Observe the 'Mangala Gauri Vrat' for conjugal bliss

On every Tuesday in the month of Shravan Goddess Mangala Gauri is worshipped, and the religious observance is known as Mangala Gauri Vrat. The vrat is celebrated by married women, especially newly married, for the good fortune of their husbands and children, and above all for a long and happy conjugal life.

On Tuesday morning, the idol or picture of the Devi Mangala Gauri is placed on a small wooden platform wrapped in a red cloth. A lamp consisting of 16 thick cotton wicks made of wheat flour (atta) is lit with ghee and the devotees meditate by reciting the following mantra:-

Kungkumaaguru liptaangaa
Sarva avaran bhooshitam.
Neelakanthapryaam Gaureem
Vandeham Mangalaahavayaam

Once through with the meditation (Dhyan), Devi Mangala Gauri is worshipped by performing a pooja with Shodoroshopochar rituals.

Various items (as mentioned below) are offered to the Goddess:

Sixteen garlands, sixteen laddus, sixteen different types of fruits, five types of dry fruits for sixteen times, seven types of cereals sixteen times, jeera sixteen times, coriander sixteen times, sixteen leaves of betel, sixteen betel nuts, sixteen cloves, sixteen cardamoms, casket full of various items of cosmetics including sari and sixteen bangles should be offered to the Goddess. It is to be noted that the number sixteen is of prime importance in this pooja.

After completing the rites and rituals, the devotees read / listen to the story behind the Mangala Gauri Vrata.

As the story goes: Long time ago, a merchant named Dharampal lived in a city. He had a very beautiful wife and sufficient wealth. But, they were not at all happy as they had no children. However, by the grace of God they obtained a son who was unfortunately short lived (Alpayu) as he was cursed of death by snake bite at the age of sixteen. But fortunately, he was married before he achieved that age (sixteen) with a girl whose mother observed the Mangala Gauri Vrat. As a result, she was blessed with a daughter who would never face widowhood. So, Dharampal’s son achieved a life span of hundred years. Thus, all the newly married women should perform this pujan and observe this vrat for long, consistent and happy conjugal life. Those who cannot observe fast should at least perform the pooja.

After hearing the above sacred tale, the married women offer 16 laddus to their mother-in-law and sister-in-laws. Thereafter, they offer the same Prasada to a Brahmin. After completing this ritual, devotees perform Nirajan (aarti) of the 16 wick lamps before the Goddess. The next day i.e. on Wednesday, the idol of Devi Mangala Gauri is immersed in a pond or lake. This poojan and vrat is performed for five consecutive years for happiness of the family.

This year, the Mangal Gauri Vrat falls on Tuesdays the 3rd ,10th , 17th and 24th August.

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The Ganeshaspeaks Team