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.