Gauri Puja

Introduction

Gauri pooja is one of the most ancitent ritural followed in India. It is a three-day festival during which Goddess Gauri is worshiped. It follows on the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad Month of hindu calender i.e.; in the month of August or September.

In some regions, Gauri is worshiped as Goddess Mahalakshmi and in others to Goddess Parvati. In certain parts of Maharashtra, especially in Pune, Goddess Gauri is the sister of Ganapati. Arrival of Goddess Gauri in homes is regarded as the coming of the sisters of Ganesha and is said to bring health, wealth, happiness and prosperity. It is said that Goddess Gauri kills demon.

Importance and Significance of Gauri Puja

Gauri Pujan is the festival of worshiping Goddess Parvati celebrated by Maharashtrians. It is also celebrated in few other places near Maharashtra. Know about the features of this festival which makes it unique. On the day of Gauri Pujan all Maharashtrian women stay awake the whole night and play traditional games like Zhimma and Phugdi. Read on to find more about how Gauri Pujan festival is celebrated.

Festivals have a special importance in life of every individual. People from all the religions celebrate their festivals in their own way. One such festival is Gauri Pujan which resembles some Hindu festivals but has its own unique features. Parvati mother of Lord Ganesh is also known as Gauri. Gauri Pujan is all about worshiping Goddess Parvati or Gauri.

It is celebrated mainly in Maharashtra. It falls during the fourth or fifth day of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is regarded as the festival of Maharastrian women. It is the only time in a year when women enjoy themselves along with their friends. This Puja is very well known in Maharashtra as 'Mangala Gauri'. According to Hindus Mangala means holy and auspicious. To know more about this holy celebration read on.

Benefits of Gauri Puja

Just like Ganesh idol, Gauri idol is brought one day before Gauri Pujan or along with Ganesh idol. Gauri is brought home in form of the idol or a simple image on a paper. In Maharashtra most of the families bring Gauri idols but in some villages near Maharashtra people prefer to worship an image of Goddess Gauri. Most of the Maharastrians bring Gauri idol exclusively during Gauri Pujan day during Ganesh Chaturthi. There are some people who bring an image of Goddess Gauri on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi itself.

It is believed by most of the devotees that the holy rays come out of the Gauri image or idol during the period of Gauri Pujan which puts end to sufferings. Gauri Pujan also brings prosperity and well being to the mankind. Some people also worship the images of Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri during Ganesh Chaturthi. This is done with the view of paying respect to the parents of Lord Ganesh.

• It removes hurdles that are coming in the way of your success
• It brings in a sense of steadiness in your life; both personal and professional
• Shields you against further losses, it could be emotionally as well as materially
• Minimizes future bad effects

Gauri Puja Vidhi

Gauri Puja startes from the third day after Ganesh Chaturthi which is known as the day of Gauri Awahan (Arrival). On this day married women brings two idols of Goddess Gauri - "the twin sisters or two different forms of Gauri" at there home. These two idols are decorated and worshiped for one and half day. Women also perform the community puja along with Haldi Kum Kum ceremony.

From the first day itself the process of worshiping goddess Gauri starts which continues till the third day known as the day of Gauri Visarjan (immersion). It is a belief is that Goddess Gauri come to visit their brother and resides in homes during the period and bless the family worshipping Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi. Naivedya (fruits, cooked food and sweets) are offered and Aarti is done as per Vidhi (performing rituals based on the Panchang or the right and auspicious timings) and praying to Goddess.

At same place people prefer the photograph of Goddess Gauri rather then the idols. They place a Kalash (copper pot) with a coconut on top considering it as the Goddess Gauri. The Kalash contains barks of 5 different trees and then consecrated with mantras

As the part of preparations for Gauri pooja people clean their house, decorate it with lights, colourful flowers and make rangoli out side the their home near the main entrenceto welcome the Goddess. Special food is prepared during the period.