Mahesh Navami: Hindu Festival Legends, Celebration & Rituals

Mahesh Navami: India is a secular land where various religions, castes, communities and rituals exist. One such community comprises of the Maheshwari group. As each community has its own set of rituals and festivals, Maheshwari community too has them of their own. This community is more prevalent in the northern part of the country and celebrates Maheshwari Jayanti every year with great fervor and enthusiasm. Though the community is small, yet it is spread across the country.

Mahesh Navami / Maheshwari Jayanti:

Mahesh Jayanti falls on Navami (Ninth day) of the Shukla Paksh in the month of June (Jyestha month according to the Hindu calendar). The festival is predominantly celebrated by the devotees of Lord Shiva. He is popularly known by various other names, one of which is Mahesh. The name is a symbol of extreme devotion towards Lord Shiva as it is believed that on this day he appeared in front of his devotees for the first time.

Mahesh Jayanti Legend:

There was a king named Khandelsen, who did not have a child. So, he worshiped Lord Shiva with utmost dedication and devotion, after which the Lord fulfilled his wish by blessing him with a son named Sujansen, who later became the king of his kingdom.

Celebration of Mahesh Navami:

It is predominantly a festival of Hindus and is celebrated in many parts of the country especially in Rajasthan. Devotees from all walks of life worship Mahesh and Goddess Parvati on this day. Temples are decorated with flowers and are accompanied by piousness and serenity all over the place. Newly wedded couples are especially asked to worship the Lord and Goddess Parvati on this day in order to start the new phase in their live with happiness and goodwill.

Rituals of Mahesh Jayanti:

Various yajnas and chants are performed throughout the night. Special Jhanki of Lord Shiva and his pictures are spread all across the homes of the devotees. Large pictures of Lord Shiva are taken to various homes of his followers. Prayers are chanted in his name and his sayings and praises could be heard across the streets. Abhishekam of the Lord is done and he along with Goddess Parvati is decorated elegantly in temples on this day.

When the pictures are returned from the streets, Bhajan Sandhya occurs in the temple premises and at last Prasad is offered to every devotee. There are as such no typical types of rituals that are being performed on this day. People celebrate this festival with utmost dedication and faith towards Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. There is a special belief that on this day, women who wish for a child, perform special prayers on this day and Lord Shiva blesses them with their wish. Not only in temples, yajnas and prayers are also performed by many people at their residence as well.

This festival marks the the ultimate devotion to Lord Shiva as he as is considered to be the harbinger of happiness and prosperity.

Mahesh Navami Date: