Navratri 2024 Colour Today: Day 8, Maa Mahagauri Story and Significance in Sharad Navratri

Eighth Day of Navratri 2024: As Navratri 2024 comes to an end, the eighth day is known as Ashtami and holds great significance in the festival celebrations. This day commemorates Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga, who symbolizes purity, peace and spiritual transformation. Maa Mahagauri is revered for her serene beauty and compassionate nature, and her worship is believed to remove all impurities and bless devotees with inner strength and clarity.

In 2024, the 8th day of Navratri falls on October 10-11, with Durga Ashtami marking one of the most important days of the nine-day festival. This day also sets the tone for the final celebrations of Navratri, preparing devotees for the culmination of Navratri and Vijayadashami.

Read | When is Navami and Ashtami 2024 in October? Check for correct date and meaning

Navratri Day 8 2024: Daily Color – Pink

The eighth day of Navratri, also known as Durga Ashtami, commemorates Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of goddess Durga. The color associated with Ashtami is pink. This vibrant hue represents hope, beauty and universal love, embodying Maa Mahagauri’s gentle and compassionate nature.

Wearing pink on this day not only pays homage to Maa Mahagauri’s nurturing and tolerant nature, but also embodies the energy of peace and harmony she embodies. By adorning this color, devotees can connect more deeply with the goddess’s qualities of purity, patience, and serenity.

Who is Mamahagali?

Maa Mahagauri is revered as the epitome of purity and tranquility. Her name Mahagauri means “extremely white” and she is often depicted wearing a white or light-colored sari and riding a bull. According to Hindu mythology, Maa Mahagauri achieved fair complexion after undergoing intense penance to please Lord Shiva. Her story symbolizes the journey from darkness to light as she symbolizes calm, wisdom and inner peace.

What is the story and significance of Maa Mahagauri?

Mahagauri, meaning “fair and radiant”, is a form of Goddess Parvati. According to mythology, Parvati performed intense austerities to win the favor of Lord Shiva. Shiva was impressed by her devotion and accepted her as his consort. However, the severe asceticism turned her face dark. In order to regain her beauty, Parvati sought guidance from King Brahma, who advised her to defeat the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha and then bathe in the sacred Ganges river in the Himalayas. After completing these tasks, she became the radiant Maa Mahagauri.

The eighth day, or Durga Ashtami, holds great significance in Sharad Navratri. It is a day of powerful prayer, fasting and devotion. Many devotees perform Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja on this day, where nine young girls (representing the nine forms of Durga) are worshiped and food, sweets and gifts are offered. This ritual is believed to honor the divine feminine energy and obtain the goddess’s blessings of prosperity and happiness.

Mahagauri’s divine energy is said to bless her followers with freedom from pain, fear and past karmic burdens. Worshiping her on this day is believed to bring clarity of mind, spiritual growth and material success.

Read | Navratri October 2024: Complete 9-Day Calendar with Date Meanings and Colors