Maa Parvati Aarti, Mantra & Significance - Complete Puja Vidhi

Maa Parvati is the supreme mother goddess, the daughter of the mountain king Himavan and the eternal consort of Lord Shiva. She is the gentle, nurturing form of Adi Shakti - the same divine energy that appears as Durga in her fierce form and Kali in her most fearsome form. As Gauri she is fair and serene, as Uma she is the loving mother, and as Annapurna she is the giver of food. She is the mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya and the heart of the divine family.

Parvati won Shiva as her husband through deep penance, which is why unmarried women and newly married couples pray to her for a loving marriage and marital harmony. As the embodiment of shakti, she represents the power and devotion that complete the divine; without her, even Shiva is said to be shava (inert). Worshipping her brings strength of will, patience, fertility, family wellbeing and the courage to hold a household together with love.

Light a ghee or oil lamp, ring a bell gently and sing with devotion:

Jai Parvati maata, jai Gauri maata. Shiv-ardhangini Uma, jagat ki vidhaata. Himgiri ki nandini, sukh-sampada daata. Sharan padi jo teri, vipada mit jaata.

Circle the lamp clockwise before the image, then offer the flame to all present and seek the blessing of a peaceful, loving home.

Simple daily mantra:

Om Parvatyai Namah

For marriage and harmony, unmarried women chant the Gauri mantra:

Om Hreem Gauryai Namah

Gauri Gayatri for inner strength:

Om Sarvamangalayai Vidmahe, Shivapriyayai Dheemahi, Tanno Gauri Prachodayat.

Chant 108 times on a sphatik (crystal) or rudraksha mala, ideally on Mondays and during the Gauri vrats.

1. Clean the puja space and bathe; wear fresh clothes. 2. Place images of Shiva and Parvati together; light a lamp and incense. 3. Offer red flowers, sindoor, mehndi, bangles and a red chunari (cloth). 4. Offer bhog of kheer, fruit or coconut. 5. Chant Om Hreem Gauryai Namah 108 times. 6. Read the Parvati katha or chalisa, then perform the aarti. 7. Married women take sindoor as prasad and pray for the family's wellbeing. Mondays, Tuesdays, Hartalika Teej and the third tithi (Tritiya) are especially sacred.

Several vrats honour Maa Parvati: Hartalika Teej, kept by women for a happy married life; Gauri Tritiya and Mangala Gauri Vrat of the Shravan month; and Vat Savitri, where her blessings are sought for a husband's long life. Unmarried girls keep the Solah Somvar (sixteen Mondays) fast praying to Shiva-Parvati for a good life partner.