Navratri 2026 · Day 8 · Sunday, 18 October 2026
Navratri Day 8: Maa Mahagauri
नवरात्रि दिन 8: माँ महागौरी
Maa Mahagauri, radiant and pure, washes away past sins and grants peace.
- Colour of the day
- Purple
- Tithi
- Saptami / Ashtami
- Bhog
- Coconut
- Ruling planet
- Rahu
Note for 2026: In 2026 the Saptami tithi runs over two days, so Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday, 19 October. Many families worship Maa Mahagauri on 18 October (the eighth day) and do Ashtami Kanya Pujan on 19 October. Follow your family's tradition and local panchang.
Maa Mahagauri Mantra
ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah
Chant 108 times with a rosary (mala) during the day's puja.
Dhyana / Stuti Mantra
श्वेते वृषे समारूढा श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचिः। महागौरी शुभं दद्यान्महादेवप्रमोददा॥
Shvete Vrishe Samarudha Shvetambaradhara Shuchih Mahagauri Shubham Dadyan Mahadeva Pramodada
Meaning: May the pure Mahagauri, dressed in white and riding a white bull, who brings joy to Mahadeva, grant auspiciousness.
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ महागौरी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Form of Maa Mahagauri
Maa Mahagauri is fair as a conch, the moon and jasmine, dressed in white. She rides a white bull and holds a trident and a damru, with her other hands blessing and protecting.
Maa Mahagauri Katha
During her long penance for Lord Shiva, Parvati's body became covered in dust and turned dark. Pleased with her devotion, Shiva bathed her with the sacred waters of the Ganga, and she shone with a brilliant white radiance.
From then on she was known as Mahagauri - "the greatly radiant one".
Worship of Mahagauri is believed to wash away past sins. In many homes Kanya Pujan is done on Ashtami, honouring young girls as forms of the Goddess.
Blessings
Purity, peace of mind and the removal of past sins.
Day 8 Puja Vidhi
- Wake early, bathe and wear purple if you can.
- Worship the kalash and light the lamp (or tend the Akhand Jyoti).
- Place a picture of Maa Mahagauri and offer roli, akshat and white or pink flowers such as jasmine.
- Offer the bhog: coconut.
- Chant "Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah" 108 times, then recite the stuti above.
- Read the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati.
- End with the Jai Ambe Gauri aarti and share the prasad.
Questions about Day 8
Which goddess is worshipped on Navratri Day 8?
Maa Mahagauri (महागौरी) is worshipped on day 8 of Navratri. In 2026 this falls on Sunday, 18 October 2026.
What is the colour of Navratri Day 8 in 2026?
The colour for Navratri Day 8 (Sunday, 18 October 2026) is Purple.
What is the bhog for Maa Mahagauri?
Coconut is offered to Maa Mahagauri. Her favourite flowers are white or pink flowers such as jasmine.
What is the mantra of Maa Mahagauri?
The main mantra is "Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah" (ॐ देवी महागौर्यै नमः॥). Chant it 108 times with a rosary during the day's puja.