Champa Shashti

Champa Shashti is a six-day festival dedicated to the worship of Bhagawan Shiva. The day is celebrated to offer prayers to Khanderao or Khandoba, an incarnation of Bhagawan Shiva. The festival is celebrated on a large scale in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Champa Shashti celebrations take place at the Khandoba temple at Jejuri in Maharashtra.

When is Champa Shashti celebrated in 2024?

The celebration is held on Shashti Tithi (the sixth day) of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Margashirsha.

Champa Shashthi on Saturday, December 7, 2024

Shashthi Tithi Begins - 12:07 PM on Dec 06, 2024
Shashthi Tithi Ends - 11:05 AM on Dec 07, 2024
Shatabhisha Nakshatra Begins - 04:50 PM on Dec 07, 2024
Shatabhisha Nakshatra Ends - 04:03 PM on Dec 08, 2024
Vaidhriti Yoga Begins - 07:34 PM on Dec 18, 2024
Vaidhriti Yoga Ends - 06:34 PM on Dec 19, 2024

Significance of Champa Shashti

According to Hindu mythology, after receiving a boon from Bhagawan Brahma, these two demons became invincible and caused massive destruction on Earth and in the Deva Loka. In response to the Devas' entreaties, Bhagawan Shiva assumed the form of Martanda Bhairava and engaged the demons in a fierce battle. The battle lasted six days and ended on the Shashti Tithi of the Margashirsha month, when the two demons were killed.

Champa Shashti is therefore a day to celebrate the victory of Bhagawan Khandoba, who is revered in rural Maharashtra and Karnataka as the God of farmers, hunters, and warriors with great devotion.

Champa Shashti Story

Legend has it that Bhagawan Shiva, impressed by the austerities of the demon brothers Malla and Mani, granted them an invincibility boon that surpassed even the power of the Gods. Malla and Mani wreaked havoc across the three worlds, thanks to their blessing. They seized and took control of the Manikaran mountain, a sacred place dedicated to Bhagawan Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The demigods approached Bhagawan Shiva, sharing their tale of woes. Bhagawan Shiva in his warrior Khandoba avatar had saved the world from the demon brothers, Malla and Mani. The epic battle between the demon brothers and Khandoba spanned six days, culminating in the demons' defeat on the final day. In his final moments, Mani bestowed his white horse upon Khandoba, seeking forgiveness and expressing his desire to be present in every shrine and temple of Bhagawan Khandoba. Mani, now a demigod, is revered in all temples dedicated to Khandoba. Bhagawan Shiva is believed to reside as the Swayambhu lingam at the Khandoba temple.

Champa Shashti Rituals

Champa Shashti rituals are carried out for six days from Amavasya until Champa Shashti festival. Khandoba, the warrior avatar of Bhagawan Shiva, also known as Khanderao, Martanda Bhairav, Malhar or Malhari is worshipped during Champa Shashti. It is believed that if the day coincides with Shatabhisha Nakshatra and Vaidhriti Yoga either on Sunday or Tuesday, it is considered very auspicious.

Devotees usually visit Shiva temple for six days and offer vegetables, fruits, apple leaves and turmeric powder to Bhagawan Shiva. On the last day, delicacies made from multi-grain flour and wheat base are offered to the deity along with turmeric powder.

Benefits of Champa Shashti

Observing Champa Shashti vrat is believed to confer positive effects on the devotees for a happy and prosperous life. It is said the sins of past births are washed away and devotees attain happiness and confidence to move through the challenges.

Perform the following during Champa Shashti to maximize its benefits:

• Nine oil diyas are lit for relief from adverse planetary configurations.
• Offering blue attire to Bhagawan Kartikeya in a Shiva temple is said to improve your social standing.
• It is beneficial to donate brinjal and bajra to poor people to avoid opposition from people.
• Chant the mantra: ॐ मार्तंडाय मल्लहारी नमो नमः॥

Champa Shashti Mantra

Recite the mantra: ‘ॐ श्रीं अर्धनारीश्वराय प्रेमतत्त्वमूर्तये नमः शिवाय नमः’
Oṃ Śrīṃ Ardhanārīśvarāya Prematattvamūrtaye Namaḥ Śivāya Namaḥ || 108 times.

Champa Shashti Puja Vidhi

Wake up early in the morning, take a bath and visit the temple of Bhagawan Shiva.

• The Shivling is venerated with milk, flowers, bilva leaves and gangajal.
• Ittar, abir and other fragrances are used in the puja.
• Khandoba is also offered with fruits and turmeric powder.
• Arghya is offered to the Bhagawan which includes ghee, water and curd.
• Shiv Chalisa is recited and aarti is performed.
• Light 9 diyas (lamps) of sesame oil in the evening.

Offer brinjal and millet to Bholenath and distribute the same among the needy.

What to do on Champa Shashti?

Devotees walk barefoot to the temple and worship Bhagawan Khandoba to seek his blessings on this auspicious day. On Champa Shashti puja, devotees visit Khandoba temple early in the morning on all the six days.

On the day of Champa Shashti, offerings are made to Bhagawan Khandoba which include Bhandara (turmeric powder), Rodaga (wheat based delicacy), Thombara (prepared from multi-grain flour) and a delicacy made from onion, garlic and brinjal.

In Maharashtra, bhog of brinjal bharta and millet chapatis millet are offered to the Bhagawan. Nandadeep is lit daily.