Nadda offers prayers to Maa Katyayani on Navratri Day 6
Synopsis
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda marked the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri 2026 by sharing a Sanskrit shloka and offering prayers to Maa Katyayani, the warrior sixth form of Goddess Durga, praying for happiness and prosperity for all.
Key Takeaways
Union Health Minister J.
Nadda posted devotional greetings on October 16, 2026 for the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri.
He opened with a Sanskrit shloka dedicated to Maa Katyayani , the sixth form of Goddess Durga.
Nadda prayed for 'happiness, prosperity, and success' for all through the goddess's blessings.
Maa Katyayani is depicted as a warrior goddess riding a lion, associated with the destruction of evil.
Sharadiya Navratri culminates in Vijayadashami (Dussehra) , observed days after the ninth night.
On the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri 2026, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda offered devotional prayers to Maa Katyayani — the sixth form of Goddess Durga — invoking her blessings for happiness, prosperity, and success for all.
Nadda shared a Sanskrit shloka on X on Friday, October 16, opening with the verse 'Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana, Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini' — which translates as: 'She who holds a gleaming sword, who rides the mighty lion, may Goddess Katyayani, the slayer of demons, bestow auspiciousness.' He added: 'On the sacred occasion of Sharadiya Navratri, I bow at the feet of Maa Amba in her sixth form, Maa Katyayani. May everyone's life be filled with joy, prosperity, and success through her blessings. Jai Mata Di!'Maa Katyayani: the warrior goddess of the sixth day
Maa Katyayani is venerated as the sixth of the nine principal forms of Goddess Durga worshipped across nine nights of Navratri. Depicted with four arms, riding a lion, and holding a sword and lotus, she is considered the warrior aspect of the divine feminine — a destroyer of evil and a bestower of strength. Devotees observe fasts, perform special pujas, and recite her shloka on this day.
Navratri as a moment of national devotion
Sharadiya Navratri, the autumn edition of the nine-night festival, falls in the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin and culminates in Vijayadashami (Dussehra) — this year arriving in the days immediately following. Across India, from Garba celebrations in Gujarat to Durga Puja pandals in West Bengal, hundreds of millions of devotees mark each of the nine nights with a specific form of the goddess. Indian public figures across the political spectrum routinely offer such devotional messages, a practice that has become a fixture of cultural engagement during major Hindu festivals.
Point of View
Blending religious observance with public outreach. For Nadda — who holds the dual role of BJP national president and Union Minister — such messages reinforce cultural alignment with the party's core Hindu-majority voter base during a high-visibility festival. The practice cuts across party lines, signalling how festivals like Navratri now function as shared civic moments as much as religious ones. With Vijayadashami imminent, the messaging is likely to intensify over the remaining days.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which form of Goddess Durga is worshipped on Navratri Day 6?
Maa Katyayani, the sixth form of Goddess Durga, is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. She is depicted as a warrior goddess riding a lion and is considered a destroyer of evil.
What did JP Nadda post on Navratri Day 6 2026?
J. P. Nadda shared a Sanskrit shloka dedicated to Maa Katyayani and prayed for happiness, prosperity, and success for everyone on the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri 2026.
What is the meaning of the Katyayani shloka shared by Nadda?
The shloka — 'Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana, Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini' — means: 'She who holds a gleaming sword and rides the great lion, may Goddess Katyayani, the slayer of demons, bestow auspiciousness.'
When does Sharadiya Navratri 2026 end?
Sharadiya Navratri 2026 concludes after nine nights and is followed by Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, which falls shortly after the ninth day of the festival.
Why do Indian politicians post Navratri greetings?
Indian political leaders across parties routinely share devotional messages during major Hindu festivals like Navratri as part of cultural engagement and to connect with the festival's significance for hundreds of millions of devotees across India.
