SarvaMangala Maanggalye ShiveSarvaartha Saadhike
SharannyeTryambake Gauri Naaraayanni Namostute
The above Sloka Salutes Goddess Gauri the auspicious one, all auspicious, herself is auspicious, has all the auspicious qualities, fulfils the devotee’s wishes and giver of refugee, with three eyes and a shining face and bows to Narayani.
Purpose of Mangala Gowri Vratham
The purpose of the Mangala Gowri Vratham is to get blessings from Goddess Gowri for a happy married life and progeny.
Blessings from Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvathi will give happiness to the world. Without Tridevis world would not be sustained. One has to get wealth, knowledge and power to be happy in this world. As a woman, it is natural responsibility for her to bring happiness and prosperity to the family and world.
Many Vrathams like
- Karadayan Nombu (especially from Tamil Nadu which shows the importance of a husband’s longevity),
- Kaathyaayini Vratham (mentioned in SrimadBhagavatham performed by Gopikas of Vrindavan to attain Lord Krishna as their husband),
- Varalakshmi Vratham (especially South Indian States for family prosperity),
- Karva Chauth (celebrated in North India for the safety and longevity of their husbands),
- Kedar Gowri Vratham (during Diwali time),
- Navarathri Vratham, and
- Mangala Gowri Vratham
are some of the famous celebrations especially for women.
On Tuesdays
Mangala Gowri Vratham is such Vratham which is performed by married women in many states of India. It is also called Mangala Gour in Maharashtra, Mangala Gowri Vratha in Andhra Pradesh and Mangala Gowri Haddu in Karnataka. It is worshipped during the month of Sravana to Goddess Parvathi on Tuesdays.
One has to start the Vratham from the first Tuesday and observe till the Last Tuesday of the month. It is celebrated by women especially the first five years of marriage. Otherwise, also, all the women can perform for longevity in their wedded life and prosperity for the family. In case they miss on Tuesday, it can be performed on Friday.
How to Perform Mangala Gowri Vratham
First, there is no food restriction for this Vratha. But one should eat only vegetarian foods. Women should take a head bath, wear traditional dress, wear bangles, apply vermilion and turmeric, tie hair and wear flowers. There are minor changes that vary from region to region.
For all the pujas cleaning is important. So clean the Puja Altar or room and keep wooden plank exclusively for this Puja. Then draw rice powder rangoli (Kolam) on the plank and in the Puja room. Add a little bit of Turmeric and Vermilion to make it more divine. Spread a new blouse bit or new cloth by spreading one cup of rice. Place Kalash on top of that.
Kalash is half filled with water in a copper or silver vessel decorated with mango or betel leaves, usually five in number. It is decorated with vermilion, sandalwood and turmeric. Close the vessel by inverting the coconut.
Can also decorate with flowers on the Kalash. Keep Gowri Devi’s idol, photo or make Goddess idol with turmeric. It is also good to keep a small Ganesh Idol as we start the puja by praying to him. Keep a mirror behind the idol. Cover the idol with two blouse pieces. Decorate the idol with flowers, bangles, sandal paste, turmeric and vermilion.
Some of the flowers like Arali, Red and White Lotus, Jasmine, Chempaka and Rose are more auspicious for Goddess.
Light the lamp and keep incense sticks. In the tray, keep 16 betel leaves and 32 betel nuts, either dry full coconut or half coconut filled with rice and keep it near the puja plank.
Naivedyam
Prasadams are significant for any Vrathams, It is divine to offer sweets to the Goddess. So make dhal payasam or rice payasam. Also offer fruits, Jaggery and dry fruits which will be even more auspicious.
Start with Ganesh Puja first. Then offer turmeric, vermilion and sandal paste to Goddess. Chant Gowri Slokas and sing songs. Then, show Harathi to the Goddess.
YaaDevi Sarva-Bhutesu Shakti-RoopenaSamsthitaa
Namas-TasyaiNamas-TasyaiNamas- Tasyai Namo Namah
To the Devi who is residing in all beings in the form of Power, Salutations to her again and again.
