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Eighth Day of Navratri – Maa Mahagauri 

The eighth day of navratri is Maha Pooja during Navratri. It is called Ashtami and is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri, the eight Avatar of nine goddess. She is the wife of lord Shiva. “Maha” means extreme or great and “Gauri” means white. She is white like the moon or snow. She is also known as Shwetambardhara, Vrisharudha, Chaturbhuji and Shambhavi.
Maa Mahagauri

She is extremely beautiful and have fair complexion. Devi Mahagauri’s procession is a white bull that is dressed in white. She is seen with three eyes and four hands. In her lower right hand, she holds a trident (Trishul) while upper right hand is in the form of allaying fear. Her left upper hand holds a Damaru while lower left hand is in the pose of blessing to devotees. She is the symbol of purity, calmness and tranquillity and represents the wisdom. She has the power to turn impossible things into possible.

Rituals

On the eighth day of navratri many rituals have been performed like, it is the day for Maha Puja, a day to worship nine little girls considering them nine goddess of navratri and for some devotees 8th day of navratri is for breaking their fast. On the eight day of navratri pooja, married women offer the red chunri to goddess Maha Gauri for the long life of their husbands. Along with Goddess Mahagauri, lord Shiva is also worshipped on this day. To break their fast they need to do the Kanyak Pooja, in which they have to perform pooja of little nine girls, have to feed them good food it could be Kheer, Puri and Halwa and offer them some gift then devotees can break their fast by eating same food.

Worship

According to Hindi Calendar, Maha Gauri pooja is performed on the Shukla Ashtami. Devotees should indulge in the Goddess Maha Gauri Pooja with pure mind and chant the below mantras, shlokas and Maha Gauri kawach on the eighth day of Navratri worship.

Maa Mahagauri Mantra

Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih।
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadeva Pramodada॥

Meaning of Above Mantra

Like, White Goddess Mahagauri rides on Vrishaba, She is adorned with white coloured ornaments. Wrapped in a white saree, the Goddess is a symbol of purity and peace.

Ninth day of Dusshera