Kedara Gauri Vrat

Kedara Gauri Vrat is also popularly known as ‘Kedareshwar Vrata’ and is an auspicious Hindu festival that is celebrated on the ‘Amavasya’ (no moon day) during the renowned Diwali celebrations. This vrat is dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva. According to the Hindu mythological stories it was believed that Goddess Parvati observed the Kedara Gauri Vrat to become a part of Lord Shiva. In the northern regions of India, Kedara Gauri Vrat is celebrated on the Amavasya of the ‘Kartik’ month while in the other regions it is observed on ‘Ashwin’ Amavasya. Initially the devotees began their fast on ‘Ashtami’ (8th day) of the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight of moon) during the ‘Kartik’ or ‘Ashwin’ month and it ended on Amavasya during Diwali. But during the present times, the Kedara Gauri Vrat is only observed on the Amavasi Day and is also called as ‘Deepavali’. It is celebrated with great fervour and gaiety throughout India, especially in the Southern states.

Kedara Gauri Vrata Start 2024 is on October 12 Saturday

5 months and 12 days to go for the event

Goddess Parvati

Rituals during Kedara Gauri Vrat:

Devotees get up at sunrise and take an early bath and pray to Lord Shiva to seek his divine blessings of prosperity and wealth. The puja begins by installing Lord KedarIshvara in a ‘Kalash’ filled with water. A mandap or roof is also made over the Kalasham. Devotees then make vrata threads by taking 21 fibres with 21 knots in them. This thread is then tied around the Kalash and worshipped with sandalwood paste, rice, flowers and fruits. On Kedara Gauri Vrat day, 21 different varieties of ‘Naivedyam’ is prepared and offered to the Lord. The observer of this vrat must also invite 21 Brahmins and offer them food, clothes and money.

Fasting is an important ritual of the day. In Some regions the Kedara Gauri Vrat is kept for 21 days, however presently most of the devotees keep a single day fasting. One who observes this vrat does not drink or eat anything till the completion of puja. Only one single meal is allowed after offering food to the Brahmins. If for any reason, anyone cannot keep complete fast, partial fasting is allowed on Kedara Gauri Vrat. In this, the devotees can eat fruits and dairy products.

Important Timings On Kedara Gauri Vrata Start 2024

Significance of Kedara Gauri Vrat:

The glories of Kedara Gauri Vrat are stated in several of Hindu religious scriptures like ‘Skanda Purana’. Several Gods and Goddesses also performed this sacred vrat to get desired results. Kedara Gauri Vrat is one of the significant Saivite vratas that is observed with full dedication by Lord Shiva followers. As per the legends, Devi Parvati observed this vratam to merge with Lord Shiva and then onwards He was known as ‘Ardha Nareeshwara’. Lord Vishnu also observed this vrat to become the Lord of Vaikunta and Lord Brahma got his Hamsa Vahan after observing this vrat. It is therefore believed that a person who devotedly performs the Kedara Gauri Vrat 21 times will be bestowed with all the worldly desires and ultimately gain ‘Moksha’ by merging with the Supreme Being. This propitious vratam is therefore observed by all individuals, irrespective of the caste, creed and religious discriminations.

Kedara Gauri Vrata Start festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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