Gauri pujan during Bhadrapad month in Maharashtra, is observed for three days, Gauri Avahan, Gauri pujan and Gauri Visarjan. Some households also call it as Mahalaxmi Vrat. Godess Gauri is worshiped and offered food (Nivedana) consisting of sixteen types of vegetable dishes, sweets, rice preparations and fruits.
Jyestha Gauri are brought into the house in pairs: Jyeshtha and Kanishtha, Sakhi and Parvati etc. The hostess of the house arranges get together (” Haldi-Kumkum”) commonly in her house on second day: Gauri pujan. The ways of celebration of this festival differs from caste ti caste. But the belief that the goddess gauri truly resides in the houses during this period is common to all.
Method of Jyeshta Gauri vrat
Gouri is installed on the Mula constellation that comes after Rushipanchami. This vrata is observed for three days. On the first day, when Gouri is invoked, the replicas of the Holy feet of Gouri are drawn on the main gate and everywhere in the house. For this turmeric powder-vermilion or rangoli is used.
In some regions, Devi is ceremoniously installed on the first Friday of the month of Shravan. On the day of Gouri pujan that comes after Sri ganesh pujan in the month of Bhadrapad, Jyeshthagouri is ceremoniously installed.
In some regions on the day of Gouri invocation, women worship the Deity of Water, that is, Jaladevata near the source of water. A kalash, that is, a copper pitcher is filled with water and the leaves of mango tree, champak tree etc. are placed in it. Five stones are also put into it. They worship the kalash. This is also called Gangagouri.
On the second day, Gouri is worshipped and offered mahanaivedya.
On the third day, Gouri is immersed in flowing water.
Married women are invited to the home as per convenience on one of the three days for the ceremony of haldi-kumkum.
The ritualistic worship of the metal pot (kalash) during Gouri pujan
In the metal pot of Gouripujan there is 1 % Divine principle, 2 % Chaitanya and 2 % Energy (Shakti).
A flow of Divine principle and Chaitanya in the form of Apa-tattva is attracted in the metal pot of Gouri pujan.
Spirals of Divine principle and Apa-tattva are generated in the metal pot of Gouri pujan.
A flow of Energy (Shakti) is attracted.
A spiral of Energy (Shakti) is generated and it moves in active form.
A flow of Energy (Shakti) is emitted into the environment.
Particles of Energy spread into the environment.
Other points
At the time of Gouripujan two types of Gouri, namely Jyeshtha and Kanishtha are worshipped. It was perceived that Jyeshtha and Kanishtha are the saviour (tarak) and destroyer (marak) Energies of Sri Ganeshji respectively.
Gouri does the task of sustaining the Ganesh Principle in the environment after Ganesh Chaturthi.
Due to the masks made in the metal pot, the married woman is benefited of the presence of the Deity. The Sagun form of the Deity was perceived in the masks made in the metal pot. Hence, the Nirgun principle of the Deity is attracted in the metal pot in the Sagun form and the woman who worships it is benefited.
Due to Gouripujan Energy is emitted in a greater proportion into the environment.