Vasavi Jayanti

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Vasavi Jayanti is the appearance day of Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari. Sri Kanyaka Parmeshwari (Vasavi) is a form of Devi who is popular in Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, and other areas in South India. According to one legend, Vasavi is considered to be a manifestation of Parvati, who was born into the community of Vaisyas as a beautiful young maiden. Another account from a text known as the Kanyakapurana states that Vasavi was the wife of Indra (Vasava is a name of Indra), who was born into this world in the Vaisya community. She was born as the daughter of a Vaisya ruler, Kusumasreshti. When a king wanted to marry her, she refused. She revealed her divine nature and entered a sacred fire.

Vasavi emphasizes the virtues of love and character. She represents the importance of education, art, music, and dance. She protects her devotees from temptations and preserves family traditions. There are three main festivals associated with her worship: (1) Vasavi Jayanti (appearance day); (2) Vasavi Mata Atmarpana (day Vasavi entered the sacred fire); and (3) Navaratri. Vasavi Devi is the patron goddess of the Vaisya community. Vasavi Seva Sangh family members’ celebration of her appearance is conducted with Ganesha puja, Durga homam, abhishekam for the mula vigraha of Vasavi, archana with her 108 names, and Mahamangala arati.

On Magha Suddha Bidige day, Vasavi along with the 102 Gotrajas, entered the Homakunda (Sacred Fire). As a miracle, Vasavi emerged from the sacred fire as ‘Kanyaka Parameshwari’ and displayed her original form of ‘Adiparashakthi’ with eighteen hands – Asta Dasa Bhuja. This way she preached Universal and Social Religiousness, Spirituality, Love, Sacrifice and Non-Violence and laid the foundation for Global Unity through non-violence and dharma rakshana. Even till this date, this day is celebrated as ‘Atmarpana Day’ on a large scale across all ‘Vasavi Temples’. The 102 Gotaraja’ couples who entered the sacred fire along with Vasavi were pardoned of their curses of 16 generations and given Moksha by Vasavi.