2024 Mirabai Jayanti : Date, Story and Rituals

2024 Mirabai Jayanti : Date, Story and Rituals 

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, the festivals will revolve around the birth anniversary of Meerabai, the holy saint and poetess. Devotional singing, processions, and prayers in Krishna temples are common during the festivities. This is because people worship Meerabai for her love for Krishna and her works are filled with devotion and yearning for him.

Date

Approximately 526th Birth Anniversary of Meera Bai

Meerabai Jayanti on Thursday- October 17, 2024

Purnima Tithi Begins - Oct 16, 2024, 08:40 PM

Purnima Tithi Ends - Oct 17, 2024, 04:55 PM

Mirabai

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Story

• One of the festivals celebrated annually is Meerabai Jayanti in remembrance of the birth anniversary of a 16th-century saint, poet, and Krishna devotee Meerabai. 
• Meera, as she is also known, was born in 1498 in Kudki, a part of Rajasthan, into the royal Rajput family of Thakur Ratan Singh. 
• She is well remembered for her bhajans singing pure devotion towards Krishna and her everlasting love and extreme yearning for him.
• Generally, Meerabai Jayanti is celebrated on the day of Sharad Purnima, which in the lunar calendar falls around the month of Ashwin, either in September or October. 

Early Life and Devotion

• Meera was the wife of Mewar King Bhojraj but her zeal for Lord Krishna was stronger than any worldly ties. 
• After the death of her husband, the family politics were such that they did not allow Meera to practice religion. 
• However, she did not remain silent and started to write many bhajans – hymns full of longing and love for Krishna. Her poetic works are famous for the devotion and emotions exhibited in them.

Persecution and Miracles

• Meera’s family would at times be an obstacle to her unswerving devotion to Krishna. 
• Myths say that she had to run for her life on several occasions, for instance, when she was poisoned and even when snakes were sent to kill her, all of which she triumphed over with the help of Krishna. 
• In the end, she gave up her crown and royal dress and went to many sacred places, dedicating herself to worship and the mission of Krishna-prema.

Legacy and Teachings

• The life and the poetry of Meera are those of perennial blossoming of surrender, love, and devotion to God. 
• Meera is regarded as one of the foremost representatives of the Bhakti movement and is venerated for her ardent devotion and violation of social conventions. 
• Her bhajans remain popular and are still sung extensively in India especially in temples and towards Krishna faithful populations.

Last but not least, Meera’s memory as a saint and bard continues to evoke admiration in innumerable hearts due to her unfathomable affection towards Lord Krishna and conviction that devotion can lead one to liberation.

Rituals

The various practices and traditions related to Meerabai mainly revolve around her devotion to Krishna which is evident in her life and teachings as well. Discussed below are a few of the ceremonies that are performed in her praise, especially during festivals such as Meerabai Jayanti, which marks the birth anniversary of the medieval saint:

Bhajan Kirtan

• People actively participate by singing bhajans composed by Master Meerabai and idolatrous musical songs directed to Lord Krishna. These gatherings referred to as satsangs, aim at devotional singing and chanting puja to the followers who wish to immerse with the Lord through music.

Puja

• Worshiping Krishna in India during Meerabai Jayanti and even at other times is unique to the devotees. Devotees offer puja by placing flower and fruit offerings alongside incense sticks burning to Krishna images or idols and prayer verses reciting from Meera Bai’s poems.

Processions

• As is the case with other lovers of religion, in many places, and mostly gained popularity in Rajasthan, devotees can also call for processions on behalf of Meerabai, whereby iteration of avril background of Krishna images and/or idols is set. This has the purpose of exhibiting her impact, and more importantly, the indication of devotion she preaches.

Community Dining

• Shri-Meera bai Prabhu Mandir ka Prasad sampradaya – Some communities conduct after the puja special feasts (Langar or Prasad) for all the participants, offering everyone food. This practice enhances the feeling of togetherness and brotherhood among the devotees, which is the true essence of love and devotion that this saint Meera exemplified.

