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Navratri Day 8: India invokes two forms of Goddess Durga - serene Ma Mahagauri & fearsome Ma Chamunda

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On this day, Hindu devotees worship two forms of Adhi Shakti - Maa Mahagauri and Maa Chamunda.

Synopsis

​Considered the eighth form of Navadurga (the nine forms of Goddess Durga), Maa Mahagauri is depicted with four hands. Seated atop a white bull, she is seen carrying a trident and a drum.

Today marks one of the most important days of Navratri - Maha Ashtami. This is when Durgotsav celebrations reach their crescendo. It falls on the eighth day of Shardiya Navratri and the third day of the Bengali Durga Puja. This year, it falls on October 22.

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On this day, Hindu devotees worship two deities - Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Adi Shakti or Maa Durga in North India, and Maa Chamunda in West Bengal.


All About Maa Mahagauri, The Deity Of Purity

Considered the eighth form of Navadurga (the nine forms of Goddess Durga), Maa Mahagauri is depicted with four hands. Seated atop a white bull, she is seen carrying a trident and a drum. The name, Mahagauri, translates to “the one with a bright complexion like the moon,” in Sanskrit.

Mahagauri is associated with peace, serenity and tranquility. According to Hindu scriptures, Goddess Parvati took on this form to vanquish the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. As she is robed in pristine white clothes she is also known as ‘Shwetambar Dhara’. Her favourite flower is the white Indian jasmine or the ‘Raat Rani’

How To Worship Maa Mahagauri?

The Goddess is said to bring peace and prosperity to her devotees. On this day, believers wake up early in the morning, take a bath and don new clothes. Nine pots (representing the nine forms of the Goddess) should be placed at the altar for worship. Offerings should include raat rani flowers, sandalwood and sweets.

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In many households, people conduct the Kanya or Kumari Puja. Little girls are invited. Their feets are washed. People draw tilaks on their foreheads. A prasad consisting of poori, halwa and dried chana dal is offered to them.

Since the colour associated with Mahagauri is purple, ideally, you should wear the same colour today.

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The Bongs Invoke The Fiercer Form Of The Goddess

On this day, Bengalis invoke Maa Chamunda, a fierce form of the deity. Often depicted as a wild and ferocious incarnation of Durga, Chamunda appears with a coal black complexion, with four to twelve arms, wearing a garland of severed heads (Mundamala). She carries various objects such as a damru (drum), a sword, a snake, a trishula, a severed head, a skull-cup etc. She is shown standing on the body of a corpse.

In Hindu texts, Chamunda was the form the Goddess assumed when she defeated and decapitated two demons Chanda and Munda. She is closely associated with Goddess Kali, another fearsome avatar of Parvati.

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Bengalis worship the Goddess through a ritual known as the Sandhi Pujo at the end of Ashtami - just 24 minutes before Navami or day 9 of Navratri begins. It is believed that the deity is at the peak of her powers on this moment.

During the Sandhi Puja, devotees over 108 lamps, 108 lotuses and a garland made of 108 bel pata to the deity. Bhog includes uncut fruits such as apple, pomegranate and cherries as well as uncooked rice, sindoor and red bangles. After the worship prasad is served. It mainly consists of khichudi and labra (mixed vegetables) as well as fried vegetables - pumpkin, potato etc.

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