The greatness of Kedara Vratam:
Kedara vratam was performed by Parvathi to become a part of Lord Shiva (Arthanareeswara) originally. It is one such penance which grants all one’s wishes. This vratam can be performed by people of all varnas, equally. Anyone who performed this vratam 21 times will attain all possible worldly riches and attain deliverance at the end.
Vratam process:
On the day of Bhadrapada suklam, with a clean
mind, one must wear 21 layered threads on hand, do pooja and do fasting
on that day. The next day, one must provide meals to a Brahmin. From
that day, one performs the pooja for 21 days to Kedareswara, till
amavasa. For the pooja, on a heap of rice, place a pitcher, wind around
it 21 repeats of thread, cover it with silk clothes, place precious
gems, gold (as much as one can afford) – then do pooja to this with
sandal wood and akshata. Invite 21 Brahmins; provide them with water and
other requirements to clean and to invoke Lord Kedareswara in the
Kalash. Pooja has to be performed to this Kalash with sandalwood paste,
myrrh, musk, kumkum and flowers, akshata, tamboolams, clothes and
offering incense and deepam. Naivedyam with 21 varities of items along
with coconuts have to be offered, along with tamboolam, accompanied by
singing hymns. One has to satisfy the Brahmins with dakshina. If one
performs the vratam in this manner, Lord Kedareswara will be pleased and
will bless one with their desires.
Kedara Vratam is observed on the day of Aswayuja Amavasya
Legend or Myth Behind Kedara Gauri Puja :
Once, Pramatha gana (spiritual coterie) of Lord Shiva did the
pradakshina (spiritual circumambualtion) for Shiva without including
Goddess Gowri (Parvati). Lord Shiva explains to her that they have
nothing to obtain from you, because of that they do not do the
pradakshina. Goddess Parvati leaves the place with reddish eyes to the
forest. Goddess Gowri (Goddess Parvati) wanted to state her importance.
She asks the sage Gautama a better path to obtain Lord Shiva’s half
body. He told her to observe Kedareshwar Vrita. She performed Kedara
Puja to obtain half body of Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati performed
Kedareshwar puja with utmost devotion and blessed with the half body of
Lord Shiva and became ‘Ardha Narishwara’.
Rituals and Customs of Kedareshwara Vrata :
On the day of Kedareshwara Vrata, same as other vratas and pujas some
austerities like fast or semi-fast on fruits or milk are observed.
Kedareshwara Vrata Puja is performed with installing Kalasha in a
sanctified place and performed the puja reciting the mantras praising
Lord Shiva. Naivadya (food offerings) is offered to Lord Shiva. After
the puja is done, theerth and prasad are distributed to devotees or to
the poor.
Glory of Kedareshwara Vrata :
Glory of Kedareshwara Vrata is mentioned in many Hindu sacred texts. As
Goddess Parvati observed the puja in utmost devotion and got half body
of Lord Shiva. Lord Sri Maha Vishnu blessed with Vaikunta Loka observing
Kedara Vrata. Lord Brahma got Hamsa Vehicle (Swan Vahicle). Bhagyawati
and Punyavati got a lot of wealth observing Kedara Vrata.
Puja Vidhanam:
Install Lord kedhArIshvara svAmi in a filled pot (kalasham). Make a roof
(manTapa) above the kalasham. Make vrata threads - 21 fibers having 21
knots. The 16 courtesy worship has to be done for 21 days starting from
the purattAchi shukla paxa dasami to aipachi amarapaxa chaturdashi
(dIpAvaLi) or amAvAsya. On the culmination day (21st) in a clean
decorated area devotionally install the kalasham over the grains spread
in a banana leaf and offer various food and fruits to the Lord as
offering and donate to others.
Glory
The glory of this vratam is very splendid as shri gauri devi observed
this vratam in full devotion and got to be in half the body of Lord
Shiva !! viShNu became Lord of vaikunta observing this vratam. braHma
got hamsa vehicle, the guards of the eight directions got rid of the
bane they got from braHma, bhagyavati and puNyavati got lots of wealth
all due to the glory of this vratam. One who observes this vratam with
devotion pleases Lord shiva.
