Goddess Gauri is one of the manifestations of Goddess Parvati. She is the divine energy, Mother Goddess. She is considered as a perfect wife for her husband, Lord Shiva. After the conclusion of her ferocious form Goddess Kali (the black Goddess, man-eating manifestation of Goddess Parvati), observed a severe penance to get rid of her black complexion. And she returned as Goddess Gowri, the very pretty young woman with a golden complexion. Goddess Gowri is the most acceptable consort of Lord Shiva.
Being a princess Goddess Gowri accepted her ascetic husband and turned herself into her husband’s way. Goddess Gouri is a clear representation of purity and austerity. She is the Kanya (Kumari or unmarried girl) who has performed severe tapas (penance) to marry Lord Shiva.
Goddess Gowri Puja – Important Ritual during Ganesh Chaturthi:
Gowri Puja is an important ritual during Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Married women worship Goddess Gowri with Sindoor or kumkum for their sowbhagyam (marital bliss). Why one has to pray to Goddess Gauri? According to Puranas, she is the Divine Mother and the origin of the Universe. Mother Goddess, Shakti, has various celestial manifestations like Goddess Sri Raja Rajeshwari, Goddess Gauri, Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi etc..
Gauri Stotra – 108 names of Gowri – Gouri Astottaram
Gowri Habba – Gauri Puja during Ganesh festival in Karnataka
Mangala Gauri Puja or Mangal Gowri Vrata is observed on Shravan Mangalvars (Tuesdays during Shravan month). Mangala Gauri Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Mangala Gauri, who is popularly known as Goddess Parvati Devi. In 2009, as per North Indian calendars, the days to perform Mangal Gowri Puja are – July 14, July 21, July 28 and August 4. As per Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat calendars Shravana Mangala Gouri Vrat falls on – July 28, August 4, August 11 and August 18.
Mangala Gouri Vrat is observed by married women for the good health and long life of the husaband. There is a popular belief that performing Shravana Mangala Gauri vrata or worshipping Mangala Gowri on Shravan Mangalwar gives a woman a prosperous married life and happiness in every aspect of her life. They will be blessed with wealth and good children.
Mangala Gauri Vratam is observed by married women for first five years after their marriage and the final year puja is concluded with Shravana Mangala Gouri Vrata Udhyapana.
Gauri Devi Alankar – Decorating Gowri Idol:
On the day of Mangal Gouri vrata, married women sanctify puja rooms and a Gouri Devi idol is made with coconut and decorated with bangles, silk saree, gold or silver ornaments, kumkum and turmeric. This is called ‘Mangala Gauri Alankar’. Making of Gauri idol is differed in place to place. In some regions, a face of Gauri devi is made with panchalohas or with silver.
The Gauri Thadiya Vratam has a great importance in terms of its rituals and its observance. Several Puranas and other Hindu religious texts have the reference of Sowbhagya Shayana Vrata.
Reference of Gauri Puja in Hindu Mythology:
Even Rukmini, the consort of Lord Sri Krishna, and Goddess Sita Devi, also performed Sowbhagya Gowri Shayana Vrata. Sita observed Gauri Puja everyday when she was in, Janaka’s (her father’s) home to get Adarsha Purush, Lord Shri Rama as her husband. Hindu Mythology tells that Goddess Gauri herself observed Kedareshwara Vrata and made her life with Gauri-Shankar after observing severe penance.
Celebrations of Sowbhagya Gouri Vratam:
Sowbhagya Gauri Vrata is performed all over India and all Hindu women observe the puja with utmost devotion. Especially in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, women worship Goddess Gauri to pay their devotion to get handsome and good husband and they observe the Gauri Pooja after their marriage to pay thanks to Divine Mother.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnKNJdCn-eI]
Sowbhagya Gauri Vratam, also known as Sowbhagya Shayana Vratam, is the Puja offered to Goddess Gauri. In 2010, Sowbhagya Gauri Vratam or Gangaur date is March 18, 2010. On this day, women worship the Mother Goddess for their marital bliss. Sowbhagya Gowri Puja is done on the day of Chaitra Shukla Tadiya (Chaitra masa Shukla Tritiya).
When is Sowbhagya Gauri Puja – Sowbhagya Shayana Vrata:
Soubhagya Gauri Puja (Soubhagya Shayana Vratam) is observed on the third day (Tritiya) of the Chaitra month in Hindu calendar (Chaitra Shukla Thadiya).
Who is Goddess Gauri?
Goddess Gauri is one of the manifestations of Goddess Parvati. She is the divine energy, Mother Goddess. She is considered as a perfect wife for her husband, Lord Shiva. After the conclusion of her ferocious form Goddess Kali (the black Goddess, man-eating manifestation of Goddess Parvati), observed a severe penance to get rid of her black complexion. And she returned as Goddess Gowri, the very pretty young woman with a golden complexion. Goddess Gowri is the most acceptable consort of Lord Shiva.
Being a princess Goddess Gowri accepted her ascetic husband and turned herself into her husband’s way. Goddess Gowri is a clear representation of purity and austerity. She is the Kanya (Kumari or unmarried girl) who has performed severe tapas (penance) to marry Lord Shiva.
Goddess Gowri Puja – Important Ritual during Gowri Tritiya:
Married women worship Goddess Gowri with Sindoor or kumkum for their sowbhagyam (marital bliss). Why one has to pray to Goddess Gauri? According to Puranas, she is the Divine Mother and the origin of the Universe. Mother Goddess, Shakti, has various celestial manifestations like Goddess Sri Raja Rajeshwari, Goddess Gauri, Lalitha Tripura Sundari Devi etc..
