lamp. Many devotees also recite the Katyayani vrata prayer, traditionally chanted for a good marriage.

With Day 6, Navratri turns towards its great climax. Maa Katyayani is the radiant warrior form of the Goddess who, as commonly told, rode out to face Mahishasura. She is also the Goddess the young gopis of Vraj prayed to, which is why so many families hold her dear. Here is a warm, simple guide to her form, her story, her mantras and a home puja you can do on a Friday evening anywhere in the world.

Navratri Day 6 2026 Katyayani mantra colour and date at a glance

The full nine-day colour list is on our Navratri 2026 colours page. Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday 11 to Monday 19 October in India, with Dussehra on Tuesday 20 October.

Who is Maa Katyayani? Her form and iconography

Katyayani means "daughter of Katyayana", after the sage in whose ashram she appeared. She is usually shown with four arms: one holds a sword, one a lotus, and the other two are raised in the gestures of fearlessness (abhaya) and blessing (varada). She rides a lion; her dhyana shloka below speaks of a great tiger as her mount, and both images are seen in art. Her complexion is described as golden and shining.

The story of Maa Katyayani, as commonly told

As commonly told, the sage Katyayana performed long austerities, longing for the Divine Mother to be born as his daughter. When the buffalo demon Mahishasura was tormenting the three worlds, the radiant energies of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came together and the Goddess appeared. Because she arose at Katyayana's ashram and he was the first to worship her, she became known as Katyayani. Armed by the gods, she rode out and destroyed Mahishasura, which is why she is remembered as Mahishasuramardini.

A second, gentler story comes from the Bhagavata Purana. The young gopis of Vraj, longing for Krishna, kept a month-long vow in the month of Margashirsha. Each dawn they bathed in the Yamuna, made an image of the Goddess from sand on the riverbank and prayed to Katyayani. Their prayer, given below, is still recited today.

Spiritual significance of Day 6

As traditionally described in yoga-based teachings, Day 6 is associated with the Ajna (third-eye) chakra, the centre of insight and clear seeing. Devotees believe Maa Katyayani gives the courage to face what must be faced, and she is traditionally associated with prayers for a good marriage.

In Bengal: Drik Panchang's Kolkata calendar lists Bilva Nimantran on Friday 16 October and Maha Shashthi (Kalparambha, Akal Bodhon) on Saturday 17 October, when the great Durga Puja begins. See our Durga Puja 2026 dates.

Navratri Day 6 mantras: Maa Katyayani

Below are the traditional texts as commonly recited. The Devanagari and transliteration are given exactly; the English meanings are plain-language explanations.

1. Katyayani naam mantra

ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥

Transliteration: Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah

Meaning: Om, salutations to Goddess Katyayani.

How to chant: after lighting the lamp, chant 108 times with a mala, or 11 or 21 times if time is short.

2. Katyayani dhyana shloka

चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना। कात्यायनी शुभं दद्याद् देवी दानवघातिनी॥

Transliteration: Chandrahasojjvala-kara shardula-vara-vahana, katyayani shubham dadyad devi danava-ghatini.

Meaning: Her hand shining with the Chandrahasa sword, riding the noble great tiger, may Goddess Katyayani, slayer of demons, grant auspiciousness.

How to chant: recite once or three times at the start of the puja while picturing the Goddess.

3. Katyayani stuti (Ya Devi...)

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Transliteration: Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu Maa Katyayani rupena samsthita, namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah.

Meaning: To the Goddess who dwells in all beings in the form of Maa Katyayani: salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, again and again.

How to chant: three, nine or eleven times, with folded hands, after the naivedya is offered.

4. Katyayani vrata prayer of the gopis

कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि। नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः॥

Transliteration: Katyayani mahamaye mahayoginyadhishvari, nandagopa-sutam devi patim me kuru te namah.

Meaning: O Katyayani, great Maya, great Yogini, sovereign Goddess: O Devi, make the son of Nanda Gopa my husband. Salutations to you. (Bhagavata Purana 10.22.4.)

How to chant: this prayer is traditionally chanted for a good marriage, by young women and also by parents on behalf of a son or daughter. Many chant it 108 times on Day 6, with a lamp and yellow or red flowers. In the gopis' prayer the words ask for Krishna; devotees offer it with faith and leave the outcome to the Goddess.

5. Navarna mantra

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे॥

Transliteration: Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche

Meaning: The nine-syllable mantra of the Devi in the Chandi (Durga Saptashati) tradition, bowing to Chamunda through the seed syllables Aim, Hreem and Kleem.

How to chant: one mala daily through Navratri is common. Some traditions prefer that it be learned from a teacher.

6. Sarva Mangala Mangalye

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके। शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Transliteration: Sarva-mangala-mangalye shive sarvartha-sadhike, sharanye tryambake gauri narayani namostu te.

Meaning: O auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, O gracious one who fulfils every worthy aim, O refuge of all, three-eyed Gauri, Narayani, salutations to you. (Devi Mahatmya, Narayani Stuti.)

How to chant: three times at the end of the puja, just before the aarti.

