Rishi Panchami: Bhadra sukla Panchami is celebrated as Rishi Panchami. Some (especially in north India and Nepal) observe the Rishi vrata for three days (called the Hartalika tej vrata), of which Panchami is the last. Besides fasting from all grains (eating only root vegetables), devotees visit a river or a water tank in the afternoon, purify an area with cow dung, clean their teeth with a stick from the root of the aghada plant, and take a bath. Aghada is a medicinal plant that grows in the months of Asadha and Shravana, and becomes ready to be picked up in Bhadrava; it helps the health of teeth and gums, and the juice is beneficial against cough and against the effect of poisons. Also the Dativan herb is used for bathing. After bathing, the devotees arrange a small wooden platform, place seven betel nuts representing the Rishis and offer puja. Puja is also offered to Shiva, with a special kalasha. Women honor their husbands before going to the river for the ritual Rishi Panchami is also observed by Jains who dedicate it to Rishabhadeva, the first and most important Tirthankara or Adinatha; the members of the Svetambara sect end their Parjushan Maha Parva on this day, while the members of the Digambara sect start from this day.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 08:40:29 +0000
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