Mahagauri Mata, the eighth incarnation of Maa Durga, is worshiped on the eighth day of Chaitra Navratri. The skin of the Mata is incredibly light, and she has attained these powerful qualities by her strict penance. As per the Mahagauri story, Lord Shiva asked the goddess to take a bath in Ganges after being delighted by her penance, as per a belief. After Mata Ganga did so, Kaushiki, another incarnation of Shyam Varna, arose from her body. Mata Mahagauri, another form that bears the resemblance of the magnificent moon, appeared as well. 

Devotees refer the Goddess as Mata Mahagauri, who seizes bodily, mental, and material heat, as well as Ujjwala Swaroopa Mahagauri, Dhan Aishwarya Pradayini, and Chaitanyamayi Trilokya Pujya Mangala since then. Honoring the goddess helps one go over all their problems and sorrows. Those who are unable to fast on Navratri for the entire nine days must fast on the Pratipada and the Ashtami Tithi as it holds the same effect as nine days fasting.

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Day 8 of Chaitra Navratri 2024 Date

The Maha Ashtami shall fall this year on April 16, 2024. The color of the day is Sky Blue, hence while worshiping, the devotees should wear this Maa Mahagauri Color to delight the Goddess. Also, offer Mogra flowers to please her.

Benefits of Worshiping Mahagauri Mata

The benefits of worshiping Mahagauri Mata are as below:

• Worshiping the deity on the 8th day of Chaitra Navratri 2024 helps resolve any unfinished business. 
• Married women worshiping Mahagauri Mata and offering chunri to the Mata have their marriages last longer.
• Doing the Maa Mahagauri Pooja and worshiping the deity helps you get free from the miseries, difficulties, and despair in your life. It brings happiness on your way.
• Your home becomes a happy place, and you get positive energy when you worship the day 8 Navratri goddess.

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Maa Mahagauri Puja Rituals

The rituals to perform the Maa Mahagauri Puja are:

• On Ashtami, wake up before sunrise and shower first thing in the morning.
• As per the customs, worship the day 8 Navratri Goddess in the similar manner as they do on Saptami.
• On this day, devotees are expected to recite the Kavach mantra of the Goddess, Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah, and present a red coloured Chunri to her.
• Those who worship girls or do Kanya puja should also give the girls red Chunri as a gift.
• Set a fresh red coloured cloth on the wooden base.
• Offer Vermilion as well as grains to Mahagauri Mata.
• On this eighth day of Chaitra Navratri, place the yantra as well to honor the deity.
• Devotees believe that worshippers are blessed with beauty if they worship this form of Maa Durga.
• Offer white flowers and seek blessings from her. 
• Sing the aarti and offer coconut or items related to it. Then distribute it as prasad.

Kanya Puja Rituals

On Ashtami Tithi, after worshiping the Mahagauri Mata, girls are honored with special Navratri gifts as part of the Kanya Puja. These young girls are manifestations of Goddess Shakti. Devotees wash their feet and feed them puris, halwa, black gramme, etc. In addition, the girls are given bangles, a crimson scarf, and other gifts to recognize their status as the divine incarnation of the goddess. Worshipers conclude the puja by praying for the prosperity and good luck of the girls. In case you still have any doubts on conducting the Kanya puja on the 8th day of Chaitra Navratri, you can talk to an expert astrologer on phone and get the needed details. 

Mata Mahagauri Mantras

Maa Mahagauri devi Mantra

ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥

Om Devi Mahagaurya Namah 

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Maa Mahagauri devi Prarthana Mantra 

श्वेते वृषेसमारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः।

महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥

Shvete Vrishesamarudha Shvetambardhara Suchi

Mahagauri Shubham Dadyan Mahadev Pramodda 

Maa Mahagauri devi Stuti 

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता।

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupen Sansthita

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah

Maa Mahagauri devi Dhyaan Mantra 

वन्दे वाञ्छित कामार्थे चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।

सिंहारूढा चतुर्भुजा महागौरी यशस्विनीम्॥

पूर्णन्दु निभाम् गौरी सोमचक्रस्थिताम् अष्टमम् महागौरी त्रिनेत्राम्।

वराभीतिकरां त्रिशूल डमरूधरां महागौरी भजेम्॥

पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।

मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल मण्डिताम्॥

प्रफुल्ल वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोलाम् त्रैलोक्य मोहनम्।

कमनीयां लावण्यां मृणालां चन्दन गन्धलिप्ताम्॥

Vande Vanchit Kamarthe Chandrardhakrit Shekharam

Sinharudha Chaturbhuja Mahagauri Yashswinim

Purnandu Nibham Gauri Somchakrasthitam Ashtamam Mahagauri Trinetram.

Varabhitikaran Trishul Damrudharan Mahagauri Bhajem

Patambar Paridanam Mriduhasya Nanalankar Bhushitam

Manjir, Haar, Keyur, Kinkini, Ratnakundal Manditam.

Prafulla Vandana Pallavadharan Kant Kapolam Trilokya Mohanam

Kamaniyan Lavanya Mrinalan Chandan Gandhaliptam

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Maa Mahagauri Devi Strota

सर्वसङ्कट हन्त्री त्वंहि धन ऐश्वर्य प्रदायनीम्।

ज्ञानदा चतुर्वेदमयी महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥

सुख शान्तिदात्री धन धान्य प्रदायनीम्।

डमरूवाद्य प्रिया अद्या महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥

त्रैलोक्यमङ्गल त्वंहि तापत्रय हारिणीम्।

वददम् चैतन्यमयी महागौरी प्रणमाम्यहम्॥

Sarvsankat Hantri Twanhi Dhan Aishwarya Pradayneem

Gyanada Chaturvedmayi Mahagauri Pranamamayham 

Sukh Shantidatri Dhan Dhanya Pradayanim 

Damruvadya Priya Adya Mahagauri Pranamamyaham 

Trailokyamangal Twanhi Tapatray Harinim

Vaddam Chaitanyamayi Mahagauri Pranamamyaham 

Maa Mahagauri devi Kavach Mantra 

ॐकारः पातु शीर्षो माँ, हीं बीजम् माँ, हृदयो।

क्लीं बीजम् सदापातु नभो गृहो च पादयो॥

ललाटम् कर्णो हुं बीजम् पातु महागौरी माँ नेत्रम्‌ घ्राणो।

कपोत चिबुको फट् पातु स्वाहा माँ सर्ववदनो॥

Omkar: Patu Shirsho Maa, Hing Beejam Maa, Hridayo

Kleen Beejam Sadapatu Nabho Griho Cha Padayo॥

Lalatam karno hun bijam patu mahagauri maa netram ghraano

Kapot Chibuko Phat Patu Swaha Maa Sarvvadno॥

Endnote

Conducting the Kanya Pujan is considered quite auspicious, as per the Mahagauri story in the Hindu scriptures. The worshipers fasting on all days of the Navratri observe the parna after feeding the young girls. In some places, the Kanya Pujan is done on the 9th day of Navratri as well. 

So, if you also are willing to get blessed by the deity, wear the Maa Mahagauri Color clothes and perform the rituals mentioned above. 

Happy Ashtami!