Mangala Gauri Vrat

Mangala Gouri Puja, as the name suggests is performed by women for the well-being of their husband. The Pooja along with the vrat is observed in the month of July-August, in the month of Shravan. This puja is very common amongst the people of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and few communities in the state of Maharastra.

The puja is dedicated to Goddess Gowri and Lord Shiva. Devotees make a sankalpa to observe the fast during the month of Shravan or even continue to do it for a period of 16 weeks starting in the 1^st Tuesday of Shravana month and are observed on every following Tuesday. Tuesday is a day important for Goddess Gowri for people to observe and dedicate puja to the spouse of Lord Shiva. Maa Gowri is said to grant wishes to her devotees who sincerely observe this ritual. The fast is observed by married women for a period of 16 or 20 Tuesdays.

The story behind Mangala Gauri Vrat

As per the puranas it is said that, in ancient times, a merchant by the name Dharampal along with his wife led a very prosperous life. There was no shortage of wealth or comforts.  However they had one unfulfilled wish which made their life sad. They didn’t have any children. Dharampal and his wife after performing severe austerities were blessed with a son. But sadly the son, even though intelligent and good looking was ordained to die young.

Dharampal and his wife where grieved by this but couldn’t show their grief in front of their son. However like any other parents they wanted to see their child married. Before he turned 16 years, he was married to a girl who was very beautiful intelligent and spiritual.  The girls’ mother was an ardent devotee of Maa Gowri and undertook the Mangala Gowri vrat for many years. Maa Gowri pleased with her devotion blessed her and granted a boon that her daughter would never attain widowhood have a happy married life. By the grace of Goddess Parvati Dharmpal son and his wife lived ever happily

Likewise, any person, especially married woman, observing the Mangala Gowri vrat is believed to be blessed with a long happy married life.

Mangla Gauri Worship Procedure

The Mangala Gauri Vrat has many stages to it. Like any other Pooja it starts with the invocation of Ganpati followed by Mangla Gauri avahan and other major deties, visualizing Mother Gauri by chanting a dhyana mantra, which describes her roopa , story of parvati, aarti of parvati, pushpaanjali and a fire ritual (hooma). Special puja dedicated to Goddess Parvati are performed on the day with women in traditional attire, that includes bangles, flowers and mangalsutra – emblematically indicating to Goddess Gowri that they want to be like this for rest of their life. It is believed that Goddess Parvati blesses women with material prosperity, health and a long happy married life.

Mangla Gauri Regional Rituals

The observation of ritual of Mangala Gowri Puja varies from region to region. Offerings are strictly vegetarian and are strictly followed for the entire period of Shravan month or till the last day of gauri pooja vrat. In certain regions Mangala Gowri Puja is sometimes observed by married women during the first five years of their marriage.

Mangla Gauri Puja For Good Married Life

Women who have problems in their married life due to ill effect of malefic planets in the Janam Kundali or have manglik dosa should observe Mangal Gauri Vrat. By performing Mangla Gauri vrat as mentioned in the scriptures, increases peace and happiness in married life.

Schedule of Mangala Gauri Vrat for the regions of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar.

20        July      (Wednesday)   First day of Shravana Month

26        July      (Tuesday)        Mangala Gauri Vrat

02        August (Tuesday)        Mangala Gauri Vrat

09        August (Tuesday)        Mangala Gauri Vrat

16        August (Tuesday)        Mangala Gauri Vrat

18        August (Thursday)       Last day of Shravana Month

Mangala Gauri Vrat Dates for Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

03        August (Wednesday)   First day of Shravana Month

09        August (Tuesday)        Mangala Gauri Vrat

16        August (Tuesday)        Mangala Gauri Vrat

23        August (Tuesday)        Mangala Gauri Vrat

30        August (Tuesday)        Mangala Gauri Vrat

01        September        (Thursday)       Last day of Shravana Month