KATHMANDU: Goddess Katyayani, the sixth of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, is being worshipped with special rituals on the sixth day of Navratri, also known as Ashwin Shukla Shashthi. Devotees are performing the rituals in their homes and temples.
According to Vedic tradition, Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Durga Paksha every year. Religious scriptures recount that Goddess Bhagwati incarnated as a beautiful maiden at the hermitage of Sage Katyayan to fulfil the wishes of the gods. Enchanted by her beauty, Sage Katyayan accepted her as his daughter. Consequently, she came to be known as Katyayani, a name mentioned in various Puranic texts.
Religious texts describe Goddess Katyayani as a powerful form of Durga who destroys demons and protects devotees. Her iconography varies across scriptural traditions, and she is worshipped with special devotion on this day.
On the first day of Navratri, Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, devotees performed Ghatasthapana according to Vedic rituals and sowed barley seeds to grow Jamara. Goddess Shailaputri, the first of the nine forms of Durga, was invoked and worshipped at the designated place of worship.
On the second day, devotees worshipped Goddess Brahmacharini, followed by Goddess Chandraghanta on the third day, Goddess Kushmanda on the fourth day and Goddess Skandamata on the fifth day. Today, on the sixth day, devotees are performing special rituals dedicated to Goddess Katyayani.
During the nine days of Navratri, devotees recite the Durga Saptashati (Chandi), Shrimad Devi Bhagawata and other hymns dedicated to the Goddess at the place where Ghatasthapana has been performed. According to religious belief, worshipping the Goddess during Navratri brings strength, prosperity and knowledge.
Following this tradition, adherents of Vedic Sanatan Dharma perform special worship of Goddess Durga every year from Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Nawami.
The Prasad worshipped during the nine days is distributed in many parts of the country from Bijaya Dashami through Kojagrat Purnima. In some places, however, it is distributed only on Bijaya Dashami, depending on family traditions.
According to theologian Prof. Dr Devmani Bhattarai, scriptures permit the offering of Jamara and Tika throughout Durga Paksha, up to Kojagrat Purnima. Nepalis celebrate the 15-day Bada Dashain festival with great devotion and enthusiasm.
The nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during Navratri are Shailaputri on the first day, Brahmacharini on the second, Chandraghanta on the third, Kushmanda on the fourth, Skandamata on the fifth, Katyayani on the sixth, Kaalratri on the seventh, Mahagauri on the eighth and Siddhidatri on the ninth. Collectively, these nine manifestations are known as Navadurga.
During Navratri, large numbers of devotees visit Shaktipeeths and temples across the country to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the Goddess. Since morning, devotees have been visiting temples across the Kathmandu Valley, including Guhyeshwori, Jayabageshwori, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Naxal Bhagawati, Bhadrakali, Shobhabhagawati, Raktakali, Shwetakali, Bijeshwari, Kankeshwori, Kalankimai, Chamunda Devi, Sundarimai, Bajrayogini, Indrayani and Bagalamukhi.
Similarly, temples outside the valley have also seen large numbers of devotees. These include Palanchok Bhagawati, Nala Bhagawati, Chandeshwari, Kamalamai, Ichchakamana, Manakamana, Gadhimai, Chinnamasta, Pathibhara, Dantakali, Gahwamai, Baglung Kalika, Bindhyavasini, Talbarahi, Shaileshwori, Badimalika and Ugratara.
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