Yamuna Chhath Thursday 7th April 2022
Yamuna Chhath Pooja Timings:
Shashthi Tithi Starts = 6:00 PM on 6-April-2022
Shashthi Tithi Ends = 8:32 PM on 7-April-2022
Yamuna Chhath, which is regarded as the day when Goddess Yamuna descended on Earth, is mainly celebrated in the Mathura city. This day is also known as Yamuna Jayanti as it marks the birth anniversary of Goddess Yamuna. Festivity of this day is on Shukla Paksha Shashthi in Chaitra month and it usually occurs during Chaitra Navratri.
Yamuna Chhath is celebrated mainly by the people of Mathura and Vrindavan because Yamuna is regarded as the wife of Lord Krishna and is respected and worshipped by people of Braj.
Yamuna Jayanti Meaning and legend:
In the Hindu scriptures, the Goddess Yamuna is the wife of Lord Krishna. Therefore, she is highly revered in Braj. Therefore, Yamuna Chhath is celebrated with immense fervor and enthusiasm in Vrindavan and Mathura. The Yamuna River is considered a sacred river with Ganga, Godavari, Brahmaputra and Saraswati. According to the legend of the Hindu Puranas, it is believed that the Yamuna River descended to Earth on the sixth day of the month of Chaitra. Since then, this day is celebrated as the birthday of Yamuna’s birth. The goddess Yamuna is the consort of Lord Krishna and the daughter of Surya Dev (Sun). Therefore, the goddess Yamuna is highly revered by the people of Braj and Mathura and is celebrated with immense enthusiasm by the people of Vrindavan and Mathura.
Yamuna Jayanti Celebrations:
On the propitious day of Yamuna Shhath, devotees rise before dawn and take a spiritual bath in the Yamuna River. It is believed that diving into the Yamuna River can purify the soul and can also attain eternal joy and love. A special puja is offered to the goddess Yamuna in the auspicious “muhurat” according to the Vedic Panchange. As the goddess Yamuna is known as the companion of Lord Krishna, devotees also worship Lord Krishna. The special food offerings known as ‘naivedyam’ are prepared for the goddess Yamuna. After the puja, food is given to the Brahmins, and the Prasad is distributed among friends and relatives. The faithful observe a strict fast at Yamuna Shhath. The faithful refrain from drinking or eating anything during the 24-hour period. The fast is broken the next day after the morning puja rituals.