Gayatri Jayanti : Time, Story, Benefits and Rituals

Gayatri Jayanti marks the birth of Goddess Gayatri. Gayatri Mantra is well-known to most Hindus. Chanting it bestows many spiritual benefits.

Goddess Gayatri is the goddess of the Vedas. So, she is also called Vedamata. She is believed to have the same powers as the Trimurti – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. She is the incarnation of the three Hindu goddesses –Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.

Those who worship her can gain knowledge and wisdom. She also helps people to realize their wishes and protects them from evil entities.

Her other names are Savitri and Vedamata (the mother of the Vedas). Savitr, a sun god from the Vedas, is often linked to Gayatri. The Skanda Purana says that Gayatri is Saraswati and that she is Brahma’s consort.

Gayatri embodies all the extraordinary qualities of Brahman.

What Is Gayatri Jayanti?

Gayatri Jayanti 2023 is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Ekadasi in Jyeshtha month, usually the day after Ganga Dussehra. As per Matantara, Gayatri Jayanti is also celebrated during Shravana Purnima, as there are conflicting views about when to observe it. During Shravana Purnima, Gayatri Jayanti usually occurs on Upakarma day. It is believed that the goddess appeared on this day in the form of knowledge. Sage Vishwamitra shared this knowledge with the whole world to remove ignorance. It is said that the sage recited the Gayatri Mantra for the first time on this holy day.

People recite the Gayatri Mantra continuously and offer special prayers to Gayatri Mata on Gayatri Jayanti.

Some Facts about Gayatri Jayanti 2023

On Gayatri Jayanti, people also celebrate ‘Sanskrit Diwas’.

Many Sanskrit language-related activities are undertaken to promote Sanskrit, a Vedic language, on this day. It is also called Ganga Avatar and Ganga Dussehra.

The Puranas and Hindu religious texts talk about the Gayatri Mantra’s supremacy and efficacy. It is believed that reciting the Gayatri Mantra can free people from their difficulties. The Gayatri Mantra has the power to absolve one of all misdeeds.

Gayatri Mantra:

Om bhur bhuvah svah | Tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi | dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

Gayatri Jayanti 2023 Date and Time

∙ Gayatri Jayanti 2023 is on May 31, a Wednesday.

∙ Purnima Tithi starts at 01:07 pm on May 30, 2023

∙ Purnima Tithi ends at 01:45 pm on May 31, 2023

The Story behind Gayatri Jayanti

Goddess Gayatri supposedly emerged from a cow’s body, says a Puranic legend. According to the story, Brahma wanted to perform a Vedic Yajna. However, he was unable to as he was not married. To perform a Yajna, the presence of the wife was mandatory.

So, Brahma approached Goddess Saraswati and requested her to participate in the Yajna as his wife. Saraswati agreed to assume the form of Goddess Savitri and play the role of Brahma’s consort.

Then she left to purify herself for the Yajna. Brahma began the preparations for the Yajna. But even after a long time, Saraswati did not appear. Brahma became impatient and searched for another woman.

He came across a milkmaid and passed her through the body of a cow. Gayatri then appeared from the cow. A little later, Saraswati arrived at the Yajna site as Savitri. She became angry on seeing another woman sitting beside Brahma.

Savitri then became a river and destroyed the Yajna altar.

But soon, she realized that it had been her fault as she was late for the Yajna. She became calm and merged with Gayatri. She also assisted Brahma in completing the Yajna.

The story implies that both Goddess Savitri and Gayatri are forms of Goddess Saraswati and have a close association with Brahma.

The Iconography of Goddess Gayatri

Goddess Gayatri has five faces and sits on a lotus flower. Her five faces represent five Pranas - Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana, and Samana. They also signify the five elements of the universe - earth, water, fire, air, and sky.

In her ten hands, she carries the weapons of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Usually, she is depicted with a Shankh (conch), Chakra (discus), lotus flowers, goad, and the noose. Two of her hands display Abhaya Mudra and Varada Mudra. Gayatri is the only Hindu goddess with three eyes, like Shiva.

Importance of Gayatri Mantra

It is the most effective chant as it has great power. By worshipping Goddess Gayatri and chanting the Gayatri Mantra regularly, one can be purified of all sins and bad karma on this auspicious day. It can also free one from the trials and tribulations of life.

Gayatri Jayanti 2023 Rituals

Devotees perform special Pooja and Havan to Gayatri and chant the Gayatri Mantra repeatedly. On this day, Sage Vishwamitra supposedly chanted the Gayatri Mantra for the first time.

The Gayatri Mantra bestows willpower so that one can make changes in one’s life and overcome obstacles.

If you need a lot of energy to deal with some challenges, you can use this Mantra. You can also use it during meditation. Gayatri Mantra has 3 parts: a proclamation of universal truth, a blessing for good fortune, and a salutation to the Sun.

Gayatri Mantra promotes enlightenment and spiritual growth. When you use it as a Mantra for meditation, it will help you achieve progress on the personal level and success in all endeavors.

How to Celebrate Gayatri Jayanti 2023

• Arise early and take a bath in the holy river. If this is not possible, mix some Ganga water with the bathwater and take a bath. Make a vow to observe a fast and worship Gayatri after the bath.
• Offer Arghya to Surya or the Sun god.
• Place the Gayatri idol or image in the Pooja area. Light a lamp or diya and offer flowers and sweets to the goddess.
• Recite the Gayatri Chalisa, Gayatri Aarti, and Gayatri Mantra. It is best to recite the Gayatri Mantra before sunrise.
• You can chant the Mantra at other times, too. Chanting the Gayatri Mantra while wearing yellow attire and a Rudraksha garland attracts luck. Perform Havan by repeating the Mantra.
• Get the blessings of your parents, spiritual advisors, and elders.
• Speak the truth, avoid using bad language, and control your temper.
• Offer food and other essentials to the poor.
• Visit a temple and offer prayers to Goddess Gayatri.

Benefit Of Gayatri Jayanti 2023

Celebrating Gayatri Jayanti has many benefits.

•  You will be able to focus better and gain a constructive mindset.
• You may achieve success in your work or studies.
• Reciting Shiv Gayatri Mantra alleviates the negative effects of Pitru Dosha, Kala Sarpa Dosha, Rahu-Ketu, and Saturn afflictions.
• Children may gain intelligence and success in life.
• Reciting the Gayatri Mantra repeatedly enables one to get rid of bad karma.
• It enables spiritual upliftment and realization of God.
• It protects one from hidden enemies.