Navratri 2022: Devotees worship Goddess Katyayani on Maha Shasthi today

As today marks the sixth day of nine-day long festival of Navratri, devotees all over the country will worship the sixth incarnation of Maa Durga, Goddess Katyayani.

As per Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu amalgamated their powers to create Goddess Katyayani. She is also known by the name Mahishasurmardini, as she killed demon Mahishasura. She has been regarded as one of the most violent incarnations of Maa Durga. She rides a lion and has four arms.

The Chhatrpur Temple of Delhi conducted the morning aarti today morning on the occasion of fifth day of Navratri. The priests are chanting mantras and the temple premises is echoing holy songs.

Devotees worship the nine incarnations of Maa Durga during the nine-day long Navratri festival to seek her blessings. Each day of Navratri has a goddess manifestation linked to it. Throughout these nine days, people maintain ritualistic fasts, wear new clothing, recite shlokas dedicated to each incarnation, offer food to the needy and clean their homes.

The ask for the goddess' fervour in their prayers to live joyous, prosperous and fulfilled lives. Devotees observe fasts and offer their prayers to Goddess Durga in these nine days.

The Navratri festival signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it honours the defeat of demon Mahishasura. The tenth day of Navratri is celebrated with full fervour as Vijaya Dashmi, popularly called Dussehra.

This year, Navratri began on 26th September and will end on 5th October. North India extensively conducts Ramlila during Navratri, which exhibits the tale of triumph of Lord Ram over Ravana. Dances like Garba and Dandiya Raas are also performed. The idols of King Ravana are burned on the day of Dussehra to mark this significance.