Who is Maa Mahagauri
Mahagauri is the Goddess revered on the eighth day of the 9-day Navratri festival in India. "Maha" signifies extreme, and "gauri" means white. Devotees worship her to foster fidelity in relationships and establish lifelong bonds.
About Maa Mahagauri | माँ महागौरी
| Name (नाम) | Maa Mahagauri (माँ महागौरी) |
| Alternate Names (वैकल्पिक नाम) | Shwetambardhara [श्वेताम्बरधारा] - Dressed in white clothes Vrisharudha [वृषारुढ़ा] - Rides the bull Chaturbhuji [चतुर्भुजी] - Has four hands Shambhavi [शाम्भवी] - Bestows bliss and happiness |
| Vehicle (वाहन) | Bull / Taurus (बैल) |
| Weapons (शस्त्र) | Four Hands - Mata holds a trident (Trishul) and makes the Abhaya Mudra (fearlessness gesture) with her right hand. In one of her left hands, she holds a small drum (Damru), and in the other, she extends the Varada Mudra (blessing gesture). |
| Expression/Mudra (अभिव्यक्ति/मुद्रा) | Calm and blessing gesture |
| Planetary Influence (ग्रह-प्रभाव) | Rahu (राहु) |
| Stuti (स्तुति) | Ya Devi Sarvabhooteshu Maa Mahagauri Roopen Sansthita, Namastasye Namastasye Namastasye Namo Namh. या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मां महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥ |
| Mantra (मंत्र) | ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥ Om Devi Mahagaurye Namah॥ |
Maa Mahagauri Story
There are various versions of the story of Mahagauri, with the most well-known one being as follows:
Maa Mahagauri First Story
Following the defeat of all demons in the form of Kaalratri, Parvati was left with skin as dark as night. This led her husband, Mahadev, to affectionately tease her with the nickname 'Kali,' referring to her dark complexion. Upset by this, Parvati undertook a rigorous penance for many days to regain her fair skin. Pleased with her dedication, Brahma advised her to bathe in the Mansarovar River in the Himalayas (although some variations mention the holy Ganges river instead).
Following Brahma's counsel, she bathed in the river, causing her dark skin to separate from her and take on the form of a female, known as Kaushiki. Kaushiki then proceeds to defeat the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, who had received a boon from Brahma, making them impervious to harm by a man, demon, god, or deity. Parvati regains her fair complexion and beauty, earning the name Mahagauri, which translates to "extremely fair."
Maa Mahagauri Second Story
In another account, Parvati aspires to wed Lord Shiva and, following Rishi Narad's guidance, undergoes a grueling penance deep within the forest to appease Shiva. During this period, she forsakes all comforts, including food, enduring the elements such as heat, cold, rain, and storms for many years.
Her body becomes covered with dirt, soil, insects, and dry leaves. Delighted by her unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva consents and bathes her in the waters of the Ganges flowing from his locks. Parvati emerges in the form of Mahagauri, as resplendent as a jasmine flower and clad in white.
Goddess Mahagauri, in this form, possesses four arms, holding a trident and a damaru (a small two-headed drum) in two of them. She is venerated as the Goddess of compassion and righteousness, riding a white bull, typically appearing as a nine-year-old maiden (which explains the tradition of performing kanya-pujan, worshipping unmarried girls). She is adorned in white attire and ornaments.
Maa Mahagauri Iconographic Insights
Goddess Maa Mahagauri shares the bull as her mount with Goddess Maa Shailputri, earning her the name "Vrisharudha" (वृषारूढ़ा). She is typically depicted with four hands, wielding a Trishul in her right hand, while her second right hand is held in the Abhaya Mudra. In her left hands, she carries a Damaru and maintains the Varada Mudra with her second left hand.
Maa Mahagauri Ruling Planet
Maa Mahagauri governs over the planet Rahu, and it is believed that worshipping her with pure intentions can ward off any adverse effects associated with the Rahu.
Maa Mahagauri Chakra Association
Maa Mahagauri presides over the Crown Chakra, also referred to as the sahasrara chakra, granting seekers with Siddhi (spiritual accomplishment).
Worshipping Maa Mahagauri : A Step-by-Step Guide
- On Ashtami, commence the day with Mahasnan to cleanse yourself of impurities and don fresh attire.
- Place an idol of Maa Mahagauri outside your home temple. Light lamps and incense sticks.
