Mahesh Navami

Mahesh Navami is the festival ascribed to Bhagwan Shiva and Goddess Sri Parvathi Devi. It occurs on the Shukla Paksha Navami of the Jyesta Month. For the Year 2023, it occurs on Monday, 29th May 2023. The exact duration of the Navami Tithi has to be ascertained from the respective regional calendars.

Legend

Mahesh Navami is believed to be the day when Bhagwan Shiva had first gave darshan to His devotees. There are a few legends associated with this.

Hunters

Once, a group of hunters attacked an ashram. The Sages in the Ashram cursed the hunters to become stones.

The wives of the hunters pleaded with the Sages to revoke the curse. The Sages refused. The women prayed to Bhagwan Shiva seeking forgiveness for their husbands’ misdeeds.

Bhagwan Shiva had appeared before them and told them that their husbands should abstain from hunting and take up some other profession.

The ladies had agreed to that. Then Bhagwan Shiva had revived the hunters.

The day when Bhagwan Shiva gave darshan as Sri Maheshvar (the great God) was the Shukla Paksha Navami of the Jyeshta month. Hence it is called as Mahesh Navami. The day is believed to be the day of origination of Maheshwari community.

Progeny

As per belief, King Khandelsen had ardently prayed to Bhagwan Shiva and observed fasting on Mahesh Navami for progeny. He was blessed with a son and he was named Sujansen.

Rituals

The festival is celebrated with devotion by most of the business communities in North India. The devotees rise early in the morning. After bath, they visit Shiv temples and pray to Sri Shiva and Sri Parvathi.

Special chanting of prayers is done throughout the day and night. Bhajans are also held. At some places special Homams / Yagnas are conducted invoking the blessings of Bhagwan Shiva. Rudrabhishekam is done to Bhagwan Shiva.

After the performance of Aarti, prasadam is distributed to all devotees. Some devotees observe fasting either for the whole day or partially.