Question: Why is Gayatri represented as a female deity ?

Ans:

Several people say that when masculine words have been used in Gayatri how can it be said Gayatri Mata? It should be understood that the Absolute Divinity it represents, is all pervasive and formless. It is beyond gender. In scriptures both masculine and feminine words are used for fire, air etc. The famous Sanskrit couplet which is a prayer to God says, ‘Oh God , you are mother, you are father (Twameva Mata-cha Pita Twameva).’ Literally, Savita may be called masculine, but its power, Savitri is feminine. These allegorical descriptions in the scriptures should be taken as such, and not used to score declamatory points.