Gayatri Jayanti (05-June-2017)

Gayatri Jayanti is a festival celebrating the manifestation of Goddess Gayatri Devi in this world. Devi Gayathri is also known as the Veda Mata (Mother of Vedas), Dev Mata and Vishwa Mata. Many holy scriptures refer Goddess as the trinity lords Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva. She is even considered the four holy Vedas that according to Hinduism is the collection of knowledge. The Goddess appears with five heads of which four faces the four directions each representing a Veda while the fifth one faces the sky above signifying the almighty. The Goddess appears sitting on a lotus and has ten hands which bear the symbols of Lord Vishnu. Goddess Gayathri is also believed to be the second consort of Lord Brahma.

Goddess Gayathri manifested in this world bestowing the divine knowledge, on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Jyeshta. This special day is celebrated as the much revered Gayatri Jayanti. The knowledge bestowed by Gayathri Devi was shared to the world by the great Sage Vishwamitra, thereby eradicating ignorance.

Gayatri Jayanti is celebrated as a mark of respect for the divine Goddess Gayatri who has blessed the world with abundant knowledge and wisdom, paving a way to enlightenment. The entire universe is said to have originated from Goddess Gayatri. Religious scholars believe that great Sage Vishwamitra was the first to have uttered the sacred Gayatri Mantra on this revered day of Gayatri Jayanti.

Devotees all over the world worship Goddess Gayathri Devi by offering special prayers and pujas. Religious lectures and Bhajans are organised on this day in praise of the divine mother. It is also customary to recite the Gayatri mantra which was bestowed by Goddess Gayathri herself.

How to Celebrate Gayatri Jayanthi

One should rise early in the morning and take bath before sunrise, after which must perform the shadopachara puja for goddess Gayatri Devi. Those praying for knowledge and educations should offer puja to the deity with Lilly flowers while the rest who pray seeking other things should offer hibiscus flowers. Woman also observe the Deerga Sumangali vrath on the day, praying for the long life of their husbands. They must traditionally offer turmeric powder and kumkum for the deity. People seeking wealth from the deity should offer puja with lotus flowers. Gayathri mantra is also chanted by men from the Brahmin community after their Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) which marks the entry of a boy into formal Vedic education. Devotees also offer food to the deity after which they customarily felicitate a pious woman with food and other offerings, considering her as Goddess Gayathri herself.

Learn About The Five Faces Of Goddess Gayatri / Saraswati

-Radhika T V