Mahesh Navami 2023: Mahesh Navami is the most important holiday for the Maheshwari community. This festival is observed on the Navami tithi of Shukla Paksha during the month of Jyeshta. Additionally referred to as Mahesh Jayanti. Lord Shankar is also known by the appellation of Mahesh. This festival is in his honour. On this day, Lord Shiva and Jagatjanani Mata Parvati are worshipped. It is believed that on this day, Lord Shiva granted the Maheshwari caste his blessing. This festival’s preparations commence two or three days in advance. On this day, religious and cultural events are also planned.
Date and Time of Mahesh Navami, 2023
According to the Hindu calendar, Mahesh Navami occurs on Shukla Paksha Navami in the month of Jyeshta.
2023 Mahesh Navami Date: Monday, May 29, 2023.
Navami Tithi Commences – 09:56 on 28 May 2023
Navami Tithi Ends on May 29, 2023, at 11:49
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The Mahesh Navami History
In antiquity, a monarch named Khadgalsen ruled. His subjects were extremely pleased with the king’s efforts. The kings used to enjoy the prosperity of those with religious inclinations, but they were very unhappy because they were childless. Once, the monarch performed a Kameshti Yagna in order to conceive a son. During the Yajna, saints and mahatmas blessed the monarch to be a brave and mighty son and foretold that he would be unable to travel north for twenty years. The son was delivered at the king’s residence and was given the name Sujan Kanwar after a pompous naming ceremony. In a matter of days, Sujan Kanwar became heroic, brilliant, and well-versed in all disciplines.
A few days later, Jain priests entered the city. Sujan Kanwar was very impressed by his satsang. He was influenced, received Jainist education, and began to propagate the religion. Gradually, the percentage of the state’s population who practised Jainism began to rise.
One day, while hunting in the forest, the prince abruptly turned northward. Despite the soldiers’ refusal, he did not concur. Sages were performing a yajna near Surya Kund in the north. Upon seeing this, the prince became enraged and remarked, ‘I was not permitted to approach from the north because I was kept in the dark, and he dispatched all the soldiers to disrupt the Yagna.
The significance of Mahesh Navami
Numerous legends surround the celebration of Mahesh Navami. According to legend, a king named Khandelsen had no offspring. Therefore, he worshipped Lord Shiva with complete devotion. Following this, God gifted him with a son named Sujansen. He eventually became the monarch of that kingdom. According to religious scriptures, the Maheshwari society’s ancestors belonged to the Kshatriya dynasty. One day when his descendants were on a quest, their hunting procedure caused a disturbance in the Yajna of the sages.
As a result, the sages cursed these individuals with the fall of their dynasty. This curse had repercussions on Maheshwari society. But in the month of Jyeshtha, on the day of Shukla Paksha Navami, through the favour of Lord Shiva, he was liberated from the affliction, and Shiva bestowed his name upon this society. From that day forward, this society became known as Maheshwari. According to Lord Shiva’s knowledge, the Maheshwari society abandoned Kshatriya Karma in favour of Vaishya Karma. Therefore, Maheshwari society is known as Vaishya even today.
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Rituals
Throughout the night on Mahesh Jayanti, numerous yajnas and mantras are chanted. On this day, a distinctive tableau of Lord Shiva is displayed. His images are widely dispersed among the populace. His devotees transport large images of Lord Shiva to various homes. And offerings are made to Lord Mahesh. Their narratives and accolades are heard. On this day, the Lord is anointed and Shiva-Parvati is exquisitely decorated in temples.
When the photographs return from the streets, Bhajan Sandhya is performed on the temple grounds, and all devotees are then given prasad. On this day, there are no rituals that are not performed. This festival is celebrated with the uttermost devotion, love, and faith for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. There is a special belief that on this day, Lord Shiva blesses women who pray to him for a child and have their desires granted. On this day, Yajna and prayers are not only conducted in temples, but people also perform special worship of Mahesh-Parvati in their own homes. Additionally, pray for the happiness of Shiva and Parvati.