Gowri Festival: A festival that reflects love between mother and child

A Divodasa Vachana goes like this: “Shravana Shukla Tritiya Madhushravani, Bhadrapada Krishna Tritiya Kajjali, Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya Haritalika Vratam Acharet.” These are specific rules for various religious observances. It is believed that observing these rituals can fulfill one’s desires, especially the desire for children, according to traditional belief.

The couple who observed such a vrat (religious vow) were blessed with a divine daughter, who became the motherly figure to the entire world – Goddess Gowri. The trio of philosophers – Madhva, Shankara, and Ramanuja – each propagated practices suited to the times, places, and roles, based on the four Vedas.

Though customs may vary, the essence remains the same: just as all water from the sky flows back into the sea, all prayers to deities ultimately reach Lord Keshava. The Haritalika Vrat is mostly observed by married women in various traditions. There are no strict rules on how the rituals should be conducted; it is a festival of celebration. Today is the mother’s festival (Gowri festival), and tomorrow is the son’s festival (Ganesha festival). This reflects the love between a mother and child.

In the Mahabharata, references mention that Gandhari Devi and Kunti Devi worshipped Gowri in different places. The Markandeya Purana’s Saptashati narrates how Goddess Gowri took various forms to defeat demons, including the form praised by gods, “Gowrideha Samudbhavam, Tijagataamadhara Bhootaam Mahapoorvam Sarasvati Manubhaje Shumbhadi Daityardhinee.”

Outside the coastal regions, Gowri idols are worshipped, and after the completion of the ritual, the idols are immersed in water. Some regions worship the kalasha (sacred pot) instead. This practice has also spread to coastal districts recently. Various types of offerings are made during the worship, depending on local traditions, and it is not necessary to follow a specific procedure. As devotees, our duty is to offer prayers with devotion and respect. In Malnad and Bayaluseeme, special pujas are performed, and though the coastal and Kodagu regions don’t celebrate with the same grandeur, Gowri Tadige has become more widespread in recent times.

Gowri is a form of Parvati, who first appeared in a benevolent form and later transformed into Parvati to destroy evil, as per the prayers of the gods. Parvati’s complexion was dark, and Lord Shiva referred to her as Kali. Goddess Parvati took the form of Bhadrakali and killed demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. She was also born as Dakshayani, the daughter of Daksha. Once, when Daksha insulted Shiva by not inviting him to a yagna (ritual), Dakshayani went against her husband’s will and attended the event, only to face severe humiliation. Out of grief, she set herself on fire. When Shiva learned of this from Narada, he became furious and beheaded Daksha, carrying Gowri’s half-burnt body on his shoulder.

Shiva roamed until he reached Pragjyotisha (modern-day Assam), where he saw Gowri’s body fully burned and left it there. He then became an ascetic at Umananda. Later, after the demon Tarakasura was slain, Kartikeya was born through divine intervention. Kartikeya, also known as Subramanya or Skanda, defeated Tarakasura, restoring prosperity to the world. Parvati, who gave birth to Kartikeya, is revered for this divine act.

Dakshayani, who later became Goddess Parvati, protected the world as the great mother. Through the Haritalika Vrat, devotees worship her and receive her blessings. This practice has continued from one era to another.

Even today, the Haritalika Vrat is observed in homes as the Gowri festival. During the final prayers, devotees chant, “Sarvabadhaprashamanam Trilokyakhileshwari, Eva Meva Tvaya Karyamasmadhairi Vinashanam,” seeking relief from all troubles. May we all receive the blessings of this great mother.

Translated version of Kannada article by Prakash Ammannaya, Kaup