Sixth day of Navratri: Goddess Katyayani being worshipped

KATHMANDU: On the sixth day of Durga Paksha or Navratri, Goddess Katyayani, the sixth of the nine Durgas, is being ritually worshiped in the Dashainghar or Puja room.

There is a Vedic Sanatani custom of ritually worshiping Goddess Katyayani every year on Ashwin Shukla Shasthi, the sixth day of Durga Paksha.

According to the Vaman Puran, one of Hinduism’s eighteen major Puranas, Katyayani was created from the united wrath of all the gods, whose rage at the demon Mahisasur manifested as energy rays that crystallised in Katyayana Rishi’s hermitage. That is why the goddess is known as Katyayani, or Katyayana’s daughter. Devotion to Goddess Katyayani is thought to bestow all four virtues: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.

People in Kathmandu visit Manmaiju Temple and Katyayani Temple in Minbhawan.

Cultural academics and experts believe that the worship of Durga during Dashain demonstrates Nepali society’s devotion for Matrishakti (motherly power) and the emphasis put on the concept of Devi (a supernatural extension of the feminine form) for the triumph of good over evil.

During Navratri, there is a crowd of devotees who offer worship at Shaktipeeth all over the country. Guhyeshwari, Jaywageshwari, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Naxal Bhagwati, Bhadrakali, Sobhabhagavati, Raktakali, Shwetkali, Bijeshwari, Kankeshwari, Kalankimai, Chamunda Devi, Sundarimai, Bajrayogini, Indrayani, Bagalamukhi and other temples in Kathmandu valley have been crowded with devotees since the morning of Ghatasthapana.

Likewise, it is said that there is a crowd of devotees in Shakti Peeths outside the valley including Palanchok Bhagwati, Nala Bhagwati, Chandeshwari, Palchok Bhagwati, Kamalamai, Ichchakamana, Manakamana, Gadhimai, Chinnamasta, Pathibhara, Dantkali, Gahwamai, Baglung Kalika, Vindhyavasini, Talbarahi, Shaileshwari, Badimalika, Ugratara. Navratri is a special time of sadhana for attaining power.