How to observe Krishna Janmashtami?

It is said that the greatest Sri Krishna pooja that a person can do is to read the Bhagavad Gita and contemplate. But many people feel the need to perform a puja when they feel they need to connect with the Supreme Being. A simple puja dedicated to Lord Krishna helps in keeping the mind calm and in concentrating. Some people exclusively perform Sri Krishna pooja during Sri Krishna Jayanti or Janmashtami or Gokulashtami.

On this day special Poojas and rituals with chanting of shlokas are conducted in all the Krishna temples. Devotional songs are sung in the praise of Krishna. In places like Mathura (birth lace of Krishna); Dwaraka (Krishna rules this place); Gokula (the place where Krishna  grew up) and Vrindavan (where Krishna spent time with his consort Radha), the festivities are colourful and special. 

In Udupi, Karnataka the festival is celebrated in the Krishna mutt. Devotees fast on this day and offer the pooja to the Lord at midnight and then break the fast by consuming Naivedya (offerings). Variety of delicious savouries are prepared on this day and offered to the Lord along with fruits, coconut, butter (Krishna's favourite as a child), avalakki/poha (flattened rice) and milk. Some of the savouries prepared on this day Tengol, chakkali, Shankarpoli, Kodabale, Karchikayi, Coconut Barfi, Besan Laddoo, Wheat Laddoo, Sev, Avalakki, Chivda, Rava Laddoo, Mysore pak etc.

In Maharashtra, Dahi Handi ritual is carried out with great enthusiasm. An earthern oot filled with curd/yogurt is hung 20 to 30 feet above ground and the group which breaks it by forming a human pyramid wins the contest.

In households, a small cradle made of wood or silver is decorated and the idol of Balakrishna (Baby Krishna) is decorated and worshipped. A special arathi is performed and songs in praise of Lord Krishna is sung. The neighbourhood women and children are invited home and offered KumKum, turmeric powder, flowers, fruits, betel leaf and nuts, and a packet of assorted savouries.

Women sing lullabies and the cradle is slowly swayed by a thread decorated with flowers. Baby boys are dressed as Krishna complete with peacock feather in the hair and flute in the hand. 

Here is how to perform a simple puja dedicated to Lord Krishna:

• Select a calm and quite place.
• Clean the pooja area and then take a bath.
• Place a photograph or idol or picture of Lord Krishna also of Lord Ganesha.
• Keep a lamp ready. Place some flowers and fruits or sweets ready in a plate.
• Pray to Ganesha.
• Meditate for a few minutes to clear the mind of unwanted thoughts.
• Now light the lamp.
• Meditate or pray to Lord Krishna.
• Offer flowers – Tulsi leaves is the best offering made to Krishna. You can light incense or agarbathis. If needed you can ring the bell, while offering flowers.
• Chant the shloka – Om Namo Vasudevaya Namah.
• Now offer fruits or any sweet or usual food prepared for the deity. You can sprinkle some water after making the offering.

You can meditate for a few minutes or read some shlokas or prayers dedicated to Krishna.

After the Krishna Puja remove the fruits and share it as ‘prasad’ with others.

After the puja, find some time to read the Bhagavad Gita and contemplate. One finds ideas and thoughts rushing in while chanting this - which will help you in finding new meaning and direction in your life. Other spiritual books that can be read include Uddhava Gita and Srimad Bhagavad Purana.

Popular Shlokas/ songs:

Achuthashtakam

Madhurashtakam

Krishna Nee Begane Baaro

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya

Sri Krishna taught us to rise above rituals and to perform action. The best offering to Sri Krishna is to perform one’s duty by realizing the human within.

Also Read: The legend of Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami

The legend of Janmashtami

One of India’s most popular festivals - Janmashtami - is celebrated through the years with immense zest and fervour, to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna - the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The legend of this festival basically revolves around the birth of Lord Krishna with the purpose of getting the world rid of evil sources.

It was back in the ‘Dwapara Yuga’ (almost 5000 years ago), when Mathura, which is the birth city of Sri Krishna, was ruled by King Ugrasena. He had a son, Kansa and a daughter Devaki. Kansa, who was selfish and wicked by nature, took over the throne, by imprisoning his father. It was on the day of his sister’s wedding to Vasudeva - one of the highly ranked officials in his army- that a heavenly voice predicted that Devaki’s eighth son will kill him. Scared by this prophecy, Kansa locked up the newlyweds in the prison. He succeeded in killing six newborns of Devaki, as the seventh child was transferred from Devaki’s womb to Rohini’s - Vasudeva’s first wife-and was born as Balarama. But Kansa thought that Devaki had a miscarriage.

