Navratri 2023 Day 8 : Maa Mahagauri

The 9 days of Navratri are dedicated to the worship of the 9 forms of the Hindu Goddess Durga, which include Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.

On the eighth day of Navratri 2023 (Ashtami Tithi), devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of the Goddess Maa Durga. The Goddess Mahagauri is known for bestowing money and prosperity on worshipers. It is also believed that worshipping Mahagauri on this day can help worshippers overcome all obstacles and cleanse all sins.

Maa Mahagauri is one of the forms of Goddess Durga celebrated during the festival of Navaratri, which is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine. Navaratri typically spans nine nights and is a time when various forms of the goddess are honored.

Maa Mahagauri is considered the eighth form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. She is depicted as having a fair complexion and is often shown riding a white bull. The name "Mahagauri" is derived from two words: "Maha," which means great, and "Gauri," which means fair or beautiful. Hence, she is often referred to as the "Greatly Fair" goddess.

Story:

Maa Mahagauri is believed to have undergone severe penance to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. Her penance was so intense that it turned her skin dark, but her devotion and dedication pleased Lord Shiva, who blessed her with the boon of becoming fair again. This transformation from a dark complexion to a fair one is why she is known as "Mahagauri."

Significance:

Maa Mahagauri is revered for her pure and serene form, symbolizing peace and compassion. She is the embodiment of purity and is often associated with cleansing the impurities and sins of her devotees. Worshipping her during Navaratri is believed to bring inner purity, self-purification, and a sense of peace to the worshipper's life.

Devotees seek her blessings to rid themselves of physical, mental, and spiritual impurities. It is believed that her grace can help one attain a sense of inner calm and spiritual growth. People also pray to her for good health, longevity, and a prosperous life.

During the eighth day of Navaratri, devotees offer prayers, perform aarti (rituals of offering light to the deity), and chant her mantras to seek her divine blessings. As with other forms of Goddess Durga, the worship of Maa Mahagauri is an integral part of Navaratri celebrations, where each form of the goddess represents different aspects of feminine energy and power.

Which colour to wear on the 8th day of Navratri?

Purple, the eighth colour, stands for Goddess Gauri. Purple is a colour often associated with wealth, opulence and aristocracy.