New Delhi: Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. In 2013, the eighth day of the Navratri will be celebrated on 12th October, Saturday. Mahagauri means one clean and bright ray of lightning that lightens the universe. She has the power to fulfill all the desires. Goddess Durga manifested into this form to liberate the gods from the wrath of demons. Devotees who worship the goddess gets relief from all the sufferings in life. Goddess Mahagauri observed a hard penance as goddess Parvati to get Lord Shiva in the form of her husband. During the course of the penance her body becomes black and dull as her body got covered with soil and turned black in colour. Lord Shiva got pleased with her penance and accepted her as his wife. Then, he cleaned goddess Parvati with Ganga water and saw her skin shining like gold and thus he named her Mahagauri.
The goddess appears faithful, affectionate, calm and soft in nature. All the gods and sages worship this form of the goddess by chanting, “Sarvamangal Mangaleya, Shiva Saevartha Sadhike. Sharaneya Ambeyagauri Narayani Namastute”. The goddess blesses the devotees who worship her with peaceful life and burn all their sins. Ashtami has a special significance in the nine divine night of Navratri. Some people conclude te Navratra on Ashtami and some do it on Navami. Those who perform Ashtami, conclude the fast by worshiping goddess Mahagauri. People worship her with faith and devotion. On this day the females offer a red coloured stole and perform puja with the same rituals as performed till saptami. While worshipping the goddess Mahagauri chant the given mantra, “ Sidhgandharvashadheyarsureyarameyarapi | Sevyamana Sada Bhuyat Sidhidi Siddhidayini || ”. Fruits, flower garlands, sweets, betel leaves, cardamom, cloves etc are offered to the goddess. The idol of goddess Mahagauri is bathing with water, milk, curd and adorned with new clothes. After that, sandalwood, vermillion, henna, black pencil etc are applied to the goddess. She is covered in red clothes and placed on a clean platform. Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of the puja with ganga jal, roli, moli, sandalwood, cloves, rice, flowers, belpatra, sweets and dakshina, followed by worshipping the Kalash.
Bureau Report
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