As the sacred festival of Shardiya Navratri 2025 progresses into its eighth day on Monday, September 29, devotees across India come together in devotion, reverence, and celebration. This spiritually significant day is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, the radiant goddess who embodies purity, serenity, and divine compassion.
Who is Worshipped on Day 8 of Navratri?
On the eighth day of Navratri, devotees focus their prayers and rituals on Maa Mahagauri, the eighth divine form of Goddess Durga. Her name, Mahagauri, translates to “the extremely white one,” symbolizing unmatched purity, tranquil beauty, and inner peace. She is depicted as a serene figure clothed in pure white garments, seated on a white bull known as Nandi, radiating a celestial glow akin to the moon or a conch shell.
The Legend of Maa Mahagauri: A Tale of Penance and Divine Love
The Devotion of Goddess Parvati
According to ancient Hindu scriptures, Maa Mahagauri is a manifestation of Goddess Parvati, herself a reincarnation of Adi Shakti, the primordial divine feminine energy. Desiring to unite with Lord Shiva, Parvati undertook an arduous spiritual journey, choosing penance and self-denial as her path.
For thousands of years, she meditated in the rugged terrain of the Himalayas, facing intense weather and forsaking all forms of sustenance. Her devotion was so intense that her once-fair skin darkened, and her body grew frail, yet her spirit remained unwavering.
The Blessing of Lord Shiva
Moved by her unshakable faith, Lord Shiva eventually appeared before her and accepted her as his eternal consort. In a divine act of love and grace, he blessed her with the name Mahagauri, and she regained her luminous, fair complexion. A ritual bath in the sacred Ganga River restored her form to glowing purity, and thus, she emerged as Maa Mahagauri, the embodiment of peace, compassion, and spiritual strength.
Significance of Day 8: The Sacred Colour and Its Meaning
Each day of Navratri carries its own symbolic colour, and for Day 8 in 2025, the auspicious shade is peacock green. This elegant hue, a harmonious blend of blue and green, represents:
- Compassion
- Uniqueness
- Renewal and Transformation
- Spiritual Balance
Wearing peacock green on this day is believed to invoke a sense of inner clarity and alignment between the heart, mind, and soul, inviting Maa Mahagauri’s blessings for emotional healing and spiritual growth.
Chanting the Mantra of Maa Mahagauri
To invoke the divine energy of Maa Mahagauri, devotees chant her sacred mantra:
“Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah”
This powerful chant is believed to purify the mind, uplift the spirit, and draw divine blessings of peace and compassion into one’s life.
Navratri Day 8 Puja Timings – September 29, 2025
For those observing the rituals and offering prayers, these are the most auspicious moments for conducting the Maa Mahagauri Puja according to DrikPanchang:
- Brahma Muhurat: 4:39 AM to 5:27 AM
- Abhijit Muhurat: 11:56 AM to 12:46 PM
Performing rituals during these windows enhances the spiritual potency of your devotion and invokes the divine presence of the Goddess in your home and heart.