It is also good to recite Lakshmi Ashtotharam, Kanakadharasthavam, Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, Sri Sthuthi, Soundarya Lahari, Devi Sthuthi and Durgashtakam.
In some places, 16 deepams are lighted as part of this Vratham. Holy Kajal is made out of this Deepam. It is made by applying betel leaves juice on the harathi plate or Deepam and after some time the Kajal gets deposited from it which is considered as Mangala Gauri Kajal. Invite women and give prasadams, turmeric, vermilion and Tambulam.
Finally by the end saying Kshama to the Goddess, if we have done any aparadhams (Mistakes) during the Puja.
Few regions, when devotees make the idol in clay, they immerse the idol in some sacred pond or river.
Some legends describe that
Legend describes that a boy who was in Gurukula used to go for alms as per the Brahmacharya Ashrama. He was getting the alms from everybody except the princess of that place. When she asked, he said that they were unlucky as they were not having kids. The king got angry on hearing this. As he was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, he realized that the boy was none other than Lord Shiva who came in disguise to test him.
The king also asked to apologize to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed them with a boy child named Chandrasekar. Unfortunately, his lifetime is only sixteen years.
At the age of Sixteen to Chandrasekar, he was told of his fate. So he moved to Kashi following his uncle as one would attain Moksha when died in Kashi. On their way, they overheard a princess describing the importance of Mangala Gowri Vratham. They also find that she is about to get wedded to a prince the next day.
They also met the prince in the same way. But he was unable to attend the wedding ceremonies due to sickness. He asked help to Chandrasekar to act as a bridegroom for the ceremony which is to be performed before the wedding. After hesitation, he decided to help. He went in guise and the prewedding ceremony happened.
That night, Chandrasekar revealed everything to the princess and was about to leave the place. Suddenly, a snake was approaching to bite Chandrasekar. The princess immediately took the unbroken rice from the Mangala Gowri Pooja and threw it on top of the snake. The snake fell dead.
But Chandrasekar left the next morning by placing the wedding ring near the puja plank. The wedding started as the new prince approached. But the princess was reluctant to marry him as already she had given her mind to Chandrasekar as her husband and prayed to Goddess Gowri.
Years passed, but Chandrasekar was alive. He happened to pass the same country and was surprised to see the princess not getting married. He participated in the Annadanam served by the princess. He also learnt that the princess was serving the devotees from the day Chandrasekar left the place expecting his return.
When serving, she was able to identify Chandrasekar and explained that she was waiting for his return. She also said that due to Mangala Gowri Vratham, Chandrasekar was saved from death. Thereafter they both happily lead their lives forever by Goddess Gowri’s Grace.
Another Legend
Another legend says that Shravana Month is famous for Goddess Mahalakshmi as she appeared from Ksheera Saagara along with her brother, the Moon God. So, women perform special puja on Fridays. Offering red Lotus and reciting the below shloka will gain good wealth –
Lakshmi Ksheera Samudra Raaja Tanayaa Sree Ranga Dhaameshvari
Daasi Bhootha Samasta Deva Vanithaam Lokaika Deepankuram
Sreeman Manda Kataaksha Labdha Vibhavad Brahmendra Gangaadharaam
Tvaam Trailokya Kutumbineem Sarasijaam Vande Mukunda Priyaam
One has to get power, wealth as well as Knowledge (Jnana) to lead a good life. Praying to Goddess Saraswati is also important. Offering the White Lotus Flower and reciting the below shloka will beget spiritual Knowledge.
Saraswathi Namasthubhyam
Varadhe Kaamaroopini
Vidhyaarambham Karishyaami
Siddhir Bhavathu me Sadaa!
As Tridevis are always auspicious, any Vratham performed by the women is auspicious which will enlighten everybody who performs or even participates in this Vratham. Mother is indeed the source of all the creations in this world. Hence observing these Vrathams will lead to the good life.
