Story of Mangalagowri
Things Required for the Puja
An image or idol of Goddess Gowri (Goddess Parvati) or five pyramid shapes made from turmeric powder.
Kalash or Kalasha
Rice
Jaggery
Cloth folded like pyramid
Cotton or flower garland
Coconut broken into two halves
Red flowers
Usual fruits (locally available)
Preparation
House and the puja room or area is cleaned.
House or the puja area is decorated with mango leaf festoons.
All items are kept ready.
The prasadam menu or the fruits to be offered is decided.
How to do the Puja
Rice is dropped in a plate or tray.
The Kalasha pot is kept on the rice bed.
The Kalash is half-filled with water.
The inside neck of the Kalasha pot is decorated with betel leaves, usually five in number.
A cloth folded like pyramid (one or more) is placed at the back of kalasha.
A coconut is broken and one half each is placed on the sides of the kalasha.
The Kalash tray can be filled with turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood and other Pooja items.
Betel nuts and betel leaves (8 in number) are placed on the tray.
A large piece of jaggery (the four corner one) is kept in front of the kalasha.
METHOD
Now you can place the five pyramid shape made from turmeric powder on the four corners of the jaggery and one in center.
You can be flexible here. You can just keep an idol or picture of Goddess Gouri. If there is no jaggery, you need not worry about it.
Decorate the turmeric pyramid or idol or picture of Goddess Gowri with turmeric, kumkum and flowers.
You can also put a garland made from cotton thread or flowers on the pyramid or idol.
The Puja Begins
Light the lamps
Pray to the deity by offering flowers and by lighting incense.
Offer fruits or the prasadam cooked.
Place some flowers on the prasadam or fruits and on the deity
Pray or meditate for few minutes – this includes asking for boon to deity during the Mangala Gowri Puja. Special prayer or Shloka is recited called Varava Kodi in Kannada.
You can also read or listen to the story associated with Mangala Gowri.
STORY
Long long ago a boy who was studying under a guru went from house to house seeking alms. This was a tradition then and the Guru and shishya only took what was needed for the day. But strangely this boy refused alms given by the queen of the land and took alms from other women. The king and the queen of the land were staunch Shiva devotees but did not have any children.
The queen and the king discussed this strange incident and the next day, the queen again offered rice to the young boy. But the boy did not accept it.
The king came and asked why he was not taking the rice from the queen. The boy said that the king and queen did not have children and it would not be wise to take alms from a couple who is unlucky.
The king got angry and said only Lord Shiva can decide who should be lucky and unlucky. The king who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva soon realized that the boy was Shiva in disguise. He then prayed to forgive his arrogance and asked to be blessed with a child.
A boy, Chandrasekhar, was born to the couple and soon time passed by and the boy became a teenager. The king and the queen remembered the words of Shiva and decided to send young Chandrasekhar, who was fifteen, to Kashi. It is believed that those who die at Kashi will never be born again.
Young Chandrasekhar was informed about his fate and without any other option he followed his uncle to Kashi. On the way, the young boy saw several new things. In a garden, they met a lovely princess. The boy and the uncle heard the princess discussing the glory of Mangala Gowri Puja.
It was the Shravan month and the girls were performing the Mangala Gowri Vratha. The princess was saying that whoever she marries will live a long life because she performs the Mangala Gowri Puja with pure heart and devotion.
The boy and the uncle moved forward and they met a prince who was sick. He explained to them that he was to marry the princess of the kingdom tomorrow but he was ashamed to go in front of people as he has fallen sick. The prince asked Chandrasekhar to help him out by appearing in the marriage function. Candrasekhar agreed.
Young Chandrasekhar appeared as the groom and the first day of the marriage function passed away smoothly. That night Chandrasekhar was to turn sixteen. He explained about his fate and about the real prince to the princess and decided to leave next morning to Kashi.
But that night the princess saw a snake approaching Chandrasekhar; she grabbed a handful of unbroken grains used to perform Mangala Gowri Puja and threw it on the snake. The snake fell dead. She took the snake and hid it in the Kalash used to perform the Mangala Gowri Puja.
