Shravana Mangala Gauri Vrat is observed by married women on each Tuesday in Hindu month of Shravana. Women, especially newlywed, observe it to seek conjugal bliss from Goddess Gauri. It is performed for a happy married life and for the long life of the husband. The Tuesday of this month are the adoration of Mangla Gauri.
Significance Of Mangala Gauri Vrat
Married women observe this vrat for their husband’s healthy lives and to have a long relationship . It is believed that newly married women can gain prosperity and happiness if the fast or vrat is observed for the first five years of their marriage. Unmarried women observe this fast in order to gain husband like Bhagawan Shiva. Worshipping Mata on this day can bring great happiness to one’s married life. Manglik Dosh is also reduced by the power of Mata.
According to a legend, Draupadi once asked her brother Sri Krishna on what women should do to prevent widowhood and lead a life of joy and prosperity. Lord Krishna told her about Sravana Mangala Gowri Vratam in which people pray to the Goddess to achieve their goal.
Dates to Observe Vrat (Fast)
There are two units of Hindu calendar i.e., the Amavasyant Lunar calendar which is followed by the people of Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and Purnimant calendar which is followed by the people of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat. The Amavasyant month ends on a no moon day and the Purnimant month ends on a full moon day.
Things Required for the Puja
An image or idol of Goddess Gowri (Goddess Parvati) or five pyramid shapes made from turmeric powder.
Kalash or Kalasha
Rice and Jaggery
Cloth folded like pyramid
Cotton or flower garland
Coconut broken into two halves
Red flowers
Usual fruits (locally available)
Preparation for the Puja
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.
Mangala Gauri Vrat Katha / Legend
There was a merchant named Dharampal who lived with his wife. They were wealthy and had no shortage of anything except they were childless.
Dharampal was a great devotee of Shiva and prayed to him for a son. Shiva blessed the couple with a boy but he was destined to die at the age of 16. Years passed and before he turned 16, he was married to a girl whose mother always observed the fast of Mangala Gowri. Thus she was blessed with a daughter who was not to face widowhood. The blessings and boons of this fast saved Dharampal’s son and the couple lived a long married and happy life with full of happiness and prosperity.
In this way you need to perform the pooja/Vrat for 4 or 5 weeks in the Shravan maasa for five continuous years immediately after marriage. And in the fifth year you can perform the udyaapanam of this Vrat. This vrat is observed at the parent’s place on the first Tuesday of the month of Shravanof the first year, and the second Tuesday at the in-laws place. The third and fourth Tuesdays of the first year and the subsequent Tuesdays falling in the month of Shravan for the next four years are observed by worshipping Goddess Mangalagouri at the relatives’ place.
The method of puja and mantras used vary from region to region. There are no food restrictions but usually only vegetarian food is prepared on the day. Married women observe Mangala Gowri Puja in the first five years of their marriage. Another important Gowri Puja in Karnataka during the same season is the Gowri Habba or the Gowri Ganesh Puja.
