8th Day of Navaratri – Worship of Divine Maa Mahagauri

ASTROBHAVA

Navaratri, the festival of nine nights, celebrates the divine feminine energy in her nine powerful forms known as Navadurga. Each day is dedicated to a specific manifestation of Goddess Durga, and on the 8th day of Navaratri, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of the Goddess. This day, also known as Ashtami or Durga Ashtami, holds immense spiritual and religious significance.

Who is Goddess Mahagauri?

On the 8th Day of Navaratri, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, the eighth and most compassionate form of Goddess Durga. She is revered as the symbol of purity, serenity, and divine motherhood. The word Mahagauri literally means “extremely white and radiant”, representing her spotless beauty, innocence, and supreme spiritual glow.

Iconography of Mahagauri

Maa Mahagauri is depicted as a beautiful young Goddess with a luminous white complexion, symbolizing the removal of darkness and ignorance from devotees’ lives. She rides a sacred bull (Vrishabha) and is usually dressed in white attire, which enhances her aura of calmness and peace. She carries:

Trishul (Trident) – representing strength and the destruction of evil.
Damru (Drum) – symbolizing the cosmic rhythm of creation and dissolution.
Abhaya Mudra (gesture of protection) – blessing devotees with courage.
Varada Mudra (gesture of boon-giving) – showering prosperity and well-being.

Her divine form radiates forgiveness, tranquility, and maternal care, making her one of the most approachable and benevolent aspects of Goddess Durga.

Mythological Legend of Mahagauri

According to ancient scriptures, Maa Mahagauri is a form of Parvati, who performed severe penance to win Lord Shiva as her consort. She undertook rigorous austerities in forests, enduring harsh weather and sustaining herself with minimal food. Due to these severe penances, her complexion turned dark.

Pleased with her unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva accepted her as his divine partner and blessed her with the name Mahagauri. With his divine grace, she regained her radiant, fair form, glowing with purity and compassion. Hence, she is considered the goddess of forgiveness, purity, and endurance, embodying the rewards of steadfast devotion and spiritual discipline.

Symbolism of Mahagauri

The worship of Mahagauri on the 8th Day of Navaratri holds profound symbolic significance:

Her white attire represents purity of the soul.
Her calm expression signifies inner peace and spiritual clarity.
Her association with the bull reflects dharma (righteousness) and strength.
Her restored radiance symbolizes renewal, cleansing of sins, and liberation from karmic debts.

Devotees believe that invoking Maa Mahagauri blesses them with prosperity, forgiveness, and spiritual upliftment, while also helping them overcome challenges in relationships, health, and personal life.

👉 Book Maa Mahagauri Puja with AstroBhava

Significance of the 8th Day of Navaratri

The 8th day of Navaratri is one of the most important days of the festival. It is widely celebrated as Durga Ashtami and considered highly auspicious for performing Kanya Puja (Kanjak Puja), where young girls symbolizing the Goddess are worshipped.

On this day, devotees seek blessings from Maa Mahagauri for:

Purification of mind, body, and soul
Relief from past sins and karmic burdens
Prosperity, happiness, and peace
Fulfillment of desires and removal of obstacles

Astrologically, Goddess Mahagauri is associated with the planet Rahu, and worshipping her helps remove the ill effects of Rahu in one’s horoscope.

Discover how each of the nine goddesses are connected with planets of Navagraha

Spiritual Benefits of Worshipping Maa Mahagauri on the 8th Day of Navaratri

The 8th Day of Navaratri is believed to be one of the most spiritually rewarding days of the entire festival. Worshipping Maa Mahagauri on this day brings divine blessings that purify the soul, remove negativity, and open doors to peace and prosperity.

1. Attainment of Peace and Harmony in Family Life

Maa Mahagauri is the embodiment of serenity and compassion. Her worship on the 8th Day of Navaratri helps restore peace in the household, removing tensions, misunderstandings, and conflicts among family members. Couples experiencing disharmony find renewed affection, while children are blessed with calmness and guidance. Families that perform Kanya Puja on this day often experience long-term stability and togetherness.

2. Removal of Obstacles in Marriage and Relationships

According to Hindu tradition, Goddess Mahagauri is also revered as the granter of marital bliss. Worshipping her on the 8th Day of Navaratri is especially beneficial for unmarried individuals seeking suitable life partners. For married couples, her blessings remove misunderstandings, strengthen bonds, and help overcome obstacles in relationships. In fact, it is believed that Maa Mahagauri’s penance to attain Lord Shiva symbolizes the triumph of devotion and love in relationships.

3. Blessings of Purity, Prosperity, and Health

The 8th Day of Navaratri is associated with inner and outer purification. Maa Mahagauri blesses her devotees with good health, vitality, and mental clarity. Just as she regained her radiant form after penance, worshippers are believed to be freed from illnesses, impurities, and lethargy. On a material level, her blessings bring prosperity, financial stability, and growth in career or business. People engaged in new ventures often invoke her blessings on Ashtami for success.

4. Liberation from Negative Karma and Spiritual Upliftment

One of the most powerful spiritual benefits of worshipping Maa Mahagauri on the 8th Day of Navaratri is freedom from past karmic debts. She symbolizes purification and rebirth, helping devotees shed the weight of sins and emotional burdens. Her worship is said to open the path to moksha (liberation) by cleansing the soul and bringing clarity in spiritual practice. Devotees who meditate upon her radiant white form experience deep inner peace, divine protection, and a stronger connection with higher consciousness.

