Married women observe Gouri Habba with dedication

Married women observe Gouri Habba with dedication

Mangalore Today News Network

By Shreelatha Nayak

Mangalore, September 10: Swarna Gauri Habba, also known as Swarna Gowri Vrita, is observed on the day before Ganesh Chaturthi; and this year, it is on September 10. The day is dedicated to Goddess Gowri , the wife of Lord Shiva and mother of Lord Ganesha.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swarna Gouri Vratha is observed on the third day of Bhadrapada masam or on Bhadrapad Shukla Tadige. Since Gowri is believed to the most powerful goddesses in the Hindu pantheon, married women observe Swarna Gowri Vrita for the welfare of their husbands and families.

The puranas say that the goddess visits her parent’s house on the day observed as Swarna Gowri Habba; and on the following day, which is celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi, her son Ganesha takes her back to Kailash.

Women all over India worship Gowri in honor of her ability to bestow courage and power on her devotees. Newly married girls and their husbands are invited by their parents and served delicious meals, a practice now on the decline owing to modernization.

Married women wear grand clothes after taking bath and perform the “sthapana” of Gowri. Beautifully painted and decorated clay idols of the goddess can be purchased at the local market. The idol is then placed on a plate with rice or wheat on it. Ladies either perform the puja in their own homes or visit someone’s house in the neighborhood or go to the temple. The idol of Gowri is decorated with flowers and cotton decorations. Ladies also get their “Gowridara,” a sacred thread with 16 knots, which they tie on their right wrists. Each knot is worshipped with mantras throughout the vritha. Women also wear black glass bangles known as “Gowri bale” and also distribute these among all other married women.

The most interesting feature of the festival is the “bagina.” At least five baginas are performed as part of the vritha. Each bagina comprises a packet of turmeric, kumkum, black bangles, black beads, a comb, a small mirror, a coconut, a blouse piece, a piece of jaggery, and pieces of sugarcane. While one bagina is given to Goddess Gowri, the others are distributed among married women. All married women in Mangalore and other cities follow this system without fail.