Today’s Navaratri Worship: Katyayani – the destroyer of evil

On the sixth day of the Navaratri festival, Goddess Katyayani is worshipped by Hindus.

The sixth incarnation of the Goddess Parvati, Katyayani is also known as Goddess Parvati’s fierce and warrior form, and it is believed that she assumed this form in order to defeat the evil demon Mahishasura.

She was given the name Katyayani because she was born in the home of the sage Katya.

The Adishakti idol has four hands and three eyes, and it is seated on a vicious lion. Her right hands are shown making the Abhaya and Varada mudras (representing the removal of fear). Two of her left hands are holding a lotus and a sword, the crescent moon adorning her forehead.

Worshiping Maa Katyayani, according to devotees, aids in atoning for sins. Her devotion is also claimed to enhance marital lives.