👉 Book Maa Mahagauri Japa with AstroBhava

Rituals and Puja Vidhi for Mahagauri on the 8th Day of Navaratri

The 8th Day of Navaratri is considered highly sacred for worshipping Maa Mahagauri, the Goddess of purity and serenity. Devotees perform special rituals, fasting, and puja vidhi to invoke her blessings. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to the puja performed on this auspicious day:

Morning Preparations and Fasting
On the 8th Day of Navaratri, devotees wake up before sunrise, take a ritual bath, and wear clean clothes, preferably in white or light-colored attire as white is considered auspicious for Maa Mahagauri. Many people observe a strict fast, either consuming only fruits and milk or maintaining nirjala (waterless) fasting to honor the Goddess.
Kalash Sthapana Continuation
The Kalash (sacred pot) that was established on the first day of Navaratri continues to be worshipped with offerings of flowers, rice, kumkum, and sandalwood paste. This symbolizes the continuity of divine energy throughout the nine days.
Offering to Maa Mahagauri
On the 8th Day of Navaratri, devotees prepare sattvic offerings for Goddess Mahagauri. White-colored sweets such as kheer, coconut ladoo, peda, or rice-based dishes are considered most favorable. Flowers, especially jasmine and white lotus, along with fruits, betel leaves, and incense are also offered.
Mantra Chanting and Meditation
Devotees recite the Mahagauri Mantra with devotion:
“ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥”
Chanting this mantra on the 8th Day of Navaratri helps purify the mind, cleanse negative energies, and invite divine peace into one’s life. Some devotees also meditate while visualizing the radiant form of Maa Mahagauri to connect deeply with her energy.
Kanya Puja (Kanjak Puja)
One of the most important rituals of the 8th Day of Navaratri is Kanya Puja. Young girls, usually nine in number symbolizing the nine forms of Goddess Durga, are invited to homes and worshipped as living embodiments of Shakti. Their feet are washed with devotion, tilak is applied on their foreheads, and they are offered traditional food such as puri, chana, and halwa. Gifts, clothes, and dakshina are also given to them as a form of reverence.
Aarti and Prasad Distribution
The puja concludes with the recitation of Durga Aarti and devotional bhajans. Lamps are lit, bells are rung, and prayers are offered for family prosperity and peace. Finally, the prasad consisting of fruits, sweets, and kheer is distributed among devotees.

👉 Book Maa Mahagauri Homa with AstroBhava

Foods and Offerings for Mahagauri

Coconut
White sweets like kheer, peda, or sandesh
Milk and rice-based dishes
Fruits and jaggery

These sattvic offerings symbolize purity and devotion.

Importance of Ashtami in Navaratri Celebrations

The 8th Day of Navaratri (Durga Ashtami) is considered one of the most spiritually powerful and auspicious days of the entire festival. While each day of Navaratri is dedicated to a different form of the Goddess, Ashtami holds a special place in the hearts of devotees due to its association with Maa Mahagauri and the performance of sacred rituals like Kanya Pujan.

In many parts of India, the Durga Ashtami Puja is celebrated with great devotion and grandeur. Families, temples, and spiritual communities organize Maha Aarti and Havan (Homa) to invoke divine energy and seek blessings for prosperity and protection. The sacred fire ritual (Homa) is believed to purify the environment, eliminate negative forces, and attract positive vibrations into the lives of devotees.

Another highlight of the 8th Day of Navaratri is Kanya Pujan or Kumari Puja, where nine young girls are worshipped as living embodiments of Goddess Durga’s nine forms. Their feet are washed, they are offered delicious meals (often including puri, halwa, and chana), and given gifts, bangles, or clothes. This ritual is considered extremely auspicious and is said to please Maa Mahagauri, bringing immense blessings and removing obstacles from life.

In regions like West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and Bihar, the 8th Day of Navaratri is also celebrated as Maha Ashtami, which is the grandest day of Durga Puja festivities. Devotees perform Sandhi Puja, a special ritual performed at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami, symbolizing the powerful transition of divine energy when Goddess Durga defeated the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.

For many devotees, Ashtami is also a day of charity and giving. Donating food, clothes, or money on this day is considered highly meritorious and helps in balancing karmas while invoking the grace of Maa Mahagauri.

Thus, the 8th Day of Navaratri not only celebrates devotion but also emphasizes purity, generosity, and victory of good over evil. It serves as a reminder that the blessings of the Goddess flow abundantly when worship is performed with true faith, humility, and service to others.

Celebrations Across India

The 8th day of Navaratri is celebrated with grandeur across India:

In North India, it is observed as Durga Ashtami, where devotees perform Kanya Puja.
In West Bengal, it marks the most powerful day of Durga Puja celebrations, with majestic idols and cultural rituals.
In South India, devotees observe fasting and perform special pujas.

Conclusion

The 8th day of Navaratri dedicated to Maa Mahagauri is a day of purity, blessings, and devotion. Her worship helps devotees attain peace, happiness, and spiritual growth. Observing this day with sincere devotion removes past sins, fulfills desires, and paves the way for liberation.

FAQs on 8th Day of Navaratri

Q1. Which goddess is worshipped on the 8th day of Navaratri?
Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga, is worshipped on this day.

Q2. What is the significance of Kanya Puja on Ashtami?
Kanya Puja is performed to honor the nine forms of Goddess Durga, symbolized by young girls. It is believed to bring divine blessings and prosperity.

Q3. What color should be worn on the 8th day of Navaratri?
White is the color of Maa Mahagauri. Wearing white clothes is considered auspicious.

Q4. Can new beginnings be made on the 8th day of Navaratri?
Yes, Ashtami is highly auspicious for starting new ventures, spiritual practices, or important decisions.

Q5. What are the benefits of worshipping Maa Mahagauri?
Worshipping Maa Mahagauri brings purity, peace, removal of sins, happiness, and liberation from karmic cycles.