Chinnamasta Jayanti

in Dasamaha vidhya, Did you know?, Festivals

Chinnamasta Jayanti (09-May-2017)

Chinnamasta Jayanti is the auspicious day when Goddess Shakti took the form of Goddess Chinnamasta. The Chinnamasta Jayanthi is observed on the Chaturdashi (14th day) during the Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha month. This much-revered occasion falls on 9^th May in the present year 2017.

Maa Chinnamasta is regarded as a divine avathar (Incarnation) of Devi Kali. She signifies the two major aspects of Goddess Shakthi, both as a life-giver as well as the life-taker. She is regarded as the fifth goddess among the Dasamaha Vidya (ten tantric goddesses). A very popular image of Goddess Chinnamasta shows the Devi offering her own head as food to her faithful devotees. The self-decapitated goddess is seen holding her own severed head in one hand, while a sword in the other.

According to Hindu Mythology, Goddess Parvati is said to have gone to take bath along with her attendants. The goddess was enjoying her bath so much that she lost count of time. Her attendants who had been waiting for her to finish bathing, started becoming hungry as it was getting late. When they couldn’t control their hunger any longer, they prayed the Devi for food. The kind and benevolent Devi is believed to have offered her own head as food to satisfy the hungry attendants.

Devotees of Devi Chinnamasta all over the world consider this day as one of the most auspicious days for the worship of Maa Shakti. Chhinnamastika Devi Temple is one of the renowned Maa Kali temples of India and is situated in the forest area of Ramgarh in the state of (Jharkhand, India. Thousands of devotees throng this temple on Amavasya (New Moon) and Poornima (Full Moon) nights to offer their prayers to the mighty goddess. The nine divine days of Navratra and other auspicious days of Dusmahavidya (10 devis) are the prominent days of worship at this temple.

Rituals of Chinnamasta Jayanti

The temples of Goddess Shakthi Devi is beautifully decorated with colourful flowers and sparkling lights. Devotes observe a strict fast on this auspicious day in order to offer their worship the Goddess. The much revered Durga Saptasati puja is also performed to invoke the blessings of the Devi. Dasa Mahavidya and tantric mantras are chanted as part of the worship ritual. Then holy ritual of Abhisheka is performed to Devi Chinnamasta along with the sacred aarti. The Prasad offered to the Devi is then distributed to the devotees visiting the temples seeking her blessings.

Usually most Chinnamasta temples are located quite close to Lord Shiva temples. Devotees of Devi Shakthi celebrate this festival with utmost devotion and enthusiasm. This day is one of those auspicious days for the worship of Maa Shakti which is believed to benefit the worshipper immensely.

Benefits of Celebrating Chinnamasta Jayanti

Worshipping Devi Chinnamasta on Chinnamasta Jayanti is said to yield abundant benefit the devotees. The following are some of its benefits