Storytelling and Recitations

• On the Observance of Meerabai Jayanti, Vyasa Pooja recalls portraying the journey, struggles, and teachings of Meerabai. These stories are devotional, enable us to understand her importance in the Bhakti movement, and urge her devotees to be equally affectionate and devoted to God.

Meaning of Celebration of Meerabai Jayanti

The observance of Meerabai Jayanti marks the anniversary of the birth of Meerabai, an eminent saint, poet, and Krishna bhakta, who has been instrumental in shaping the culture and spirituality of India, especially the Bhakti Movement.

• Spiritual Perspective: Her strong belief and dedication to Lord Krishna is a source of encouragement to all devotees. It is clear from the life of Meera that love and devotion are more important for a person than family and society, which inspires one to follow that path which is often ridiculed by family.
• Traditions: The day focuses on her input to Indian literature and music, mainly thanking her for her compositions of countless bhajans to a great number of followers. The celebration of this day, the anniversary of her birth, enables the people to preserve her traditions in the cultural memory of the society.
• Oneness and community: The ceremonies conducted to mark the celebration of the anniversary of Meerabai’s birth are parts of the whole community’s activities and thus all participants feel as one. Bhajans and processions encourage the sharing of food and other practices that support the spirit of the community and the spirit of god’s service as one.
• Women's Empowerment: In this aspect, her rebellion against society and adherence to the spiritual truth shows how devotion and faith can encourage women’s empowerment.

Commemorating Meerabai Jayanti is meant to respect her memory as well as call people to strive to live up to the values of love, devotion, and perseverance embodied by her.

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Frequently Ask Questions

What is the significance of Meerabai Jayanti?

Meerabai Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Meerabai, a poet-saint and devotee of Lord Krishna, who flourished in the sixteenth century. His life and devotional ballads encourage people to cherish love and faith beyond the barriers of order. It commemorates her life and achievements in the Bhakti movement as well as spirituality in India.

How is Meerabai Jayanti celebrated?

Devotees commemorate this day by singing the bhajans of Meeera Bai, doing puja of Lord Krishna, and taking part in processions. Such celebrations, particularly in Rajasthan, are in the elaboration of her devotion and unities people to mourn for her.

When is Meerabai Jayanti celebrated?

In the Hindu calendar, the festival of Meerabai Jayanti is celebrated every year, on the full moon day (Purnima) of Ashwin month which corresponds to October. In 2024, the date will fall on the 17th of October.

Kanya Puja 2024

Kanya Puja 2024

Kanya Puja is an important ritual performed during the Navratri festival in Hinduism on the eighth and ninth days (Ashtami and Navami). The ceremony consists of worshipping girls, generally aged 2 – 10 years, who are considered the incarnations of the Goddess Durga. The custom demonstrates respect towards all the feminine energies and women's place in a community.

Kanya Puja 2024

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Which day is Kanya Puja 

• In this upcoming year, the date of Kanya Pujan Kumari Puja, or Kanjak Puja falls on Durga Ashtami on the 11th of October in the year, 2024.
• It forms a significant aspect of the Navratri rituals practiced widely on the sixth and seventh days of the festival of Durga, which also celebrates the worship of young unmarried girls, who are deemed to be living goddesses incarnated as Durga herself.
•  During this puja, there is quite a practice of worshiping girls in this way, often including feeding the girls and giving them presents, in hopes of requesting Mother Durga’s blessings of health and abundance.

Rituals for Kanya Puja

Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja as honored in every tradition comprises a Cube of completing all the rituals in worshipping young girls who are considered to represent Goddess Durga. Here are the main steps involved:

