Mahagauri form of goddess durga appears with four arms and three eyes. Her upper left arm is in the protecting posture and the lower one holds a trident. The upper right arm holds a tambourine while the lower one is in blessing posture. She is as white as jasmine and adorns white ornaments. Generally, she sits on a bull, but sometimes, she is seen sitting on a white elephant too. Purity compassion and wisdom are depicted in this form of Navdurga. She is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri.
You should worship her for protecting the life of your spouse, promoting association with good people, and keeping yourself away for robbery, theft, etc. Marriageable girls should chant her mantra to get good husbands and boys should chant her mantra to get beautiful wives with qualities of creative energies and sensual fulfillment.
Much spiritual importance is given to the pooja of Mahagauri. Her meditation makes sadhaks free from sorrows of material world. Even the accumulated sins of the previous births get destroyed and no future sins or sufferings come to them. The mother channels the thought waves of the sadhaks towards the path of virtue. They get purified in all respects and become fit for inexhaustible virtues.
Navratri Tithi
In Chaiti Navratri 2019, Maa Mahagauri will be worshipped on 13th Apr, the eight day of Navratri, known as ashtami. The day changes according to lunar calendar.
Brief Legend
When goddess Durga did severe penance in the form of Parvati to get Lord Shiva as divine consort, her body became black due to walking in scorching sun and torrential rains. At the end, when Shivji got pleased by her dedication and accepted her as his consort; he, himself, washed her body with holy water of the Ganges coming out his locks. Her complexion changed into a shining one like a lightening flash. Since then, she became to be known as Mahagauri.
Customs and Traditions
Navratri Pooja is very simple. You should observe fast whole day or have fruits or juice in day and eat pure vegetarian food in night. If fasting is not possible for you, you can simply chant the following mantra as much as you can:
"Om Ang Haring Kalimg Shreeng Maha Durgay Namah”
During Navratri, you should be careful about your aahar (food), vyavhar (behavior), and aacharan (character); eat pure vegetarian food, like fruits, Kuttu ka aataa, Shinghare ka aataa, curd or potatoes - strictly avoid non-vegetarian food. Consumption of garlic and onion is also not recommended.
Navratri is celebrated in the honour of female form of God. Hence, you should also worship only goddesses during Navratri days.
You can please Mahagauri Devi with the following mantras:
"Om nitya buddhaya namah"
Offer eight custard apples (shareefa, also known as sitaphal) and a deep (lamp) to Mother Mahagauri in the morning and evening; accept and share the apples-prasad in the evening with others. You should also offer variety of fragrant flowers, fruits, gems, and clothing to the divine mother. Red, saffron, yellow, white and pink colours are considered auspicious on this day.
On the eighth and ninth day, yagna is performed in the honour of Durga Mata and to bid her farewell. In some parts of India, pre-pubescent girls are ceremonially worshipped (Kanya Poojan) on eighth or ninth day.
Pooja Vidhi with Mantras
Pooja Items
- Picture or image of Maa Mahagauri
- Durga Sapthashati book, Devi’s armour
- Water in a kalash, mango leaves, coconut
- Roli, moli, chawal, paan, beetle nut.
- Cloves, cardamom, sindoor, abhir, gulal
- Dhoop, deepak, matchsticks
- Flowers white or pink, such as hibiscus, lotus, roses and belpatr leaves
- Fruits of five types such as pomegranate and sweets such as laddoo and peda
- Panchpatra containing spoon and water, pata, mat to sit (Aasan)
Panchamrit Preparation
Take a little raw cow milk and mix small amount of dahi (curd), shakkar (sugar), madhu (honey), and ghee in it.
Wash the place of pooja with water and gangajal (the water from the river the Gnages). Place some grains of wheat on a beetle leaf, put on the ground and place water-filled on kalash (pot) on it. Insert five joined mango leaves in the kalash and, then, place a coconut on it. Tie moli (coloured thread representing cloth) in the kalash-neck. Light up a Deepak (lamp) there and keep it lit till the pooja lasts. Light up some dhoop (fragrant wood/material) too there.
