The story of Maa Katyayani is steeped in devotion, mysticism, and divine intervention. Known as the sixth form of Goddess Durga, Maa Katyayani is celebrated as a symbol of strength and devotion, revered by devotees across the world. Her legend intertwines with the epic tale of the gopis of Vrindavan and their unflinching love for Lord Krishna.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam (10.22), it is narrated that the gopis—the young, unmarried girls of Vrindavan—prayed fervently to Maa Katyayani. They desired Lord Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, as their husband and recited the following mantra during their worship:
kātyāyani mahā-māye mahā-yoginy adhīśvarinanda-gopa-sutaṁ devi patiṁ me kuru te namaḥiti mantraṁ japantyas tāḥ pūjāṁ cakruḥ kumārikāḥ
-Srimad Bhagavatam
- (Each of the young unmarried girls performed her worship while chanting the following mantra. “O goddess Kātyāyanī, O great potency of the Lord, O possessor of great mystic power and mighty controller of all, please make the son of Nanda Mahārāja my husband. I offer my obeisances unto you.)
During the month of Margasirsha, every day early in the morning the young daughters of the cowherds would take one another’s hands and, singing of Krishna’s transcendental qualities, go to the Yamuna to bathe. Desiring to obtain Krishna as their husband, they would make an idol of Maa Katyayani from sand and then worship the goddess with incense and flowers. Pleased by their devotion, Maa Katyayani blessed them. Their divine wish was fulfilled when Krishna performed the Maha Raas, uniting with them in a transcendental bond that symbolized their pure, selfless love.
It is believed that the deity worshipped in the Katyayani temple is the same deity that was made by Sri Krishna before he killed Kansa. Krishna took the blessings of Maa Katyayani and then left for Mathura.
Maa Katyayani was born to Rishi Katyayan, who performed intense penance to invoke the Goddess. When the demon Mahishasura created havoc across the three worlds, Maa Katyayani manifested as his daughter. She vanquished Mahishasura on the tenth day of Navratri (Dashami), bringing peace and protection to the universe.
The Katyayani Shakti Peeth in Vrindavan reverberates with her divine presence. Situated along the Yamuna's banks, this temple is believed to be where a strand of Goddess Sati’s hair. King Daksha, the father of Goddess Sati, organised a yajna, but didn’t invite Sati and her husband Lord Shiva. Sati felt insulted and gave her life by jumping into the fire of the yajna. When Shiva knew, he picked up Sati’s body and roamed around, distraught. During that time, the ringlets of Sati’s hair fell here. So, this place became one of the Shakti Peeths and a shrine was built dedicated to Sati. She is also called Uma here. Thus, the temple is called Uma Devi Shakti Peeth.
Built entirely of white marble, the temple features grand black stone pillars and golden lion statues guarding its entrance. Inside, devotees also worship Maa Katyayani's sword, Uchawal Chandrahaas. The temple, consecrated in February 1923, was established by Swami Keshavanand Maharaj after a divine vision.
Swami Keshavanand Maharaj, born in Bengal in 1830, was a devout spiritual seeker. After years of penance and initiation into Kriya Yoga by Lahiri Mahasaya, he roamed the Himalayas and received a vision directing him to establish Maa Katyayani’s temple in Vrindavan. He built the temple on the banks of the Yamuna, fulfilling his divine mission.
Swami Keshavanand's legacy continued through his disciples, who maintained the temple's traditions. The temple, an exemplification of devotion, attracts worshippers seeking strength, protection, and fulfilment of their desires.
Maa Katyayani embodies the triumph of good over evil and the power of unwavering devotion. Worshipping her grants strength, courage, and the fulfilment of heartfelt wishes. The gopis' timeless love and surrender reminds us that true devotion transcends worldly barriers, uniting the devotee with the divine.
Maa Katyayani Shakti Peeth, Vrindavan
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