Gayatri Jayanti is the celebration of the first appearance of Devi Gayatri who is the divine manifestation of knowledge on this earth.

She is considered to be the Goddess of the Vedas, and for that purpose is also known as Veda Mata. Vedas are the collection of hymns and revelations by ancient sages or is sometimes attributed to Lord Brahma.

According to scholars it was the ekadashi of the shukla paksha of the Jystha month when Vishwamitra first uttered the Gayatri Mantra. According to the Gregorian calendar, 11th day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of June is when Gayatri Jayanti is traditionally celebrated.

Devotees also call Gayatri Mata by the name of Adi Shakti.

 

  • Background of Gayatri Mata or Adi Shakti

 

According to legends, Gayatri Mata is a manifestation of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara and the Vedas. She is also considered to be an amalgamation and the implication of the Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess Parvati and the Goddess Lakshmi. Her appearance suggests her ultimate abode of learning. Gayatri Mata sits on a lotus and has five heads and ten hands. Her five heads signify her embodiment of the four Vedas, namely – the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda, and the Atharva Veda. Her fifth head signifies her being the almighty and the epitome of being all pervading. The ten hands of Gayatri Mata are reflections of all the symbols of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that she appeared to eradicate ignorance from this world, which was later propagated by the sage Vishwamitra. She came at a time when the world was in a chaotic state and wallowed in ignorance. It was her presence and her knowledge which enlightened the world.

 

  • Celebrations of Gayatri Jayanti

 

  • o Gayatri Jayanti is celebrated with utmost devotion as it celebrates the appearance or the Pradurbhava of the Adi – Shakti of Gayatri.

 

  • o On this auspicious day special pujas and bhajans are held. Satsangs and other chanting of hymns from Vedas are also organized.

 

  • o The Gayatri Mantra, which is – “Om bhur bhuvah svah,Tat savitur varenyam, Bhargo devasya dheemahi, Dhiyo yo na prachodayaat” — are also chanted by the devotees throughout the day.

 

  • o People on this day gather together and offer prayers or chant the Gayatri Mantra under the guidance of a Guru, or they conduct a didactic discourse on the importance of the Vedas.

 

 

  • o Currently this auspicious day is being celebrated as Sanskrit Diwas. This is being done to emphasize the importance and the richness of the Sanskrit language.