The Mangala Gowri Vratham is observed on the Tuesdays of Shravan maas by newly married women, who pray to Goddess Gowri to remain eternally sumangali, a woman blessed with a long and happy married life. In 2026 the Sravana Mangala Gowri Vratham Tuesdays fall on 18, 25 August and 1, 8 September in South India and Maharashtra, and on 4, 11, 18, 25 August in North India. This guide explains the significance of the vratham, the complete Mangala Gowri vratha vidhanam, and the stotram traditionally chanted.

Mangala Gowri Vratham Dates 2026

South India, Maharashtra, Gujarat (Amanta): Tuesdays of 18, 25 August and 1, 8 September 2026
North India (Purnimanta): Tuesdays of 4, 11, 18 and 25 August 2026

The Tuesdays differ between regions because Shravan maas itself begins on different dates, though the vratham and its meaning remain the same.

The Significance of Mangala Gowri Vratham

Mangala refers to Tuesday, the day of Mangala or Mars, and Gowri is the Goddess Parvati in her auspicious form. This vratham is kept above all by newly married women, traditionally for the first five years of marriage, and in many families it is begun in the first Shravan following the wedding.

The prayer at its heart is a moving one. The young wife prays that she may remain forever sumangali, that her marriage may be long and harmonious, and that her husband may live a long life. It is a vratham of aspiration rather than of remedy, undertaken at the beginning of married life and carried forward with devotion.

In many households the vratham is performed at the mother’s home in the early years, and the ritual is a warm gathering of women of the family. It is a tradition especially cherished in South India, where the practice has been kept unbroken across generations.

Mangala Gowri Vratha Vidhanam: Step by Step

Step 1: Bathe early and prepare the space

Rise early on the Tuesday, bathe, and wear traditional attire. Clean the puja area, draw a rangoli, and arrange the seat facing east or north.

Step 2: Install Goddess Gowri

An idol of Goddess Gowri, often made of turmeric, is prepared and installed, or a metal idol or image is used. The Goddess is adorned with a saree, flowers, and ornaments as befits the auspicious form of Parvati.

Step 3: Invoke Ganesha and then Gowri

Begin with the worship of Lord Ganesha, then invoke Goddess Mangala Gowri and perform the Shodashopachara puja, offering sandalwood, turmeric, kumkum, flowers, akshata, incense, and lamp.

Step 4: Light the sixteen lamps

A distinctive feature of this vratham is the lighting of lamps made from wheat flour, traditionally sixteen in number, arranged before the Goddess. The offering of these lamps, along with sixteen of each item where custom prescribes, is central to the observance.

Step 5: Chant the Mangala Gowri stotram

The Mangala Gowri stotram is chanted in praise of the Goddess, invoking her as the giver of marital happiness and long life to one’s husband. Families also chant the Gowri Ashtottara, the hundred and eight names of the Goddess, and read the vratha katha.

Step 6: Offer naivedyam and distribute tamboolam

Offer naivedyam of sweets, payasam, fruits, and coconut. Complete with aarti, then invite married women of the family and neighbourhood and offer them tamboolam with kumkum, betel leaves, fruits, and small gifts.

Mangala Gowri Pooja Items

Turmeric or metal idol of Goddess Gowri, with saree and ornaments
Wheat flour for preparing the lamps, and ghee or oil with wicks
Turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood paste, akshata
Flowers, garlands, and mango leaves
Incense, camphor, and a ghee lamp
Naivedyam: payasam, sweets, fruits, coconut
Tamboolam items and bangles for distribution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mangala Gowri Vratham?

The Mangala Gowri Vratham is a vrata observed on the Tuesdays of Shravan maas by newly married women, who worship Goddess Gowri praying to remain eternally sumangali and for the long life of their husbands. It is traditionally kept for the first five years of marriage.

When is Sravana Mangala Gowri Vratham in 2026?

In South India, Maharashtra, and Gujarat it falls on the Tuesdays of 18, 25 August and 1, 8 September 2026. In North India it falls on 4, 11, 18, and 25 August 2026, since the two regions reckon the start of Shravan differently.

What is the Mangala Gowri vratha vidhanam?

Bathe early, install and adorn an idol of Goddess Gowri, often made of turmeric, invoke Ganesha and then Gowri, perform the Shodashopachara puja, light the traditional wheat flour lamps, chant the Mangala Gowri stotram and Ashtottara, offer naivedyam, and distribute tamboolam to married women.

Who should observe the Mangala Gowri Vratham?

It is observed chiefly by newly married women, traditionally through the first five years of marriage, beginning in the first Shravan after the wedding. Other women of the household commonly participate in the worship.

What is the Mangala Gowri stotram?

The Mangala Gowri stotram is the hymn chanted in praise of the Goddess during the vratham, invoking her as the bestower of marital happiness and the long life of one’s husband. The Gowri Ashtottara, her hundred and eight names, is also commonly chanted.