Why Is Gowri Viratham So Important to Girls?
Gowri Viratham is considered to be a sacred fast for women which occurs in the month of Sawan. This fast is observed by married women for the protection, longevity and well being of their husbands, while unmarried girls observe it to get a good husband. Sixth Mangala Gauri Vrat is being observed on Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha during Adhik Maas in the month of Sawan
What is Gowri Kaapu Story?
In Kailasam, Lord Sivan and Goddess Parvathi were seated on thrones made of nine precious gems. Brahmma, Vishnu, Indra, and thousands of devas, rishis, and gandharvas came to circumambulate them and seek their blessings. However, one rishi named Birungi only circumambulated Lord Sivan, ignoring Goddess Parvathi.
Angered by this, Parvathi asked Sivan why the rishi sought only his blessings when all the devas prayed to both of them. Sivan explained that Birungi sought liberation (moksha), not prosperity, and thus prayed only to Sivan. Hearing this, Parvathi took away Birungi's strength with her weapon, causing him to fall. Compassionate Sivan then gave Birungi a stick to support himself.
Still displeased, Parvathi left Kailash for earth, appearing in the forest where Rishi Valmiki's ashram was located. Valmiki welcomed the supreme mother and learned of her displeasure with Sivan. Parvathi asked about any unique vow (viratham) she could perform on earth.
Valmiki revealed the powerful Kedareeswarar Nonpu, which involved a 21-day vow from the eighth day of the waxing moon in Puraddaasi until Deepavali Amavasai. Each day, one must bathe, wear clean clothes, perform abhishekam to a Sivalingam with sandalwood paste and flowers, make offerings like adhirasam and bananas, and tie one knot in a 21-knot thread while praying to Lord Sivan.
Parvathi performed this vow, and Lord Sivan appeared, granting her wish by merging as Arthanareeswarar (half Sivan, half Parvathi), symbolizing Sivan and Shakti's inseparability. Inspired by its power, devas and rishis regularly performed this vow.
The vow's significance is shown through the story of two princesses, Punniyavathi and Bakkiyavathi, whose father regained his kingdom after they learned and performed it. However, when Bakkiyavathi neglected the vow, misfortunes befell them until Punniyavathi's intervention restored the vow's observance, returning their kingdom.
This vow is believed to bless unmarried women with marriage, and married women with their husbands' well-being, reflecting the inseparable union of Arthanareeswarar.
Raku Kala Pooja (Tuesday)
Ther Thiruvila (Chariot Street Festival)
Gowri Kappu Viratham Procedure
The Kedara Gowri Vratham is a powerful 21-day vow dedicated to Lord Sivan and Goddess Parvathi in their united form as Arthanareeswarar. The vow period begins on the eighth day of the waxing moon in the month of Puraddasi (mid-September to mid-October after the new moon) and continues until Deepavali Amavasai (new moon in mid-October to mid-November).
Each day of the 21-day vow, the following steps are to be observed:
- Take a purifying bath and wear clean clothes.
- Perform apisekam (sacred bathing) of a Sivalingam under a banyan tree or in one’s home shrine.
- Decorate the Sivalingam with vibhuthi (sacred ash), sandalwood paste, and fresh flowers.
- Make small balls (villi) from a mixture of sandalwood paste, jaggery, and turmeric powder. Place these before the Sivalingam as an offering.
- Keep offerings of adirasam (a sweet rice cake), bananas, coconuts, betel leaves, and areca nuts ready for naivedyam (food offering).
- Perform aarti (waving of lamps) to the Sivalingam.
- It is believed that by strictly observing this Vratham for all 21 days with utmost devotion, Lord Arthanareeswarar will manifest and bless the devotee, granting their heartfelt desires.
- The sacred thread serves as a powerful reminder of the vow’s significance.
- Traditionally, unmarried women perform this vow to be blessed with a suitable partner, while married women observe it for the well-being and long life of their husbands, reflecting the inseparable union of Sivan and Sakthi represented by Arthanareeswarar.
Benefits Of Gowry Kappu Viratham
- Married women who perform the fast are granted a happy and wealthy marriage by Sivan and Parvathi..
- It also guards against blood-related illnesses.
- The negative effects of the Mars planet are lessened by doing this ritual, and individuals who have the Mangalya Dosam in their horoscope must perform the Gawri Viratham.
- It brings prosperity, defeats adversaries, ends loans, and wins cases.
- Unmarried women who conduct this viratham are blessed with serenity and a good husband.
- This fast improves one’s spiritual life.