Mangala Gauri
Gowri was the daughter of King Daksha, a mind-born son of Brahma and Queen Sati. Gowri, meaning the bright one, is also known as Dakshayini. She is one of the many manifestations of Parvati, the consort of Shiva.
The union of Parvati with Shiva after a temporary but arduous separation is remembered in the Gowri Festival. It occurs on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya (the third day after the new moon) in the month of Bhadrapada. The western calendar places this between mid-August and mid-September and is the day before the Ganesha Chaturthi. This Tritiya is known as Teej in the North. It is believed that the Goddess comes home as a married woman to her parents’ house on this day. The day after the Gowri festival, Ganesha, her firstborn, comes to accompany his mother back to her home Kailasa, which is the abode of Shiva.
Once King Daksha performed a magnificent sacrifice (Yaga or Yajna). At this time, out of arrogance, he insulted Parvati and even Shiva himself. After that, Parvati did not want anything to do with Daksha. She decided to take a new birth or incarnation as the daughter of Himavan, the King of Himavat (the Himalayan Mountains), and his Queen Mainavati (or Minavati). Parvati came to be known as Shailaputri, Girija, or Haimavati, meaning Daughter of the Mountain. Even as a child, the divine girl started praying to the Almighty Shiva to become his consort. Her love and devotion reached such intensity as to worry her father, Himavan, who consulted sage Narada. The sage advised Himavan that he must get his daughter Gowri married to Vishnu, which the father promised.
When Gowri learned that her father had vowed to give her away in marriage to Vishnu, her mind was perturbed. She was determined to regain her peace and her life’s purpose of uniting with Shiva. She went away to the deep forest where, in solemn determination, she performed severe penance for years, praying for her union with Shiva.
King Himavan was distressed about his missing daughter and searched for her far and wide. When he found her at long last, the father was delighted and agreed to the wedding of Gowri and Shiva. Shiva and Gowri live forever in Kailasha, but on the day of the Gowri festival, she visits her parents King Himavan and Queen Mainavati. Such is the significance of the Gowri festival.
How to celebrate
Items required for puja
Purchase the following before the puja day.
On the puja day, clean the stoop and draw Rangoli. Tie a string of mango leaves across the front entrance door of the house. Take a bath, put on clean clothes and follow the steps of the puja:
- Clay icons of Gowri and Ganesha
- A dupatta or sari to offer to the Deity
- Plain water in a kalasha (a pitcher)
- Fresh and washed mango leaves
- Sandalwood
- One coconut
- Kumkum
- Turmeric
- Yellow sacred thread
- Rice
- Betel leaves and betel nuts
- Flowers and Fruits
- Milk, yogurt, sugar, ghee and honey, bilva leaf, if available
- Five types of grains to give as a gift
Puja at home (process) (Link to the complete puja process)
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Puja in Sanskrit means worship. Puja at home requires pictures, icons, dolls (Murtis/Deities), and prayers (mantras). Usually, the icons are kept in a revered place called a puja room or space. Welcome the Deities into your home as loved and revered guests. Take the following steps for puja:
Women in the family conduct this puja.
- Sit on a small carpet or low stool (raised wood plank) facing North or East.
- Create an altar for Gowri/ Shiva and Ganesha
- Clean the place by sprinkling a few drops of water. Use a separate cloth to wipe the Deity, and later, apply turmeric and Kumkum to the Deity.
- Gowri Dhaara (a yellow thread with 16 knots) is tied to the right wrist of the lady.
- Light the lamps and place them in front of the altar.
- Keep betel leaves, nuts, flowers, and fruits on a plate in front of the altar.
- After keeping the items in front of the Gowri/ Shiva and Ganesh, begin with Ganesha puja.
- Do Abhisheka for Ganesha, Shiva, and Gowri.
- Water, milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar.
- Wipe all the icons clean and decorate each of them appropriately.
- Light Aarti lamp and perform Aarti.
- Conclude with Pradakshina (Perform a ceremonial walk around the Deities clockwise, thrice). Do Namaskara.
- Present everyone a gift and the Prasada you offered to the Deities.
Suggested Chant
- Gowri ashtotra
- Read the story of Gowri
Gifts to married women
- At least 5 sets of goodie bags are prepared as part of this vratha and at the end of the puja given to married women.
- Each bag contains the following:
- Turmeric
- Kumkum
- Betel leaf and nut
- Grains in small packages
- Bangles
- Black beads used in mangalsutra
- A comb
- A small mirror
- Coconut
- Blouse piece or any other item that is useful to give