India is a land of festivals and every festival here is celebrated with great enthusiasm. People irrespective of their age take an active part in the festivities and worship the divine forms. One most awaited festival of Hindus is the Gauri Ganpati wherein Goddess Parvati, mother of Lord Ganesh is worshipped during Ganesh Chaturthi.

Gauri Puja is celebrated in different ways in various parts of the country however this puja is carried on with great pomp and show by the women of Maharashtra. Gauri puja in Maharashtra is known as ‘Mangala Gauri Puja’ wherein Mangala means propitious. Performing Gauri Puja during this period will fill the lives of people with happiness and riches.

The rituals followed in Gauri Puja vary from place to place. In some parts, an idol of Maa Gauri is made using turmeric and is placed next to Lord Ganapati during Ganesh Chaturthi and some people prefer keeping the image of Maha Gauri. The idol or image of Gauri will be kept for a period of three days and it is believed that along with Ganesh Ji, Gauri also brings in good luck and prosperity into the houses.

People before placing the idol of Maha Gauri dresses it up with a gorgeous looking saree and adorns it with charming accessories like Mangalsutra, bangles, necklace, ear-rings, nose pin and so on. Also, a beautiful band of flowers is made and is affixed at the rear side of the Gauri idol. Besides, flower garlands are put to Goddess Gauri.

During the puja; flowers and leaves of particular plants are used and the rituals are carried on under the guidance of expert pundits. Mantras and devotional songs of Maa Gauri are recited and aarti is performed to the deity. In the evening, the woman of the house offers holy materials like turmeric, kumkum, rice, bananas, beetle nut along with beetle leaves, coconut, flowers, and a piece of cloth to Maa Gauri and the same is presented to the ladies attending the puja.

Gauri Visarjan is done on the next day by performing aarti and curd rice is offered as naivedyam to the deity. This prasad is later distributed among the family members.