Navratri 8th Day : Significance, puja vidhi, samagri of Mahagauri Puja

The eighth day of Navratri is known as Mahadurga Ashtami. In 2024, Durga Ashtami will be celebrated on October 11, 2024. On this day, Mahagauri is worshipped. Mahagauri is a form of Mata Parvati. When Mata performed intense penance to obtain Shiva, her body became dark. It is said that when she was bathed with Gangajal, she became as radiant as gold. She was then known by the name Mahagauri. The day of her worship is known as Durga Ashtami Mahaprayag.

Swaroop of Mahagauri

Mahagauri's form is extremely gentle. Her appearance is the most charming in the world. She wears white clothes and ornaments. Her vehicle is also a bull, which is why she is also known as Vrisharudha. She has four arms. In two of her hands, she holds the Abhaya and Varada Mudras. In one hand, she holds a trident and in the other hand, a drum. She is very calm and her mind is always focused on Mahadev.

Method of Worshipping Mahagauri

On the Ashtami of Navratri, after bathing, wear pure white clothes.
Place an image of the goddess on a red seat.
Light a ghee lamp near the goddess's image.
Offer fruits and flowers to the goddess.
Offer kheer to the goddess.
Chant the goddess's mantras.
Feed young girls.
Recite Durga Saptashati.

Mantras of Mahagauri

Shvete Vrishhe Samaaruudhaa Shvetambharadharaa Shuchiḥ |
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanntra Mahadevapramodadaa ||

Yaa Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Gauri Rupena Sansthitaa.
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah ||

Durga Ashtami is the day for the worship of young girls

It is said that Durga Ashtami is a great festival in Navratri. On this day, special worship of the goddess is done to control all negative energies. This day has special significance for worshipping young girls. People feed young girls in their homes and worship them, giving them gifts. On this day, performing the grand puja ensures the success of all tasks. If you cannot do anything else, at least read the 32 names of the goddess. These are the 32 names of Maa:

Durga 2) Durgartishamani 3) Durgadvinivaarini 4) Durgamachhedani 5) Durgasadhini 6) Durganashini 7) Durgatoddharini 8) Durganihntri 9) Durgamaapaha 10) Durgamajnaanda 11) Durgadaityalokadavaanala 12) Durgama 13) Durgamaaloka 14) Durgamaatmaswaroopini 15) Durgamaargaprada 16) Durgamavidya 17) Durgamaashrita 18) Durgamajnaanasthana 19) Durgamadhyanabhasini 20) Durgamohha 21) Durgamaga 22) Durgamarthaswaroopini 23) Durgamaasurasamhtri 24) Durgamaayuddhaadharin 25) Durgamaangi 26) Durgamata 27) Durgamyaa 28) Durgameshwari 29) Durgabhima 30) Durgabhama 31) Durgabha 32) Durgadaarini