• Inviting the Girls: Generally, the number of girls invited is nine for they represent the nine incarnations of although some devotees may invite just one or any other number they can manage to get. The girls should preferably be aged between 2 and 10 years.
• Washing Feet: As part of the procession, devotees greet their guests by washing the feet of the girls. This act of prostration towards the feet of the suvasini is referred to as Padya Puja and signifies cleansing and preparation for the Diya and the Namaste Prayers.
• Offering Prasad and Gifts Accessories: The girls are then made to sit, after which the devotees serve them along with the meal prasad, which is blessed sacred food. Typical offerings include puris, halwa, chana, and other dessert items. Religious offerings are also given in the form of new attire together with bangles and toys as a gesture of respect and appreciation.
• Applying Tilak and Worship: A tilak is placed on the foreheads of the little girls, who are worshipped with incense, flowers, and prayers and considered to be avatars of the divinity whom they represent. The aarti (a round plate with flickering lights that is moved in circles around devotees) is performed after the prayers in seeking the deity’s blessings.
• The final sagan of the Kanya Puja is the blessing given by the Kanyas to the devotees. There is an understanding that the young girls are worshipped by the devotees to appease the Goddess for fulfillment and prosperity

The event of Kanya Puja is typically performed on the eighth or ninth day of Navratri, depending on the date of the festival in the calendar. It is a widespread practice, especially in Northern India where there is a lot of respect for feminine power and chastity.

Importance: 

• Kanya Puja symbolizes innocence and the embodiment of the goddess through little girls. It is asserted that completion of this ceremony ensures that the devotees are bestowed with gifts of wealth, and joy as well as the alleviation of all hindrances in the course of their lives.

Social Setting:

• This practice emphasizes the attitude of reverence towards women and girls, inherent in the Hindu tradition. It also reminds individuals of the creative and sustaining energy that is generated by the feminine aspect.

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Frequently Ask Questions

What is Kanya Puja?

Riots against child marriage and female infanticide have forced the modern world to take up its own version of Kanya Puja, also called Kumari Puja or Kanjak Puja, where young prepubescent girls are worshipped as Goddesses for 9 days of Navratri. The feet of the children are washed, pooja is done and prasad is offered along with the presence of other gifts to take their blessings.

When is Kanya Puja in 2024?

In most of the regions, Kanya Puja is performed during DURGA ASHTAMI OR NAVAMI. However, in 2024, it is observed on October 11, Which is also the Ashtami and Navami of Shardiya Navratri.

How many girls are worshipped during Kanya Puja?

It has been a custom to worship nine girls to represent the nine goddesses along with Kanya puja but this is not a hard variant and some families may worship any number of girls based on their means and traditions

Shri Chandi Path

Shri Chandi Path

Chandi Paath: The Hindu Holy Chant

Every Hindu will chant Chandi Paath which is an invocation of the power of the Devi Mahatmya, also referred to as Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path, a 700-stanza work dedicated to the praise of the Goddess Durga and her many stellar powers. This text is included in the Markandeya Purana, and it venerates the goddess as one who embodies the complete annihilation of evil for the defense of her followers.

Goddess Durga

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Key Aspects:

• Subject Matter: It tells about the conquests of the Goddess Durga over different demons, particularly the demon Mahishasura, which conveys the message of the triumph of good over evil.
• Objective: Chandi Paath is read to cleanse the spirit, strengthen the body, seek courage and safety, and deal with hindrances.
• When is it read?: Its narrative is often repeated during Navratri, Durga Puja, and other goddess-associated festivities and individual and collective misery periods.

Duration of Chandi Paath

By the manner of what has been outlined it is obvious that the length of Chandi Path varies as a result of the speed of recitation and its level of relationship and command to the clients. For example, a slow recitation of the Devi Mahatmya (seven hundred verses) takes about 2 – 4 hours. 

• Proficient And Fast Reciters: One who knows theoretical and technical aspects of the text, ordering, and pronunciation would do it in about two or two and a half hours. 
• Amateurs: In case you still need to become proficient with the path, the time spent can go up to four hours since you will have to read and reread some sections for every other verse. 

If the Mrityunjaya Mantra is being performed in sadhana, then the Om Namo Narayanaya Mantra can be done followed by the shorter version of the Mrityunjaya Mantra recitations within other time limits.

