Maa MahaGauri is the eighth incarnation of Maa Durga and she is also known as Mata Parvati. This day of Navratri puja is also known as Maha Pooja Navratri. Ashtami is basically dedicated to Goddess Parvati, who is the most beautiful and graceful Avatar of Goddesses wearing a white sari.
Who is Mahagauri?
She is the wife of Lord Shiva. Her name ‘Mahagauri’ denotes, “Maha” means extreme or great and “Gauri” means white complexion and she has the extreme white complexion like the moon, white pearl or snow. Goddess Mahagauri has other names also which are Shwetambardhara, Vrisharudha, Chaturbhuj, and Shambhavi.
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It is believed that the planet Rahu is governed by Goddess Parvati. According to Indian mythology, Mata Parvati wanted Lord Shiva as her husband, so she left all the comforts of the palace and started tough penance in the forest.
While performing the severe penance for many years, Parvati’s body turned black colour due to dust, soil, and leaves of trees. After watching her hard penance, Lord Shiva pleased and blessed her that he would marry her. Lord Shiva cleaned the Goddess Parvati with the sacred water of the holy Ganga. Then all the dust, soil and dirt were washed away from the body of Goddess Parvati and she got a white complexion. Thus, Goddess Parvati is also known as Mahagauri.
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Goddess Mahagauri is depicted with four hands. She carries Trishul in one right hand and keeps the second right hand in Abhay Mudra. She adorns Damaru in one left hand and keeps the second left hand in Varada Mudra. To defend Devas from the cruel, Goddess Mahagauri destroyed the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh on this day.
The devotees should perform the 8th day of Navratri puja with devotion and pure mind so that Devi Mahagauri fulfills all their desires. Devi MahaGauri vanishes all the sins of previous births of the devotees and purifies their life. Devi Maa leads them to the path of truth and happiness.
Devotees should worship Goddess Maha Gauri with pure mind and chant the below mantras: –
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Maa Mahagauri Mantra: –
श्वेते वृषेसमारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥
Shweta Vrishesamarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih।
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadeva Pramodada॥
The meaning of the Mantra:-
Like, White Goddess Mahagauri rides on Vrishaba, she is adorned with white coloured ornaments. Wrapped in a white saree, the Goddess is a symbol of purity and peace.
Timings:
Maha Ashtami will be observed on October 3 this year. Drik Panchang says the Ashtami Tithi will begin at 06:47 pm on October 2 and end at 04:37 pm on October 3. The timings for Sandhi Puja will last from 04:13 pm to 05:01 pm. While the Brahma Muhurta is from 04:38 am to 05:26 am, the Abhijit Muhurat is from 11:46 am to 12:34 pm.
Additionally, some devotees will observe the second day of Saraswati Puja, Saraswati Pradhan Puja, on Monday, October 3. The Puja Muhurat is from 07:31 am to 01:09 pm.
Colour:
The colour of the day on Maha Ashtami or Day 8 of Navratri is peacock green. Devotees who worship Goddess Mahagauri on this day can wear clothes of this shade. The colour is a symbol of uniqueness, individuality, compassion, and freshness.
Bhog:
On the eighth day, worshippers offer a special bhog of coconut to Goddess Mahagauri. It is widely believed that donating coconuts to the Brahmins on Ashtami brings prosperity and happiness.
Jai Maa Mahagauri!
Edit- Ayushi mittal
