Dhumavati Jayanti 2022 Date
Who is Maa Dhumavati?
The word Dhumavati is made of two words, 'Dhuma' which means smoke and 'vati' which means 'being that', the smoky one.
Dhumavati Jayanti or ‘Dhumavati Mahavidya Jayanti’ as it is popularly known falls on the ‘ashtami’ (8th day) during the ‘Shukla Paksha’ (the bright fortnight of moon) in the ‘Jyestha’ month of the Hindu calendar is celebrated as the day when Goddess Dhumavati, a manifestation of Goddess Parvati, incarnated on Earth. As per English calendar, it often comes in the months of May-June. Goddess Dhumavati, who is known to be the seventh of the 10 Mahavidyas is also known to be the most furious form of Goddess Durga. worshipping Maa Dhumavati on this auspicious day, devotees can be relieved from all their problems and sins.
Dhumavati Iconography
Goddess Dhumavati is depicted as an old and ugly widow. She is thin, unhealthy with pale complexion. She is not adorned with jewelry unlike other Mahavidya(s). She wears old, dirty clothes and has disheveled hair.
She is portrayed with two hands. In one of her trembling hands, She holds a winnowing basket and makes either boon conferring gesture known as Varada Mudra or knowledge giving gesture known as Chin Mudra with the other hand.
Rituals during Dhumavati Jayanti
The day is dedicated to worshipping Mata Dhumavati. Dhumavati Mata is worshipped with dhoop, incense sticks and flowers. It is believed that by offering black sesame seeds tied in black cloth to Mata on this day, can grant fulfilment of one’s wishes.
Maa Dhumavati mantras are recited to please Goddess Dhumavati and seek Her blessing for ending all the sufferings in life. After mantra is read, ‘aarti’ is performed.
Tantriks worship Goddess Dhumavati with full devotion to get materialistic things of life.
As per traditions, married women are barred from worshipping Mata Dhumavati for the safety of their husband and sons. They are only allowed a glimpse from far.
Significance of Dhumavati Jayanti
As per Hindu legends, Goddess Dhumavati is associated with all inauspicious things. It is believed that She appeared during the time of Cosmic dissolution. Some Hindu scholars strongly consider that Goddess Dhumavati is the void just prior to creation and post destruction. Goddess Dhumavati is depicted a widow in the form of an ugly old lady seated on a horseless chariot in a cremation ground. Sometimes, she is also portrayed riding a crow. Symbolically, Goddess Dhumavati urges the devotees to look beyond the superficial things and have faith in the Supreme God, from which both the beauty and ugliness arises.
Even though Mata Dhumavati’s appearance is dangerous and scary, She always blesses her children and she came to free Earth from all sinners and demons. It is believed that Saint Parshuram, Rishi Bhrigu and Rishi Durvasa worshipped Goddess Dhumavati for attainment of special powers. Thus, the original power of angry rishi’s (sages) like Angira, Durvasa, Parashuram, Bhrigu etc. has been given by Dhumavati Mata. Widow, bhikshatan(alms), poverty, earthquake, drought, flood, thirst, crying, widowhood, putrasantap (son's anguish), discord are their real images. The ability to cause damage and destruction by the curse are due to the Dhumavati form of Mata Sati. She is worshipped as a protective deity in some regions of India. Tantrics worship Goddess Dhumavati to overcome all the obstacles in life and also for fulfilment of their desires. Not only on the Dhumavati Jayanti, Maa Dhumavati is worshipped during Gupt Navratri also. She is also referred as ‘Kalahpriya’ for offering the solutions for this world’s Kalah (problems). It is also believed that even a glimpse of Goddess Dhumavati on the day of Dhumavati Jayanti, showers divine blessings on the devotee.
Dhumavati is the elder sister of Alakshmi, the Goddess of misfortune and unluck as per Padma Purana. In characteristics and nature She is compared with Goddess Alakshmi, Goddess Jyeshta and Goddess Nirriti. All these three Goddesses are manifestation of negative qualities but worshipped at special timings of the year.
It is believed that she appeared during the Samudra Manthan or churning of ocean but her behavior is opposite of Lakshmi Maa who also appeared during the churning of ocean.
She resides on the Peepal tree. It is believed that Worshipping Maa Dhumavati helps to stay away from poverty and bad luck. She keeps away all kinds of bad luck and evil forces. It is considered good to worship Mata Dhumavati for those students who are lazy and are not interested in studies.
Dhumavati Origin
As per Pranatoshini Tantra, once Devi Sati due to satiate her extreme hunger swallowed Lord Shiva. Later on the request of Lord Shiva itself, She disgorged Him. After this incident, Lord Shiva rejected Her and cursed Her to assume the form of a widow.
Dhumavati Sadhana
Goddess Dhumavati Sadhana is done to get rid of extreme poverty. She is also worshipped to make body free from all sorts of diseases.
Dhumavati Mool Mantra
ॐ धूं धूं धूमावती देव्यै स्वाहा:॥
Om Dhum Dhum Dhumavati Devayai Swaha