Place Maa Mahagauri on a beetle leaf in front of you. Concentrate on Maa Mahagauri with the following mantra:
Chandrahaasojhwala karaa Shardhula varavaahana !!
Katyayani shubham dadyath devi danava ghathinee !!
Now, worship her step by step chanting the following mantras:
1. Atma-pooja
Perform ‘Atma-pooja’ for self-purification with the following mantra
Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavastham Gatoapi Va,
Yah Smrait Pundarika Aksham Sa Vahy Abhyantarah Shuchih
Meaning: whoever contemplates on Vishnu gets purified physically and mentally.
2. Tilak and Aachman
Tilak is considered auspicious mark and Aachman is considered helping washing off sins committed by action, thought, and speech.
Apply Tilak on your forehead and do ‘Aachman’ (drinking of holy water after accepting it in your palm) with the following mantra:
Om Keshavaya Namah, Om Narayanaya Namah, Om Madhavaya Namah, Om Govindaya Namah
Meaning: I bow to thee Keshav, I bow to thee Narayan, I bow to thee Madhav, I bow to thee Govind.
3. Sankalpa
To achieve the purpose of the pooja, do sankalpa (resolve) by taking a little water in hand and saying your wish in whispering voice to Maa Mahagauri.
4. Aawahan
Pray to invite Maa Mahagauri with the following mantra:
Aagachha Tvam Mahadevi ! Sthane Chatra Sthira Bhav. Yavata Pujaam Karisyami Tavata Tvam Snidho Bhav.
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha. Mahagauri devimaawahayami. Aawahanartheye Pushpaanjali Samarpayami.
(Offer flowers at the feet of Maa Mahagauri)
5. Aasan
After Dhyan and Mantras, Pray and offer:
Om sarvmangal mangaleye shivesarvaarth sadhike, Sharneye Traymbake gauri Narayani Namostute.
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha. Aasanarthey Pushpani Samarpayami.
(Offer flowers)
6. Paadha
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha. Padayoh Paadham Samarpayami.
(Offer water to Mother’s Shri Charan)
7. Arghya
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha. Hastyoh Arghya Samarpayami.
(Offer Chandan,Pushpa and Akshat mixed water)
8. Aachman
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha. Aachamanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Karpoor mixed water)
9. Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Snanartham Jalam Samarpayami.
(Offer GangaJal for Bath)
Snananga Aachaman Snanantey Punrachamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami.
(Offer water for aachman)
10. Dugdha Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha DugdhaSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Cow-milk for Bath)
11. Dadhi Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha DadhiSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer curd made from cow milk for bath)
12. Ghrit Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha GhritSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Gou-Ghee for Bath)
13. Madhu Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha MadhuSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Honey for Bath)
14. Sharkara Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha SharkaraSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer sugar for Bath)
15. Panchaamrit Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha PanchaamritSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer Panchaamrit for Bath)
16. Gandhodak Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha GandhodakSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer MalayaChandan and Agaru mixed water for Bath)
17. Shudhodak Snan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha ShudhodakSnanam Samarpayami.
(Offer holy water for final bath)
18. Aachman
ShudhodakSnanante Aachamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami.
(Offer water for Aachaman)
19. Vastra
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Vastropavastram Kanchukiyam ch Samarpayami.
(Offer saree or moli)
20. Aachman: Vastranante Aachamaniym jalam Samarpayami
21. Shobhagya Sutra
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha ShobhagyaSutram Samarpayami.
22. Chandan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Chandanam Samarpayami.
23. Haridrachurna
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Haridraam Samarpayami.
24. Kumkum
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Kumkumam Samarpayami.
25. Sindoor
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Sindooram Samarpayami.
26. Kajal
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Kajjalm Samarpayami.
27. Durvankur (Durva)
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Durvankuraan Samarpayami.
28. BilvaPatra
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha BilvaPatram Samarpayami.
29. Abhushan
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Abhushnaani Samarpayami.
