Navratri Day 8 - Maha Ashtami - Mahagauri Puja

 It is said that Goddess Shailputri who became Goddess Parvati after marrying the almighty Lord Shiva, had obtained Lord Shiva as her husband after hard penance. During the days of hard penance, she had turned black and dull. When Lord Shiva got impressed by her love and sacrifice he washed her with pure Ganga water. This turned her white and glow like a pearl. After this reformation, the Goddess was named Mahagauri.

Navratri Day 8 Maha Ashtami Puja 

Maha Ashtami is a day that is also considered to be one of the major rituals day in many parts of the country. Certain rituals on this particular day are said to be very powerful. The festival begins with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja which is quite similar to Maha Saptami Puja.

Sandhi Puja

On this day, Sandhi Puja begins when Ashtami Tithi ends and Navami Tithi starts. In some regions, people consider that giving blood to the Goddess would solace her and hence make her cool. So, people perform a ritual known as Bali. Usually, goats are taken in front of the goddess and beheaded. The blood is then given as an offering. On the same day, the light 108 earthen lamps during Sandhi Kaal. It is said that Goddess Kali appeared from the forehead of Maa Durga on this auspicious day. Temples conduct special puja on those days.

Mahagauri Puja

Devotees install nine earthen pots and invoke the Goddess image in them. Nine forms of Durga are been worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja and some young unmarried girls are treated like goddesses. This ritual is known as Kanya Puja and performing this ritual on a single day during Durga Puja is preferred on Maha Ashtami. Navami Homa is the most important ritual during Durga Puja and devotees perform Homa at the end of Navami Puja.

Mahagauri Puja Procedure

1. Mahaasana
2. AtmaPooja - Puja is done for self-purification
3. Tilak and aachman - Put tilak on forehead and drink holy water from palms.
4. Sankalpa - Taking water in hand and making a wish in front of the Goddess.
5. Aavahana and Aasan - Offer flowers
6. Paadhya - Offer water to Devi’s charan.
7. Aachman - Offer kapoor (camphor) mixed water.
8. DugdhaSnan - Offer cow milk for bathing
9. Ghrita and Madhusnan - Offer ghee and honey for bathing
10. Sharkara and Panchamritsnan - Offer sugar and panchaamrita bathing.
11. Vastra - Offer sari or cloth to wear.
12. Chandan - Put Sandalwood tilak on the deity.
13. Put Kumkum on her forehead
14. Kajal, druvapatra and bilwapatra should be offered
15. Dhoopa and deepam is offered
16. Prasad is given to the Goddess
17. Aarti is made
18. Recite the mantra and offer the diya
19. Lord Shiva is also worshipped along with the Devi
20. Kanya puja is also done on this day – nine little girls are invited home and offered food and clothing.

Navratri Day 8 Mantra: Mahagauri Puja Mantra

Mantra: Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah.

Aarti:

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॥