Navratri 2024 Day 8: Significance of Maa Mahagauri, Puja Vidhi, Shubh Muhurat, and Colour of the Day
Navratri is one of the most revered festivals in India, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Day 8 of Navratri, known as Mahashtami, holds immense significance as devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga, who symbolizes purity, peace, and prosperity.
Who is Maa Mahagauri?
Maa Mahagauri, known for her fair and radiant complexion, represents purity and cleanliness. According to Hindu mythology, after undergoing rigorous penance to win Lord Shiva’s affection, Maa Parvati’s complexion turned dark. Later, Lord Brahma advised her to take a holy bath in the Ganges to regain her fair complexion. After doing so, she emerged as Maa Mahagauri. She rides a bull (Vrishabha) and is depicted with four arms—holding a trident (Trishul) and a damru while blessing her devotees with Abhaya Mudra and Varada Mudra.
Significance of Mahashtami
Mahashtami is one of the most auspicious days of Navratri. Worshiping Maa Mahagauri on this day is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and purity into the lives of her devotees. As she controls the planet Rahu, devotees seek her blessings to remove obstacles and cleanse their lives from impurities. Maa Mahagauri is also revered for bringing happiness, wealth, and tranquility to households.
Ashtami Puja Vidhi
On Mahashtami, devotees rise early, take a holy bath, and prepare for the worship of Maa Mahagauri. Here’s the step-by-step Puja Vidhi:
- Place the idol or image of Maa Mahagauri on a clean altar.
- Offer fresh flowers, fruits, sweets, and water to the goddess.
- Light an oil lamp and incense sticks to purify the environment.
- Chant Maa Mahagauri mantras and perform the Aarti.
- Offer coconut, one of her favorite offerings, along with coconut barfi and laddus.
- Conclude the puja by distributing the Prasad to family and friends.
Many devotees also observe Kanya Pujan on this day, where young girls are worshipped as forms of the goddess, offered food, gifts, and blessings.
Shubh Muhurat for Mahashtami Puja
The auspicious timings (Shubh Muhurat) for Mahashtami Puja are as follows:
- Ashtami Tithi starts: October 10, 2024, at 12:31 PM
- Ashtami Tithi ends: October 11, 2024, at 12:06 PM
Colour of the Day: Pink
The color for Navratri Day 8 is pink, symbolizing universal love and compassion. Devotees are encouraged to wear pink clothes while offering their prayers to Maa Mahagauri to invoke her blessings for peace and harmony in their lives.
Bhog for Maa Mahagauri
Maa Mahagauri’s favorite offering is coconut, and it is considered auspicious to offer coconut barfi and laddus as bhog on Mahashtami. You can also adorn the idol or picture of the goddess with Mogra flowers and Raat ki Rani.
By following the rituals with devotion, devotees can experience divine blessings and fulfillment of desires on this auspicious day of Mahashtami. May Maa Mahagauri shower her blessings upon you and your family, bringing peace, prosperity, and happiness to your life.
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