Mother Divine is worshiped as Mahagauri on the eighth day of Navratri. Just as day comes after night, similarly ‘Mahagauri’ appears on the eighth day after ‘Kalratri‘(the seventh form of Navadurga worshipped on the seventh tithi of Navratri). She is also known by other names, including Svetambaradhara (the goddess who is clad in white), Brisrudha (the goddess whose vehicle is the bull), Chaturbhuji (the goddess who has four arms), Shambhavi (the goddess who brings joy and happiness to her devotees)etc.

Appearance of Mahagauri

‘Maha’ means great and ‘Gauri’ means white.
The fair complexion of Mahagauri is compared to the whiteness of the conch shell, moon and jasmine flowers. ‘Gauri’ also signifies the daughter of Giriraj (the king of mountains), Himalayas. Her Vahana (vehicle) is a white Vrishav (bull). Goddess Mahagauri is depicted with three eyes and four hands. She has two hands on either side in Varda and Abhaya mudras to bless her devotees and remove all fear from their lives. Her other two hands hold a Trishul (trident) and a Damru (a small drum).

Story of Mahagauri

According to mythology, Goddess Gauri is the sixteen-year-old unmarried form of Goddess Parvati. She did severe austerities for many years to get Lord Shiva as her husband and because of this, dust accumulated on her skin and she looked black. Lord Shiva was pleased with her penance and blessed her with the promise of marriage. The holy water of river Ganges was used to wash off the dust from Goddess Parvati’s body. As a result, her skin turned white and she became known as Mahagauri.

There is another legend too. Goddess Kali appeased Brahma through penance. So, with the blessings of Brahma, she took a bath in the Mansarovar and transformed from Kali to Goddess Mahagauri.

Benefits of Worshiping Mahagauri

Mahagauri the most beautiful and serene form of the Adishakti. She is the symbol of beauty. If one worships the goddess, she confers and fulfills all his /her wishes and desires. She protects her devotees from all evil forces of this material world.

Temple of Mahagauri

The temple of Goddess Annapurna at Kashi Vishwanath Temple Complex in Varanasi is also known as Mahagauri Temple. Devotees flock to this temple throughout the year. Many devotees gather here on Navratri.

Mahagauri Mantra

shwete vrashe samarudhah shwetambar-dhara shuchi |
mahagauri shubham dadhyanmahdev-pramodada ||

By Krishna Das