Gayatri Jayanti 2024

Goddess Gayatri is said to be the goddess of Vedic literature. The day she appeared is celebrated as Gayatri Jayanti by Hindus. She is also called Vedamata, as the Vedas supposedly originated from her. Gayatri Jayanti falls in Jyeshtha month (May-June) on the day of Ekadasi in Shukla Paksha. In South India, it occurs on Shravan Purnima.

 

In 2024, Gayatri Jayanti falls on June 17. As per the Panchang, Ekadasi Tithi on this date begins at 4.43 am on June 17 and ends at 6.24 am on June 18.

 

The goddess is also called Brahmani, as Lord Surya (Sun god) handed her over to Lord Brahma. Another name for her is Gyan-Ganga as she is a storehouse of knowledge. Ganga refers to the holy river, and ‘Gyan’ means ‘knowledge.’

 

Gayatri Samhita says that the goddess embodies 3 female deities – Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali. According to the Atharva Veda, she bestows many benefits on her devotees like fame, wealth, animals, happiness, good health, longevity, good fortune, etc.

 

Significance of Gayatri Jayanti

 

The Scriptures claim that Gayatri is present in all living beings as a life force. Hence, she is the source of all powers. Hindus believe that worshipping the goddess on her Jayanti will confer the same merit as studying the Vedas. This increases one’s knowledge and wisdom, brings more harmony and joy to the family.

 

The Legend behind Goddess Gayatri

There are many legends related to the goddess. One says that Adishakti took this form to slay the demon called Vetrasura.  In Shaktism, or the Mother Goddess cult, she is the consort of Shiva. The Skanda Purana claims that she is Brahma’s consort. She was first mentioned in the Rig Veda as the personification of the Gayatri Mantra.

 

The Padma Purana narrates the story of Gayatri and Brahma. A demon called Vajranabha was trying to kill Brahma’s children and others, especially Brahmins. Using his lotus as a weapon, Brahma killed the demon. The lotus petals fell on 3 places on earth. Three lakes appeared at these spots – Pushkar lake/Jyeshta Pushkar, Madhya (middle) Pushkar, and Kanishka (lowest or youngest) Pushkar lake.

 

Brahma came down to earth to perform a Yajna at Pushkar lake. First, he ensured that the Yajna would not come under attack from any demons by creating 4 hills around the lake. They were Ratnagiri in the south, Nilgiri in the north, Sanchura in the west, and Suryagiti in the east.

The presence of Savitri, his wife, was also needed for the Yajna. But she could not come for some reason. So, Brahma asked Indra to find another woman as the Yajna had to be performed at the auspicious time. Indra found him a milkmaid’s daughter who was sanctified by a cow’s touch. Both Vishnu and Shiva also found her most suitable as she was reborn after being purified by the cow as Gayatri. Brahma married her and performed the Yajna with Gayatri by his side. During the Yajna, she carried a pot of nectar/Amrit on her head and offered oblations.

 

The 24 forms of Gayatri

The Bhagavata Purana mentions 24 forms of Gayatri. Each form is associated with a syllable of the Gayatri Mantra as well as other things. They are Adi Shakti, Brahmi/Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Shambavi, Vedamata, Devamata, Vishwamata, Mandakini/Ganga, Ajapa, Riddhi and Siddhi, Ritambhara, Savitri, Lakshmi, Durga/Kali, Saraswati, Kundalini, Annapurna, Mahamaya, Payasvini, Pranagni, Treyta/Tripura, Bhavani, and Bhuvaneshvari.

 

Gayatri Jayanti Celebrations

Devotees arise early in the morning and offer prayers to Gayatri Devi. Special Poojas are performed in temples. People take part in satsangs and sing kirtans in praise of the goddess. Reciting the Gayatri Mantra is one of the important rituals. People chant the Mantra 108 times (thrice in the morning, noon, and evening).

 

Benefits of Observing Gayatri Jayanti

Gayatri Jayanti is a very auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. It brings many benefits and blessings to those who celebrate it with true devotion. Let us see what they are:

 

It bestows intelligence, wisdom, and righteousness.

 

It bestows material comforts and spiritual progress.

 

It brings self-confidence and success.