Mangala Gouri Puja, or Shravana Mangala Gowri Puja, is an important Vrata observed by married women in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and by some communities in Maharashtra . It is performed for a happy married life and for the long life of the husband. It is observed on Tuesdays in the Shravan or Sawan month (July – August). Below are the procedure and rules of Mangala Gouri Puja and a small description on how to perform the ritual.
Update - Mangala Gouri Puja Dates
This is based on South Indian way of observing the ritual, if you wish to follow North India way you can read it here.
How to observe Mangala Gowri Puja?
The method of performing Mangala Gowri puja varies from region to region. This is just to give an idea about the ritual. You can always be flexible in all Hindu rituals what matters more is devotion. And one should not ponder too much over the correct performance of rituals. A simple prayer consisting of lighting a lamp and offering a fruit is more than enough.
Things Required for Mangala Gowri Puja
- An image or idol of Goddess Gowri (Goddess Parvati) or five pyramid shapes made from turmeric powder.
- Kalash or Kalasha
- Rice
- Jaggery
- Cloth folded like pyramid
- Cotton or flower garland
- Coconut broken into two halves
- Red flowers
- Usual fruits (locally available)
Preparation
- House and the puja room or area is cleaned.
- House or the puja area is decorated with mango leaf festoons.
- All items are kept ready.
- The prasadam menu or the fruits to be offered is decided.
How to do the Mangala Gowri Puja
- Rice is dropped in a plate or tray.
- The Kalasha pot is kept on the rice bed.
- The Kalash is half-filled with water.
- The inside neck of the Kalasha pot is decorated with betel leaves, usually five in number.
- A silver lota filled with unhusked wheat and godi is placed on the right of the Kalasha.
- A cloth folded like pyramid (one or more) is placed at the back of kalasha.
- A coconut is broken and one half each is placed on the sides of the kalasha.
- The Kalash tray can be filled with turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood and other Pooja items.
- Betel nuts and betel leaves (8 in number) are placed on the tray.
- A large piece of jaggery (the four corner one) is kept in front of the kalasha.
- Now u can place the five pyramid shape made from turmeric powder on the four corners of the jaggery and one in center.
- You can be flexible here. You can just keep an idol or picture of Goddess Gouri. If there is no jaggery, you need not worry about it.
- Decorate the turmeric pyramid or idol or picture of Goddess Gowri with turmeric, kumkum and flowers.
- You can also put a garland made from cotton thread or flowers on the pyramid or idol.
The Puja Begins
- Light the lamps
- Pray to the deity by offering flowers and by lighting incense.
- Offer fruits or the prasadam cooked.
- Place some flowers on the prasadam or fruits and on the deity
- Pray or meditate for few minutes – this includes asking for boon to deity during the Mangala Gowri Puja. Special prayer or Shloka is recited called Varava Kodi in Kannada.
- You can also read or listen to the story associated with Mangala Gowri.
- Remove the prasadam or fruits and share it with family members and friends
In some regions: Women hold the dosa ladle on the lamp lit for the Mangala Gowri puja. The black colored substance that appears is collected. Cold ghee is added to this and is applied on the eyes.
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