Step-by-step home puja vidhi for Day 6

A simple, apartment-friendly puja of about 20 to 30 minutes. If you have a family priest or a set tradition, follow that first.

1. Bathe, wear clean clothes (green if you like) and tidy the puja space.
2. Refresh the kalash water and check the akhand jyoti, or light a fresh ghee lamp.
3. Take a moment of sankalpa: say your name and family, and state that you are worshipping Maa Katyayani on the sixth day of Navratri.
4. Recite the dhyana shloka while picturing the Goddess.
5. Offer kumkum, haldi, akshata and flowers; red flowers are a traditional favourite.
6. Light incense and chant the naam mantra 108 times (or 11 or 21). Add the vrata prayer if you wish.
7. Offer honey as bhog with a little water, and recite the Ya Devi stuti.
8. Recite Sarva Mangala Mangalye and perform aarti, singing the Durga or Ambe aarti your family knows.
9. Close with a prayer, ask forgiveness for any mistakes, and share the prasad.

See also our apartment-friendly Navratri puja vidhi and the Maa Katyayani complete rituals guide.

Bhog, flowers and aarti

Bhog: by popular custom, honey is offered to Maa Katyayani; lists vary by tradition. A small bowl of honey, or fruit drizzled with honey, is simple and fast-friendly. More ideas: day-wise vrat recipes and day-wise prasadam recipes.

Flowers: red flowers such as hibiscus or roses are traditional for Devi; marigolds are easy to find abroad.

Aarti: the Durga or Ambe aarti your family sings every day of Navratri.

Fasting on Day 6: what to do and avoid

• Common vrat foods: fruit, milk, curd, sabudana, kuttu, singhara and rajgira flour, samak rice, potatoes and rock salt.
• Usually avoided: wheat, rice, lentils, onion, garlic, meat, eggs and alcohol. Rules vary by family.
• Pace yourself: the last four days are the most intense, so drink water, rest, and keep a fruit or one-meal fast if needed.
• Health first: children, pregnant women, older people and anyone with diabetes or on medication should keep a light fast or speak to a doctor.

A short prayer and sankalpa for Day 6

"Maa Katyayani, radiant Goddess who rode out to protect the worlds, I bow to you on this sixth day of Navratri. Please accept this lamp, these flowers and this honey. Give me the courage to do what is right, and bless the relationships in our family with love and respect. Forgive whatever I have done wrong, knowingly or unknowingly. Jai Mata Di."

For NRIs: keeping Day 6 on a Friday abroad

• Friday evening is ideal: do the full puja after work, then head to a garba or dandiya night if your community holds one.
• Honey needs no cooking, so the bhog is ready in seconds.
• The weekend that follows brings Day 7 and Day 8, often the busiest temple days abroad; check your temple's website for timings.

Dates abroad: tithis begin at different local times outside India, so check your local temple panchang. Drik Panchang lists Durga Ashtami on 18 October and Maha Navami on 19 October in the USA, Canada and UK, whereas in India both fall on 19 October. See our Navratri 2026 USA guide and Navratri 2026 complete NRI guide.

Yesterday was Day 5, Maa Skandamata. Tomorrow is Day 7, Maa Kalaratri.

Frequently asked questions

Which goddess is worshipped on Navratri Day 6 2026?

Maa Katyayani, the sixth of the Navadurga forms. Day 6 of Sharad Navratri 2026 is Friday 16 October in India, with Shashthi tithi at sunrise.

What is the colour of Navratri Day 6 2026?

Green, by the popular weekday colour pattern (Friday is green). Colour lists vary between publishers and regions, and wearing the colour is a joyful custom, not a rule of the puja.

What is the Katyayani mantra for marriage?

The best-known is the gopis' prayer from the Bhagavata Purana: "Katyayani mahamaye mahayoginyadhishvari, nandagopa-sutam devi patim me kuru te namah." It is traditionally chanted for a good marriage. Devotees offer it with faith and leave the outcome to the Goddess; it is a prayer, not a guarantee.

What is the naam mantra of Maa Katyayani?

"Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah" (ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः॥), commonly chanted 108 times with a mala after lighting the lamp.

What bhog is offered to Maa Katyayani?

By popular custom, honey is the bhog of Day 6. Lists vary by family and region; a little honey in a small bowl, or a sweet made with honey, is a simple offering.

Is Navratri Day 6 on the same date in the USA, Canada and UK?

The nine-day count usually lines up, but tithis begin at different local times abroad, so check your local temple calendar. Drik Panchang lists Durga Ashtami on 18 October and Maha Navami on 19 October in the USA, Canada and UK, while in India both fall on 19 October.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): India dates and tithi are from Drik Panchang. The mantras are traditional texts as commonly recited, and the colour and bhog follow popular custom; lists vary between regions and families. Please follow your family priest and tradition where they differ.

Related guides

• Navratri 2026 Day 5: Maa Skandamata
• Navratri 2026 Day 7: Maa Kalaratri
• Navratri 2026 colours: the 9 days list
• Navratri day-wise mantras and their significance
• Navratri 2026: complete guide for NRIs
• Navratri Day 6: Maa Katyayani complete rituals guide
• Durga Puja 2026 dates