Navratri Day 6 Colour 2026: Green & Katyayani Guide

Navratri Day 6 colour 2026 is green, and the sixth day of Shardiya Navratri falls on Friday 16 October, dedicated to Maa Katyayani. Green stands for growth, harmony, renewal and prosperity — a calm Friday cue beside the warrior goddess who slew Mahishasura. This same-day guide covers the colour, the Shashthi tithi, Delhi timings, honey bhog, the mantra, Saraswati Avahan, and how Day 6 sits in the rest of Navratri.

Navratri Day 6 colour 2026: why green

Drik Panchang, Economic Times and Zee News all list green for Day 6 of Shardiya Navratri 2026. The popular weekday-based colour chart lands Friday on green this year. Devotees wear emerald, parrot, olive or pastel-green kurtas, sarees, lehengas or a green dupatta; garba circles often coordinate leaf and mint tones for the evening. The colour is a cultural cue rather than a hard scriptural rule, and regional charts can differ — Times of India notes some older household lists still favour red for Katyayani's warrior form — but green is the answer most families search on Shashthi morning. A practical middle ground many follow: wear green for the day's colour list and offer red flowers (especially roses), which are traditionally dear to her.

If a full outfit is not practical for work, a green stole, scarf, bangles or leaf garland is enough to mark the day.

Shashthi tithi and Delhi timings

Day 6 aligns with Ashwina Shukla Shashthi. Astha Sangrah, citing Drik Panchang for New Delhi, lists Shashthi running until about 5:54 am on 17 October. For New Delhi on 16 October:

- Sunrise 6:22 am; sunset 5:50 pm - Rahu Kaal 10:40 am–12:06 pm (many families avoid starting puja in this window) - Abhijit Muhurat 11:43 am–12:29 pm (note the overlap with Rahu Kaal; morning after sunrise is preferred for the main puja)

ABP Live's Delhi NCR panchang for the same day also flags Saraswati Avahan in the afternoon window about 3:33 pm–5:51 pm. The main Saraswati puja itself is observed on 17 October; today's rite is the avahan (invocation) that opens that sequence. Timings shift by city, so check your local panchang for Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Chennai. You keep worshipping the kalash installed on Ghatasthapana (Day 1); no fresh kalash is needed today.

Who is Maa Katyayani?

Maa Katyayani is the sixth of the Navadurga. She is named for the sage Katya's household where she is said to have appeared, and she is celebrated as the form who destroyed Mahishasura — hence also Mahishasuramardini. In the Bhagavata Purana the gopis of Braj keep the Katyayani vrat seeking Krishna as a husband, which is why unmarried devotees often pray to her for a good life partner. Popular iconography shows her on a lion, with four hands holding a lotus and sword and showing abhaya and varada mudras. In popular jyotish she is linked to Jupiter (Brihaspati); devotees pray to her for courage, protection and the strength to clear obstacles.

Maa Katyayani bhog: what to offer on Day 6

Astha Sangrah, Times of India and related Day 6 guides name honey as the main Day 6 bhog. Times of India also describes a traditional offering of honey mixed with finely ground jaiphal (nutmeg). Red flowers — especially roses — are preferred for decoration and pushpanjali. Offer roli, akshat, sandalwood and a lit diya with the honey. Families vary; pick what fits your household's practice and any fasting rules you follow.

Day 6 puja vidhi, Katyayani mantra and Saraswati Avahan

A simple sequence many households follow:

1. Bathe early and wear green if you can.

2. Worship the kalash and light the diya or tend the akhand jyoti.

3. Offer roli, akshat and red flowers before Maa Katyayani's picture.

4. Offer bhog — honey.

5. Chant the naam mantra ॐ देवी कात्यायन्यै नमः (Om Devi Katyayanyai Namah) 108 times on a mala. Astha Sangrah also gives the dhyana Chandrahasojjvalakara Shardulavaravahana / Katyayani Shubham Dadyad Devi Danavaghatini.

6. Read Chapter 11 of the Durga Saptashati (Narayani Stuti) if you follow the seven-day reading order; otherwise the Durga Chalisa if time allows.

7. Close with aarti (Jai Ambe Gauri) and share prasad.

8. If your family observes Saraswati Avahan, keep books, pens or instruments ready for the afternoon Delhi window noted above — and return tomorrow for the principal Saraswati puja.

Sources

Drik Panchang Navratri nine colours 2026; Economic Times Navratri Day 6 colour green; Astha Sangrah Day 6 Katyayani (Delhi panchang); ABP Live Aaj Ka Panchang 16 Oct 2026 Saraswati Avahan; Times of India Shardiya Navratri Day 6 Katyayani honey offering; Zee News Day 6 Katyayani / Saraswati Avahan.