Triple auspicious occasion today

By Rajendra Diwe :

Nirjala Ekadashi, Ganga Dussehra, Gayatri Jayanti today

June 1, 2020, will be a triple auspicious date as per Hindu calendar. For, three auspicious occasions of Nirjala Ekadashi, Ganga Dussehra, and Gayatri Jayanti are on the same day. Goddess Gayatri is termed as ‘Vedmata’, the mother of all Vedas. It is believed that on ‘Shukla Ekadashi’ (Nirjala Ekadashi) in the month of ‘Jyeshtha’, she appeared in the form of eternal knowledge. ‘Nirjala Ekadashi’ is usually celebrated on the next day of ‘Ganga Dussehra’ (Jyeshtha Shukla Dashmi).

This year, however, both the ‘tithis’ have overlapped and come on the same date. People observing ‘Nirjala Ekadashi’ stay without water and food throughout this day. The devotees believe that fasting on ‘Nirjala Ekadashi’ is equivalent to fasting on 24 ‘Ekadashis’. ‘Ganga Dussehra’ is also called ‘Gangavataran’ (Descent of Ganga). As per the almanac, ‘Dashmi’ began on May 31 (Sunday) at 4.06 pm, and will end on June 1 (Monday) at 1.27 pm. ‘Ekadashi’ will begin on June 1 at 1.27 pm and end on June 2 at 10.34 am. Some people may celebrate ‘Gayatri Jayanti’ on June 2 along with ‘Nirjala Ekadashi’ as per their panchangs and tithis shown in their regions.

The members of All World Gayatri Pariwar had performed Gayatri Yadnya in their respective houses on May 31 morning as well as evening, to mark ‘Gayatri Jayanti’. This was the novel event organised as per the directives of Gayatri Pariwar headquarters in Shantikunj Haridwar with an aim to perform Yadnya in 10 lakh houses across the country as well as abroad. Kamlesh Parekh, retired officer from Bank of India and senior member of Gayatri Pariwar, said, “Gayatri Jayanti will be celebrated at their homes by Gayatri Pariwar members in city on June 1. The message of Dr Pranav Pandya will be telecast through social media at 8 am. Also the senior members of Gayatri Pariwar will take a vow to chant five lakh Gayatri Mantra from June 2 to get rid of COVID-19 pandemic.”