Navratri Day 8, 2026: Why Is Maa Mahagauri Worshipped? Favourite Bhog And Mantra

Maa Mahagauri is traditionally worshipped as the eighth form of Navadurga on the eighth day of Sharadiya Navratri. Her serene, radiant form is associated with purity, peace, compassion and spiritual devotion.

Worshipping her is believed to remove past karmas and past sins, allowing devotees to enter the ninth day of Navratri (Siddhidatri) with a heart fully prepared for divine realisation.

Here is your complete guide to Maa Mahagauri Puja on Day 8, including tithi, puja muhurat, mantras, preferred bhog, and spiritual significance.

Navratri Day 8: Date And Auspicious Timings

Day 8 of Sharad Navratri is on October 18, 2026, which corresponds to Ashtami. According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious timings for the puja rituals are:

Chaturthi Tithi begins: October 18, 2026, at 8:27 AM
Chaturthi Tithi ends: October 19, 2026, Ashtami up to 10:51 AM
Brahma Muhurta: October 18, 2026, 04:43 AM to 05:34 AM
Rahu Kalam (Inauspicious Time): October 18, 2026, 07:50 AM to 09:15 AM
Abhijit Muhurat: October 18, 2026, 11:43 AM to 12:29 PM

Who Is Maa Mahagauri? Significance Of The 8th Avatar

Maa Mahagauri symbolises purity, serenity, and liberation from past sins. According to Hindu scriptures, after taking intense penance to attain Lord Shiva as her husband, her body turned dark.

Pleased with her devotion, Lord Shiva washed her with the sacred waters of the Ganga, restoring her radiant glow. Hence the name Mahagauri, Maha menas Great; Gauri means white or radiant.

She rides a bull (Vrishabha), holds a Trident and Damru, and displays the Abhaya and Varada mudras to protect her devotees.

Worshipping her is believed to dissolve the devotee's past sins and wrongdoings, making them ready to receive divine grace. This is why Day 8 is often called Maha Ashtami and celebrated with great reverence.

Which Mantra To Chant For Maa Mahagauri?

To seek the blessings of Maa Mahagauri for peace, prosperity, and relief from Rahu Dosha, recite these authentic Vedic mantras:

1. Dhyana Mantra

श्वेते वृषे समारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः
महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेव प्रमोददा॥

Shwete Vrishe Samarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih
Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadeva Pramodada॥

2. Powerful Beej Mantra

ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥

Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah॥

Maa Mahagauri symbolises purity, serenity, and liberation from past sins (Image: Instagram/godsinpixels)

ALSO READ: Navratri 2026 Kanya Pujan: Ashtami Or Navami? Know Exact Dates, Shubh Muhurat And Vidhi

Which Colour Should Be Worn On Day 8?

For Sharadiya Navratri 2026, the auspicious colour for Day 8 is purple. This colour is associated with luxury, grandeur and nobility. Worshipping Navdurga wearing Purple bestows devotees with opulence and richness.

Special Bhog For Maa Mahagauri

Traditionally, devotees offer coconut as a primary bhog item to Maa Mahagauri to earn her divine grace and eradicate financial hardships. Offer a satvik meal of sooji halwa, puri, and kale chane cooked in ghee with mild spices.

Alternative Offering: Raw whole coconut or coconut-based sweets.

Step-by-Step Maa Mahagauri Puja Vidhi

To perform the Day 8 Puja accurately at home, follow this traditional step-by-step procedure:

1. Wake up during Brahma Muhurat. Take a bath and wear fresh clothes, preferably purple.
2. Clean the puja altar with Gangajal and place an idol or image of Maa Mahagauri alongside the Kalash established on Day 1.
3. Apply chandan, kumkum, and akshat and offer fresh white or pink flowers (Parijat or Lotus) and Belpatra.
4. Light a ghee lamp and incense sticks.
5. Chant the Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah Beej Mantra 108 times, followed by the Mahagauri Stotram.
6. Offer the traditional prasad of coconut, sooji Halwa, puri, and black Chana.
7. Day 8 is the primary day for Kanya Pujan. Invite nine young girls symbolising the nine forms of Durga.
8. Wash their feet, tie a sacred thread (Moli), perform Aarti, and serve them the Bhog along with small gifts/dakshina.
9. Conclude the puja by singing the Maa Mahagauri Aarti and distributing the prasad to your family.

ALSO READ: Navratri Day 7 2026: Which Mantra To Chant For Maa Kalaratri? Know Puja Vidhi And Bhog

Thus, Mahagauri’s blessings prepare the devotee to enter Day 9, the culmination of Navratri, where the soul attains perfection and rests in divine bliss.

FAQs

1. What colour should you wear on Navratri Day 8?

Devotees traditionally wear purple on Day 8 to represent luxury, grandeur and nobility

2. Is Kanya Pujan done on Ashtami or Navami?

Kanya Pujan can be performed on either Maha Ashtami (Day 8) or Maha Navami (Day 9), depending on your family tradition. However, doing it on Ashtami after completing the Mahagauri Puja is most common.