Chinnamasta Jayanti 2024 Date & Time, Rituals, Significance

Chinnamasta Jayanti 2024

Chinnamasta Jayanti will be celebrated on Tuesday May 21, 2024. According to the Hindu calendar, the occasion of Maa Chhinnamasta Jayanti is celebrated on the 14th day of Vaisakh during the Shukla Paksha.

Who is Devi Chhinnamasta?

Goddess Chhinnamasta is regarded as the sixth of the significant Dasa (ten) Mahavidyas (Goddesses of Wisdom). According to the Vedic scriptures, it is said that Goddess Parvati once bathed in the river Mandakini, assisted by two of her aides. However, during this bath, Devi Parvati lost track of time, and after a long wait, her aides began to feel extremely hungry. Despite numerous reminders, they could not draw the attention of the deity.

When Goddess Parvati (Bhavani) became aware of the time, she, in a state of guilt, decapitated herself. Three distinct streams of blood emerged; her aides quenched their hunger with two, while the third was consumed by the Goddess herself. From that day forward, she has been revered as Chhinnamasta Devi.

Chhinnamasta Jayanti Rituals

• On this day, devotees begin by taking a holy bath early in the morning, followed by dressing in clean clothes.
• On Chhinnamasta Jayanti, devotees adhere to a stringent day-long fast.
• On Chhinnamasta Jayanti, devotees worship Goddess Chhinnamasta by placing her idol or statue on the altar.
• Following this, they ignite incense sticks and a diya to commence the rituals.
• Typically, Chinnamasta temples also feature an idol of Lord Shiva in close proximity. As a result, devotees worship and present offerings to this deity through the ritual of Abhishekam.
• Devotees prepare and present sacred offerings (Prasad) to the deity, accompanied by flowers, coconuts, and garlands.
• The Aarti for Goddess Chhinnamasta is conducted, and holy mantras are recited to invoke the deity.
• Prasad is shared among the guests and family members. On Chhinnamasta Jayanti, devotees engage in various acts of donation and charity to seek the deity's divine blessings.

According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Goddess Chhinnamasta decapitated herself to feed her companions. The Goddess is widely revered as Prachanda Chandika or Chinnamastika across various regions of the country. She is mainly worshipped in Eastern India and Nepal. Chhinnamasta Mata represents a distinct manifestation of Goddess Kali, revered as both the taker and giver of life. It is also believed that devotees who worship Goddess Chhinnamasta are relieved of all their difficulties.

Worshipping Goddess Chhinnamasta is believed to enhance both the spiritual and social vitality of her devotees. Worshipping the Goddess allows devotees to protect themselves from various challenges related to progeny, debt, and sexual health. People also honor the deity to satisfy all their wishes, overcome adversaries, and achieve financial success.