30. Pushpamala
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Pushpamalam Samarpayami.
31. Nanaparimaldraviya (dravya or paisa)
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha NanaparimalDraviyaani Samarpayami.
32. Shobhagya Patika
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Shobhagyapatikam Samarpayami.
33. Dhoop
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Dhoopmaaghrapayami.
34. Deep
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Deepam Darshyami.
(Show deep to mother and wash your hand)
35. Naibaidha
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Naibaidham Nivedyami.
Aachman: offer aachaman
36. Rituphal
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Rituphalani Samarpayami.
37. Tammbul (paan)
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Tammbulam Samarpayami.
38. Dakshina (paisa)
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Dakshinaam Samarpayami.
39. Aarti (karpoor and bati)
Athvin MahaGauri Jagjaaya
Jai Mahagorri jagat ki maya, Jai Uma Bhawani, Jai Mahamaaya !!
Haridwar Kankhal ke passa, Mahagorri tera wahan niwasa !!
Chandrakali aor Mamta Ambein, Jai shakti jai MA Jagdambein !!
Bheema devi Vimla Mata, Koshiki Devi jag vikhayata !!
Himachal ke ghar Gorri roop tera, Mahakaali hai sawroop tera !!
Sati ‘SAT’ hawan kund mai tha jalaya, Ussi dhuye (smoke) ne roop KAALI banaya !!
Bana dharm singh jo sawari main ayya, To Shankar ne Trishul apna dikahaya !!
Tabhi MA ne Mahagorri naam paaya, Sharan anne wale ka sankat mittaaya !!
Shaniwar(Saturday)ko jo teri Pooja karta hai, MA bigrda kaam uska sudharata hai !!
Yah padne wale, bolo soch kaya rahe ho, Mahagorri MA teri harad ki jai ho !!!
Durgaji ki Aarti
(With meaning in English)
Jai ambe Gowrii maiyaa, Jai shyaamaa Gowrii
Nishadina tumako dhyaavata, Hari brahma shivjii,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 1
(Meaning: Victory to mother Gowri, Victory to the dark colured Gowri, Who is being daily meditated by, Vishnu, Brahma and Lord Shiva, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Maang sinduur viraajat, Tiko mriga madako
Ujjvalase do nainaa, Chandravadaniko
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 2
(Meaning: With Vermillion in your parting of hair, Made with musk from the deer, You have two shining eyes, In your moon like face, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Kanaka samaan kalevar, Raktaambar raaje,
Raktapushpa galamaalaa, Kantan par saaje,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 3
(Meaning: With the golden body colour, Wearing blood red silks, Your neck is decorated by a necklace and, A garland of blood red colour flowers, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Kehari vaahana raajata, Khadaga khappara dhaari,
Sura nara muni jana sevata, Tinake dukha haari,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 4
(Meaning: You ride on the splendid lion, And hold a sword and a skull in your hands, And are served by Devas, men and sages, Whose sorrows, you drive away, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Kaanana kundala shobhit, Naasaagre motii
Kotika chandra divaakara, Sam raajata jyotii,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 5
(Meaning: You shine with ear studs on your ears, And a pearl on the tip of your nose, And shine like billions of suns and moons, And create a great halo of radiance, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Shumbha nishumbha vidaare, Mahishaasura ghaatii
Dhuumra vilochana nainaa, Nishidina madamaatii
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 6
(Meaning: Oh killer of Shumbha and Nishmbha, Oh slayer of Mahishasura, Your eyes are dark with rage, On killing of Dhoomralochana, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Chanda Munda Sanhare Sonith Bheeja Hare,
Madhu Kaidabha dou Maare, Sur Bhayaheen kare,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 7
(Meaning: Oh killer of Chanda and Munda, Oh killer of Raktha Bheeja, You killed the twins Madu and Kaidaba, And drove away the fear of devas, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Brahmaanii rudraanii, Tuma kamalaa raani
Aagama-nigama bakhaanii, Tuma shiva pataraani,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 8
(Meaning: You are Brahmani and Rudrani, You are Goddess Lakshmi living on a lotus, You are praised by Vedas and Shastras, And you are the queen of Lord Shiva, Say victory to mother Gowri.
