PM Narendra Modi Extends Greetings on Durga Puja, Shares Stuti of Maa Mahagauri on Navratri Day 8

NAVRATRI DAY 8 DURGA ASHTAMI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his greetings on the occasion of Durga Puja. “Happy Durga Puja wishes to my family members across the country. May Maa Durga bless everyone with good health and a happy life,” PM Modi posted on X, formerly Twitter.

In another post, Modi offered prayer to Goddess Mahagauri on the eighth day of Navratri. “Today is the holy day of special worship of Maa Mahagauri. It is a wish to Maa Goddess, who is compassionate and infallibly fruitful, to bless all her devotees and provide them with welfare,” he posted in Hindi, sharing a video stuti dedicated to the Goddess.

Goddess Mahagauri Worshipped on Navratri Day 8

Durga Mahashtami is the eighth day of the nine-day Navratri festival, and it is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Mahagauri. She is the eighth form of the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga. Mahagauri is known for her fair complexion and radiant beauty, which is why she is also known as “Shwetambari” or “Shweta Gauri”. She is depicted as a benevolent and compassionate goddess, and she is often worshipped for peace, prosperity, and happiness.

DURGA MAHASHTAMI: SIGNIFICANCE

It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura, who had been terrorizing the world. This victory of good over evil is celebrated on Durga Mahashtami, and it is a reminder that righteousness always triumphs over wickedness.

On this auspicious day, devotees offer special prayers and rituals to Goddess Mahagauri. They also perform Sandhi Puja, which is a special puja performed at the junction of two days. Sandhi Puja is believed to be very auspicious, and it is said to grant all the wishes of the devotees.

GODDESS MAHAGAURI

Goddess Mahagauri is depicted as a beautiful goddess with a fair complexion and radiant beauty. She is often dressed in white attire, which symbolizes purity and peace. She has four hands, and she carries a trident, a damaru, and a lotus flower in her hands. She is also often depicted riding on a bull.

Mahagauri is known for her benevolence and compassion. She is said to be the goddess of peace, prosperity, and happiness. She is also worshipped for knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment.

HOW TO WORSHIP GODDESS MAHAGAURI ON DURGA MAHASHTAMI

On Durga Mahashtami, devotees wake up early in the morning and take a bath. They then clean the puja area and decorate it with flowers and lamps. They then place an idol or image of Goddess Mahagauri in the puja area.

Devotees then offer prayers and rituals to Goddess Mahagauri. They chant mantras and hymns in her praise. They also offer her food and flowers.

After the puja is complete, devotees distribute prasad to everyone present. They also perform Kanya Puja, which is a special puja performed for nine young girls.

Kanya Puja is believed to be very auspicious, and it is said to bring good luck and prosperity to the family.

DURGA MAHASHTAMI PUJA VIDHI

1. Clean the puja area and decorate it with flowers and lamps.
2. Place an idol or image of Goddess Mahagauri in the puja area.
3. Light a diya and offer incense sticks to the goddess.
4. Offer food and flowers to the goddess.
5. Chant mantras and hymns in praise of Goddess Mahagauri.
6. Perform Kanya Puja, if possible.
7. Distribute prasad to everyone present.

MANTRA

Om Shwetambariye Namaha

This mantra is said to please Goddess Mahagauri and grant the wishes of the devotees.