Today, which is October 18, 2026, is the Ashtami Tithi of this Navratri festival. This Tithi is also called Mahashtami. Mahashtami is dedicated to the Mahagauri form of Goddess Durga. Goddess Mahagauri always resides with Lord Shiva as his wife. Her power is incomparable and always fruitful. By worshiping Mahagauri, all the sins of the devotees are destroyed and eternal virtue is obtained. In most places, Kanya Puja is performed on the Ashtami Tithi of Navratri, while some people perform Kanya Puja on the Navami Tithi. Let’s know the mythological story of Goddess Mahagauri.
Maa Mahagauri Vrat Katha
According to mythology, Goddess Sati, in the form of Parvati, had performed severe penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Once Lord Shiva, seeing Goddess Parvati, said something, which hurt Parvati and Parvati became engrossed in penance. When Parvati did not return despite performing severe penance for years, Lord Shiva himself went in search of Goddess and reached Goddess. After reaching there, Lord Shiva was surprised to see Mother Parvati. Goddess Parvati was very beautiful, her complexion was like moonlight. Pleased with the form, clothes and ornaments of Goddess, Lord Shiva blessed Goddess Uma with the color of Gaur.
According to another story, once a lion was very hungry. The lion approached Goddess Uma in search of food. Seeing the Goddess, the lion’s hunger increased even more. But the lion sat there waiting for the Goddess to wake up from her penance. In this wait, he became very weak. When the Goddess woke up from her penance, the Goddess took pity on the lion’s plight and made the lion her vehicle. And the Goddess completed her penance. Since then, both the bull and the lion have been the vehicles of Goddess Gauri.
There is also a popular story that the goddess performed severe penance to get Shiva, the god of gods, as her husband. Due to this penance, the goddess’s body turned black. Pleased with the goddess’ penance, Shiva accepted her and bathed the goddess in the water of the Ganges. Due to this, the goddess became very fair. Since then, it is said that the goddess was named Gauri. This form of Mahagauri is kind, loving, peaceful and gentle. While praying to the goddess, the gods and sages say, “May all auspiciousness be bestowed upon Shiva, may the refuge of all seekers be fulfilled, may she bow down to Gauri Narayani Namostute.”
Maa Mahagauri Mantra
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥
Maa Mahagauri Aarti
Jai Mahagauri Jagat Ki Maya. Jai Uma Bhavani Jai Mahamaya.
Haridwar Kankhal Ke Paasa. Mahagauri Tera Waha Nivasa.
Chandrakali Aur Mamta Ambe. Jai Shakti Jai Jai Maa Jagdambe.
Bhima Devi Vimala Mata. Kaushik Devi Jag Vikhyata.
Himachal Ke Ghar Gauri Roop Tera. Mahakali Durga Hai Swaroop Tera.
Sati (Sat) Havan Kund Mein Tha Jalaya. Usi Dhue Ne Roop Kali Banaya.
Bana Dharm Singh Jo Sawari Mein Aaya. To Shankar Ne Trishul Apna Dikhaya.
Tabhi Maa Ne Mahagauri Naam Paya. Sharan Aane Wale Ka Sankat Mitaya.
Shanivar Ko Teri Pooja Jo Karta. Maa Bigda Hua Kaam Uska Sudharta.
Bhakt Bolo To Soch Tum Kya Rahe Ho. Mahagauri Maa Teri Hardam Hi Jai Ho.
Disclaimer: This article is based on popular beliefs. Times Now is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information and facts provided here.
