Significance of Kedara Gowri Vratha !!
Kedareshwara or Kedara Gowri is celebrated all over India. This is one of the Vratha that is performed by all the devotees of Lord Shiva irrespective of their caste, creed or social status.
As per Hindu Mythology, once an ardent follower of Lord Shiva, Brungi Rishi performed his pooja, excluding Goddess Parvathi. This infuriated Goddess Parvathi and then Lord Shiva explained that since She had no powers she was not included in the Pradakshina/Pooja. Displeased by the explanation, Goddess Parvathi approached sage Gauthama and asked for a means to become a part of Lord Shiva’s body. He then asked her to observe this Kedara Vratha. Goddess Parvathi then observed the Vratha with full devotion. Lord Shiva granted his left part to Her. This form of Shiva was since then worshipped as ‘Ardhanaareeshwara’. From then this came to be known as Kedara Gowri Vratha since it was observed by Goddess Gowri.
This Kedara Gowri Vratha is normally observed for twenty-one days starting from Shukla Paksha Ashtami (Eighth moon day in its growing phase) in the month of Purattasi (mid-Sep to mid-Oct) till Diwali Amavasya (mid-October to mid-November). One should perform this Vratham for 21 days with utmost devotion. But these days, the Vratha is observed only for 1 day (ie) on Diwali Amavasya Day.
Procedure for Kedara Gowri Vratha:
A Kalasa / pot is filled with water and the inner rim of Kalasa is decorated with betel leaves. A coconut is smeared with turmeric and it is kept on the mouth of the pot. The Kalasa is then kept on the plate that has the raw rice spread on it. It is believed that the Lord Kedareshwara is inside the Kalasa. A sacred thread (Kedaragauridaara) is made using 21 cotton strands with 21 knots on it. The sacred thread will be tied in the right hand by the couple once the pooja is over.
The pooja starts with Kedara Gowri Ashtothra, followed by the offering of 21 layered vastra (clothes) and Mangala aarthi. In this festival, all the things that were offered should be in the count of 21.
The Pooja ends by doing Visarjan pooja on the next day.
So, it is strongly believed that one who observes this Vratha with utmost devotion would surely please Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi and would get all their desires fulfilled in their life !!