Looking at Vasudeva and Devaki’s dilemma, Lord Vishnu appeared before them and promised them that he would come and free people of Mathura from the cruel hands of Kansa. It is said that Lord Krishna was born on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Bhadrapada. Lord Krishna’s birth was followed by an array of miraculous events. Soon after the birth, all the guards and soldiers had fallen into a deep slumber, following which the prison gates opened. Vasudeva- in a sub-conscious state- along with his newborn left for Gokul. It was said to be raining heavily and Vasudeva carried Lord Krishna in a basket above his head, while crossing the river Yamuna. He reached the cowherd chief Nanda’s house in Gokula, where Nanda’s wife Yashoda had delivered a baby girl that night. Vasudeva exchanged the baby and went back to the Mathura jail with the baby girl, and no one got to know about it.

On hearing the birth of the eighth child, Kansa rushed to kill the girl child. As usual, he didn’t give an ear to his sister’s endless pleas to let go of her baby. And just when he was about to bang the child’s head on the wall, the child vanished into thin air and warned Kansa that his assassin is born and is in Gokul. Lord Krishna was raised b

y his foster parents Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul, and later, he killed his evil uncle Kansa. Thereon, Janmashtami is celebrated annually to commemorate the holy deeds of Lord Krishna.

The festival is celebrated throughout the length and breadth of the country with utmost enthusiasm. It lasts for two days; where on the day before Janmashtami devotees fast and sing praises to Lord Krishna, which continues till midnight. An idol of baby Krishna is placed in a cradle and worshipped. People continue to sing devotional songs and dance at midnight- which is said to be the time when Lord Krishna was born. It is at this time when, people break their fast. Some of the places where this festival is celebrated in highest spirits are: Mathura, Vrindavan and Dwaraka.

On Janmashtami, the sport- Dahi Handi/Govinda takes place especially in places like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu. This game, which celebrates Krishna`s playful and notorious side, involves young men who form a tower to hit the pot full of curd or buttermilk, which is usually, hung high in the air with the help of a rope. Apart from Dahi Handi, a divine play called Rasa Lila is enacted in the cities of Vrindavan and Mathura to celebrate various parts of Krishna’s life. Besides India, this festival is also celebrated by devotees of Krishna in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. 

Lord Krishna, who generates high respect and admiration from Hindus, is worshipped this day and remembered this day-as a protector, a good friend and a teacher.

Also Read: How to Observe Krishna Janmashtami

Lord Hayagriva

The incarnation of Lord Vishnu with a Horse Head

Hayagriva is an incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu with a horse head. The main purpose of this incarnation of Vishnu was to recover the Vedas, which were stolen by Asuras or Demons. In this incarnation, Vishnu is worshipped in a human body with a horse head. An important temple where the Hayagriva murti is worshipped is the Hayagriva MadhavaTemple at Hajo in Assam. 

In Hindu scriptures there are two important 

legends relating to the incarnation of Hayagriva. The origin of Hayagriva Avatar is dealt in the ‘Shantiparva’ of Mahabharata and the Puranas.

In one legend, Kashyapa Prajapati had a son named Hayagriva which means ‘one with a horse’s head.’ Through intense austerities he pleased Goddess Durga and attained the boon that he will only be killed by another Hayagriva. With this new found strength, Hayagriva started creating mayhem in the world. Devas approached Vishnu to rescue the world and he readily agreed. 

A terrific battle ensued between Vishnu and the demon. But with Goddess Durga boon to his aid, Hayagriva could not be killed. Vishnu left the battlefield to take rest. He went to Vaikunta and started meditating with his head supported by his bow. Devas were worried at Vishnu leaving the battlefield and entering into a long meditation. They looked out for ways to wake him up and finally sort the help of termites to eat away the bow.  While the termites were eating the bow, the string snapped and Vishnu’s head was severed. The entire universe trembled and Devas took refuge in Goddess Durga.

A smiling Goddess Durga – who knew what Vishnu was up to – asked the Devas to attach a head of a horse on Vishnu. Brahma did the auspicious deed and now Vishnu was Hayagriva. He went to the battlefield and fought demon Hayagriva and killed him.

