Mahagauri is the eighth form of Navadurga. She is worshipped on the eighth day or Durgashtami day during Navaratri. In 2009, the date of Mahagauri Puja is September 26.

Apperance or iconography of Mahagauri Navdurga:

Mahagauri is extremely fair in her body complexion. Hence she is compared with the conch and Moon. She is always idolized as eight year old girl. All her garments and ornaments or jewellery she wears are also white. She has four arms hence called as Chaturbhuji. She rides a bullock. She holds a Trishul (trident) with right upper hand and Damaru (drum) with left upper hand. Her both lower hands are in Abhaya and Varada mudra (blessing and boon granting postures). She remains calm and serene.

Spiritual importance of Maha Gowri Navdurga Pooja:

Maha gowri puja during Navaratras is very important one for Yogis and sadhaks. Her worship or rememberance or meditation of Mahagowri makes the devotee free from his material world and keeps him stay away from sorrows. She leads her bhakt to the path of virtue.

Dhayana Mantram of Mahagauri Mata:

Mahagowri dhyana mantram or slokam is recited on the eighth day during Navaratras.

Shwethe vrusha samaarudha shwetambara dharaa shuchih

Mahagauri shubham Dadyaan mahadeva pramodadaa

Durgashtami Puja or Durga Ashtami pooja, also called as Mahashtami or Veerashtami, is the main festival observed during Durga Navratri Pooja. In 2010, the date of Durgashtami puja is October 15th. Durgashtami, also known as Maha Ashtami or Veerashtami, is celebrated on eighth day during Ashwin month (Ashwayuja Shukla Ashtami).

Rituals, Customs and Pujas to observe on Durgashtami:

Goddess Mahagauri is the Navadurga mata to worship on Durgashtami day. Maha Gauri Puja is also one of the main pujas to perform on Durgashtami. Durga is worshipped in the form of Maha Gauri on Durga Ashtami day. In some places, Goddess Bagala or Goddess Narayani is worshipped on Durgashtami.

In Andhra Pradesh, a special regional festival called Bathukamma Panduga (Bathukamma Festival) is observed. Bathukamma Visarjanam (nimajjanam) is performed on Durgashtami. In 2010, Bathukamma Festival is celebrated on October 15.

On Durgashtami, Ayudha Puja or Astra pooja is performed. Ayudha Puja ritual is celebrated on Vijaya Dashami or Dasara in some places of India. The mechanical operators, electrical operators and the articles which are used in professional life are worshipped during Ayudha Puja or Asthra pooja. In some places, Ayudha Puja is observed on Mahanavami or Durga Navami.

Durgashtami is the third day in five-day Durga Pooja celebrations in Bengal. On Mahashtami day, Kanya Puja or Kumari Pooja is observed in Bengal.

Bathukamma Panduga or Bathukamma festival is the largest regional festival in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. In 2010, the date of Bathukamma festival is October 15. Bathukamma panduga starts on Mahalaya Amavasya which falls on September October 7 in 2010 and ends on October 15, 2010 with Chaddula Bathukamma or Pedda Bathukamma or Chattala Bathukamma. Bathukamma Festival is observed on the Durgashtami or Maha Ashtami day. In Andhra Pradesh, Bathukamma Panduga is the most celebrated festival during Durga Saran Navaratri.

Bathukamma Panduga – 9 Festive days during Durga Navaratri in Telangana:

First day of Bathukamma festival is called as Engili Poola Bathukamma which falls on October 7 in 2010. The sixth day of Bathukamma is Arremu which falls on October 12 in 2010. During Bathukamma panduga, Gauri Puja is the main ritual to observe. Gauri Puja is performed in a very simple way by singing some special songs on Bathukamma (Goddess Gauri).

Goddess Gowri is worshipped in the form of Bathukamma during 9-day Bathukamma festival. On Chaddula Bathukamma festival (October 15 in 2010), Bathukamma nimajjanam or vallarimpu is performed.

Durgashtami Puja or Durga Ashtami pooja is observed on the eighth day during Durga Navratri Puja. Durgashtami, also known as Maha Ashtami and Veerashtami, is celebrated on eighth day during Ashwin month (Ashwayuja Shukla Ashtami). Durgashtami is also known as Veerashtami because on this day Arjuna has taken out his Ayudha (weapons) from Shami tree. Ayudha Puja or Astra Puja is the main ritual on Durgashtami or Mahashtami day.

Important Puja rituals to perform on Durgashtami:

On Durgashtami day, Saptamatrikas, Ashtamatrikas and 64 Yoginis are worshipped. Ashtamatrika Pooja during Durga Navratri is most fruitful observance as per Yogis and Sadhaks. Mahagauri is the Navadurga Goddess to worship on Durgashtami day. Maha Gauri Puja is also one of the main pujas to perform on Durgashtami. In some places, Goddess Bagala or Goddess Narayani is worshipped on Durgashtami.

In Andhra Pradesh, a special regional festival called Bathukamma Panduga (Bathukamma Festival) is observed. Bathukamma Visarjanam (nimajjanam) is performed on Durgashtami.

On Mahashtami day, in some rural areas in India, Janthu Bali (animal sacrifices) are performed. It is to be noted that Hindu culture and Hindu scriptures do not encourage this type of rude devotions and ridiculous traditions.

Sri Durga Devi is the Goddess for the eighth day of Durga Navarathri. In 2009, during the festival of Durga Navrathri, on September 26, Saturday, Goddess Sri Durga Devi is worshipped. This day is very important as a part of the navratri celebrations in Sri Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada.

Durga Ashtami is celebrated on this day.