What is Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Jayanthi and why celebrate?

Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Jayanthi, or simply Vasavi Jayanthi is a Hindu festival that is celebrated to honor the birth anniversary of the goddess Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari. It is mainly celebrated in the southern states of India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess Parvati. According to legend, she was born in the 14th century to a king named Bukkaiah and his queen Nagamamba in a place called Turpu in Andhra Pradesh. She was known for her devotion to Lord Shiva and her dedication to serving the poor and needy.

The festival is typically celebrated in the month of Vaisakh, which falls in March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. Vasavi Jayanti is observed on Vaishakha Shukla Dasami, tenth day in bright fortnight in Vaisakh month. Goddess Vasavi Matha, also known as Vasavamba.

Devotees offer prayers and perform special rituals to honor the goddess, seeking her blessings for prosperity, good health, and happiness. Some of the common rituals include lighting lamps, performing aarti, and offering fruits, flowers, and other items to the goddess.

The celebration of Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Jayanthi is also an occasion for cultural festivities, including music and dance performances, traditional processions, and the sharing of sweets and other delicacies among family and friends. The festival is an important part of the religious and cultural heritage of the southern Indian states and is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm every year.