Sharad Navratri 2023: Day 8 of Goddess Maha Gauri

Navratri is the most prominent & widely celebrated festival among the Hindus. It is celebrated with immense joy & fervour by Hindus all over the world and especially in India to worship the nine incarnations or forms of Goddess Durga or Maa Durga. Durga Ashtami or the 8th day of Navratri holds a lot of importance. The eighth day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Maha Gauri (the 8th form of Goddess Durga).

Goddess Maha Gauri holds a very special place among the Nav Durga (the 9 forms of Maa Durga). She is worshipped worldwide on the 8th day of Navratri Puja.

The Appearance of Goddess Maha Gauri

Goddess Maha Gauri or Maa Maha Gauri is considered to have a fair complexion. She blesses Her devotees with  peace and endurance. She is portrayed as having four arms and riding a Vrishabha (Bull). Two of Her hands are in different ‘mudras’ and Her upper-right hand holds a ‘Trishul’ (Trident), and the lower left-hand carries a ‘Damru’ (Hand-Drum). She is considered to be the wife of Mahadev (Lord Shiva).

Date of the 8th Day of Navratri 2023: 22nd October 2023

The eighth day of Navratri is celebrated by performing certain rituals for completing the Maha Puja. Some people celebrate Kanya Puja on this day in which little girls are worshipped being considered as the manifestation of Goddess Durga to seek the blessings of the Goddess. The eighth day of Navratri 2023 will fall on October 22nd, 2023.

The Story Behind the 8th Day of Navratri

The story which is believed for the eighth day of Navratri Puja is related to Maa Maha Gauri and Her origin. It is believed that when Goddess Parvati was 16 years old, She wanted to marry Lord Shiva and She performed extreme austerities for a very long time. As a result, She had to face a lot of hardships, and Her complexion turned from fair to really dark. This happened primarily because of dust, heat, and starvation.

Finally, Lord Shiva was appeased by Her ‘Tapasya’ and agreed to marry Her and blessed Her to regain Her fair complexion and as a result She got the name of ‘Gauri’ or ‘Maha Gauri’.

Significance of Goddess Maha Maha Gauri Puja

• The weapons of Goddess Durga are worshipped as a symbol of strength, boldness, and courage.
• Goddess Mahagauri is known by other names too, such as Shwetambardhara, Vrisharudha Chaturbhuji, and Shambhavi.
• This day is celebrated with the best spirits and with complete devotion which is inclined towards Maa Maha Gauri.
• Maha Gauri Puja is performed by worshipping both Maa Maha Gauri and Lord Shiva.
• There are various rituals that are performed during the Ashtami of Navratri Puja in order to delight Goddess Maha Gauri.

Read More: - Sharad Navratri 2023: Day 7 of Goddess Kaalratri

Maa Maha Gauri Puja Vidhi

Kanya Pujan is performed in various households of the country on Durga Ashtami or the eighth day of Navratri. Goddess Durga is worshipped in the form of small girls who are known as Kanjaks.

• They are made to sit in an orderly way where the holy thread is tied on their left wrists and also their feet are cleaned. A tilak is also applied to their foreheads which is considered very auspicious and is a sign of respect for them.
• They are served with ‘Prasad’, which mainly consists of delicacies like ‘Halwa’, ‘Puri’, and cooked Black Grams.
• Along with the food, these Kanjaks are also offered gifts as a token of thanks and respect since they are considered as the reflection of Goddess Durga.

Benefits of worshipping Maa Maha Gauri

Following are some of the many benefits of worshipping Maa Maha Gauri:

• One gets the immensely auspicious blessings of Maa Maha Gauri that ward off negative influences from life.
• Maa Maha Gauri bestows sound health on Her devotees.
• One receives ample opportunities of positive growth & development in life.
• With Maa Maha Gauri’s blessings a person overcomes all obstacles in life.
• The Goddess takes Her devotees out of all miseries and opens up the path to enlightenment.
• A devotee of Maa Maha Gauri leads a happy & fulfilled life with a peaceful state of mind.

Maa Maha Gauri Mantra

Reciting this mantra is considered to enhance the effects of Maa Maha Gauri Puja:

श्वेते वृषेसमारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः। महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥

Worshipping Goddess Maha Gauri on the 8th day of Navratri with the help of proper rituals will help one to lead a happy and prosperous life.

Navratri Pujas to Seek Maa Durga’s Blessings

There are many pujas (Vedic worship rituals) mentioned in the holy Hindu scriptures to please all forms of Maa Durga also known as Nav Durga. These pujas are extremely powerful rituals that open up the doorway to Devi’s grace & blessings in the life of a devotee.

One such puja which is widely opted for by the devotees is the Navratri Maha Hawan & Kanya Pujan.

Now, performing Navratri Pujas (including the Navratri Maha Hawan & Kanya Pujan) strictly in-accordance with all the Vedic rules & rituals on your own would not be easy for most of the people. Therefore, ‘Indian Astrology’ offers you the opportunity to book any or all of the Navratri Pujas that it offers.

The pujas will be performed in your name by a highly learned Brahmin priest while following all the Vedic rules & rituals. Furthermore, you will be provided with the video recording of the puja that would be performed on your behalf.

So what are you waiting for?

Get the immensely auspicious blessings of all the forms of Goddess Durga and steer your life towards success, joy, bliss and prosperity!

Indian Astrology wishes you and your family a Happy Navratri!