Significance Of Jyeshtha Maasam

                                             Jyeshtha Maasam

Jyeshtha maasam is that the sacred month within which Sri Vishnu Paadodbhavi, holy watercourse Ganga (Ganges) had descended on earth because of the vigorous efforts and penance of King Bhagiratha. though hindu calendars indicate Jyeshta sukla Dasami because the day of Gangaavatharana that’s commemorated as Bhaagirathi Jayanthi or Ganga Jayanthi, Dharmasindhu indicates Jyeshta Sukla Dwaadasi because the day of Gangaavatharana.

A self-denial called Dasa Paapa Hara Vratham is ascertained throughout the primary 10 days of Jyeshtha maasam ranging from Sukla Prathama (Paadyami) and ending on Sukla Dasami. Throughout this era divinity Ganga is worshiped by taking tub within the holy watercourse Ganga early within the morning before sunrise. Those living in Kaasi Kshethra is needed to require tub in Ganga watercourse at Dasaaswamedha Ghaat and people are staying aloof from Ganga ought to take tub a minimum of in any near watercourse. If no river is obtainable one ought to take tub by recollecting the holy Ganga. On the tenth day Dasa paapa hara vratham is ascertained by solely worshiping divinity Ganga, giving charity to a minimum of 10 Brahmin couple and fitly honouring them with new garments at the side of Dakshina and feeding them. Charity of Thila (Black benny seeds), Wheat (Yava) and Go-daana are prescribed on these days.
Jyeshta maasam has a lot of significance in Hindu philosophy and is the third month in the hindu lunar calender. Purnima (Full Moon day) during Jyeshta masam is known as Mahaa Jyesti and Manvaadi, during this day moon comes nearer to the constellation of Jyesta star and hence this month is known as Jyeshta. Prime Deity of Jyeshta month is Lord Brahma.
During Jyeshta maasam we have Aaaraadhana festivals of Madhva Saints Sri Vaadeendra Theertharu (Mantralayam), Sri Sreepaada Raayaru (Mulabagalu) and Sri Vijayeendra Theertharu (Kumbhakonam).
 Jyeshta means elderly, most ancient, the oldest, senior most, supreme, eldest of all beings, the first and the foremost, who else, none other than Lord Vishnu. In Sri Vishnu Sahasra Naama Stothram sloka number 8 we find Lord Vishnu being referred to as Jyeshhtah Sreshhtah Prajaapatih. Lord Vishnu is the supreme Brahma who has created Chaturmukha Brahma the creator. That’s why Lord Vishnu is also referred to as Prajaapathih. He is the best (Sreshtah) among the best. Maasa Niyaamaka (governing Lord) of Jyeshta maasam is Lord Vishnu in the form of Trivikrama. It is a very popular name of Lord Vishnu that we come across in Vishnu related prayers and epics. Trivikramah means the one who has conquered the three worlds. In Sri Vaamana avathara, Lord Sri Vishnu in order to suppress the pride of King Bali, assumed the cosmic form Trivikrama roopa and measured the three worlds (entire universe) with his three steps.

In Sri Ganesha worship we find Lord Maha Ganapathi being referred to as Jyeshtaraajam the senior Lord that we come across in the popular Vedic sloka Ganaanaam Twaam Ganapathi Gam Havaamahey… In Sri Sooktham we come across reference to Jyeshta in sloka # 8 Jyeshtaam-alakshmeem, the one who is elder to, born prior to and who is just opposite of Goddess Lakshmi Devi.
Jyeshta maasam is the sacred month in which Sri Vishnu Paadodbhavi, holy river Ganga (Ganges) had descended on earth due to the vigorous efforts and penance of King Bhagiratha. Though religious calendars indicate Jyeshta sukla Dasami as the day of Gangaavatharana that is commemorated as Bhaagirathi Jayanthi or Ganga Jayanthi, Dharmasindhu indicates Jyeshta Sukla Dwaadasi as the day of Gangaavatharana.
An austerity known as Dasa Paapa Hara Vratham is observed during the first ten days of Jyeshta maasam starting from Sukla Prathama (Paadyami) and ending on Sukla Dasami.  During this period Goddess Ganga is worshiped by taking bath in the holy river Ganga early in the morning before sunrise. Those living in Kaasi Kshethra are required to take bath in Ganga River at Dasaaswamedha Ghaat and those who are staying away from Ganga should take bath at least in any nearby river.  If no river is available one should take bath by recollecting the holy Ganga.  On the tenth day Dasa paapa hara vratham is observed by exclusively worshipping Goddess Ganga, giving charity to at least ten Brahmin couple and suitably honouring them with new clothes along with Dakshina and feeding them. Charity of Thila (Black sesame seeds), Wheat (Yava) and Go-daana are also prescribed on this day.
If ten Yogas (strengths) are coinciding on the day of Jyeshta sukla Dasami it is considered as highly meritorious that can absolve one from committing ten ghastly sins. These ten strengths are ...
Jyeshta maasey, sithey pakshey, Dasamyaam, Budha-Hasthayo, Vyatheepaathey, GaraaNandey, Kanyaa-Chandrey, Vrushou-Ravey…
[Coinciding of Jyeshta maasam, sukla paksha (bright fortnight), Dasami thithi (tenth day), Budha Vaasare (Wednesday), Hastha star (constellation), Vyatheepaatha Yoga, Garaji karana, Aananda Yoga, Moon in Kanya (Virgo) raasi, and Sun in Vrushabha (Taurus) raasi].
             
