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Free ReportsKokila Vrat 2024: Uncover The Important Facts Of This Day
The Kokila Vrat is observed on the Ashadha Purnima. It is believed that the Kokila Vrat should be observed in those years when the month of Ashadha is two months long due to the Adhik Maas. This belief is especially supported in the Northern parts of India. However, in some other regions like southern and western parts, Kokila Vrat is observed annually.
Kokila Vrat in 2024
| Kokila Vrat | Date And Time |
|---|---|
| Kokila Vrat | Saturday, July 20, 2024 |
| Vrat Pradosh Puja Muhurta | 06:45 PM to 09:02 PM |
| Duration | 02 Hours 17 Mins |
| Purnima begins | 05:59 PM on Jul 20, 2024 |
| Purnima ends | 03:46 PM on Jul 21, 2024 |
History of Kokila Vrat
The Kokila Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva. The term Kokila refers to the Indian bird “Cuckoo” and is associated with Goddess Sati. According to the narratives associated with the Kokila Vrat, Goddess Sati set herself on fire after her father, Prajapati Daksha insulted Lord Shiva. After committing self-immolation, Goddess Sati was cursed to spend 1000 divine years as a cuckoo before regaining her form and merging with Lord Shiva.
The Kokila Vrat is mainly observed by women. On the day of the Ashadha Purnima, they wake up early in the morning and take a bath in a nearby river or pond. After bathing, they make a Cuckoo idol out of clay and worship it while observing Kokila Vrat. Furthermore, in some regions of India, a month-long fast is observed from Ashadha Purnima to Shravan Purnima.
Importance of Kokila Vrat
As mentioned above, the Kokila Vrat is observed by women on the Ashadha Purnima all over the country. It is believed that observing fast on this very auspicious day of Ashadha Purnima helps them protect their marital life for a long time. Moreover, they are also blessed with prosperity, good fortune, and wealth.
The Kokila Vrat is also of great importance for unmarried women. It is said that girls wishing for a good husband should observe this fast and worship the idol of the cuckoo bird to obtain the blessings of Goddess Parvati. Additionally, it can also help women get rid of various doshas that hinder their married life like the Manglik or the Bhauma dosha.
Rituals for Kokila Vrat 2024
- In Hindu mythology, the age-old tradition of worship is not limited to gods and idols, it also includes trees, birds, and animals. Hence, as per tradition, the Cow is an animal that is considered to be the most sacred of all. It is believed that the Cow contains the entire universe, including all the Paatal Lok, Prithvi Lok, and the Swarg Lok. Therefore, worshipping a cow during the Kokila Vrat is considered extremely auspicious.
- On the day of the Ashadha Purnima, the Kokila Vrat begins. In order to observe the Vrat, the women who are fasting ensure that they wake up in Brahma Muhurta, i.e. before sunrise, and complete all the daily routine or household chores as early as possible.
- They then take a bath with a mixture of amla pulp and water. This ritual goes on for the next eight to ten days.
- As soon as they finish taking a bath, the fast begins with the worship of Suryadev with a thick paste of gram flour.
- After worshipping Suryadev, the first roti of the day is offered to the cows, given the fact that they are sacred animals according to Hindu Mythology.
- The women then continue to worship the idol of the cuckoo bird, a symbol of Goddess Parvati, for the next eight days using turmeric, sandalwood, kumkum, rice, and Gangajal.
- The devotees continue the fast till the sunset and end it by listening to the Kokila Vrat Katha.
- Completing the fast by witnessing the cuckoo bird or hearing its sound can be greatly auspicious.
- Lastly, the women who are fasting should practice celibacy, maintain a calm state of mind and not hold any kind of negative or malicious thoughts toward anyone throughout this time.
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The Kokila Vrat Katha
Once upon a time, there was a king named Daksha Prajapati, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Devi Sati was his daughter, who was the incarnation of Shakti. She left all her comfort, palace, and family just to practice austerity so that she could have Lord Shiva as her husband.
Samadhi Of Sati
She decided to take “Samadhi,” i.e. sacrificing everything including food and water. For some days she ate only one leaf a day, but then she stopped that as well. Her mother went to her in the dense forest and tried to persuade her to eat something, but she refused to even touch it and this temperament gave her the name “Uma”. She then decided to go on with the Samadhi in the harsh cold and heavy rain without any clothes on which gave her the name “Aparna”.
Samadhi Paid Off With A Bump In The Road
Her penance and hard work finally paid off. Realising the depth and extent of her devotion, Shiva decided to appear in front of her, accepting her as his wife. However, Daksha, the arrogant father of Sati, was not happy with her decision to marry Lord Shiva because he was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and wanted Goddess Sati to accept Lord Vishnu as her husband. But Sati was firm on her decision to marry Lord Shiva.
Daksha Unhappiness With Sati And Lord Shiva's Marriage
After finding out that his daughter Sati had gone to Kailash with Lord Shiva, Daksha got very angry and decided to expel her from the family. Soon after their wedding, Daksha organised a grand “Yagya” in his palace, where he invited all the kings, emperors, princes, gods, and goddesses. However, he did not invite Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva because he was still unhappy with their marriage.
Sati's Presence In Yagya
After learning about the Yagya organised by her father Daksha, Sati asked Shiva to accompany her to the Yagya but Lord Shiva refused and tried to make her understand why they should not go there without any invitation. However, Sati decided to go there alone against Shiva’s will. Despite Shiva’s warning, she finally went there along with the army of Nandi and Ganas sent by Lord Shiva for her protection.
Curse Of Daksha
Witnessing Sati heading towards the Yagya, Daksha got angry and began insulting Sati and Shiva. He then made it clear that neither she nor her husband, Lord Shiva would ever be welcomed in his palace. However, Sati tried to talk to him and calm him down by telling him what a wonderful husband Shiva was and how happy their marriage was. Nevertheless, he just kept shouting and humiliating her and Lord Shiva in front of the guests present in the palace.
In his anger, Daksha cursed Sati to become a cuckoo bird for ten thousand years. Sati reincarnated as Shailaja and fasted throughout the month of Ashadha to get back with Lord Shiva.
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This is why Kokila Vrat is considered to be an auspicious day and is observed by women.
Conclusion
Here we are, at the end of the article and we are sure that by now you must’ve understood all about the significance, rituals, and the story behind the Kokila Vrat. We hope you have the chance to observe the Kokila Vrat on this auspicious day and are able to fulfil all your wishes.
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