Day 8: Maa Maha Gauri & Navratri Ashtami Pujan

The 8th day of Chaitra Navratri is associated with worshipping Maa Maha Gauri and performing the Navratri Ashtami Pujan. During this Vasant or Chaitra Navratri 2024, the 8th day will be celebrated on 16th April 2024.

Who is Maa Maha Gauri?

Maa Shailputri went on to perform an extremely difficult and long penance as guided by Her Guru- Sage Narada, to get Lord Shiva as Her husband.

During the course of Her penance or 'Tapasya', She endured great difficulties and hardships. She continued Her Tapasya in extremely harsh weather, by initially eating only fruits then leaves and later gave up everything.

When Lord Shiva got pleased with Her Tapasya, He appeared before Her to accept Her marriage proposal. However due to performing penance for such a long time in conditions harsher than one's imagination, Her complexion that was initially fair, became dark.

Noticing this, Lord Shiva bathed Her with the water of Holy Ganges from His 'matted locks' and She gained Her fair complexion again.

Thus, from that day, She came to be known as 'Maha Gauri' which means the One with a great fair complexion.

Read more: Day 9: Maa Siddhidatri & Navratri Navmi Pujan

Depiction of Maa Maha Gauri

Maa Maha Gauri is depicted as seated on a bull and for this reason She is also known as 'Vrisharudha'.

She is depicted with four hands. She holds a 'Trishul' (Trident) in one of Her right hands and has Her other right hand in 'Abhaya Mudra' (hand gesture bestowing fearlessness upon Her devotees).

She holds a 'Damru' (small hand-held two faced drum) in one of Her left hands and has the other left hand in 'Vardaan Mudra' (hand gesture bestowing blessings upon Her devotees).

Since Her complexion is fair, She is out of devotion compared with the white flower of 'Kunda'.

Significance of Maa Maha Gauri Worship

One who earns the grace of Maa Maha Gauri gets rid of all negative karmas or sins of past lives as well as this current life and excels on the path that leads to liberation or 'Moksha'.

By worshipping Maa Maha Gauri, devotees get peace of mind and clarity in thinking that helps them to perceive situations well and act in a way that ensures bliss & happiness.

Maa Maha Gauri removes all negative influences from one's life and bestows abundance in wealth, sound health & success in life.

Rahu is the most notorious planet as per Vedic Astrology and is governed by Maa Maha Gauri. Therefore, Her devotees remain safe from the malefic effects of Rahu.

How to please Maa Maha Gauri?

“Navratri Maha Hawan & Kanya Pujan” are incredibly powerful rituals that are performed to please Maa Maha Gauri.

Navratri Maha Hawan includes 'Aahutis' (Sacred offerings in the Holy Fire) on your behalf that bring an end to the negative energies in your life.

This powerful process brings the grace of 'Nav Durga' nine forms of Goddess Durga (including Maa Maha Gauri) in your life, thereby, resulting in success in all walks of life!

Navratri Kanya Pujan is the most crucial part of Navratri and people perform this ritual on the eighth or ninth day of Navratri depending upon the traditions that they follow.

In Kanya Pujan young kids, especially young girls are worshipped and offered food and gifts. This ritual pleases all the nine forms of Goddess Durga and She blesses Her devotees with wealth, health, success and happiness in their lives!

Details of Navratri Maha Hawan & Kanya Pujan

• Navratri Maha Hawan will include 7 'Aahutis' on your behalf by highly learned Brahmin Priests to remove the malefic influences from your life.
• Kanya Pujan on your behalf that will include wholehearted offering of food and gifts to kids.
• You will receive a recording of the Puja that you can watch from the comfort of your home.

Note: The Navaratri Maha Hawan and Kanya Pujan is performed in strict accordance with all Vedic and Devi Puja rules & rituals.

Additionally, you can bring the “Tara Yantra” into your home or office space. Tara Yantra is the cosmic representation of Maa Tara who blesses Her devotees with wealth, wisdom, knowledge, good health and prosperity! 

It is said that only after getting the blessings of Maa Tara, did Lord Kuber become the Lord of Wealth.