The eighth day of the Navaratri is called the Maha Ashtami and is an auspicious day. Goddess Mahagauri is adored and worshipped on this day. She is yet another form of the divine Goddess Durga. She is the Epitome of fairness and beauty. Her white complexion is compared often to a conch, moon or the Jasmine flower.

Origin and meaning of the name

Goddess Mahagauri is beautiful-looking Goddess with a complexion as white as a full moon. Hence, she is known as Mahagaruri. Her name consists of two words: Maha, which means great, and Gauri, which means purity or divine grace.

She also has different names such as Shambhavi ( which symbolises the bliss and happiness she spreads to all her sincere devotees), Shwethaambardhara ( which denotes the pure white attire she wears), Visharudha ( denotes her pure white mount - the sacred bull) and Chaturbuji (which denote the four hands).

Depiction of the Goddess

Goddess Mahagauri is depicted seated on her sacred white Nandhi ( Bull). She has a third eye open and has four arms. She carries a Trishul in one hand, and in the other, she holds a small Damru / drum. These two symbolise power and rhythm. The other two hands are in the Abaya mudra and Varadha mudra. These two mudra denote that the Goddess is protecting and blessing the devotees. The Goddess wears a white saree, and her face exudes serenity, happiness and calmness.

The story behind the Avatar

Goddess Parvathi had to undergo intense tapas to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. Due to the vigorous and deep sadhana requirements, she was covered in dust. This penance made her skin darken and change colour. After the wedding, Lord Shiva lovingly teased his wife, Goddess Parvathi KALI. Goddess Parvathi became agitated and wished to get her original skin colour back.

Goddess Parvathi prayed to Lord Brahma to ask for his counsel. Lord Brahma advised Goddess Parvathi to "Take a bath" in the Holy waters of Manasarovar ( in some parts of India, the local people changed the river name to River Ganga). Goddess Parvathi headed to the advice given and bathed in the river. As a result, the dark skin separated and got washed off. Goddess Parvathi came out of the river as a beautiful and exceptionally fair Goddess Mahagauri.

Vaishnavi Gurusankar is a passionate educator, a wife and a mother. She has over a decade of experience as an educator and has been closely working with teachers and children of all ages. She is also an active parenting blogger and founder of Magical Unicorn, an exclusive parenting blog founded on Indian ethos, values and stories at its core. She has also authored the book "Bharatyam : Science behind Hindu Practices & Way of Life"