New Delhi, Sep 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his greetings to the nation on the sixth day of Shardiya Navratri, dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, and prayed for the good health and well-being of all citizens.
He prayed that she blesses everyone with indomitable courage and excellent health, and that her grace brings inner strength into everyone’s life.
Taking to his official ‘X’, he wrote, "I offer my heartfelt prayers at the feet of Devi Maa! I pray to her that she blesses everyone with indomitable courage and excellent health. May her grace infuse self-strength into everyone's life."
Notably, Goddess Katyayani, a fierce manifestation of Mahadevi, is venerated as the vanquisher of the demon Mahishasura. She is the sixth of the Navadurgas—the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during Navratri.
As per the Amarakosha, the renowned Sanskrit lexicon, Katyayani is the second name of Goddess Adi Parashakti. She is depicted with three eyes and four hands—holding a sword and a lotus in her left hands, while her right hands are in varada mudra (bestowing boons) and abhaya mudra (offering protection). She rides a lion, and a crescent moon graces her forehead.
Navratri, meaning 'nine nights' in Sanskrit, is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms, collectively known as Navdurga.
Celebrated with deep devotion across India, the festival involves rituals, prayers, and offerings to honour each of the goddess's nine divine manifestations.
