Navratri Day 8: Worship Maa Mahagauri – Significance, Puja Vidhi, Colour, Bhog, and Mantra
Navratri is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with devotion and reverence, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. On the eighth day of Navratri, also known as Ashtami, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, the eighth manifestation of Goddess Durga. Maa Mahagauri is revered as the epitome of purity, peace, and tranquility. Her worship is believed to remove all sins and bestow blessings of prosperity, peace, and happiness.
In this article, we will explore the significance, story, and rituals (Puja Vidhi) associated with Maa Mahagauri, along with the auspicious color, bhog offerings, and mantras for Day 8 of Navratri.
Who is Maa Mahagauri? The Goddess of Purity and Tranquility
Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga, is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. The name “Mahagauri” translates to “extremely fair,” symbolizing the Goddess’s radiant and fair appearance. Her complexion is often compared to the brightness of the moon, conch, and jasmine flowers. Maa Mahagauri is depicted as a beautiful Goddess adorned in white garments, riding a bull, and holding a trident and a tambourine in her hands.
Maa Mahagauri is known for her serene and compassionate nature. She blesses her devotees with purity, peace, and prosperity. Her four hands symbolize protection and blessings – her two right hands are in Abhaya Mudra (gesture of protection) and Varada Mudra (gesture of granting boons), while her left hands hold a trident (Trishul) and a damaru (drum). She rides a bull, symbolizing strength and stability.
The Story of Maa Mahagauri’s Transformation
According to Hindu mythology, Maa Mahagauri is the form that Goddess Parvati assumed to regain her fair complexion after performing severe penance. The legend goes that after Goddess Parvati’s prolonged meditation to win Lord Shiva’s love and affection, her body became dark and dusty. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Shiva accepted her as his consort and married her.
To cleanse herself and regain her radiant complexion, Goddess Parvati performed another penance and took a bath in the sacred waters of the Ganges River in the Himalayas. After emerging from the river, her complexion turned golden and glowing. From that moment, she was known as Mahagauri, the radiant and fair Goddess who symbolizes purity and peace.
Significance of Worshipping Maa Mahagauri on Navratri Day 8
Maa Mahagauri represents purity, tranquility, and compassion. Worshipping her on the eighth day of Navratri is believed to purify the mind, body, and soul, and bring inner peace and calmness to her devotees. She governs the Sahasrara Chakra (Crown Chakra), which symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and liberation.
Devotees seek Maa Mahagauri’s blessings for a peaceful and prosperous life. Her worship is known to eliminate negativity and sins, and grant peace, purity, and happiness. She also blesses devotees with marital bliss, motherhood, and prosperity.
Benefits of Worshipping Maa Mahagauri
- Removes Sins and Negativity: Her blessings help in eliminating all past sins and negative energies.
- Promotes Peace and Purity: She blesses her devotees with mental peace, calmness, and purity of mind.
- Grants Prosperity and Happiness: Maa Mahagauri’s worship brings prosperity, good health, and happiness.
- Enhances Spiritual Growth: Her blessings help in activating the Sahasrara Chakra, leading to spiritual enlightenment and growth.
Navratri Day 8 Puja Vidhi (Rituals for Worshipping Maa Mahagauri)
Performing the correct rituals (Puja Vidhi) for Maa Mahagauri with devotion can help attract her divine blessings. Here’s a step-by-step guide for the Puja Vidhi on the eighth day of Navratri:
- Early Morning Preparation: Begin the day by taking a bath early in the morning. Wear clean clothes, preferably in purple, as it is considered the auspicious color for this day.
- Kalash Sthapna (Installation of Sacred Pot): Place a Kalash filled with water at the center of the Puja area. Adorn it with mango leaves and place a coconut on top.
- Invoke Maa Mahagauri: Light a ghee lamp and incense sticks. Offer fresh white flowers, fruits, and sweets to the Goddess. Place an image or idol of Maa Mahagauri in the center of the Puja space.
- Chant Mantras and Prayers: Recite Maa Mahagauri’s mantras with devotion. Meditate on her form and pray for peace, prosperity, and purity.
- Offer Bhog Prasad: Prepare Bhog (food offering) like coconut-based sweets, kheer, or halwa. Offer it to the Goddess and then distribute it as Prasad among family members.
- Perform Aarti: Conclude the Puja by performing Aarti with a lit camphor, singing devotional hymns dedicated to Maa Mahagauri.
Puja Samagri for Navratri Day 8
Here are the essential items (Puja Samagri) required for performing the rituals on Navratri Day 8:
- Desi Ghee (clarified butter)
- Incense Sticks
- Fresh White Flowers or Garland
- Purple or White Clothes
- Kumkum (vermilion)
- Shringaar items (beauty items)
- Ganga Jal (holy water)
- Betel Leaves (Paan)
- Supari (Betel Nuts)
- Cloves (Laung)
- Cardamom (Elaichi)
Navratri Day 8 Color and Bhog
- Color for Day 8: The auspicious color for Navratri Day 8 is Purple, symbolizing nobility, luxury, and spirituality.
- Bhog to Offer: A prasad of coconut is offered to Maa Mahagauri. You can also offer sweets like coconut laddoos, kheer, or halwa as Bhog.
Mantras to Chant for Maa Mahagauri’s Blessings
Chanting Maa Mahagauri’s mantras with devotion helps invoke her divine energy and seek her blessings. Here are some powerful mantras to chant on the eighth day of Navratri:
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ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah
Translation: “I offer my salutations to the radiant and pure Goddess Mahagauri.”
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श्वेते वृषे समारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः। महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेवप्रमोददा॥
Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadeva Pramodada
Translation: “O Maa Mahagauri, who rides a white bull and is adorned in white garments, please bless me with peace, purity, and happiness.”
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या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupen Sansthita Namastasyay Namastasyay Namastasyay Namo Namah
Translation: “I bow to Maa Mahagauri, who resides in all beings as the divine form of purity and tranquility.”
Conclusion: Seek the Divine Blessings of Maa Mahagauri on Navratri Day 8
The eighth day of Navratri, dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, is a day to seek purity, peace, and divine grace. By performing the rituals with sincerity and chanting her mantras, devotees can attract positivity, dispel negativity, and achieve mental peace and prosperity. May Maa Mahagauri’s divine blessings bring you happiness, success, and tranquility during this Navratri.
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