Bagalamukhi Jayanti celebrates the appearance of Ma Bagalamukhi on this earth. Bagalamukhi is the eighth amongst the ten Mahavidyas, and thus worshipped with a lot of devotion and expectation by Hindus all over the world.
She is named Bagalamukhi because of her immense beauty as Bagala came from Vagala in Sanskrit, meaning bride.
The day Ma Bagalamukhi appeared on this earth Is said to be the ashtami of the shukla paksha of the month of Baisakh according to traditional Hindu calendar or the eighth day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of May according to the Gregorian calendar. She is also known as Pitambara. In 2019, Bagalamukhi Jayanti is on the 12th of May.
Legend of Ma Bagalamukhi
The legend around Ma Bagalamukhi is fascinating .it is believed that during the Satya Yuga there was a terrible destructive storm blowing around and the entire universe was under the threat of being blown over. Such was its velocity and ferocity that even Lord Vishnu was worried and started praying to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared to tell him that only Maha Shakti will be able to stop this huge deluge. Hearing this, Lord Vishnu started paying penance and started praying near Haridra Sarovar. Mata Maha Shakti pleased with Vishnu’s devotion appeared through Mahapit Devi’s heart near Haridra Lake in the Saurashtra district. She appeared as Ma Bagalamukhi and blessed Lord Vishnu and then the terrible storm subsided. She is also known as Beer Rati as she is considered to be equivalent to the powers of Lord Brahma’s weapons.
According to another legend, Ma Bagalamukhi appeared on this earth to protect Dharma, which was being targeted and challenged by a demon called Madan. The Goddess defeated him by pulling out his tongue. This is a symbolic representation of explaining that the biggest threat to Dharma is due to excessive irrelevant speech.
Appearance of Ma Bagalamukhi
Ma Bagalamukhi rides on a fiery chariot and sits on gem studded throne. She is a little yellow complexioned and loves the color yellow. She is easily pleased with the color yellow and with coconut. Thus even the lamp should be presented to her along with turmeric. She is fond of flowers in the shade of yellow.
Rituals offered in Bagalamukhi Jayanti
On the day of the bagalamukhi Puja, the devotee should wake early and have a ritual bath. Then while wearing yellow colored cloth, the devotee should pray to Ma Bagalamukhi. For worshipping Ma bagalamukhi one should sit on a platform which is covered with a yellow colored cloth. Onbe should also sit facing east and should have an idol or a photograph of Ma Bagalamukhi in front. Then after cleaning hands, one should light the lamps. In plate yellow rice, turmeric or haridra, yellow flowers or dakshina (mostly in the form of money) should be kept for offering to the Goddess. A puja yantra made of chickpeas should also be kept in a silver plate. One can also engage in charity on this auspicious day. Devotees pray during the day time and in the night Jagran is organized.
Benefits of Bagalamukhi Puja
Ma Bagalamukhi is believed to sort all problems of her devotees. Complete dedication and observances of all rituals of Bagalamukhi Jayanti is said to protect the devotees from all kinds of evil, ill effects, health problems and is said to guide the devotee to the correct path of devotion. It is believed that those performing the Bagalamukhi Puja emerges winner over their adversaries and they are bestowed with immense power to combat any situations by Mata Bagalamukhi.