 Nirjala Ekaadasi:-
                                          
Ekaadasi falling in sukla paksha of Jyeshta maasam is known as Nirjala Ekaadasi.  Nirjala means abstaining from taking water.  As per the norms of Ekaadasi, fasting should be observed on every Ekaadasi day without taking even water.  However, if total fasting is observed without taking even water at least on the day of Ekaadasi that occurs during the bright fortnight of Jyeshta maasam, the merits of it are believed to be equivalent to that of observing 24 Ekaadasis that generally occurs during a year. It is said that Sage Sri Vedavyaasa had explained the merits and significance of Nirjala Ekaadasi to Sri Dharma Raaja and Sri Bheemasena as per the directions of Lord Sri Krishna.
Full Moon day (Pournami) during Jyeshta maasam is reckoned as Manvaadi when Manvanthara had begun which is a sacred day for giving charity and for performing Pithru Thila tharpana (Shannavathi).  Charity of black Thil seeds (sesame) is prescribed on this day.  When Jupiter (Bruhaspathi) and Moon are together in Jyeshta constellation and Sun is in Rohini constellation on the day of Jyeshta Pournami it is referred to as Mahaa Jyeshti which is considered as highly meritorious day for performing sacred deeds like Theertha snaana (taking bath in a holy river) and for giving charity.

Jyeshta Pournami:-

Jyeshta Pournami is celebrated as Vata Saavithri Poornima when we observe married women performing special pooja rituals at the base of a Banyan tree (Vata Vruksha) for the good health and longevity of their spouse. There is also a tradition of performing this Vratha on Jyeshta Bahula Amaavaasya day. This vratham is assigned and named after Maha Pathivratha Shiromani, Savithri who fought with Yama Dharmaraja the Lord of death to bring back the life of her deceased husband Satyavanta.  Hence, it is known as Vata Saavithri Vratham. This festival is celebrated across the country by married women and in some parts of the country we observe women resorting to fasting on this day.
At Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple an annual ritual known as Jyeshtaabhishekam is held during Jyeshta maasam for three days starting from Sukla Trayodasi. During this ritual gold plating of the Utsava Vigrahas (procession idols) of Malayappa Swamy (Lord Venkateswara), Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi will removed and all the pooja rituals will be held to the original idols.  Thereafter the idols are covered again with the gold plating.
   
During Jyeshta maasam we have Aaaraadhana festivals of Madhva Saints Sri Vaadeendra Theertharu (Mantralayam), Sri Sreepaada Raayaru (Mulabagalu) and Sri Vijayeendra Theertharu (Kumbhakonam).

The full moon day of the month of Jyeshta is known as JyeshtaPournima. On this particular day, Vatasavitri Vrat is observed by married women with the main objective of prolonging their married life just like how Goddess Savithiri did in her personal life.
The Hindu devotees give much importance to Savithri. Among the popular Goddess, one of the famous chaste women in Bharat is Savithri. She is largely considered as a role model by the women folk. She is also regarded as the perfect symbol of eternal married life.
In this vrat, the important Deities of the Vrat are Savithri along with Brahma is the main Deity. On the other hand, Satyavan, Narad and Yama are considered as the subordinate Deities. The Hindu devotees give much importance to banayan tree on this day because when Lord Yama directly took away the life of Satyavan, his beloved wife debated for nearly three days with Yama on this matter. Finally Yama was appeased with her and successfully brought back Satyavan to normal life. It is to be remembered that the entire discussion between Savithri and Yama took place under a banayan tree.
It is to be largely noted that the banyan tree lives on with time and survives even the direct and indirect dissolution of the Universe. It is to be remembered that a child named Mukunda slept on a banyan leaf during the dissolution of the Universe. Under the everlasting banyan tree in Prayag, Ram, Lakshman and Sita rested. This particular tree is the resting place for Madhav, Narasimha, Mahesh, Vishnu and Brahma.
Ganga Dussehra is celebrated as the avatarana or descent of the Ganges from heaven to earth. The day of the celebration, Ganga Dashahara, the dashami (tenth day) of the waxing moon of the Hindu calendar month Jyestha, brings throngs of bathers to the banks of the river. A soak in the Ganges on this day is said to rid the bather of ten sins (dasha = Sanskrit "ten"; hara = to destroy) or alternatively, ten lifetimes of sins.
Nirjala Ekadashi is celebrated on shukla paksha (waxing moon) ekadashi (11th day) of Jyeshtha. It is the most sacred and auspicious ekadashi among all 24 ekadashis in a year. One can attain the benefits of all 24 ekadashis by fasting on this day.
Vat Purnima is a celebration observed in Maharashtra and Karnataka, India. It is celebrated on the full moon day (the 15th) of the month of Jyeshtha on the Hindu Calendar, which falls in June on the Gregorian Calendar. Women pray for their husbands by tying threads around a banyan tree on this day. It honors Savitri, the legendary wife of Satyavan who escaped death for her husband's life.
Snana Yatra is a bathing festival celebrated on the Purnima (full moon day) of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. It is an important festival of the Jagannath Cult. The deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, and Madanmohan are brought out from the Jagannath Temple (Puri) and taken in a procession to the Snana Bedi. They are ceremonially bathed and decorated for a public audience.
Sitalsasthi Carnival is being conducted in this month on the day of Jyeshtha Shuddha Shashthi in Odisha for many centuries.
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