Maha Gauri (Mahagauri Pujan, Sandhi Puja, Saraswati Mata Pujan)
Maha Gauri is the eighth form of Goddess Navadurga i.e. nine forms of Hindu goddess Durga. The eighth day of Navratri is dedicated to Durga Maha Gauri. Dressed in white, she rides on a bull and represents purity.
She is believed to have taken this avatar, when she did strong penance to beget Lord Shiva as her consort. She blesses devotees with fulfillment of their desiresand also purifies the sins.
This day is Ashthmi, on this day specially, in some parts of India, the custom is to call little young girls home and worship them like goddess. The prashad includes Puri, Halwa and black Channa along with small gifts like bangales, chunni, other eatables along with small token as shagun are offered. The custom is referred to as ‘kanjake’.
Color: Purple
Representation: Purity
Offering: Coconut (nariyal)
Navratri 2023: 29th March 2023 (Chaitra Navratri)
Navratri 2023: 22nd October 2023 (Sharad Navratri)
Prayer:
श्वेते वृषे महारूढ़ा श्वेताम्बर्धारा शुचिह |
महागौरी शुभम दाढ़यान्माहादेवप्रमोदादा ||Shwete Vrishe Maha Rudha Shwetambardhara Shuchih |
Maha Gauri Shubham Dadhyanmahadev Pramodada ||