Vasavi Jayanthi is the festival ascribed to the incarnation of Sri Vasavi Devi. She is also referred as Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Devi, a manifestation of Sri Parvathi Devi. The festival is celebrated in Telugu and Kannada regions.
Vasavi Jayanthi occurs on Shukla Paksha Dashami of Vaisaka month. It occurs on Friday, 17th May 2024. The exact duration of the Dashami Tithi has to be ascertained from the respective regional calendars.
Vasavi Jayanthi – Legend
Sri Vasavi Devi is considered as the epitome of peace and tranquility.
Kusuma Shreshti
As per the legend, Kusuma Shreshti was the King of Penugonda. His wife was Kusumamba. They did not have progeny. The King Kusuma Shreshti was under the patronage of the Emperor Vishnu Vardhan.
Yagna
As advised by his Guru, Kusuma Shreshti had conducted a Puthra Kameshti Yagna. As per the legend, Sri Adi Parashakthi had appeared from the Hom-Kund and offered two fruits to Kusumamba.
Children
Kusumamba had reverentially consumed the fruits. She was blessed with twins, a boy and a girl. The boy was named Virupaksha. It is believed that He was the incarnation of Sri Nandikeshwara. The girl was named Vasavamba called as Vasavi. It is believed that She was the incarnation of Sri Adi Parashakthi.
Sri Virupaksha had become an expert in governance, politics and shastras. Sri Vasavi had become an expert in art and music.
Determination
Since childhood, Sri Vasavi had decided to remain unmarried. She was an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Shiva.
Proposal
The emperor Vishnu Vardhan had visited Penugonda once. He saw Sri Vasavi and was impressed by Her beauty and knowledge. He had proposed to marry her and expressed his wishes to Kusuma Shreshti.
Refusal
When Kusuma Shreshti and family apprised Sri Vasavi of the emperor’s proposal, She refused it. She even gave darshan as Sri Adi Parashakthi and informed that She would not marry anyone. She made it clear that woman should always be respected and cannot be considered as properties.
There were 714 Gotrakas in the Kingdom. Of these 102 Gotrakas had supported the view of Sri Vasavi. The other Gotrakas were said to have left the Kingdom.
Kusuma Shreshti had informed the Emperor of his daughter’s stance.
Waging war
Emperor Vishnu Vardhan was aghast at the refusal of his proposal. He even had decided to go on war with Kusuma Shreshti to avenge his ego.
Sri Vasavi’s decision
Hearing about the Emperor’s anger, Sri Vasavi shuddered at the thought of loss of lives and harmony if the war had broken. She also wanted to uphold the independent spirit of womanhood.
So, She had decided to end Her incarnation by entering into fire. The 102 Gotrakas who had supported Her also had decided to enter the fire.
As per the legend, Malhara, the royal sculptor had prepared 103 Hom-Kunds. On Magha Shudha Bidige day, Sri Vasavi had prepared holy fire and entered in it.
Even the 102 Gotraja couples also had entered fire along with Her in separate fires. Sri Vasavi had emerged unscathed as Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari. The day is called Athmarpana day.
As per legend, Sri Vasavi had granted moksha to the 102 Gotraja couples and they were cured of their sins. The sons of the Gotraja couples went to Kashi for performing the last rites of their parents.
They brought 102 Shiv Lings from there and installed them in 102 Sri Vasavi temples.
Vasavi Jayanthi – Rituals
Sri Vasavi Devi is considered as the Goddess of peace and tranquility and as the Goddess of music and arts.
There are innumerable Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari Temples. Sri Vasavi Jayanthi is celebrated across these temples. At private gatherings, the festival is observed by performing Puja to Sri Vasavi Devi.
The Puja is done with Ganesh Vandhana, Homam, Archana to Sri Vasavi Devi with 108 names. Neivedyam is offered to the Goddess and partaken.
