Namaste,

Maha Pushkara of holy river Sri Godavari which occurs once in 144 years will occur now in 2015 and again in 2159.

I thought of writing a post but as already there is much information in various sites and articles about the Maha Pushkara auspicious period and its importance in Hinduism,I am sharing info. from online on the following topics.

1.Importance and Benefits of the Pushkara.
2.What is Pushkara and Maha Pushkara?
3.Story of River Godavari in Hindu Scriptures.



WHAT IS PUSHKARA?

Pushkara is a festival of worship of the 12 specified holy rivers of India in particular months when Jupiter(Brihaspathi) transits through the 12 Zodiacal signs, each sign representing a particular river;(the 12 Zodiacal signs known as Rāśi)

Astrologically,Jupiter (Brihaspathi) the Devaguru is the most benevolent planet symbolizing the wealth, fortune, learning, knowledge, divinity, progeny, domestic peace, auspiciousness and above all the karaka for occurrence of Pushkara.

BENEFITS OF PUSHKARA SNANA(Bath):

Entry of Pushkara into a particular river signifies the Pushkara festival when, all the Devathas, all the Sages, all the Pithru-Devathas(ancestors), all the Theerthas(holy water bodies) in this Bhoomandala including Ganga (Ganges) enters into that particular river along with Brihaspathi and Pushkara.

This time of their entry into a particular river is considered as highly sacred and celestial that has the power to diminish the ghastly and dreadful sins committed.Having darshan, taking bath, touching Pushkara waters, drinking the sacred waters of Pushkara is considered to be highly meritorious and soul cleansing. It is considered as the most sacred time to perform rites to
forefathers on the banks of Pushkara River that will help them to attain salvation.

STORY OF PUSHKARA:

Pushkara is the son of Lord Varuna the Presiding Deity of all the rivers. As per the legend behind,
it is said that, once Pushkara prayed to Lord Brahma and asked him for a boon to live in the sacred waters of his Kamandalu with the intention of providing purity to all the Theerthas (Rivers). Looking at the selfless desire expressed by Pushkara, Lord Brahma granted him the boon to live in the waters of his Kamandalu.

Pushkara also performed penance and acquired the JalaTattva Siddhi from Lord Shiva as a boon. By virtue of the boons acquired from Lord Shiva and Brahma, Pushkara became the King of all Theerthas and was regarded as the Theerthapalaka.

At that time when Pushkara acquired the boons, Brihaspathi (Jupiter) the Devaguru also performed penance and pleased Lord Brahma.Looking at the perpetual sacredness of Pushkara, Brihaspathi wanted Lord Brahma to spare Pushkara to be with him permanently. But Pushkara was
not prepared to go along with Brihaspathi. Then, Lord Brahma resolved the situation by asking Pushkara to be associated with Brihaspathi (Jupiter) for 12 days in the beginning and 12 days at the end of his sojourn in a particular raasi (house) in the zodiac, the transit of which generally happens
once in a year. Accordingly, twelve sacred rivers have been identified in which Pushkara enters each River once in twelve years coinciding with the transit period of Jupiter in twelve zodiac signs.It has become a custom and tradition since time immemorial to celebrate the transit of Jupiter in a
particular house in the zodiac as the Pushkara festival of a particular river.

Pushkara schedule for a particular river will be for one year, however, the first twelve days known as AadiPushkara and the last twelve days known as AnthyaPushkara are held to be highly sacred.

Normally,Pushkara occurs once in 12 years but during 2015 it is celebrated as "Maha Pushkara", as such an event occurs once in 144 years. It is called Maha Pushkaram as it is the 12th time the 12 year Pushkaram cycle is being held starting with Ashadha month on Chaturdashi day (thithi) (14th day) upto 25th. (14-07-1015 to 25-07-2015).The next Maha Pushkaram will be held in 2159.

STORY OF RIVER GODDESS GODAVARI:

There is a village called Triyambak near Nasik. Not far from that village, there is a hill. Rishi Gautama lived on that hill. It is called Brahmagiri. Long ago he lived there with his wife Ahalya. The rishi kept his stock of rice in a granary.

One day a cow came there and ate up all the rice. The rishi saw this. He tried to drive the cow away with darbha grass, that can hurt no one. But when Gautama used the darbha grass, the cow fell dead.

The rishi was very unhappy. He wanted to atone for the sin of killing a cow. He went away from his ashrama and did tapas to bring the Ganga waters down there. His tapas pleased God Siva. Siva, as you know, carries the river Ganga in his matted hair or jata. Siva gave him a part of his jata along with Ganga. Gautama took the jata and sprinkled the water from the Ganga on the cow. The cow came back to life. It pardoned Gautama, and went its way.

That Ganga water became river Godavari. Because it gave life to a cow, the river got the name Godavari. ‘Go’ means cow and ‘da’ means giving. Because Gautama was instrumental in bringing it, the river is also called Gautami.

At Triyambak, there is the famous temple of Sri Triyambakeshwar Jyotirnlingam of Lord Siva.The river Godavari is seen trickling from under the Siva Linga.

There are many holy places on the banks of the Godavari. The first is Triyambak. Panchavati near Nasik is another sacred place, which is also famous. Sri Rama lived there along with Sita and Lakshmana for many days during his stay in the forest.


Godavari is known as Dakshina Ganga(Southern Ganges) and flows through Maharashtra,Chattishgarh,Telangana and Andhra states.

People who bathe in the Godavari are blessed with children and happiness.

Sources:HansIndia,Wiki etc.