Chandrasekhar left the next morning and he left his wedding ring there. The other prince took the place for the day’s wedding ceremony but the princess was not ready to marry him. She said firmly that Chandrasekhar was her husband and she will only sit next to him.
Chandrasekhar reached Kashi and a year passed. He did not die. The strength and devotion with which the young princess performed the Mangala Gowri Puja saved him. While returning back to his kingdom, Chandrasekhar again reached the same spot. He longed to see the young princess even though he believed that she was happily married to the prince.
Chandrasekhar heard that the princess was in the habit of feeding all the people who passed by her kingdom. He went and sat among the people who was par taking the food offered by the princess. Soon the princess appeared. She was closely examining all the people who were eating. She has been doing this from the day Chandrasekhar left; she was sure that one day he will pass by her kingdom.
In no time, the young princess recognized Chandrasekhar. She showed him the wedding ring. The young Chandrasekhar could not control his tears. He said he did not die. The princess said she knew it and explained what happened on the night when he turned sixteen.
Soon they got married and lived happily there after.
After reading and the story, mangala gawri kajal is made.
Women hold the dosa ladle on the lamp lit for the Mangala Gowri puja. The black colored substance that appears is collected. Cold ghee is added to this and is applied on the eyes.
Invite women (Sumangali) to home offer Mangala drowya, betal leaves, fruits, kumkum and Haldi(Turmeric), sandalwood paste and do namaskara / obeisance to god and all the elders in the house. By observing this vrata, women believe that they will be blessed with long lasting and successful married life.
Remove the prasadam or fruits and share it with family members and friends
SONG
Varava Kodi Gowri Varava Kodi
Kattida Mangalya Karimani Gajima Balae
Sthiravagi Iruvantha
Varava Kodi
Arisina Kumukuma
Aralu Malligay Davana
Sthiravagi Mudivanta
Varava Kodi
Mahadi Maneya Mele
Jodu Thotila Katti
Jogula Haaduvantha Varava Kodi
Godana, Bhudana
Griha Dana
Kanya Dana
Maduvantha Varava Kodi
Gowri Puja, is an important Vrata observed by married women in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and by some communities in Maharashtra. It is performed for a happy married life and for the long life of the husband. It is observed on Tuesdays in the Shravan or Sawan month (July – August).
Things Required for the Puja
An image or idol of Goddess Gowri (Goddess Parvati) or five pyramid shapes made from turmeric powder.
Kalash or Kalasha
Rice
Jaggery
Cloth folded like pyramid
Cotton or flower garland
Coconut broken into two halves
Red flowers
Usual fruits (locally available)
Preparation
House and the puja room or area is cleaned.
House or the puja area is decorated with mango leaf festoons.
All items are kept ready.
The prasadam menu or the fruits to be offered is decided.
How to do the Puja
Rice is dropped in a plate or tray.
The Kalasha pot is kept on the rice bed.
The Kalash is half-filled with water.
The inside neck of the Kalasha pot is decorated with betel leaves, usually five in number.
A cloth folded like pyramid (one or more) is placed at the back of kalasha.
A coconut is broken and one half each is placed on the sides of the kalasha.
The Kalash tray can be filled with turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood and other Pooja items.
Betel nuts and betel leaves (8 in number) are placed on the tray.
A large piece of jaggery (the four corner one) is kept in front of the kalasha.
METHOD
Now you can place the five pyramid shape made from turmeric powder on the four corners of the jaggery and one in center.
You can be flexible here. You can just keep an idol or picture of Goddess Gouri. If there is no jaggery, you need not worry about it.
Decorate the turmeric pyramid or idol or picture of Goddess Gowri with turmeric, kumkum and flowers.
You can also put a garland made from cotton thread or flowers on the pyramid or idol.
The Puja Begins
Light the lamps
Pray to the deity by offering flowers and by lighting incense.
Offer fruits or the prasadam cooked.
Place some flowers on the prasadam or fruits and on the deity
Pray or meditate for few minutes – this includes asking for boon to deity during the Mangala Gowri Puja. Special prayer or Shloka is recited called Varava Kodi in Kannada.