In another legend, Lord Vishnu took the form of a horse and restored the Veda that was stolen from Lord Brahma by the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. As lord Vishnu took the form of a horse, this incarnation is called Hayagriva (the horse-head). After Vishnu created lord Brahma, he taught Brahma the all eternal Vedas. Once lord Brahma had mastered the Vedas, he was filled with pride that he was the only entity that had the knowledge of the all eternal and holy Vedas. 

Lord Vishnu thought otherwise and created demons Madhu and Kaitabha from two water drops on the lotus that he mounts. He then instructed them to steal the Vedas from Lord Brahma and hide it. Thus, Lord Brahma was in a fix that he was not able to save the holy and all eternal Vedas from theft and prayed to Lord Vishnu to do the needy. Lord Vishnu took the form of Hayagriva or Hayavadana and restored the all pervading Veda to safety, thus curbing the pride of Brahma. So the day of upakarma is also celebrated as Hayagriva Jayanthi. As the Vedas were restored on this day, Upakarma is performed on this day to mark a new beginning.

Hayagriva is also the name of an important Buddhist deity. An important temple dedicated to Lord Hayagriva is the HayagrivaMadhava Temple at Hajo in Assam.

Mangala Gowri Puja

How to Observe Mangala Gowri Puja?

Mangala Gowri Puja, or Shravana Mangala Gowri Puja, is an important Vratha observed by married women in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and by some communities in Maharashtra. It is performed for a happy married life and for the long life of the husband. It is observed on Tuesdays in the Shravan month (July – August).  Married women observe Mangala Gowri Puja in the first five years of their marriage. In the 5th year, the girl has to gift her mother a vessel with the mangala dravya. 

The method of performing Mangala Gowri puja varies from region to region. This is just to give an idea about the ritual. You can always be flexible in all Hindu rituals what matters more is devotion. And one should not ponder too much over the correct performance of rituals. Number 16 has special significance in this Pooja.

Requirements

• An image or idol of Goddess Gowri (Goddess Parvati) or five pyramid shapes made from turmeric powder.
• Kalasha
• Rice
• Jaggery
• 5 blouse pieces folded in a triangular pyramid shape
• 16 beetel leaves and 16 beetel nuts
• Cotton or flower garland - 16 ಎಳೆಗಳ ಹತ್ತಿ ಹಾರ
• Coconut broken into two halves
• 16 rice thambittu for neivedya and 16 rice thambittu for arathi.  16 cotton wicks are placed into it. Ghee is used as a burning fuel and all the 16 wick of the lamp are lighted.
• Flowers and Locally available fruits 

Preparation for the Puja

House and the puja room or area is cleaned. The shrine area is decorated with rangoli patterns.

House or the puja area is decorated with mango leaf festoons.

All items are kept ready.

The prasada menu or the fruits to be offered is decided.

The Puja

• On a flat wooden platform (maNe), spread a blouse piece.
• Over the blouse piece, rice is dropped in a plate or tray.
• The Kalasha pot half-filled with water is kept on the rice bed. The inside neck of the Kalasha pot is decorated with betel leaves, usually 5 in number.
• In front of the Kalasha, you can place either the silver Gowri or the turmeric Gowri.
• Place a mirror behind the mangala Gowri and 2 blouse pieces on either sides of the mirror folded in a triangular shape.
• A coconut is broken and one half each is placed on the sides of the kalasha on the blouse pieces. Betel nuts and betel leaves (8 in number, 16 total) are placed on either sides of the Kalasha with the cocunut.
• 3 pieces of cloth are folded like pyramid and placed at the back of kalasha.
• A silver glass filled with unhusked wheat and godi is placed on the right of the Kalasha.
• The Kalasha tray can be filled with turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood and other Pooja items.
• If you don't have a silver Gowri, a large piece of jaggery (the four corner one) is kept in front of the kalasha. Now u can place the five pyramid shape made from turmeric powder on the four corners of the jaggery and one in center. You can be flexible here. You can just keep an idol or picture of Goddess Gowri., if there is no jaggery, you need not worry about it.
• Decorate the turmeric pyramid or idol or picture of Goddess Gowri with turmeric, kumkum and flowers.
• Keep a steel spatula smeared with beetel leaf juice ready.

