Some see Navratri as an occasion to impress their Goddess Durga; some find its nine days as an opportunity to celebrate and dance, revering Navadurga; some observe Navratri keeping fast for fulfilling their wishes. The reason is whatsoever; Navratri is celebrated as one of the favorite festivals among Hindus and the devotees of Devi Durga.
The nine nights of Navratri fest sparkle with lights, decorations, and joyful dance acts on songs devoted to Durga. People give their full involvement with their whole heart to please their goddess.
This Sneh Post gives details of Navratri day 8 and the goddess of the eighth day of Navratri, “Mahagauri”.
About Navratri Day 8
Mahagauri Puja on Ashtami (Navratri Durga Puja on Day 8)
The worshippers of Durga Devi also address this day as Durga Puja Day 8 and offer prayers to her Mahagauri (form) this day.
Mahagauri Puja Vidhi
Worship Rituals
Significance of Mahagauri Puja
Goddess Mahagauri is also believed to be the incarnation of Parvati and worshiped as the consort/wife of Lord Shiva.
Devi Mahadurga’s name is ornamented with the Maa (A Hindi word for the Mother) because she is revered as a very compassionate and radiant goddess who is kind and protective like a mother.
The devotees of Mahagauri worship her for purifying their souls as she is believed to rinse or remove all the sins. She is also believed to bring the calming effect and knowledge into the lives of her devotees.
Mahagauri is also considered the embodiment of peace and intelligence. Maa Gauri or Mahagauri is worshiped meditating her image with extremely fair complexion.
Because of possessing an absolutely fair complexion, Mahagauri is compared with the moon, conch, and Kunda, a white-colored flower.
The followers and worshippers of Goddess Mahagauri also believe that she governs the planet Rahu.
About Goddess Mahagauri
Devnagari Name: Mahagauri
Origin
As per Hindu Mythologies and ancient stories, Goddess Shailputri was very fair in complexion and extremely beautiful at the age of 16. Since then she is addressed as Goddess Mahagauri by her devotees. Devi Shailputri was an Avatar of Goddess Parvati which came into appearance after her self-immolation as Sati.
Nomenclature
The word Mahagauri is made of two Sanskrit words ‘Maha’ and ‘Gauri’. Here Maha means ‘the great’ or ‘biggest’ and Gauri is another name of Parvati.
The two words suggest one more meaning in which “Maha” means “greatly” and “Gauri” means “fair”. So Mahagauri also means “greatly fair” which signifies her extremely fair complexion. Because of this, she is also called Goddess Shwetambardhara. Here “Shwet” means “white”. She is also compared with the moon, conch, and white Kunda flower.
As Goddess Mahagauri rides a bull, she is also called Vrisharudha. This name is made of two words- “Vrisha” and “Arudha” which means “Bull” and “one who is riding on” respectively.
Depiction of Mahagauri
Mahagauri goddess is depicted wearing a white or green-colored sari (An Indian traditional attire which is also spelled as saree). She is portrayed riding the bull as her Vahan or vehicle.
The Devi is portrayed with four hands. The left two hands are posed with Damaru and Varada Mudra (blessings-giving pose). The other two right hands hold a Trishul and Abhaya Mudra. Here Abhaya means “fear-free” and the Mudra means pose which collectively denote the blessing of fearlessness.
Favorite Flower
Devi Mahagauri’s favorite flower is Night-blooming Jasmine that is known as Raat Ki Rani in Hindi.
