Mangala Gowri Vratham 2013 � Mangala Gowri Vratam 2013

Mangala Gauri Vratham in 2013 is going to be celebrated for 4 times in South Indian states and 5 times in North Indian states. Find the dates of Mangala Gowri Vrat in 2013 below:

Dates of Mangla Gowri Vrat 2013 from Amavasyant Calendar are mentioned below. Amavasyant Calendar is followed in the regions of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, to name a few.

• Mangala Gauri Vratham 2013 Day 1: 13th August 2013
• Mangala Gauri Vratham 2013 Day 2: 20th August 2013
• Mangala Gowri Vratham 2013 Day 3: 27th August 2013
• Mangala Gowri Vratam 2013 Day 4: 3rd September 2013

Dates of Mangala Gowri Vrat 2013 from Purnimant Calendar are mentioned below. Purnimant Calendar is followed in the regions of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar, to name a few.

• Mangala Gauri Vratham 2013 Day 1: 23rd July 2013
• Mangala Gowri Vratham 2013 Day 2: 30th July 2013
• Mangala Gowri Vratam 2013 Day 3: 6th August 2013
• Mangala Gowri Vratham 2013 Day 4: 13th August 2013
• Mangala Gowri Vratam 2013 Day 5: 20th August 2013

Every year Mangla Gauri Vrat is observed on all Tuesdays of the Hindu month Shravan, and around Gregorian months July-August. It is believed that Tuesdays of Shravan are assigned to Mangala Gowri Vrat in accordance with the fact that Mondays are assigned to worship Lord Shiva. As the name suggests, Mangala Gauri Vrat is the festival of observing fast and commemorating Goddess Mangala Gowri by performing Puja. Mangala Gowri is another name of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Hence, two consecutive days of the week are dedicated to the duo, Mondays for Lord Shiva and Tuesdays for Goddess Parvati. Mangala Gauri is also one of the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga. The specialty of this festival is that it is observed by women only.

Rituals Followed During Mangala Gowri Vratham

On Tuesday morning, idol of Mangala Gauri is established on a wooden platform wrapped in a red cloth. A lamp using wheat flour is made and then 16 cotton wicks are placed into it. Ghee is used as a burning fuel and all the 16 wick of the lamp are lighted. Then the following Mantra is recited.

"Kungkumaaguru liptaangaa |
Sarva avaran bhooshitam ||
Neelakanthapryaam Gaureem |
Vandeham Mangalaahavayaam ||"

After that, the Mangla Gowri Vrat Puja begins with proper rituals.
During the Puja, following elements are offered to the Goddess:

• 16 garlands
• 16 ladoos
• 16 different fruits
• 16 packs of 5 types of dry fruits
• 16 packs of 7 types of cereals
• 16 packs of cumin seeds
• 16 packs of coriander
• 16 betel leaves
• 16 betel nuts
• 16 cloves
• 16 cardamoms
• A pack including sixteen types of adornments including saree, 16 bangles, cosmetics and many more.

Number 16 has special significance in this Pooja. After the completion of some important rituals, devotees recite and hear the legend of Mangla Gauri Vrat.

After hearing the story, married women offer 16 Ladoos to their mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. After that, they offer the same offerings to the Brahmins. In the end, the Puja of Mangla Gowri Vrat is followed by and Aarti with that 16 wick lamp. Further, the next day, idol of Goddess Mangala Gauri is immersed in flowing water. It is believed that Mangla Gauri Vrat should be performed throughout 5 consecutive years to fetch the immense blessings of Goddess.

Legend Behind Mangala Gowri Vratham

Long ago, there was a merchant Dharampal who was living in a city. He was blessed with a beautiful wife and wealth. However, he had no children. Somehow they fetched the blessings of a child from Almighty. But, the child was cursed to die at the age of 16 with snake bite. But he got married before his death to a girl whose mother was a devotee of Mangala gauri and used to observe Mangla Gowri Vrat. The mother of the girl was blessed with a boon that her daughter will never suffer from widowhood. That is why Dharampal�s son lived for 100 years. Seeing the glory of this Mangla Gauri Vrat, all the married women observe this fast for a beautiful conjugal life. Even if one cannot observe fast then she should at least perform Puja.

So, this was all brief about Mangala Gowri Vratham. With this, we hope you will make your married life blissful. Hope you will utilize the best of this article. Happy Mangala Gowri Vratham 2013!