Jyeshtha
Jyeshtha is the third month of the Hindu lunar calendar and usually falls between May and June in the Gregorian calendar. The name is derived from the Jyeshtha Nakshatra (constellation), which shines during this time.
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| Jyeshtha |
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Significance:
Jyeshtha people think it is a hot month because, in many areas of India, summer is characteristically characterized by sweltering heat and drought.
Jyeshtha Purnima is the full moon day of Jessie, it has different cultural and religious significances.
Festivals and Observances:
Ganges Dussehra:
- It’s celebrated in the month of Jyeshtha when this holy river Ganga descends from the heavens to touch the ground. The pilgrims take a holy dip into it to wash off their sins.
- Notability: Honors the arrival of Ganga from heaven to earth.
- Commemorations: Holy baths in the Ganges and other holy rivers, special prayers, and rituals offered by devotees are part of this event. It is said that one is purified from sin if he/she bathes in Ganga during these ten days
Vat Savitri Vrat:
- Married Hindu women observed it praying for their husband’s lifelong life and prosperity as told in the tale of Savitri and Satyavan.
- Importance: In India, married Hindu women observe fasting and pray for the long life and prosperity of their husbands based on the story related to Savitri and Satyavan.
- Rituals: Women bind threads around a banyan tree (Vat) while they also say prayers. They narrate the tale of Savitri accompanied by Satyavan and perform certain rites that reveal their loyalty to marriage.
Nirjala Ekadashi:
- An important fasting event marked in Jyeshtha, where devotees avoid food and water for 24 hours seeking spiritual blessings.
- Importance: Devotees keep a 24-hour fast without food and water as this is the hardest of all fasting in Ekadashi.
- Rituals The devotees say prayers, read or listen to the Vishnu Purana, and visit Vishnu temples.
- Importance: The day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Shani (Saturn), venerated as one of their most potent deities according to Hindu astrology.
- Practices: Devotees perform rituals to placate Shani Dev by bringing him offerings like oil, and black sesame seeds and lighting lamps in front of his image.
- This is followed with prayers and havans so that people can minimize some adverse effects associated with Shani’s dominance over them as a planet.
- Importance: This Ekadashi is regarded as the most significant in Maharashtra because it is celebrated to show respect to Lord Vishnu.
- Actions: It involves fasting, praying, and listening to Vishnu Katha (stories about Vishnu). Followers ask for wealth and the upliftment of their souls.
Other Observances:
- Marriage Ceremonies: The month of Jyeshtha is considered a lucky month for marriage ceremonies which in fact attracts many couples to wed during this month.
- Community Feasts and Fairs: Different localities have different sweet and bitter experiences that they can share through their community feasts and fairs.
- Monsoons Preparation: Rain rituals and prayers are performed for good harvest season
Astrological Implications:
- Jyeshtha Nakshatra (Antares) is a name so bestowed upon it.
- Influenced by the planet Mercury, it impacts talks, minds, and trades.
- In some sections of India, high temperatures are customary. This ain’t no surprise because people have had enough of this sun.
- It embodies the changeover from summer to rainy season.
- Before the start of the Kharif (monsoon) crop season, preparation is done.
- Farmers prepare their farms in anticipation of the monsoon rains.
- Prayers and special rituals are done to call in rain to get a bountiful harvest.
- To reduce high temperatures and prepare for the next rains, different cultural activities are carried out by the societies.
Frequently Ask Questions
What is Jyeshtha?
Moving on to Jyeshtha. It is the name for the third month according to the Hindu calendar which usually occurs around May to June in the Gregorian calendar. The weather during this time is very hot as has been pointed out by many and it is also a period that holds various Hindu celebrations and customs.
Which festivals are celebrated in the month of Jyeshtha?
In the month of Jyeshtha large festivals such as Ganga Dussehra, Nirjala Ekadashi, Vat Savitri Vrat, Shani Jayanti, and Bhima Ekadashi are observed. The festivals have their own customs and religious meanings singular to them.
Why do people pay attention to Ganga Dussehra in Jyeshtha?
The descent of river Ganga from the heavens into earth is observed during Ganga Dussehra. People believe that taking a holy bath in Ganga during this occasion will wash away all their sins and bring them beatitude.
How do we observe Nirjala Ekadashi?
Nirjala Ekadashi is observed by keeping fast without food and water for 24 hours. Devotees engage themselves in prayers, listen to the Vishnu Purana or read it, and also visit the temples of Vishnu. It is believed that this fast includes the benefits of all other Ekadashi fasts of the year.
What is Vat Savitri Vrat, and why is it important?
Naked women fast and pray for their husband’s long life as well as well-being on this day. It is a belief that has been passed down from generation to generation. Women tie threads around the banyan tree (vat) during the rituals in remembrance of Savitri and Satyavan who are great symbols of love and faithfulness.
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