The Puja Begins

• Light the lamps
• Pray to the deity by offering flowers, gejje vastra, gandha/ sandal paste, manthrakshtathe, flowers, and lighting incense.
• Offer fruits or the prasada cooked. 
• Pray or meditate for few minutes – this includes asking for boon to deity during the Mangala Gowri Puja. Special prayer or Shloka is recited called Varava Kode in Kannada. (read below)
• Read or listen to the story associated with Mangala Gowri: Mangala Gowri Vratha and Kathe Audio Link
• While listening to the Vratha Story, light the 16 thambittu arathi. Hold the steel spatula over the lamps to get a black soot. This is collected towards to end of the pooja. Cold ghee is added to this and is applied as kajal.
• Invite women home and offer mangala dravya, rice thambittu and kajal. Pay obeisance to the women, God and the elders in family. By observing the vratha.

Mangala Gowri Shloka or song – Varava Kode in Kannada

A special prayer known as Mangala Gowri Haadu or Varava Kode is recited while performing the Mangala Gowri Vratha and Pooja. During the Shravana Mangala Gowri Puja in Karnataka there is a ritual of asking a boon to Goddess Gowri by women. The prayer or Mantra itself is in the form of asking the boon. The story narrated or listened to during the puja is also known as Mangala Gowri Haadu.

Varava Kode Thayi, Varava Kode

Varava Kode Gowri Varava Kode
Kattida Mangalya Karimani Gaajina Balae
Sthiravagi Iruvantha
Varava Koda
Arishina Kumukuma
Aralu Malligay Davana
Sthiravagi Mudivanta
Varava Koda
Mahadi Maneya Mele
Jodu Thottila Katti
Jogula Haaduvantha Varava Kode
Godana, Bhudana
Griha Dana
Kanya Dana
Maduvantha Varava Kode

Also Read: Mangala Gowri Puja Legend

Mangala Gowri Puja Legend

The various Vrathas that are observed in Hinduism is based on a story. The general idea of the story remains the same but the characters and incidents change from region to region. This Shravana Mangala Gowri Vrata Katha is from Karnataka known as Mangala Gowri Haadu. The shloka or song (prayer) narrated during the puja is also referred as Mangala Gowri Haadu.

Long long ago a boy who was studying under a guru went from house to house seeking alms. This was a tradition then and the Guru and shishya only took what was needed for the day. But strangely this boy refused alms given by the queen of the land and took alms from other women. The king and the queen of the land were staunch Shiva devotees but did not have any children.

The queen and the king discussed this strange incident and the next day, the queen again offered rice to the young boy. But the boy did not accept it. The king came and asked why he was not taking the rice from the queen. The boy said that the king and queen did not have children and it would not be wise to take alms from a couple who is unlucky. The king got angry and said only Lord Shiva can decide who should be lucky and unlucky. The king who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva soon realized that the boy was Shiva in disguise. He then prayed to forgive his arrogance and asked to be blessed with a child. Shiva blessed the couple but said their child will only live for sixteen years.

A boy, Chandrasekhar, was born to the couple and soon time passed by and the boy became a teenager. The king and the queen remembered the words of Shiva and decided to send young Chandrasekhar, who was fifteen, to Kashi. It is believed that those who die at Kashi will never be born again. Young Chandrasekhar was informed about his fate and without any other option he followed his uncle to Kashi. On the way, the young boy saw several new things. In a garden, they met a lovely princess. The boy and the uncle heard the princess discussing the glory of Mangala Gowri Puja. It was the Shravan month and the girls were performing the Mangala Gowri Vratha. The princess was saying that whoever she marries will live a long life because she performs the Mangala Gowri Puja with pure heart and devotion.

The boy and the uncle moved forward and they met a prince who was sick. He explained to them that he was to marry the princess of the kingdom tomorrow but he was ashamed to go in front of people as he has fallen sick. The prince asked Chandrasekhar to help him out by appearing in the marriage function. Chandrasekhar agreed. Young Chandrasekhar appeared as the groom and the first day of the marriage function passed away smoothly. That night Chandrasekhar was to turn sixteen. He explained about his fate and about the real prince to the princess and decided to leave next morning to Kashi.

But that night the princess saw a snake approaching Chandrasekhar; she grabbed a handful of unbroken grains used to perform Mangala Gowri Puja and threw it on the snake. The snake fell dead. She took the snake and hid it in the Kalash used to perform the Mangala Gowri Puja. Chandrasekhar left the next morning and he left his wedding ring there. The other prince took the place for the day’s wedding ceremony but the princess was not ready to marry him. She said firmly that Chandrasekhar was her husband and she will only sit next to him.

