Today’s Navaratri Worship: Devi Mahagauri – who became Mahadev’s bride by intense penance

Team Udayavani, Oct 3, 2022, 8:33 AM IST

On the eighth day of Navratri, Hindu worshippers revere Mahagauri, Maa Durga’s eighth incarnation.

Mahagauri, which literally means extremely white, had gained Gaur Varna by her penance. Folklore holds that Goddess Parvati performed intense penance to please Lord Shiva. She performed austerities to gain his favor. She had to endure several challenges while doing that, including living off of leaves and spending time in untamed forests; as a result of these circumstances, her skin went black.

Eventually, after accepting her as his bride, Lord Shiva washed her with water from the river Ganga, which restored the tone of her skin. She acquired the name Mahagauri as a result.

Devi Mahagauri is depicted as a four-armed deity who mounts a bull or a white elephant and holds a Trishul and a damru in each hand.

Because Devi Mahagauri always dresses in white, she is also known as Shwetambaradhara. She is also referred to as the Annapurna Swaroop. She represents innocence, calmness, and tranquility. She is the patron goddess of riches, splendour, joy, and peace.

On this day, reciting Durga Saptashati is thought to be especially beneficial.