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Rishi Panchami

Yesterday was Rishi Panchami. We have been contacted by several people regarding how to celebrate Rishi Panchami. This is a festival, the traditional celebrations being handed over from one generation to another.

Celebrating Rishi Panchami:

People have asked us; if others, not having the tradition, cannot celebrate it. We asked a spiritual expert. They said, “If you have faith and devotion, you can celebrate any festival. However, this festival is mostly celebrated by the older generation people.”

As a matter of course, this festival is celebrated with the help of a pundit. Today, most pundits are associated with their own temples. Freelance pundits are rare. Thus, finding a pundit for poojas at home is difficult.

Mom spoke to her spiritual mentor. She told us, “This is usually celebrated by Gothra Dhari Brahmins. It has to be celebrated by performing pooja to Saptarishis and Lady Arundhati (wife of Sage Vashishta).”

The different sages are Kashyap, Atri, Bharadwaj, Vishwamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Vashishta. There is no known Pativrata other than Sage Vashishta’s wife Arundhati. That is the reason why she has to be worshipped on this day besides the 7 sages.

We happen to belong to Vashishta Gothra and we feel proud of it. Devotees should perform the pooja keeping the sage belonging to their gothra as the main rishi for this pooja.

Mom’s mentor told her, “Idols of sages are not available in the market. So, betel nuts are placed in the worship area representing the sages. Either place the betel nuts in the shape of the Saptarishi Constellation or placing the devotee gothras’ sage in the middle with the others surrounding them.

Perform avahana and offer sandalwood powder and kumkum to the sages. Turmeric powder with the other 2 can be offered to Lady Arundhati. Perform pada pooja with flowers to all of them. Fruits and milk are offered as naivedyam. Remember all the sages of yore and perform arati. We will share the story in the next post.

To be continued…

About Gayatri T Rao

A double post-graduate (MSc. - Botany and MA - English Literature) Gayatri T Rao is a Senior Multimedia Journalist with vast experience in writing on varied topics.

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