Chandrasekhar reached Kashi and a year passed. He did not die. The strength and devotion with which the young princess performed the Mangala Gowri Puja saved him. While returning back to his kingdom, Chandrasekhar again reached the same spot. He longed to see the young princess even though he believed that she was happily married to the prince.

Chandrasekhar heard that the princess was in the habit of feeding all the people who passed by her kingdom. He went and sat among the people who was partaking the food offered by the princess. Soon the princess appeared. She was closely examining all the people who were eating. She has been doing this from the day Chandrasekhar left; she was sure that one day he will pass by her kingdom.

In no time, the young princess recognized Chandrasekhar. She showed him the wedding ring. The young Chandrasekhar could not control his tears. He said he did not die. The princess said she knew it and explained what happened on the night when he turned sixteen.

Soon they got married and lived happily there after.

Also Read How to Observe Mangala Gowri Puja?

Nagara Panchami Legend

Nagara Panchami festival observed in India during the Shravan month is a classic example of Hinduism’s deep rooted connections with Nature. Local folklore in India is full of stories associated with Nagas or Snakes. 

THE BOND BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS 

In South, the Nag Panchami festival legends revolve around the brother sister relationship. An important ritual in South Indian on the day include rubbing of milk or ghee on the back, spine and navel of brothers by sisters.

An important story or Nag Panchami Katha goes like this. Once a young girl asks her brother to get some Ketaki flower for Naga Puja. Screwpine or Ketaki is used to worship Nagaraja (Snake God). But unfortunately the brother who went in search of Ketaki is bitten by a snake and is killed. The sister then prays and performs Vrata and propitiates Nagaraja and the brother is brought back to life.

There are numerous such stories in local folklore and in most stories the sister resurrects the dead brother. Thus on the Nag Panchami day in some regions the brother visits his married sister and she applies milk or ghee on the back, spine and navel of the brother and she prays for his long life. The rubbing of milk symbolically reminds the umbilical connection.

SAMUDRA MANTHANA

The popular legend associated with the festival is that Shiva drank the poison Halahala to save the universe during the famous incident of Samudra Manthan. When the ocean of milk was churned by the Devatas (Gods) and Rakshasas in hunt for Nectar, the foremost derivative which came out was poison. Upon seeing this fast stretching of this poison into the world, Lord Shiva gulped it down and maintained it at the throat level. Because of this throat colour changed into deep blue and he was named as Neela Kantha.  But a few drops fell on the ground and the snakes are believed to carry it around still. People propitiate the Nagas (Snakes) on the day to avoid snake bites and also as a thanksgiving for not letting the poison spread on earth. It is believed that the Samdura Manthan episode mentioned in the Puranas happened in the Shravan month. 

KRISHNA CONQUERS KALIYA

According to Puranic scriptures, Brahma's son Kashyapa had four wives. The first wife gave birth to Devas; the second to Garudas; the third to Nāgas; and the fourth to Daityas. Nāgas were the rulers of Pātāl-Loka.

The names of the Nine Great Nāgas are: Ananta, Vāsuki, Shesha, Padmanābha, Kambala, Shankhapāla, Dhārtarāshtra, Takshaka, and Kaliya.

Another legend indicates that Nag Panchami is performed in remembrance of Sri Krishna subduing Kaliya Nag and saving human beings and animals. Kaliya Nag was poisoning the Yamuna River. 

According to the scriptures, Lord Krishna conquered Naga Kāliya and put an end to the evil deeds on this day (Nāga Panchamī). Tradition says that Kathmandu valley used to be a vast lake. When human beings started to drain the lake to make space for settlements, Nagas became enraged. To protect themselves against the wrath of Nagas, people gave the latter certain areas as pilgrimage destinations, thus restoring harmony in nature.

According to other scriptures, a king used his Tantric powers to force Nagas to return to the land and control the rains. The Nagas complied, but in recognition of their power to control the rains, the king established the Naga Panchami festival.

In Jainism and Buddhism too the snake is regarded as sacred and has divine qualities. It is believed that a Cobra snake saved the life of Buddha; another protected Jain Muni Parshwanath.

Read Also: How to Celebrate Nagara Panchami

How to Celebrate Nagara Panchami

Nagara Panchami observed on the fifth day after Amavasya in Shravan month is dedicated to the Nagas, the snake deities. Hindus observe Nagara Panchami Vratha on the day. In western part of India certain Hindus fast on Nagara Chaturthi day, which falls a day before.

