One of the main pooja that is performed on Deepavali is Kedareswara Vratam. This is performed by all people and is said to bring great prosperity and happiness to their households. This vratam can be done by any of the castes – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vysyas and Sudras. One who performs this vratam 21 times will attain great prosperity and will reach heaven after death. It is believed that this ritual of offering vrath pooja for lord Kedareswara is started by Parvati herself. It is also believed that sage Gautama maharishi guided Parvati in performing the rituals.
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Kedhara Gowri vratham familiarly known as Deepavali (Diwali) is celebrated throughout India in a grand manner. Without caste creed, rich – poor differences people observe this festival. In fact very few people know that it is one of the important Shaivite vratas.
Legends behind the Festival
Brungi rishi is a great Shiva bhaktha. When he prays to Lord, he prays only to Lord Shiva and ignores Shakti. Angered by his act Shakti Devi removed the energy from his body. He was not able to stand. He prayed to Lord Shiva. God gave him a stick to support his body. Shakti wanted to become part of Lord’s body. She observed the Kedhara Vratam, one of Gods favorite vratas. Pleased by Her austerities God gave the left part of His body to Shakti and became Ardhanaareeshwara. The vrata is then called Kedhara Gowri vrata since Gowri observed it.
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Mythological stores about two Vaisya girls, Bagyavathi and Punyavathi tells that they were blessed with huge wealth and fortune and also it is said that Bagyavathi suffered for some time when she neglected the vratham.
In Puranas, it is noted that the Lord Vishnu became the Lord of Vaikuntha after performing this ritual. Also the Hamsa vahana (vehicle) possessed by Brahma was a gift from performing this ritual. It is also believed that Asta-Dikpala (Guardians of eight directions) or eight deities performed kedara gowri vrath to eliminate the curse given by Lord Brahma.
Performing the Pooja
- This Kedhara Vrata is observed for twenty one days starting from Shukla paksha ashtami in the month of Asviyaja. The final day (Deepavali) is also observed in great devotion.
- A pot (kalasam) is filled with water and a roof (mandapam) is made above the kalasam and this pot (kalasam) is considered as Lord Kedareswara.
- 21 holy vratham threads are made using cotton strands with 21 knots on it.
- For 21 days 16 different worships are done as per the customs. Most of the people follow only the last day customary worship that is on Deepavali (Amavasya day).
- On the final day, the water filled pot or kalasam is placed over the food grains spread on a banana leaf. It is believed that on the final day of the vrath, lord Kedareswara is brought up into the kalasam.
- The food and fruits offered to the god is distributed to everyone. And to end the vrath (nomu) one has to consume this prasadham offer to the lord Kedareswara.
- On the culmination day (21st) in a clean decorated area devotionally install the kalasham over the grains spread in a banana leaf and offer various food and fruits to the Lord as offering and donate to others.
Beliefs
- The glory of this vratam is very splendid as Shri Gowri Devi observed this vratam in full devotion and got to be in half the body of Lord Shiva.
- God Vishnu became Lord of Vaikunta observing this vratam.
- Brahma got Hamsa vehicle.
- The guards of the eight directions got rid of the bane they got from Brahma.
- Bhagyavati and Punyavati got lots of wealth all due to the glory of this vratam.
- One who observes this vratam with devotion pleases Lord Shiva.
