Navratri Day 8: Maa Mahagauri & The Sacred Kanya Puja

The eighth day of Navaratri is known as Durga Ashtami, which holds a significant spiritual significance. Devotees worship Maa Mahagauri on this day; she is the goddess of purity, serenity, and compassion. 
Kanya Pujan (Kanjak) is the highlight of this auspicious day; young girls are worshipped as they are revered as Goddess Durga’s nine forms.

The Story of Maa Mahagauri

According to Hindu scriptures, Maa Mahagauri was once Goddess Parvati, who did a great deal of penance to win Lord Shiva as her husband.

Years of penance and hardship had turned her complexion dark. Lord Shiva cleansed her with holy water from the Ganga, as he was pleased with her devotion, thus restoring her radiant, fair skin. She was then embodied as Mahagauri, who was seen as the epitome of purity and beauty.

Symbolism of Maa Mahagauri

• Appearance: Maa Mahagauri is depicted as wearing a white attire, she is seen riding a bull, and holding a trident and a damru. Her expression is calm and reassuring, resembling inner peace.
• Attributes: She exemplifies an aura of patience, kindness, and forgiveness, all the qualities to inspire her devotees to let go of pessimistic thoughts.
• Spiritual Meaning: Worshipping her purifies the mind, the heart, and the soul.
   

Importance of Kanya Puja on Ashtami

Kanya Puja is seen as one of the most integral rituals of Navratri. Young girls between the ages of 2 and 10 are invited into homes and worshipped as manifestations of divine feminine energy.

• Honouring these young girls pleases Goddess Durga and brings immense blessings to each household.
• This ritual is performed to invite prosperity into their lives.
• Significance towards the feminine energy and power is clear, which is at the centre most during Navaratri Celebrations.
• In the course of Kanya Puja, the small girls (Kanjaks) are made to sit and are worshipped with utmost devotion:
• Their feet are washed as a sign of respect, they are given small gifts, and are fed a homemade prasad of traditional offerings such as chole, puri, and halwa.
• Devotees touch the feet of young girls to attain their blessings.

How to Perform Maa Mahagauri Puja

• Begin the day by waking up early, freshening up, and dressing in clean clothing, preferably in the colour white.
  Decorate the altar or the mandir with white flowers and apply Kumkum to the goddess's idol.
• Light a diya (lamp) with pure ghee and recite Maa Mahagauri’s mantra:
  “ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥”
• Perform prayer and puja have to be performed with utmost sincerity and humility.
  Aarti concludes with the distribution of prasad.

Navratri Day 8 Colour and Food

• The colour of the day is white.
• It is seen as synonymous with peace, clarity, and serenity, all the attributes that Maa Mahagauri represents.
• Wearing white and decorating the puja altar with white flowers is seen as auspicious.
• Preparing Satvik meals, specifically white coloured desserts as prasad, such as kheer, coconut laddus, or milk-based desserts, is recommended.

Conclusion

The eighth day of Navratri is devoted to Maa Mahagauri, which reminds us of the power of purity and compassion. By performing puja, devotees open doors to a more peaceful and prosperous year, as Maa Mahagauri showers us with her divine blessings. The rituals of this day cleanse the soul and prepare our mind for the completion of the Navaratri.

*This article is based on the facts described in religious texts and scriptures. Our aim is not to hurt any religion or belief, but simply to share cultural and religious knowledge.