SPECIALITIES 

This day is like Raksha Bandhan for South Indian Hindus. If there is no ant hill nearby, they offer puja to snake statues erected in nearby temples. A portion of milk used for puja is taken back home and offered to everyone as prasad. Sisters traditionally invite their brothers to their home. They then immerse a flower in the leftover milk and apply it on their brothers' back, perform aarti, and present the men with gifts. Thus on the Nag Panchami day in some regions the brother visits his married sister and she applies milk or ghee on the back, spine and navel of the brother and she prays for his long life. The rubbing of milk symbolically reminds the umbilical connection. Sweets like Kadubu and Nuchununde are prepared, offered to Lord Krishna, and then distributed among guests.

REASON BEHIND NAGARA PANCHAMI? 

The main reason of celebrating this day must be that snakes are a great threat to mankind during these months. The monsoon season is at its peak during this period (July – August) and snakes move out of their burrows, which are filled with water, and occupy spaces frequented by human beings and may harm them. So it is widely believed that Nagara Panchami is observed to please the Nagas and avoid snake bites during this season.

SPECIAL PUJAS 

Prayers are offered at Naga temples, sacred places with idols of Nagas and at anthills. Almost all villages in India have a sacred place for snakes with a small grove and numerous idols of the Nagas. Prayers are also offered at the shrines of Shiva. In West Bengal and Orissa, Mansa, the queen of serpents, is worshipped on this day.

Milk, betel leaf, betel nut, tender coconuts, turmeric powder, puffed paddy, jaggery, flower bunches and tender leaves of palm and areca trees are offered. In some regions, people feed snakes with milk. In most places snake charmers arrive with snakes on the day. Certain villages in Karnataka are known to feed milk to poisonous snake.

NAGARA RANGOLI 

In many places, two images of snakes are drawn on both sides of doors using cow dung, rice or turmeric paste on the day.  In some places people draw a five-headed snake. Snake kolams are drawn on this day in South India. This is to welcome the Nag Raja. Five-hooded idols are worshipped in many regions. The idol of five-hooded snake is made using mud, turmeric, sandal and saffron.

VRATHA

In some places, people fast from sunrise to sunset. It is a partial fast and they eat food without salt. Deep-fried things are avoided on the day. Some people only consume food after sunset. Some Hindu communities in South India have an elaborate oil bath on the day. There is a belief that unmarried women who undertake Naga Panchami Vrat and do the puja to Nagas will get good husbands.  

Read Also: Nagara Panchami Legend

The story of Bheemana Amavasya – Bhagirati Nadi Hogi

Bheemana Amavasya Vrathaa is observed in Karnataka on the Amavasya (new moon day) in Ashada month is based on an unparalleled devotion of a young girl for Lord Shiva and Parvati. Women and girls conduct special puja on the day for a happy and prosperous life and for the wellbeing of brothers and husbands. The popular story, or Katha, associated Jyothi Bhimeshwara puja is known as Bhagirati Nadi Hogi.

Legend has it that once a Brahmin couple decided to travel to Kashi to pray to Lord Shiva. But they had a daughter, a young girl, and the couple was not ready to take her with them as they did not want to risk her life. The journey was long and they were not sure whether they will make it safely.

So the Brahmin couple decided to leave the young girl with their elder son. The elder son was married and they left the daughter with him and said that if they did not return he should get her married.

The parents did not return after a year and the brother and his wife was worried that they would have to marry her off. He did not want to spend money on her and instead he had an eye on the property and money that the father had left for this daughter.

The brother one day happened to hear a strange announcement made by the King of the region - "the son of the King died yesterday and he would like to have him married before he is taken to pyre." No one was ready to take the offer but the greedy brother did. He and his wife dressed up the young girl and took her to the King and got her married to the dead prince in exchange of gold.

After the marriage ceremony, the king, the soldiers and the young bride carried the corpse to Bhagirathi River to burn it. But suddenly there was a heavy rain and all the people except the young bride left. The King asked her to come with him as she is now a princess but she did not go with him. Instead, she decided to stay with the dead prince. Looking at the dead body of the prince she thought this would not have happened had her parents were here.

The night passed and next day was Ashada Amavasya and the puja day. She remembered her parents observing the Vrata. She took bath and dug up clay from the riverbank and made two lamps. She made wick from fiber of a fallen tree and did the rituals as her parents used to do. She also made mud balls instead of the kadubus.

