The eighth day of Navratri or Durga Ashtami is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri, who is the eighth Avatar of Maa Durga. Goddess Mahagauri has other names also which are Shwetambardhara (dressed in white clothes), Vrisharudha (rides the bull), Chaturbhuji (have four hands) and Shambhavi.
The name, Mahagauri is derived from ‘Maha’ means ‘great,’ and ‘Gauri’ means ‘complexion.’ It is believed that the planet Rahu is governed by Goddess Parvati.
Significance of Navratri Day 8 | Importance of Eighth Day Navratri puja
Being a symbol of purity, serenity and tranquillity, Mahagauri is said to put an end to all the suffering of her devotees. It is also believed that Mahagauri is the 16-year-old unmarried form of Goddess Parvati.
This eighth avatar of Navdurga in her physical form is depicted as a three-eyed, four-armed beautiful Goddess mounted on a white Vrushabha (bull).
Two of her arms on either side are in the Varada and Abhay mudras (poses) to bless and alleviate fears from the lives of her devotees, while her other two arms hold a Trishul (trident) and a damru.
Navratri 8th day is one of the most important days of Navratri. Goddess Mahagauri has the power to fulfil all the wishes of her devotees. Those who pray to her get relief from all their sufferings.
Ashtami is also called Maha Ashtami or Durga Ashtami and it is one of the most important days of Durga Puja. You can remove obstacles in the path of success and find peace of mind with a Durga Saptashati Puja performed by our accomplished Pandits.
The Legend of Mahagauri:
According to mythology, the legend says that Parvati wanted to get Lord Shiva as her husband, so she left all the comforts of the palace and started a strenuous penance in the forest. While performing the severe penance for many years, Parvati’s body turned black due to dust, soil, and the leaves of trees.
At last, Lord Shiva was pleased with her hard penance and blessed her that he would marry her. Lord Shiva cleansed Goddess Parvati with the sacred water of holy Ganga. All the dust, soil and dirt were washed away from the body of Goddess Parvati, and she got the white complexion. Thus, Goddess Parvati is also known as Mahagauri.
Navratri 8th Day Puja Rituals
- On the eighth day of Navratri, Devotees observe fast and follow several rituals on Ashtami like Maha Puja, Kanya Puja – where nine little girls are worshipped, considering them nine goddesses of Navratri.
- For some devotees, the 8th day of Navratri is for breaking their fast.
- On the eighth 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 Kanyaka 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 the same food
8th day of Navratri 2025: Important Dates & Timings:
Goddess Mahagauri Puja Date: 30 September 2025, Tuesday
Ashtami Tithi Begins – 04:31 PM on Sep 29, 2025
Ashtami Tithi Ends – 06:06 PM on Sep 30, 2025
Maa Mahagauri Mantra | Maa Gauri Mantra
Recite the below-mentioned Mantras to get the blessing from the almighty Maa Mahagauri.
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
The devotees should perform the eighth day of Navratri puja with huge devotion and pure mind so that Devi Mahagauri fulfils all their desires. You can also attain abundance and bring happiness to your life by worshipping a Meru Prushth Shree Yantra. Maa Mahagauri vanishes all the previous sins and wrong deeds of the devotees and purifies their life. Goddess Mahagauri leads them to the path of truth and happiness.
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With Ganesha’s Grace,