Advantages of Reciting Chandi Path: 

Chandi Paath is the recitation of the text named Devi Mahatmya which is said to have countless spiritual and personal benefits which include the following:

• Protection from Evil Spirits negativeness or Chalkra: It is believed that by doing Chandi Paath, one is invoking the protective powers of goddess Durga, as this helps devotees to protect themselves from any kind of evil energy, any kind of evil and also the evils which are present unseen.
• Penetrating the New Demons/Obstacles in Life: The text gives an account of the goddess vanquishing various demons, illustrating the conquest of internal demons, conflicts, and impeding forces in the life of an individual.
• Spiritual Cleansing and Tranquility: It is also said that there are certain benefits of daily recitation as it helps in the cleansing of one’s mind and soul promoting total calm, clarity, and satisfaction of the spirit.
• Which give Energizes that Power: The strength-giving words of the Chandi Paath make a person courageous and confident and brave enough to confront what is threatening or challenging him or her.
• Health and Wellbeing: Brought up Chandi Paath performs all the rites for good health and well-being which is why Amiya leads this particular prayer as Mother is also the provider and nourishment.

Chandi Paath is one such practice that is held in high respect and is believed to contribute positively to an individual’s spiritual advancement, devotion, and most importantly, the dormant powers within themselves and the divine forces above them.

Chandi Paath at Home Guidelines

When chanting Chandi Paath at home, one should have utmost dedication and resolve, and also, bear in mind the need for prior preparations within a conducive atmosphere. Here is a Chandi Paath conduction guide:

Preparation:

• Cleansing the Place Required: Clean where the path will take place. You may sprinkle water with a little Ganga Jal (also known as holy waters) to purify the supposed area.
• Setting Constitution: Put an image or a statue of Goddess Durga on a clean altar. Adorn it with flowers, burning incense, and a diya (oil light).
• Materials Collection: Incense and flowers, a light, ghee or oil, a container of sandalwood paste, and offered after-rest items such as fruits or dessert types of sweets are some of the items that you will be requiring.

Cleansing and Request for Assistance:

• Take a Bath: Cleansing yourself before beginning the path is suggested and bathing is recommended.    
• Upon the Gods: After lighting the incense and diya and placing flowers, and fruits at the feet of the goddess, 
• Durga chants a few lines and mantras like, “Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche” to call the goddess Durga.

Recitation Of Devi Mahatmya

• Read with Devotion: Chandi Paath is the chanting of 700 verses of Devi Mahatmya. If you do not know Sanskrit, you can use a translated book or encyclopedia.
• Chant with Focus: Where it is possible, maintain the cadence and precision of pronunciation of words for adherence to the expected and accepted principles. Concentrate on the significance of the words and the goddess's power and blessings.

 Offer Prayers and Arti:

• Finish with an Arti: After a few minutes of hot chanting the path, turns out to be a hot lamp waving it in front of the goddess and singing back a prayer or hymn to the said goddess for her hailing ardas (beseeching).
• Treta Bhog: Offer Bhog at the end of the path, which is usually of fruits or sweet dishes, after which people either give it to their family members or consume it themselves.

Be Silent, Sit, and Meditate: 

• Once the ceremony has concluded, be still for some minutes and meditate, taking in the positive vibes and asking for inner strength, security, and direction.

More About This:

• In case it becomes tough for you to read the full text of the Devi Mahatmya, you can chant a few selected verses from it or even some chapters from it that you cherish.
• In case this is the first time you are performing this ritual, it would be better if you invited someone competent to perform the rite or signed up for online recitations.

Chandi Paath is performed with faith and respect, and Goddess Durga's protective and empowering presence is drawn into the home and the way of life.

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Frequently Ask Questions

What is the meaning of Chandi Paath? 

Chandi Paath is a recitation of a text also known as Devi Mahatmya or Durga Saptashati which sings the praises of Goddess Durga and narrates her wars fought against the evil beings. It is a very potent practice performed for one’s safety, internal power, and purifying oneself in every way possible.

Why is Chandi Paath done? What are its benefits? 

It is said that Chandi Paath gives one the power to pursue spirituality, shields one from external evil, assists in removing hurdles, and attracts peace and wealth. It also allows one to be bold and face the difficulties of life.

Chandi Paath- how long does it take? 

The entire process of Chandi Paath may take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. This time is rather dependent on one’s memory of the verses and the speed of the recitation. Possibly the most time-consuming would be for a beginner while an expert may be able to do it in an even shorter time.