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Kedareshwara Vrata

One of the main pooja that is performed on Deepavali is Kedareshwara Vrata. This is performed by all people and is said to bring great prosperity and happiness to their households. This Vrata can be done by anybody irrespective of the caste.

One who performs this Vrata 21 times will attain great prosperity and will reach heaven after death. It is believed that this ritual of offering Vrata pooja for lord Kedareshwara is started by Parvati herself. It is also believed that sage Gautama maharishi guided Parvati in performing the rituals.

Kedara Gowri Vrata familiarly known as Deepavali (Diwali) is celebrated throughout India in a grand manner. Without caste creed, rich – poor differences people observe this festival. In fact very few people know that it is one of the important Shaivite vratas.

Performing the Pooja

This Kedara Vrata is observed for twenty one days starting from Shukla paksha ashtami in the month of Ashwayuja. The final day (Deepavali) is also observed in great devotion.  A pot (kalasha) is filled with water and a roof (mantapa) is made above the kalasha and this pot (kalasha) is considered as Lord Kedareshwara. 21 holy Vrata threads are made using cotton strands with 21 knots on it. For 21 days 16 different worships are done as per the customs. Most of the people follow only the last day customary worship that is on Deepavali (Amavasya day). On the final day, the water filled pot or kalasha is placed over the food grains spread on a banana leaf. It is believed that on the final day of the Vrata, lord Kedareshwara is brought up into the kalasha. The food and fruits offered to the god is distributed to everyone. And to end the Vrata one has to consume this prasada offer to the lord Kedareshwara.

On the culmination day, devotionally install the kalasha over the grains spread in a banana leaf in a clean decorated area and offer various food and fruits to the Lord as offering and donate to others.

Beliefs

The glory of this Vrata is very splendid as Shri Gowri Devi observed this Vrata in full devotion and got to be in half the body of Lord Shiva. God Vishnu became Lord of Vaikunta observing this Vrata. Brahma got Hamsa vehicle. The guards of the eight directions got rid of the bane they got from Brahma. One who observes this Vrata with devotion pleases Lord Shiva.