Chausatha yoginii gaavat, Nritya karata bhairon,
Baajata taala mridanga, Aura baajata damaruu,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 9
(Meaning: Sixty four Yoginis are singing, Lord Bhairava is dancing, The mrudanga is playing, And also the big drum is playing, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Tuma ho jaga kii maataa, Tuma hii ho bhartaa,
Bhaktan ki dukha hartaa, Sukha sampati kartaa,
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 10
(Meaning: You are the mother of universe, And you are the one takes care of it, You put an end to the sorrow of devotees, And you are the one who gives pleasure and wealth, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Bhujaa chaara ati shobhita, Vara mudraa dhaarii
Mana vaanchita phala paavat, Sevata nara naarii
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 11
(Meaning: You have four glowing hands, With one hand raised in blessing, You fulfill all the desires of the mind, Of those men and woman who do your service, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Kanchana thaala viraajata, Agaru kapuura baatii
Mala ketu mein raajat, Kotiratana jyotii
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 12
(Meaning: In the decorated plate which shines, Are kept incenses like Camphor and agarbathis, When they are lit and placed before you, They shine like billions of gems, Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Maa ambe ki Aarthi jo koi nar Gave,
Kahat Shivananda swami, sukha sampati pave.
Bolo Jai Ambe Gowri. 13
(Meaning: Shivananda Swami tells you, That the man who sings this offering to mother, Would get all pleasures and wealth. Say victory to mother Gowri.)
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Karpooraratirkyam Samarpayami
40. Pradikshna (parikarma)
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Pradikshnaanm Samarpayami.
41. Mantrapushpanjali
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Mantrapushpanjalim Samarpayami
42. Namaskar
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shanti rupena sansitha
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shakti rupena sansthita
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, matra rupena sansthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha !
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha Namaskaraan Samarpayami.
43. Kshma Yachna
Aawahanam Na Jaanami Na jaanami Tav archanam, Pujaam ch na jaanami Kshamattam Parameshwari.
Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshwari, Yattpujitam Maya Devi Paripuranm Tadastu me.
Shri Jagadambaye Mahagauri Devye Namha KshamaYachanam Samarpayami
44. Arpna
Aum Tattsad Brahmarpanmastu,
Vishnave Namh, Vishnave Namh, Vishnave Namh.
!! OM Mahagauri Maiya Rakhsa Karo !!
!! OM Bhaktidati Rakhsa Karo !!
!! OM Nav Durga Namah !!
!! OM Jag-Jana-ni Namah !!
Mool (main) Mantras for Navaratri:
1. Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shanti rupena sansitha
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shakti rupena sansthita
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, matra rupena sansthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha!
2. Sarva mangala maangalye shive sarvaartha saadhike. Sharanye trayambake
Gauri, Narayani namosthute
3. Namoh devyai mahadevyai shivayai satatam namah
Namah prakrutyai bhadraayai niyataah pranataahsma taam
4. Annapoorne sadapoorne shankarah praanavallabhe
Njana vairaagya sidhyardham bhikshaam dehi cha parvati
5. Om Dum Durga-ye Namah
6. Aim hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichchay
7. Aim Hreem Kleem Chamunday Vichchay, Om glon hrun kleem ju saha, jwala-ye jwala-ye, jwull, jwull prajwull prajwull, aim hrem kleem chamunda-ye vichchay, jwalam hung sung lung kshum phut swaha.
Maa Durga Mantra for Marriageable Boys:
Patneem Manoramaam Dehi Manovratanusarineem !!
Tarineem Durg Sansara Sangarasya Kulodbhavaam !!
Unmarried boys should recite this prayer thirty six thousand times to get to marry to the girl he desires.
P. S.: You may chant Durga Saptashati or Devi Kavach or ask a pundit to do so, to conclude the puja.