Ashtami, or the eighth day of Navratri, is a significant day of this festival. As we all know, each day of the Navarathri festival is dedicated to a different Goddess, and Navarathri day 8 is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri. Goddess Mahagauri is one of the most dazzling and attractive Goddesses in Hindu mythology. This is why she was given the name Gauri.

On this day, people worship Maa Mahagauri and offer her items such as jaggery, mogra flowers, and beautification materials (Shringar). On Navratri Day 8, the Goddess bestows benevolence and serenity upon her worshippers. Worshiping Mahagauri is also a way for people to atone for their misdeeds.

On the eighth day of Navratri, the color will be pink, orange, or red. Furthermore, it is the color that everyone must wear. If you want to learn more about the proper manner to perform puja with the correct vidhi on the 8th day of Chaitra Navratri, as well as the dos and don'ts that you must remember, then keep on reading this blog.

The 8th Day of Navratri Traditions

One of the most essential aspects of a Hindu festival is the vidhi of the puja. Many people perform the puja in their own way, and while some have no idea what to do, it is better to learn first than to follow the vidhi perfectly. Don't worry, we've included the complete puja vidhi below for your convenience. The following are the puja steps:

1. Clean the premises and the puja area.

2. Take a bath and dress cleanly.

3. Place the Shiva and Mahagauri idols and worship them.

4. Begin the puja by offering flowers to the Gods and Goddesses.

5. Finally, serve jaggery with gangajal.

6. Aarti is performed after the diyas are lit.

HOW TO FAST PROPERLY

During the nine days of Navratri, many people fast. Some people, on the other hand, only fast on certain days. Fasting may appear to some to be a simple practice, but this is not the reality. There are specific norms and criteria that anyone keeping a fast on any day of Navratri must observe. These are the rules:

1. Get up early

2. Clean the puja area and arrange all of the puja-related things.

3. Don't forget to clean the God and Goddess idols. 

4. Take a bath and put on fresh, clean clothes.

5. Carry out the puja

6. If you are fasting, you can replace your meal with fruits and milk-based items such as curd and milk.

7. Recite the Navratri 8th day katha in the evening.

8. Perform the night aarti first, and then present the meal to the Goddess.

9. After the puja, give the remaining food as an offering to all members of the household and others. 

Kanya Pujan: Worship of young females

Devotees welcome young girls to their homes, wash their feet, and provide them with food and presents. This ritual honors feminine energy and seeks the blessings of Goddess Katyayani.

Mantra for Goddess Katyayani

The mantra for the eighth day of Navratri is listed below. Recite the mantras while praying.

Mahagauri Mantra – ‘Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah’

Here is the Mahagauri beej mantra – ‘Shree Clean Hree Vardayai Namah’

Mahagauri Prayer Mantra – ‘Shwete Vrisheshmarudha Shwetambardhara Shuchih, Mahagauri Shubham Dadyan Mahadev Pramodda’

The Do's and Don'ts During Navaratri

Do's

> Cleanse the idols of Gods and Goddesses with milk.

> Girls should be given prasad.

> Recite the mantras of Maa Mahagauri.

> Perform puja on a regular basis.

> Keep your home tidy.

Avoid the following:

> Using onion and garlic.

> Consuming meat and meat products.

> During fasts, avoid grains.

> Do not Shaving, Haircut, and Nailcut

> Tobacco

> Consuming alcoholic beverages.

CONCLUSION

Mahagauri's essence goes beyond exterior purity; she invites believers to seek inner purity, purifying the mind and emotions. Her worship inspires contemplation, humility, and a determination to living righteously. Mahagauri shines as a beacon of purity and majesty in the heavenly dance of creation, preservation, and annihilation. Through her worship, her devotees go on a spiritual journey in which they strive to embody the attributes of grace, serenity, and unshakable devotion.