Rishi Panchmi is one of the most pious festivals in the Hindu Calendar. This blog elucidates the importance of Rishi Panchmi.
People paying homage to the Sapta Rishis on the day of Rishi Panchami; Image Source: Bhuwan Maharjan
The Right Day for the festival
Rishi Panchmi is celebrated after the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, which is one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals across India. On this day Lord Ganesh, Arundhati, the Seven Sages and the Navagraha or the nine heavenly deities are worshipped. Both the festivals fall in the Bhadrapad month according to the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated every year on a different date according to the western or the Solar calendar as it is in sync with the Lunar calendar. It is known with different names like Guru Panchmi and Bhai Panchmi in different parts of the country.
The Right Time for the festivities
As in case of every Indian festival the right time of celebrating the festival is central to the celebration of the festival. The time of celebrating every festival adds more value and pious blessing to every festival. The correct time for celebration of Rishi Panchmi varies for every year. It is usually assigned the correct auspicious time as per the Hindu calendar.
The Right Rituals for the festival
The festival is associated with different rituals and fasting rituals. Different people adhere to different rituals in respect and reverence of the festival. It is said that you need to take a proper bath at the right time and dress in clean clothes. After that you are supposed to offer your different pious offerings to the seven sages. The seven sages or saptarishis are Rishi Agastya, Rishi Atri, Rishi Bharadwaja, Rishi Gautam, Rishi Jamadgani, Rishi Vashishta and Rishi Vishwamitra. People pray to the seven sages or Saptarishis and offer their statues flowers.
On this festival and day, people also observe a fast to purify their body from all the sins of the past and receive the blessings of the seven sages. On this festival, people eat food only after finishing the whole ritual of worship with a pure heart.
Significance and Story of the festival
The story behind this festival is about a brahmin known as Uttank. His wife was Sushila. They had a daughter who was a widow and she lived with them. The brahmin Uttank was concerned about her daughter and the misfortune of turning a widow at a young age. He came across a sage who told him that his daughter’s past actions are the reason behind her misfortune. The sage also told him about a solution for the problem.
He advised him that he should ask his daughter to fast on the day of Rishi Panchmi and that will help in purifying her body and that will lift the misfortune because of her past actions.
His suggestion proved right and hence, Rishi Panchmi became the day when women started observing a fast for purification. On this day, many women offer their prayers to the deities. It is advised that a ritual bath should be taken on this day.
Rishi Panchmi, the day of good thoughts
This day and festival is known for worshipping the deities and purifications of the soul. The purification of the thoughts and soul are the basis of the story behind this festival. So, to celebrate this festival in complete honesty, purify your thoughts and mind as well.
To read about more such festivals, keep reading the blog posts on Sameedh.
