Maa Mahagauri: Mantra, Stories, and Temples of this Goddess

Goddess Mahagauri is the 8th deity among the Navadurgas and this Devi is also the preceding deity on the 8th day (Ashtami) of Navaratri.

Maa Mahagauri is well known to bring auspiciousness and even to fulfill all the wishes of her devotees.

Iconography

The Mahagauri Devi is usually represented with four arms, holding a trident and damaru by her upper hands and showing abhaya and varada mudras by her lower hands.

The Goddess is also represented wearing white robes and mounted on the Nandi as her vehicle.

In some areas of India, this Goddess is considered as Kamakhya Devi.

Hindu Scriptures and Goddess Mahagauri

Holy scriptures like Shaivagamas and several books on Goddess Shakthi had mentioned this Goddess as a form of Navadurga.

Other scriptures like Mahagauri puja paddhathi explains the puja Vidhana of this Goddess.

Worshipping this Goddess

Worshipping this Goddess is believed to fulfill all the wishes of the devotee, bestow good luck and fortune.

Also, worshipping the Goddess is well known for attaining the bliss of both Goddess Gowri and God Shiva as the goddess is called Mahadeva pramodada (The one who delights God Shiva).

Mantra and Hymn for Mahagauri Devi

Mantra

Om Devi Mahagauryai Namaha

Hymn

Swethe vrushe samarudha swethambhara-dhara suchihi
Mahagauri subham dadyan Mahadeva pramodada

O The one with white complexion, riding on a bull, wearing white garments, O the pure one
Goddess Mahagauri, please bestow me your auspiciousness, the one who delights the Mahadeva -God Shiva (I bow to you)

Story of Goddess Mahagauri

There are two popular stories related to the incarnation of the Devi.

Goddess Parvathi and her Penance

Once upon a time, Goddess Parvati had done a great tapa on God Shiva in order to reunite with him in her new incarnation. The Tapa done by Goddess Parvati is believed to be unparalleled with anyone’s penance.

During that time, the body of the Goddess had completed turned into black color due to the effect of direct sunlight and extreme weather conditions.

The tapas continued for several years

Seeing her immense penance, God Shiva was pleased and agreed to the wish of the Devi Parvati to marry her.

During that time, God Shiva had released a stream of Ganga on goddess Parvathi due to which all the dust and black colour was washed out, making the goddess shine with great radiance.

Like this, the maa Mahagauri form came into existence.

Kali to Devi

Another story related to this Goddess is present in Shiva Maha Purana and even in several other Puranas.

Once upon a time, God Shiva called Goddess Parvathi Kali – which actually means the black one.

Listening to the words of God Shiva, Maa Parvati felt a little bit insulted.

Even though the Goddess thought that God Shiva had called her Kali playfully, she thought to come back to God Shiva with pure white skin.

So, she started penance in order to get back god Shiva in a newer form.

Her penance went in a great way.

Pleased by the penance, god Shiva made the Akasa Gangajala fell on the Devi Parvati, by which her body turned completely white with yellowish overtones.

In this way, the Goddess Kali has transformed into the Maa Mahagauri.