Rishi Panchami today (photos)
KATHMANDU: The Rishi Panchami festival, observed on Bhadra Shukla Panchami, is being celebrated today by Vedic Sanatan Hindu women through the worship of the Saptarshi (seven great sages).
On this day, women rise early in the morning and head to nearby rivers, streams, lakes, or ponds. It is a common belief that by worshipping the Saptarshi, along with Arundhati, on Rishi Panchami, they can cleanse themselves of any impurities, including those associated with menstruation.
For this reason, there is a classical saying that on this day taking Panchagavya after taking bath using datun, cow dung, mud and ashes will remove the dosha of untouchability.
Although there is a classical word that fast and worship of Haritalika (Teej) should be done by both men and women, Rishi Panchami is said to be done only for women. It is a religious belief that if there is any error during Rajashwala (menstruation), worshiping Sapta Rishi along with Arundhati today on Rishi Panchami will get rid of it.
According to scriptures, bathing with Datiwan (a special plant), cow dung, soil, and ashes, followed by the consumption of Panchagavya (a mixture of cow products), removes the stigma of untouchability. After bathing, women set up lamps, urns, and images of Ganesha and proceed to worship the Saptarshi—Arundhati, Atri, Gautam, Bhardwaj, Jamadagni, Vashishta, Kashyap, and Vishwamitra—in what is known as the Rishi Panchami ritual.
Today, there is a large number of ardent female devotees worshiping at the Risheshwar Temple in Kathmandu, Mulpani, and other locations throughout the country.
