Navratri is a festival of nine nights, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Each day of Navratri is associated with the worship of a different form of Goddess Durga. The eighth day of Navratri is known as Navratri Day 8, Maha Ashtami, and Durga Ashtami. On this day, devotees worship the eighth form of Goddess Durga, Mahagauri. In addition to Mahagauri Puja, Kanya Puja and Sandhi Puja are also observed on Navratri Day 8.
Mahagauri: The Eighth Form of Durga
Mahagauri is known as the 8th form of NavaDurga and is considered to be the most beautiful and radiant. She represents peace and endurance and is believed to cleanse the devotee’s heart and make him or her pious. Mahagauri is depicted with four arms, carrying a trishul and damaru in her right and left hands, respectively. Her other two hands are in the Abhaya and Varada Mudras. Mahagauri’s complexion is white, and she wears white clothes, hence she is also known as Shwetambardhara. She rides a bull and is also known as Vrisharudha.
Mahagauri Puja Vidhi
The Mahagauri Puja Vidhi involves wearing yellow clothes, burning lamps in front of the Goddess, offering worship with white or yellow flowers, and chanting her mantras. Devotees should offer white flowers and a white dessert to Maa Mahagauri, along with perfume. The original mantra of “Shun Shukrai Namah” of Venus should also be chanted, and the perfume should be presented to the Goddess and used. It is recommended to perform this puja at midnight for more auspicious results.
Kanya Puja
Kanya Puja is also observed on Navratri Day 8. Nine unmarried girls, representing the nine forms of Durga, are worshipped during the Maha Ashtami Puja. This ritual is performed by installing nine earthen pots and invoking the Goddess image in them. The young girls are treated like Goddesses, and devotees offer them food, clothes, and other gifts.
Sandhi Puja
Sandhi Puja is another important ritual observed on Navratri Day 8. It begins when Ashtami Tithi ends and Navami Tithi starts. Devotees light 108 earthen lamps during Sandhi Kaal, and some people also perform a ritual known as Bali, where goats are taken in front of the Goddess and beheaded. The blood is then given as an offering.
Conclusion
Navratri Day 8 is an auspicious day for the worship of Goddess Mahagauri, the eighth form of Durga. The Mahagauri Puja Vidhi involves wearing yellow clothes, offering worship with white or yellow flowers, and chanting her mantras. Kanya Puja, Sandhi Puja, and Bali are also observed on this day. Devotees install nine earthen pots and invoke the Goddess image in them, and young girls are treated like Goddesses during the Maha Ashtami Puja. Navratri is not only a festival of fasting and vrat, but it is also a festival of women’s power and respect for the daughters.
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