03/10/2022
Maa Mahagauri 🙏 Maha Ashtami
Day 8
Eighth form of Goddess Durga
The word Maha means great and the word Gauri means radiant or fair, hence the name Mahagauri
Maa Mahagauri is considered to be the most beautiful avatar of Navdurga and is known for prosperity, health, and wealth. She has the power to fulfill all the deepest desires of her devotees.She is compassionate, caring. It is also believed that Maa Mahagauri gives relief from all kinds of pain and suffering.
She is a four-armed deity Devi Mahagauri who rides on a bull or a white elephant and carries a Trishul and a damru in her hands. Maa Mahagauri is also known as Shwetambardhara, as she always wears white clothes. She symbolises purity, serenity, and tranquillity.
There’s an interesting story that tells how Goddess Mahagauri got her name. It is believed that Goddess Shailputri, who did hard penance (tapasya) to win over and marry Lord Shiva, became Goddess Parvati after she tied the knot with Mahadev.But because of years of severe penance, the skin of Goddess Parvati had turned dull and black. Impressed by what the Goddess had gone through and the sacrifices she made to marry him, Lord Shiva washed her with Ganga water, her skin turned white, and she began glowing like a pearl. Because of this reformation, Goddess Parvati was named Mahagauri.
On the day of Ashtami, many major rituals like Kanya Puja, Sandhi Puja, and Shodashopachar Puja are performed.
Kanya Pujan, also known as Kanjak or Kumari Puja is the most important part of Maha Ashtami, where devotees invite nine young girls and one boy at their home where they offer them food, gifts and worship them. With all love and devotion, the kids are fed halwa, puri, and Chana (black chickpeas), the same bhog which was made for the Goddess.