Mathangi Jayanthi is the festival ascribed to Sri Mathangi Devi, the ninth of of the ten manifestations of Sri Dasha Maha Vidya. The other manifestations are Kali, Tripura Sundari (Sadoshi), Bhuvaneshwari, Tripura Bhairavi, Chinnamastha, Dhumavathi, Bhagala Mukhi, Tara and Kamala.
Mathangi Jayanthi occurs on the Shukla Paksha Chathurthi of Vaisaka month. The ensuing festival occurs on Friday, 10th May 2024. The exact duration of the Chathurthi Tithi has to be ascertained from the respective regional calendars.
Mathangi Devi
The word “Mathangi” denotes the daughter of Sage Mathanga. As per the legend, Sage Mathanga had done a penance on Bhagwan Shiva. When Bhagwan Shiva appeared before him, he asked the boon that Bhagwan Shiva should be his relative. Bhagwan Shiva had granted the boon.
As ordained by Lord Shiva, Sri Ambika was born as the daughter of the Sage Mathanga. Hence, She was named as Mathangi. She is also known by the names Raja Shyamala, Raja Mathangi and Shyamala Devi. “Shyamala” means bluish green. She is also considered as one of the Saptha mathas.
Mathangi Devi – marriage
As promised earlier, Bhagwan Shiva had married Sri Mathangi Devi to become the Son-in-Law of the Sage Mathanga. It is believed that the marriage took place at Swetharanyam (Thiruvenkadu) at Tamilnadu.
As Sage Mathanga was very poor, he could not spend much in the marriage. When Devas were commenting about the poor marriage level, Bhagwan Shiva had ordered Sri Nandikeshwara to bring the wealth from Kailash for conducting the marriage. He also told the Devas not to laugh at poverty.
This marriage story is believed to the sthala puran of Sri Mathangeeswarar temple.
Mathangi Jayanthi – Legend
There are a few legends pertaining to Sri Mathangi Devi
Manifestation
Sri Mathangi Devi is considered as the manifestation of the anger of Sri Parvathi Devi. She is also considered as the manifestation of thanthrik form of Sri Saraswathi Devi.
She has the form of Uchishta Chandhilini / Uchishta Mathangini represented as the protector of oppressed and neglected people. She is of green color. She has damaru, sword and the skull in Her hands.
She also has the form of Raja Mathangi playing veena and holding a parrot in Her hands.
Worship
The process of conducting prayers and doing Yagnas for Sri Mathangi Devi is believed to be mentioned in Sri Maha Bhagavatha Puran.
She is worshipped for getting super human powers, control over opponents, attraction of people, mastery in arts and great wisdom.
Some thanthrik worshippers offer leftover food as Neivedyam to Her. They take such food only as prasad. There is also a practice of whispering the Manthras in Her ears.
When Yagnas are conducted with the Manthra ascribed to Her, flowers and ghee are offered in the Homam fire for every thousandth chanting of the Manthra. There is also a practice of pouring water as ‘’arpan’’ for every hundredth chanting.
The Yanthra of Sri Mathangi Devi is also worshipped.
Doing Daan of bel leaves, salt, turmeric, neem branches, chandan, camphor, honey and saffron are said to result in the fulfillment of the wishes.