You can also read or listen to the story associated with Mangala Gowri.
STORY
The queen and the king discussed this strange incident and the next day, the queen again offered rice to the young boy. But the boy did not accept it.
The king came and asked why he was not taking the rice from the queen. The boy said that the king and queen did not have children and it would not be wise to take alms from a couple who is unlucky.
The king got angry and said only Lord Shiva can decide who should be lucky and unlucky. The king who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva soon realized that the boy was Shiva in disguise. He then prayed to forgive his arrogance and asked to be blessed with a child.
A boy, Chandrasekhar, was born to the couple and soon time passed by and the boy became a teenager. The king and the queen remembered the words of Shiva and decided to send young Chandrasekhar, who was fifteen, to Kashi. It is believed that those who die at Kashi will never be born again.
Young Chandrasekhar was informed about his fate and without any other option he followed his uncle to Kashi. On the way, the young boy saw several new things. In a garden, they met a lovely princess. The boy and the uncle heard the princess discussing the glory of Mangala Gowri Puja.
It was the Shravan month and the girls were performing the Mangala Gowri Vratha. The princess was saying that whoever she marries will live a long life because she performs the Mangala Gowri Puja with pure heart and devotion.
The boy and the uncle moved forward and they met a prince who was sick. He explained to them that he was to marry the princess of the kingdom tomorrow but he was ashamed to go in front of people as he has fallen sick. The prince asked Chandrasekhar to help him out by appearing in the marriage function. Candrasekhar agreed.
Young Chandrasekhar appeared as the groom and the first day of the marriage function passed away smoothly. That night Chandrasekhar was to turn sixteen. He explained about his fate and about the real prince to the princess and decided to leave next morning to Kashi.
But that night the princess saw a snake approaching Chandrasekhar; she grabbed a handful of unbroken grains used to perform Mangala Gowri Puja and threw it on the snake. The snake fell dead. She took the snake and hid it in the Kalash used to perform the Mangala Gowri Puja.
Chandrasekhar left the next morning and he left his wedding ring there. The other prince took the place for the day’s wedding ceremony but the princess was not ready to marry him. She said firmly that Chandrasekhar was her husband and she will only sit next to him.
Chandrasekhar reached Kashi and a year passed. He did not die. The strength and devotion with which the young princess performed the Mangala Gowri Puja saved him. While returning back to his kingdom, Chandrasekhar again reached the same spot. He longed to see the young princess even though he believed that she was happily married to the prince.
Chandrasekhar heard that the princess was in the habit of feeding all the people who passed by her kingdom. He went and sat among the people who was par taking the food offered by the princess. Soon the princess appeared. She was closely examining all the people who were eating. She has been doing this from the day Chandrasekhar left; she was sure that one day he will pass by her kingdom.
In no time, the young princess recognized Chandrasekhar. She showed him the wedding ring. The young Chandrasekhar could not control his tears. He said he did not die. The princess said she knew it and explained what happened on the night when he turned sixteen.
Soon they got married and lived happily there after.
After reading and the story, mangala gawri kajal is made.
Women hold the dosa ladle on the lamp lit for the Mangala Gowri puja. The black colored substance that appears is collected. Cold ghee is added to this and is applied on the eyes.
Invite women (Sumangali) to home offer Mangala drowya, betal leaves, fruits, kumkum and Haldi(Turmeric), sandalwood paste and do namaskara / obeisance to god and all the elders in the house. By observing this vrata, women believe that they will be blessed with long lasting and successful married life.
Remove the prasadam or fruits and share it with family members and friends
SONG
Varava Kodi Gowri Varava Kodi
Kattida Mangalya Karimani Gajima Balae
Sthiravagi Iruvantha
Varava Kodi
Arisina Kumukuma
Aralu Malligay Davana
Sthiravagi Mudivanta
Varava Kodi
Mahadi Maneya Mele
Jodu Thotila Katti
Jogula Haaduvantha Varava Kodi
Godana, Bhudana
Griha Dana
Kanya Dana
Maduvantha Varava Kodi
----------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment