Karmandir 
Why it is celebrated
Rishi Panchami falls on Bhadrapad Shukla Panchami, the day after Ganesh Chaturthi. The Saptarishi (seven sages) and Devi Arundhati are worshipped, as it is through their wisdom and tapasya that the tradition of the Vedas and dharma reached us. People, especially women, keep a fast and ask forgiveness for mistakes made knowingly or unknowingly.
The story
In the night sky you can see a lovely group of seven stars called the Saptarishi Mandal (the Big Dipper). These stars are named after great rishis. The seven sages worshipped on Rishi Panchami are Kashyap, Atri, Bharadwaj, Vishwamitra, Gautam, Jamadagni and Vasishtha.
Our scriptures are full of their stories. Vishwamitra ji is the rishi of the Gayatri mantra. Vasishtha ji was the family guru of Shri Ram. During his exile, Shri Ram stayed at Bharadwaj ji's ashram in Prayag, and also visited the ashram of Atri Muni and Mata Anasuya. Rishi Jamadagni was the father of Bhagwan Parshuram, and Rishi Kashyap is seen as the father of the devtas and of many living beings.
Next to Vasishtha ji's star shines a tiny star that is said to be his wife, Arundhati. In many weddings the new couple is shown this star, so that their bond may also be as unbreaking as that of Vasishtha and Arundhati.
Rishi Panchami is a day to thank these teachers. We bow to those whose teachings still walk with us thousands of years later.
Puja vidhi
- Bathe in the morning; by tradition, teeth are cleaned with an apamarg (chirchita) twig and the bath is taken with clay.
- Clean the house and the puja place, and put a picture of the Saptarishi and Arundhati on a chowki, or simply meditate on them.
- Worship the Saptarishi with panchamrit, flowers, fruit, incense and a lamp.
- With a calm mind, ask forgiveness for mistakes made knowingly or unknowingly, and listen to the Rishi Panchami katha.
- Do the aarti, share prasad and take the blessings of the elders at home.
- No grain from ploughed land is eaten today; eat fruit, curd, samak rice or vegetables grown without a plough.
Food
Fruit, curd and samak rice; in Maharashtra, 'Rishi Panchami bhaji' made from vegetables grown without ploughing.
Wishes to send
Warm wishes on Rishi Panchami! May the wisdom and blessings of the Saptarishi light up your life.
WhatsAppA hundred pranams to the rishis whose teachings still show us the way. Happy Rishi Panchami!
WhatsAppA bond as unbreaking as Vasishtha and Arundhati's, and a mind as calm as the rishis': that is our wish for you. Best wishes on Rishi Panchami.
WhatsAppToday is a day of forgiveness, gratitude and simplicity. Pranam to you on Rishi Panchami.
WhatsAppLike the seven stars of the Saptarishi, may lamps of wisdom keep shining in your life.
WhatsAppWith the blessings of gurus and rishis, may your family always walk the path of dharma and love.
WhatsApp
