According to Hindu Lunar Calendar the day of Rishi panchami falls on the fifth day in Bhadrapad month just to the next day of Ganesh Chaturthi. On this day devotes worship traditionally to Sapth Rishi. Sapth Rishi are the seven sages (Atri, Kashyapa, Vishvamitra, Bharadhvaja, Vashishta, Jamadagni and Gauthama). It is also performed as a Vishwakarma Puja in several parts of Kerala.
On this day people keep vrat and express gratitude, remembrance and respect of the great actions of those prehistoric Rishis, who dedicated their life for society welfare. Men and women both observe this day.
History of Rishi panchami
Once there was a Brahmin Uttank who resides with his wife named as Sushila. Their widowed daughter also lived with them. On a night several ants came and covered the body of their daughter, by seeing this, both the parents were astounded. The situations made them too worried and they called a sage so he could fix everything. The Sage whom they called was learned and detail them the reason behind their problem. He told them it is because of the sins committed by their daughter in her previous life. He explained them their daughter entered into the kitchen during her menstruation. The sage, advice their daughter to perform particular rituals and observe fast on Rishi panchami, so her soul can be purified and she will relived from all sins. From the day people started observing Rishi panchami.
Important Pujan Samagrai for Rishi panchami
- Kumkum
- Akshat or unbreakable rice
- Turmeric powder
- Sandalwood (chandan) powder/tablets/paste
- Cotton wick
- Saffron
- Beetle nuts
- Rishi panchami vrat Painting or image
- Dhoop batti
- Agarbatti
- Yellow cloth
- Vrat book of Rishi panchami
- Rishi panchami Mala
- Rishi panchami Gutika
How to perform Rishi panchami puja?
The Puja procedures of Rishi panchami is typical enough and is also unlike other festivals. The day Rishi panchami is observed in Bhadrapad month on the 5th day as per Hindu calendar. Both men and women strictly observe fast on Rishi panchami. Observing fast on this auspicious day clean all the sins of Vrata committed in past and present. In this fast of Rishi panchami devotees eat only fruits once in a day.
The day starts with the holy bath in rivers or other water bodies. Devotes clean their mouth 108 times and hands 108 times. After that Lord Ganesha, Arundhati, the seven sages (Sapt Rishis), nine planetary Gods (Navagrah) are worshiped. Then women tender the prashad to all the Deities and wash feet of their husbands.
Later than, women again perform sanctified bath by rubbing particular red mud many times on the different body parts. They shower water on head and 360 times they brush the teeth with a sacred plant, called as Dantiwan. Devotes feel hallowed that all the sins committed by them are cleaned away through the ritual bath taken by them once again.
Mantra to recite on Rishi panchami
This mantra is recited by devotees during the scared bath in holy rivers.
“Ayurbalam Yaso Varchaha Prajaaaha Pasu Vasooni Cha,
Brahma Pragyam Cha Medham Cha Twom to Devo Vanspate”.
