Festivals Pavitraropana, Rishi Panchami, Govatsa and Bahula

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Festivals Pavitraropana, Rishi Panchami, Govatsa and Bahula

By Meera S. Sashital

Source: Free Press Journal

 

Pavitraropana:Pavtiras or Ponvates which are rings, wristlets or

necklets are made from strands of cotton threads of varying lengths,

number of twists and knots. These strands or Ponvates are then

washed, consecrated with mantras and offered to different Gods like

Shiva, Vishnu, the Sun and also the family priest. The best Ponvate

is it seems of nine-stranded with one hundred and eight twists and

twenty-four knots! Some change the sacred threads or offer the

Ponvates on Purnima or on the previous day according to the position

of the moon at the constellation in Shravan.

 

Rishi Panchami: On this day of the Shravan full moon, stars other

than the planets are worshipped. In Vedic times it was believed that

the spirits of certain departed great sages of the earth were

believed to inhabit certain stars, the most famous being the

constellation Ursa Major i.e. the seven brightest stars of the north

(The Great Bear). Later, the seers became identified with the stars

they inhabited. The seven worshipped on Rishi Fifth are - Kasyapa,

Atri, Bharadvaja, Visvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Vashishta. Rishi

Panchami (Seers fifth) is also observed on Bhadrapada sukla fifth

as 'Prayaschit' or Atonement.

 

Govatsa and Bahula: Fall on Shravan Krishna (dark) fourth day when

cows and their calves are worshipped. Mainly women offer food to the

cows and smear their foreheads with vermillion. Cow's footprints are

drawn and worshipped by women.