Maa Katyayani Ki Katha.

Goddess Durga, revered particularly during the Navaratri festival. According to Hindu mythology, she was born from the combined anger of the gods to defeat the demon Mahishasura. The gods, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, created her by offering their energies, which led to her being a warrior goddess. She is depicted with four arms, riding a lion, holding a sword in one hand, and a lotus in another, symbolizing strength and grace. Her other two hands bless her devotees, granting them protection and boons.

One of the most significant legends associated with Maa Katyayani is that of the sage Katyayana, from whom she derives her name. Sage Katyayana performed severe penance to please the goddess, praying for her to be born as his daughter. His prayers were answered when Maa Durga took birth as Katyayani and later grew into a fierce warrior goddess. She led the army of the gods to battle against Mahishasura and, after a fierce fight, beheaded the demon, freeing the world from his tyranny.

Maa Katyayani is also mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana, where young girls in Gokul worshipped her to get Lord Krishna as their husband. This form of devotion, known as the "Katyayani Vrata," is observed by unmarried girls even today, who fast and pray to the goddess for a good husband. This shows that Maa Katyayani is not just a symbol of strength but also a goddess of love and devotion.

Devotees worship her on the sixth day of Navaratri with deep reverence, seeking courage, success, and the destruction of negative forces in their lives. She is believed to protect her devotees from evil and guide them toward righteousness. Her blessings are invoked for marital happiness, the removal of obstacles, and spiritual progress, making her a widely venerated form of the divine mother.