It is said that Jyeshta Gauri, a devotee of Lord Ganesh, brings good luck and prosperity. On the day of Jyeshta Gauri Avahan, two Gauri idols are brought and special pujas are held to welcome Gowri.
The next day is the day of the puja. Women decorate their homes and encourage their neighbours to join them in the puja. During the Haldi Kumkum ceremony, there is a lot of significance.
Some parts of Maharashtra celebrate it as Gowri Ganesha instead
Story of Jestha Devi ( Moodevi in Tamil )
When a person is referred to as’mudevi’ in the Tamil language, it is considered an insult. You use it to describe someone who is indolent, stupid, or a complete moron. The Eldest Goddess, mootha-devi, is really referred to as “mu-devi.”
There was an ongoing devotion to Jyestha Devi (Mu-Devi) till the 10th century. Her temples and statues can still be seen in historical places and rural communities. However, she is largely overlooked.
A ‘good’ Indian woman should avoid bringing bad luck, sicknesses, disarray, and polygamy into the home, which she does. Worshipping her as a witch was a common practise among housewives to ward off the evil eye.
Jyestha Devi (Shani) and Lord Saturn (Shani) share the same crow emblem. The inclusion of a significant female character in an andro-centric re-conception of spiritual hierarchy may have occurred at a later time.
So much of the Goddess’ wild, dark femininity is pushed to the edges of social and spiritual understanding in ancient civilizations.
However, while there is a growing interest in the Eastern Goddesses, too little attention is paid to those who have been forgotten or exiled. As ghosts or historical footnotes, they have faded into obscurity
Key Information:
- Elder sister of Lakshmi
- Considered Inauspicious goddess in Hindu Mythology, Goddess of misfortunes
- Worship her wholeheartedly and she keeps you away from misfortunes
- Married women do kumkul tika to each other, and do Sodash Uma vrat ( Sodah = 16 )