PM Modi greets nation on Navratri's sixth day, Maa Katyayani
Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Navratri's sixth day, Shashthi, with a devotional post honouring Maa Katyayani — the warrior goddess — and praying that her blessings bring strength, courage, and positive energy to every Indian.
Key Takeaways
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted greetings on Navratri Shashthi , the sixth night of the festival.
He invoked Maa Katyayani , the sixth of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, associated with courage and the slaying of the demon Mahishasura.
Modi prayed for 'infinite strength, courage, and positive energy' for all people through her blessings.
Navratri is a nine-night Hindu festival celebrated with garba in Gujarat and Durga Puja pandals in West Bengal and beyond.
The Prime Minister regularly marks each Navratri day with individual devotional posts, maintaining a consistent public engagement with India's religious calendar.
On the sacred sixth day of Navratri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation, invoking the blessings of Maa Katyayani — the sixth of the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga — and praying that her grace fill every life with boundless strength, courage, and positive energy.
In his Hindi post on X, the Prime Minister wrote: 'नवरात्रि की पवित्र षष्ठी पर मां कात्यायनी के श्रीचरणों में कोटि-कोटि नमन!' — 'Countless salutations at the holy feet of Maa Katyayani on the sacred sixth day of Navratri!' — adding his wish that her blessings bring 'infinite strength, courage, and positive energy' to all.
Who is Maa Katyayani and why the sixth day matters
Maa Katyayani is revered as the warrior form of Goddess Durga, celebrated on Shashthi — the sixth night of Navratri. According to tradition, she is the deity who slew the demon Mahishasura, and her iconography radiates fierce, protective power. Devotees across India offer special prayers to her on this day, seeking courage to overcome obstacles.
Navratri — the nine-night autumn festival dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga — is one of India's most widely observed religious celebrations, marked by fasting, garba and dandiya dances in Gujarat and beyond, and elaborate Durga Puja pandals across eastern India.
Modi's pattern of engaging India's religious calendar
Prime Minister Modi has consistently marked each of the nine Navratri days with individual devotional posts, a practice that reflects his broader pattern of public engagement with India's religious and cultural milestones. The greetings reach tens of millions of followers and serve as a visible bridge between high office and popular faith.
With the festival still unfolding, celebrations — from the garba grounds of Ahmedabad to the Durga Puja marquees of Kolkata — are at their peak intensity as the nine nights build toward Navami and the culminating Vijaya Dashami.
Point of View
A pattern that has deepened since 2014. Whether it registers as sincere piety or strategic signalling depends entirely on the observer — but its reach and regularity make it one of the most consequential uses of a sitting PM's social media presence during festival season.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maa Katyayani and why is she worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri?
Maa Katyayani is the sixth of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, revered on Navratri's Shashthi (sixth day). She is the warrior goddess credited with slaying the demon Mahishasura and symbolises courage and fierce protective power.
What did PM Modi post on Navratri Shashthi 2026?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted greetings in Hindi on X, offering 'countless salutations' to Maa Katyayani and praying that her blessings bring infinite strength, courage, and positive energy to everyone.
When does Navratri 2026 take place?
Navratri is an annual nine-night autumn Hindu festival. The exact 2026 calendar dates were not independently verified, but the festival typically falls in September or October.
How does PM Modi typically observe Navratri?
Prime Minister Modi consistently marks each of the nine Navratri days with individual devotional posts on social media, invoking each form of Goddess Durga in turn — a practice he has maintained across multiple years.
What is the significance of Navratri in India?
Navratri is one of India's most widely observed religious festivals, featuring nine nights of worship of Goddess Durga's nine forms. It is celebrated through garba and dandiya dances in Gujarat, Durga Puja pandals in West Bengal, and fasting and prayer across the country.
