𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐇 𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐌𝐈

Jyeshtha Shukla of the Samvat year is celebrated as Mahesh Navami to commemorate the birth of the Maheshwari community when Shiva is worshipped.

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It maybe a folklore, can also be called a mythical story. But in it lies my faith and the faith of my ancestors, who have been standing up for the cause of dharma and it’s protection. It do not find evidence in any scripture, but Maheshwari community’s faith lies in the story.

The story traces back to a Rajput king, Raja Khandelsen, the ruler of Khandela in Rajasthan, and his two queens, Rani Suryakuvar and Indrakuvar. The king did not have any children, hence, no one to carry his name or kingdom.

Despite performing numerous pujas, yagnas and charitable contributions, the queens were unable to conceive.

After suggestion of a rishi, the king started praying to shiva and built a temple for him.
(Few sources says he did putrakameshti yajna).

This pious and religious act pleased Lord Shiva who in turn blessed the king with a son, who was named Sujansen.

After few years, when Sujansen was capable of ruling and married to princess Chandravati, the king gave him the kingdom and left to the forest.

One day Sujansen with his 72 Kshatriya soldiers/fellowmen went to the forest to hunt as part of his regular routine.

There were few rishis who were performing a yajna and they were disturbed by the arrival of king.
(Few sources say members ate the food and water kept for puja)

This broke the rishis concentration, and they cursed the king and his 72 soldiers to turn into stones.

Back there at the kingdom queen and the wives of 72 soldiers waited for their arrival, but when they didn’t. They went there at the location weeping and requested rishis.

The rishis said only Maheshwar can bring them back to life. The queens started praying to Shiva and the rishis did their yajna.

Shiva was happy with the tapas and wished to come to the spot.Mata parvati insisted that she shall join him. Shiva agreed and they both appeared there

When Mata saw the Kshatrani’s, she through her power took notice of all the previous events, and requested Shiva to end their misery and bring their husbands back to life.

Upon request of Parvati, Shiva gave them all a second life and freed them from the curse of the rishis.

The 72 got their new birth, and then they were known as MAHESHWARI.

(Which is name of Mata Parvati, and Mata now considered them as her own children, the reason the name.)

Shiva asked them to leave their Kshatriya Dharma and take up the Vaishya Dharma.

Sujansen to compensate will document the lineage of the Maheshwari’s and will rely on the income of the 72 Vaishyas.

Sujansen then was later known as ‘jaga’. Till date, jaga ji comes each other and update their register of family tree. The records are still preserved.

However,soldiers were hesitant to accept their wives as they were still Kshatranis or of Kshatriya Caste.

On it,Mata Parvati told them that the couples shall together circumambulate around her 4 times using a long scarf. Everyone did the same and they were rejoined as a couple.

Till date the custom of 4 pheras in marriage is followed by Maheshwari Community which is known as ‘Baarla Phera/Mama Phera’ which is a reminder of origin.

And a small ‘katyaar’ is tied to the waist of bridegroom.(A symbol of protection to wives as they were kshatriyas before).

Lord Shiva gave this blessing to the new 72 Vaishyas on the ninth day of Jyesth, Shukla Paksh in the year nine of Yudhisthira Samvat.

‘शिव सत्य हैं, शिव ही हैं सुंदरम,
शिव से ही सारे सब वैशवम,
शिव ही सखा, शिव ही पिता,
शिव के ही वंशज हैं हम,
माहेश्वरी हैं हम(x२) ‘

A community which always stood up for the nationalist causes.

A community which always helped financially to the needs of nation and dharma.

Wishing Maheshwari Community a very !! Happy Mahesh Navmi !!

May Bhagavan Maheshwar and Mata Parvati bless us all.

Jai Mahesh

Source: Took help from various blogs/stories available online and compiled into a shorter version.