Sravana Mangala Gowri Vratam

Shravana masa is the most awaited month  for the women folk.   Mangala gowri vrata, Varalakshmi vrata, Rakshabandhana and many more festivals fall in this month. 

Mangala Gowri (Goddess of Sowmangalyam),  The goddess who bestows Sowmangalyatwam (dheerghayuvu/longspan of life to the spouse) is worshipped on all Tuesdays during the month.

In Andhra Pradesh, Mangala Gowri Vratam is observed by a New Bride for a period of 5 years (All Tuesdays of Shravana month) and conclude with Udyapana. Sumangalis undertake this vrata  for the prosperity and wellbeing of their family.

Mother Goddess Parvathi is invoked into a cone shaped turmeric paste (considered as Gowridevi) is worshipped with Shodashopacharas and Ghee filled lamps (Sweetened rice flour dough is used as lamp holders in this pooja) are lighted in front of Mangala Gowri.  

Mangala Gowri Vratam is observed by all  communities in different styles and  traditions. In some communities unmarried girls perform this vrath called as “Katyayani vratam”, for getting blessed with  eligible spouse.

Mangala Gowri Vratam  Telugu   English

PS: 

While worshipping Gowri/Parvathi, chant any stotra on Lord Shiva like.. Shiva Panchakshari, Lingashtakam or  a short shloka like the most simplest…

“Chandrasekhara Chandrasekhara Chandrasekhara Pahimam

  Chandrasekhara Chandrasekhara  Chandrasekhara Rakshamam” 

Similarly, while worshipping Maha Lakshmi, don’t forget to chant stotras on Lord Vishnu… the simplest shloka is:

“Shantakaram Bhujasayanam padmanabham suresham

Vishwadharam Gaganasadrusham meghavarnam shubhangam

lakshmi kantham kamalanayanam yogi hrudyana gamyam

vande vishnum bhava bhaya haram sarva lokaika natham”                  

Frankly speaking…. I don’t know the exact reason behind the above procedure… But I believe that, it’s our tradition to take blessings from our parents on all auspicious occasions and during vedic rituals  (We don’t ignore either of them). May be this could be the reason, we worship  Lakshmi Narayana and Gowri Shankara together without ignoring either of the couple during our prayers. Correct me If I’m wrong.