Shardiya Navratri Day 6: Katyayani's colour, her honey offering and a turmeric remedy for marriage
Red or green? Ask two households what to wear for Katyayani puja this year, and you may get two different answers. Published colour lists for Sharad Navratri 2026 assign green to Friday, 16 October, which falls on Shashthi tithi. Older guides recommend red, a colour that suits her warrior form. A practical middle ground is to wear green if your family follows the day’s colour list and offer red flowers, which are considered sacred to her. If your household tradition differs, follow your own custom.
Honey, with a Little Nutmeg in ItKatyayani is said to be especially fond of honey. For an offering considered particularly auspicious, grind jaiphal (nutmeg) into a fine powder, mix it with honey, and offer it to the Goddess with devotion. Perform the puja wearing clean clothes in the colour associated with the day.
Her Seat at the Brow, Her Planet in the SkyIn Yog and Tantra, the yogic and ritual-mystical traditions, Katyayani is associated with the Ajna Chakra, the third-eye centre between the eyebrows. Tantric practitioners may worship her by chanting Om. In astrology, she is regarded in some traditions as the presiding goddess of Jupiter, known as Guru graha. Taken together, these associations point to a day dedicated to clarity of vision and the wise use of courage.
Four Mantras to Chant Before the Lamp
Place two roughly equal lumps of turmeric, known as haldi ki ganth, in a container of honey and set it before the Goddess. Recite the following mantra 108 or 1,008 times, then sit in meditation:
ॐ क्लीं कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि। नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः क्लीं ॐ॥
Om Klim Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadhishvari, Nandagopasutam Devi Patim Me Kuru Te Namah Klim Om.
The prayer invokes Katyayani as the great Maya and mistress of the great yoginis, asking her to grant the devotee a husband like Krishna, the son of Nanda Gopa.
According to this particular household practice, the following day, the turmeric lumps and the container of honey are placed in the southwest corner of the home as part of a prayer for the resolution of marital difficulties. The placement is performed only after completing the recitation and meditation.
Honey, with a Little Nutmeg in ItKatyayani is said to be especially fond of honey. For an offering considered particularly auspicious, grind jaiphal (nutmeg) into a fine powder, mix it with honey, and offer it to the Goddess with devotion. Perform the puja wearing clean clothes in the colour associated with the day.
Her Seat at the Brow, Her Planet in the SkyIn Yog and Tantra, the yogic and ritual-mystical traditions, Katyayani is associated with the Ajna Chakra, the third-eye centre between the eyebrows. Tantric practitioners may worship her by chanting Om. In astrology, she is regarded in some traditions as the presiding goddess of Jupiter, known as Guru graha. Taken together, these associations point to a day dedicated to clarity of vision and the wise use of courage.
Four Mantras to Chant Before the Lamp
- The Mool Mantra (root invocation):
ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः।
Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah.
Meaning: I bow to Mother Katyayani. - The Beej Mantra (seed-syllable invocation):
ॐ क्लीं श्रीं कात्यायन्यै नमः।
Om Klim Shrim Katyayanyai Namah.
Meaning: I bow to Mother Katyayani, who is associated with love, strength, and prosperity. - The Stuti (praise verse):
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Katyayani Rupena Samsthita. Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.
Meaning: Salutations again and again to the Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of Katyayani. - The Description Verse:
चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवाहना। कात्यायनी शुभं दद्यात् देवी दानवघातिनी॥
Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavahana. Katyayani Shubham Dadyat Devi Danavaghatini.
Meaning: May Mother Katyayani, who holds the shining sword Chandrahas and rides a lion, the destroyer of demons, grant us auspicious blessings.
Place two roughly equal lumps of turmeric, known as haldi ki ganth, in a container of honey and set it before the Goddess. Recite the following mantra 108 or 1,008 times, then sit in meditation:
ॐ क्लीं कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि। नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः क्लीं ॐ॥
Om Klim Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadhishvari, Nandagopasutam Devi Patim Me Kuru Te Namah Klim Om.
The prayer invokes Katyayani as the great Maya and mistress of the great yoginis, asking her to grant the devotee a husband like Krishna, the son of Nanda Gopa.
According to this particular household practice, the following day, the turmeric lumps and the container of honey are placed in the southwest corner of the home as part of a prayer for the resolution of marital difficulties. The placement is performed only after completing the recitation and meditation.
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