- Install nine small pots to invoke the nine Shaktis of Maa Durga and pay homage to them during the Maha Ashtami Puja.
- Offer fresh flowers to the idol and meditate before Goddess Mahagauri.
- Recite Maa Mahagauri mantras during your worship.
- Conclude the puja by performing the aarti and share prasad with the devotees.
- Durga Ashtami also falls on this day. People observe a tradition of worshipping young girls known as kanjaks. They welcome nine Kanjaks to their homes and offer them prasad. These nine girls symbolize the Navdurga.
- Perform rituals of respect by washing their feet, applying tilak on their foreheads, and presenting them with specially-prepared prasad consisting of puri, halva, and black grams.
- In addition to the girls, a boy is also invited and is provided with food during the kanjak puja ritual, representing Batuk Bhairav.
Benefits of Observing Maa Mahagauri Puja
Maa Mahagauri puja on the eighth day of Navratri bestows devotees with unassailable strength and abundant merits. She eradicates the sorrows and anxieties of her worshippers while endowing them with virtues. This leads to the fulfillment of all their earthly prosperities.
Maa Mahagauri is the overseer of perfection. She grants the devotees' every wish, providing them with supreme comfort and happiness. The eighth day of Navratri puja also marks the second day of Saraswati puja, known as Maha Ashtami. Here are some benefits.
- Create a serene and harmonious environment.
- Foster positive and abundant thoughts about the human experience.
- Develop resilience in the face of worldly events.
- Purify your heart from harmful thoughts and deeds.
- Uplift your children, nurturing their purity.
- Cultivate a peaceful setting for yourself and your cherished ones.
Maa Mahagauri Mantra
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagaurye Namah॥
श्वेते वृषे समारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥
Shwete Vrashe samarudha Shwetambar Dhara Shuchih।
Maha Gauri Shubham Dadyanmahadev Pramodada॥
श्री क्लीं ह्रीं वरदायै नम:॥
Shri Kleem Hreem Vardayai Namah॥
Maa Mahagauri Aarti (आरती)
जय महागौरी जगत की माया, जय उमा भवानी जय महामाया॥
हरिद्वार कनखल के पासा, महागौरी तेरा वहा निवास॥
चन्द्रकली और ममता अम्बे, जय शक्ति जय जय माँ जगदम्बे॥
भीमा देवी विमला माता, कौशिक देवी जग विख्यता॥
हिमाचल के घर गौरी रूप तेरा, महाकाली दुर्गा है स्वरूप तेरा॥
सती (सत) हवन कुंड में था जलाया, उसी धुएं ने रूप काली बनाया॥
बना धर्म सिंह जो सवारी में आया, तो शंकर ने त्रिशूल अपना दिखाया॥
तभी माँ ने महागौरी नाम पाया, शरण आनेवाले का संकट मिटाया॥
शनिवार को तेरी पूजा जो करता, माँ बिगड़ा हुआ काम उसका सुधरता॥
भक्त बोलो तो सोच तुम क्या रहे हो, महागौरी माँ तेरी हरदम ही जय हो॥
Jai Mahagauri jagat kee Maya, Jay Uma Bhawani jay mahamaya॥
Haridwar kanakhal ke paasa, mahaagauree tera vaha nivaas॥
Chandrakali aur mamata ambe, jay shakti jay jay maan jagadambe॥
Bheema Devi vimala Mata, Kaushik Devi Jag Vikhyata॥
Himaachal ke Ghar Gauri Roop Tera, Mahakali Durga hai swaroop tera॥
Sati (sat) Havan Kund Me tha jalaya, Ussi Dhuen ne roop Kali banaaya॥
Bana dharm Singh jo Sawari Me aaya, To Shankar ne Trishool apana dikhaaya॥
Tabhee Maa ne Mahagauri naam paaya, Sharan Aanewaale ka sankat mitaaya॥
Shanivaar ko Teree pooja jo karata, Maa bigada hua kaam usaka Sudharata॥
Bhakt bolo to soch tum kya rahe ho, Mahagauri Maa teree haradam hee jay ho॥
Maa Mahagauri Prasad
On the eighth day, devotees present a unique offering of coconuts to Goddess Maa Mahagauri. It is a common belief that gifting coconuts to Brahmins on Ashtami is a means to attract prosperity and happiness.
