Kokila Vrat 2024: Date, Time, Rituals and Significance

Celebrating Kokila Vrat with the cuckoo idol for marital bliss and prosperity.

In 2024, Kokila Vrat is observed on Saturday, July 20, 2024, which falls on Purnima (Full Moon) during the lunar month of Ashadha. This vrat is particularly significant when Ashadha has an intercalary month (Adhik Masa). According to tradition, Kokila Vrat should be observed during a regular Ashadha month and not during the Adhik Masa.

Kokila Vrat 2024 Rituals and Practices

• Purification: Devotees begin the day with a ritual bath in a river or water body. They dress in clean, traditional clothing, preferably in shades of yellow or green.
• Puja (Worship): Cuckoo Idol: Women prepare an idol of a cuckoo bird using clay. This idol represents Goddess Sati, who is associated with the cuckoo in the legend.
• Offerings: Fresh fruits, flowers, and sweets are offered to the cuckoo idol. Light a diya (oil lamp) and incense sticks to create a sacred atmosphere.
• Recitation of Prayers: Specific prayers and hymns dedicated to Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva are recited.
• Food Restrictions: Women observe a fast, refraining from grains, meat, and certain spices. They may consume fruits, milk, and root vegetables.
• Breaking the Fast: The fast is concluded after the puja, with a meal shared among family members, starting with offerings to the deity.
• Satsang and Katha: Devotees may also participate in satsang (spiritual gatherings) and listen to katha (narratives) related to the legend of Goddess Sati.

Kokila Vrat 2024 Significance

Kokila Vrat holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. It is dedicated to Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva, and its observance is believed to confer eternal marital bliss. According to legend, Goddess Sati, who was reborn as a cuckoo after her self-immolation, merged with Lord Shiva after a thousand celestial years. Observing Kokila Vrat is believed to ensure that women remain "Akhand Saubhagyavati," meaning they will never face widowhood and will lead a life of prosperity and happiness. The act of worshiping the clay cuckoo idol is thought to attract a loving and caring husband. This vrata is particularly cherished in North India but is also practiced annually in parts of South and Western India.

Want to experience the cultural richness of July? Check Complete List of Festival in July 2024.