Maa Mahagauri: Worshipped on Maha Ashtami, Know more about the significance of this day, Kanya Pujan, Puja rituals and Vidhi to be followed, मां महागौरी की पूजा और कन्या पूजन कैसे करें

Navratri, the 9 day/ 10 day grand festival which is dedicated to Maa Durga and her nine divine forms, echoes the victory of good over bad, truth over lies and evil. Day 8 of this auspicious festival of Navratri is commonly known as Maha Ashtami, and is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, the eighth roop of Goddess Durga. Maha Ashtami or the day dedicated to Maa Mahagauri is one of the most observed and celebrated days amongst the 9 days of Navratri. It is believed that Maa Mahagauri blesses her devotees with a pure mind and soul, mental peace, inner strength and freedom from all burdens of one’s past that he/she has been carrying.

The Legend of Maa Mahagauri

The traditional fables and saga of Hindu mythology have been illustrating Maa Mahagauri as the emblem of composure and tranquility. The tales have always told that Mata Parvati had undergone severe previous penance in her past life or birth so that she could have Lord Shiva as her husband and life partner. Because of the severe abstinence and penance, her skin colour had turned black and dark and her body had become too frail and vulnerable.

But this extreme penance and severe abstinence from a normal life paid off and Lord Shiva was eventually please with her devotion towards him. Then Lord Shiva blessed her and as she had turn dark he bathed her with the holy Ganga water. Soon after taking a bath, she came back to her extremely, radiant, fair, glowing complexion. In Sanskrit, Gauri means white and fair, and as maa was extraordinarily fair, she came to be known as Mahagauri, means exceptionally fair. Maa Mahagauri is an epitome of endurance, perseverance, persistence, self-control, wisdom and knowledge.

One more tale is famous that as Maa Mahagauri was the daughter of King of Mountains which is known as “Giri” in Sanskrit, thus she was given the name.

Maa Mahagauri as portrayed in her idols and pictures is on a white bull known as Vrishabh in sanskrit. Maa in her pictures is seen with 4 hands., one hand holds a trishul (trident), one holds a damru (small drum) in one hand, and the other two hands are in abhay mudra which is showering blessings to the devotees. Maa has a gentle smile on her face and a serene, calm expression which is even radiating outside her pictures and one can feel it just looking at her idols or portraits. Her serene expression radiates compassion and calmness, making her the ultimate embodiment of peace and purity.

Importance of Mahashtami and Worship of Maa Mahagauri

Day 8 of the 9day/10 day long Navratri or Dura Puja is known as Maha Ashtami. This day is one of the auspicious and significant days according to its spiritual and emotional meaning. This propitious day is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, the eighth roop of NavDurga. Maa Mahagauri is a symbol of chastity, virtue, integrity, penance, abstinence, determination, peace, patience and sympathy.

This auspicious day of Maha Ashtami is a mark of the eternal truth that good always triumphs over evil. This day is a subtle reminder that the supreme feminine divinity had proved her victory over the evil forces.

Worshipping Maa Mahagauri on this pious day of Maha Ashtami is said to wash away and delete all past negativities and any burdens of the past karmas. This day brings spiritual awakening, satisfaction, mental peace, prosperity emotional balance.

Kanya Pujan is conducted on Maha Ashtami where nine young girls who signify the nine forms of Durga are worshipped like Maa Durga, and they are offered meals and prasad just like the deity. Many people fast on this day and perform puja and pushpanjali (offering flowers to Maa Durga while chanting specific Mantras). Kanya Pujan is a special dedication to the supreme feminine power, and it reminds us that young and small girls are representatives of Maa Durga and should be worshipped and respected just like Maa.

Praying to Maa Mahagauri on this auspicious day of Maha Ashtami brings the followers closer to God which purifies their souls, brings positivity, removes obstacles and spiritual enlightenment. This day is considered especially auspicious for both married and unmarried females. Praying to Maa on this Maha Ashtami will bring peace and happiness to married life and suitable partners just like Lord Shiva for unmarried girls.

Maa Mahagauri Puja Vidhi

Do follow the given below step-by-step puja vidhi on Maha Ashtami with full faith and devotion towards Maa Mahagauri:

1. Clean and purify your home and puja area. Place a white cloth beneath the idol of maa.
2. Place a kalash filled with holy water, five leaved mango leaves and coconut on the kalash. This is called Kalash Sthapna.
3. Try to place an idol where Maa is wearing white clothes. Ghee diyas (earthern small lamps) and incense sticks, i.e. dhoop and agarbatti should be lit. Offering white sweets and white flowers to Maa.
4. Chant and recite mantras of Maa Mahagauri and the Durga Saptashati asking Maa to bless everyone.
5. Kanya Pujan is performed where nine young, unmarried females are worshipped by washing their feet, offering red chunri, sweets, special vrat food and gifts to them. As they are worshipped as symbols of Maa Durga, people touch their feet to seek Maa’s blessings.
6. Many also fast (vrat) on this day to show respect towards Maa. Some do a complete fast without food and water (nirjala) and some do intake fruits, milk, juices and water, whatever is possible for them.

Which Mantras to chant for Maa Mahagauri

Reciting the below mantras regularly with faith and dedication will fulfill ones wishes which are asked to from Maa and will free from past sins and karmas:

Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah (ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः)

Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetambar-dhara Shuchih |
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyan Mahadeva Pramodada ||

(श्वेते वृषेषमरुध श्वेतांबर-धारा शुचिः। महागौरी शुभं दद्यां महादेवा प्रमोददा।)

Colour of the Day

The colour of the day is Peacock Green which symbolises elegance, beauty, balance and prosperity. Wearing peacock green color clothes on this day will please Maa Mahagauri and bring virtue, balance, prosperity, patience and determination.

Conclusion

We all should learn from Maa Mahagauri that if one has made up their mind, and their determination and goal is too strong no one can stop you. Maa signifies beauty, elegance, calmness, mental strength, balance of mind and sheer purity. May this day of Maha Ashtami make all your wishes and dreams come true and we wish that the whole of society remain peaceful and happy. This day teaches us that women are representatives of Maa Durga and Maa Mahagauri and they should be honoured and respected.