While she was performing the puja, a young couple appeared there and asked her what she was doing with the corpse and what was this puja for. She explained her fate and said she was now alone and there was no one to break her Bhandara or mud balls. The young man agreed to break it. He smashed the balls and blessed her – Dheerga Sumangali Bhava (Have a long and happy married life). The young girl smiled and said how can that be, my husband lies there dead.

The couple looked at the dead prince and asked her why she has not woken him up. Go and wake him up. Hesitantly she shook the prince and he opened his eyes. She could not believe her eyes. Soon she realized who the couple were but when she looked up they were gone.

She prayed to the divine couple – Shiva and Parvati – and narrated to the prince all that happened.

When the king and the courtiers returned to burn the corpse, they found the young girl and prince praying to Shiva and Parvati. The word soon spread and from that day people started strictly observing Bheema Amavasya in Ashada month with the kalikamba lamps – lamps made from mud.

Read Also: How to Perform Bheemana Amavasya Vratha?

How to Perform Bheemana Amavasya Vratha?

Bheemana Amavasya Vrata is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati and is observed by women in Karnataka. It takes place on the Amavasya or non moon day in the month of Ashada. Also referred as Jyoti Bheemeshwara Vratha, the ritual is observed for the well being of the male members in the family. 

How to observe Bheemana Amavasya?

Requirements

• A pair of mud lamps representing Shiva and Parvati or picture of Shiva and Parvati or Silver lamps.
• Dough balls or Kadubus with coins hidden in them (Bhandara).
• Thembittu lamps or traditional lamps
• Turmeric roots
• Yellow thread
• Sacred thread - has 9 knots, dipped in arishina and tied to a flower (9 ಗಂಟಿನ ಗೌರಿ ದಾರ)
• Cotton
• Local flowers
• Betel leaves and Betel nuts
• bananas
• Unbroken coconut with water in it
• Fruits

All things needed for the Puja are arranged. There are no strict rules you can always substitute things.

House is cleaned and decorated, especially the Puja area.

Fried things are not prepared on the day.

Preparation for the Puja

Kadubus or dough balls with coins stuffed inside are prepared. Some people hide coins inside idili or kozhakattai. The main idea is to have the ‘bhandara’ hidden with coins.

Make or buy a pair of lamps – it represents Shiva and Parvati and it is worshipped on the day. (Instead of kamba lamps people also use idol or image of Goddess Parvati and Shiva or a pair of silver lamp or a single lamp). 

The lamps are cleaned and decorated – with sandalwood, turmeric paste or other similar items.

A yellow thread is used to tie turmeric root and it is tied to one of the lamps. This is Goddess Parvati.

The lamps are placed on rice or grains in a tray and is placed facing East.

A garland is created using cotton and is used to decorate the kamba lamps.

A sacred turmeric thread or yellow thread is placed in front of both the lamps or tied in the center.

Tie a yellow thread in nine places along with a flower. Keep the tied thread, betel leaves, and betel nuts in front of the lamp. It can also be arranged in a pot.

The normal lamps in the puja room are decorated in the normal way.

One pair of kamba lamps and the pooja accessories are used by all the women present. In some cases all participants make there own separate sets.

The Puja

The kamba lamps are worshipped on the day. An archana with turmeric and kumkum is performed. Any shlokas dedicated to Shiva and Parvati is recited.

Gowri Puja performed chanting the ‘Sri Gowri’ chant. You can also light the traditional lamps.

Nivedya is offered and it includes coconut, betel leaves, betel nuts, fruits, bananas. An arati using Karpura is performed while offering the Naivedya.

The sacred thread is tied on the right hand wrist.

Bheemana Amavasya Vratha and Kathe Audio Link

Breaking of Bhandara or Kadubus

A half-dozen or a couple of coin-stuffed kadubu is placed on a platter and male members in the family are invited. Small kids are asked to smash the kadubu. The kids keep the coin and take the blessings. Elder male members bless the females in the house.

Betel leaves, sweets, fruits are distributed among female friends and relatives.

The Next Day

The lamps are placed under the tulsi plant or dissolved in water and the water is poured under a plant in the garden.

Married women observe Bheema Amavasya for nine years after marriage. If they have the lamps, it is gifted to a newly married woman or women who are performing the Bheemana Amavasya

Read also: The story of Bheemana Amavasya