Eighth Day of Navratri – Worship of Maa Mahagauri Brings Blessings

The eighth day of Navratri is celebrated as Maha Durga Ashtami. In 2025, Durga Ashtami will be observed on 30 September 2025. On this day, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, who is a form of Goddess Parvati. It is believed that when Maa performed intense penance to attain Lord Shiva, her body turned dark. Later, when she was bathed with the holy water of the Ganga, she became radiant like gold. From that moment, she came to be known as Mahagauri. This day is celebrated as the grand festival of Durga Ashtami.

The Form of Maa Mahagauri

Maa Mahagauri’s form is extremely gentle and enchanting. She wears pure white clothes and ornaments. Her vehicle is a bull, and for this reason, she is also called Vrisharudha. She has four arms—two hands are in Abhaya Mudra and Varada Mudra, while in the other two she holds a trident (Trishul) and a drum (Damru). She is serene by nature, and her mind always remains absorbed in the meditation of Lord Shiva.

Method of Worshipping Maa Mahagauri

Take a bath and wear clean white clothes on the eighth day of Navratri.
Place the idol or image of Maa on a red cloth.
Light a ghee lamp near Maa’s picture.
Offer fruits and flowers to the Goddess.
Offer Kheer (sweet rice pudding) to Maa.
Chant Maa’s mantras.
Perform Kanya Bhojan (feeding little girls).
Recite the Durga Saptashati.

Mantras of Maa Mahagauri

Shwete Vrishe Samarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih |
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyan Mahadeva Pramodada ||

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Gauri Rupena Samsthita |
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah ||

Durga Ashtami – The Day of Kanya Pujan

Durga Ashtami is considered the grand festival of Navratri. On this day, devotees perform special worship to remove all negative energies. Kanya Pujan holds great significance—people invite little girls to their homes, serve them food, worship them, and give them gifts. Performing Maha Puja on this day ensures success in all endeavors. Even if you cannot do anything else, you should at least recite the 32 names of Maa.

The 32 Names of Maa

Durga 2) Durgartishamani 3) Durgadvinivarini 4) Durgamachchedani 5) Durgasadhini 6) Durganashini 7) Durgatoddharini 8) Durganihantri 9) Durgamapaha 10) Durgamajnanada 11) Durgadaityalokadavanala 12) Durgama 13) Durgamaloka 14) Durgamatmasvarupini 15) Durgamargaprada 16) Durgamavidya 17) Durgamashrita 18) Durgamajñanasamsthana 19) Durgamadhyanabhasini 20) Durgamoha 21) Durgamaga 22) Durgamarthasvarupini 23) Durgamasurasamhtri 24) Durgamayudhadharini 25) Durgamangi 26) Durgamata 27) Durgamya 28) Durgameshwari 29) Durgabhima 30) Durgabhama 31) Durgabha 32) Durgadarini.