- Navratri day
- Day 8
- Date in 2026
- Sunday, 18 Oct 2026
- Colour
- Purple
- Vahan
- White bull
- Prasad / bhog
- Coconut
- Tithi at sunrise
- Saptami
About Maa Mahagauri
After years of penance in the forest, Parvati's skin had turned dark with dust and sun. When Lord Shiva bathed her in the waters of the Ganga, she became radiant and fair, and came to be known as Mahagauri, "the very fair one".
She is dressed in white, has four arms holding a trishul and a damru, with the other two in blessing and protection, and she rides a white bull.
Puja vidhi
- Offer white flowers, sandalwood and akshat after the morning prayer.
- Offer coconut as bhog. Many families later give the coconut to a Brahmin or to the temple.
- Chant her mantra and pray for peace and forgiveness.
- Mahagauri is closely linked with Durga Ashtami. In 2026 the Ashtami puja and Kanya Pujan fall on 19 October, so plan them for the next morning.
Mantra
Mantra
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah
Dhyana mantra
श्वेते वृषे समारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः। महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेवप्रमोददा॥
Shvete vrishe samarudha shvetambaradhara shuchih, Mahagauri shubham dadyan Mahadeva-pramodada.
Recite this while picturing the Devi before you begin the puja.
Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri rupena samsthita, namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah.
Aarti
Aarti: Om Jai Ambe Gauri
This is the aarti of Maa Durga (Ambe Maa) sung every evening of Navratri, whichever form is worshipped that day. It is traditionally credited to Shivanand Swami, as its last verse says.
जय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी। तुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥ ॐ जय अम्बे गौरी॥
Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri, Tumko nishdin dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivri. Om Jai Ambe Gauri.
माँग सिंदूर विराजत, टीको मृगमद को। उज्ज्वल से दोउ नैना, चंद्रवदन नीको॥
Maang sindoor virajat, tiko mrigmad ko, Ujjval se dou naina, chandravadan neeko.
कनक समान कलेवर, रक्ताम्बर राजै। रक्तपुष्प गल माला, कंठन पर साजै॥
Kanak saman kalevar, raktambar raajai, Raktapushp gal mala, kanthan par saajai.
केहरि वाहन राजत, खड्ग खप्पर धारी। सुर-नर-मुनिजन सेवत, तिनके दुखहारी॥
Kehari vahan raajat, khadag khappar dhaari, Sur-nar-munijan sevat, tinke dukhhaari.
कानन कुण्डल शोभित, नासाग्रे मोती। कोटिक चंद्र दिवाकर, सम राजत ज्योती॥
Kaanan kundal shobhit, nasagre moti, Kotik chandra divakar, sam raajat jyoti.
शुंभ-निशुंभ बिदारे, महिषासुर घाती। धूम्र विलोचन नैना, निशदिन मदमाती॥
Shumbh-Nishumbh bidaare, Mahishasur ghaati, Dhumra vilochan naina, nishdin madmaati.
चण्ड-मुण्ड संहारे, शोणित बीज हरे। मधु-कैटभ दोउ मारे, सुर भयहीन करे॥
Chand-Mund sanhaare, Shonit Beej hare, Madhu-Kaitabh dou maare, sur bhayheen kare.
ब्रह्माणी, रुद्राणी, तुम कमला रानी। आगम निगम बखानी, तुम शिव पटरानी॥
Brahmani, Rudrani, tum Kamala Rani, Agam Nigam bakhaani, tum Shiv patrani.
चौंसठ योगिनी मंगल गावत, नृत्य करत भैरों। बाजत ताल मृदंगा, अरु बाजत डमरू॥
Chausath yogini mangal gaavat, nritya karat Bhairon, Baajat taal mridanga, aru baajat damru.
तुम ही जग की माता, तुम ही हो भरता। भक्तन की दुख हरता, सुख संपति करता॥
Tum hi jag ki mata, tum hi ho bharta, Bhaktan ki dukh harta, sukh sampati karta.
भुजा चार अति शोभित, वर मुद्रा धारी। मनवांछित फल पावत, सेवत नर नारी॥
Bhuja chaar ati shobhit, var mudra dhaari, Manvanchhit phal paavat, sevat nar naari.
कंचन थाल विराजत, अगर कपूर बाती। श्रीमालकेतु में राजत, कोटि रतन ज्योती॥
Kanchan thaal virajat, agar kapur baati, Shrimalketu mein raajat, koti ratan jyoti.
श्री अम्बेजी की आरती, जो कोई नर गावै। कहत शिवानंद स्वामी, सुख-सम्पत्ति पावै॥
Shri Ambeji ki aarti, jo koi nar gaave, Kahat Shivanand Swami, sukh-sampatti paave.
Significance
Mahagauri represents purity, calm and a fresh start after hard effort. Devotees pray to her to wash away past mistakes and for a peaceful home. Married women often offer her a red chunri on Ashtami.
Day 8 in 2026: tithi and timings
In 2026 Saptami tithi continues into the morning of 18 October (until 8:28 AM), after which Ashtami begins. Most North Indian calendars keep Durga Ashtami on 19 October, when Ashtami prevails at sunrise.
| Date | Tithi at sunrise | Sunrise | Sunset | Moonrise | Rahu Kaal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 17 Oct | Saptami | 6:23 AM | 5:49 PM | 12:22 PM | 9:14 AM – 10:40 AM |
| Sun, 18 Oct | Saptami until 8:28 AM, then Ashtami | 6:23 AM | 5:48 PM | 1:05 PM | 4:23 PM – 5:48 PM |
| Mon, 19 Oct | Ashtami until 10:52 AM, then Navami | 6:24 AM | 5:47 PM | 1:44 PM | 7:49 AM – 9:15 AM |
On this day Rahu Kaal falls in the afternoon, well after the usual morning puja. What sunrise, moonrise and Rahu Kaal mean
Timings are calculated for New Delhi in Indian Standard Time. Tithi start and end times are the same moment across India, but sunrise, sunset, moonrise, Rahu Kaal and muhurats change with your city. Other panchangs may differ by a minute or two.