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A land of rich culture and heritage, India is a country that celebrates events that have occurred in the past and are an integral part of the rich Indian culture. These events may be anything like good deeds, birth anniversaries and even incidences that teach us life lessons. To celebrate and keep our generations rooted and close to the culture even today. These events are remembered and celebrated as festivals.
Today, we are going to learn about one such beautiful festival that is celebrated to acknowledge and pay respect to the seven sages also referred to as the ‘Rishis’ or the ‘Saptarishi’. This festival is known as the ‘Rishi Panchami’.
Everything About Rishi Panchami
Rishi Panchami is a Hindu festival that takes place on the fifth day of the waxing moon phase in the month of Bhadrapada, often occurring in August or September. It is a special day when we pay tribute to the Saptarishis, who are the seven esteemed sages of Hindu tradition— Vashishtha, Kashyapa, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadwaja, and Gautama. Rishi Panchami is mostly observed by women as a day of cleansing and purification for any unintentional negligence in following the religious rituals, especially during their menstrual cycles, in accordance with conventional beliefs. The observance involves avoiding food, engaging in prayer to the Saptarishis, and performing a ceremonial cleansing in holy rivers or bodies of water to purify oneself from contaminants. Women often engage in a ceremonial ritual known as puja, when they present gifts of food, flowers, and incense to the Saptarishis. They do this to ask blessings for the welfare of their family and the successful fulfilment of their responsibilities. The event highlights the significance of cleanliness, dedication, and reverence for the knowledge of the ancient sages in Hindu culture.
What is Rishi Panchami (meaning)?
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One of the most celebrated fasts (Vrat) in Hinduism in Bhadrapada (August-September) on the fifth day of Shukla Panchami is known as Rishi Panchami. This festival falls on the next day after the auspicious festival of ‘ Ganesh Chaturthi ’ and two days after the ‘Teej of Hartalika’ according to the Lunar Calendar.
When is Rishi Panchami? Date, Muhurat, Time and Tithi
Rishi Panchami on Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Rishi Panchami Puja Muhurat -
11:50 AM to 02:28 PM
Duration -
02 Hours 38 Mins
Panchami Tithi Begins -
03:14 AM on Aug 27, 2025
Panchami Tithi Ends -
05:26 AM on Aug 28, 2025
Why is Rishi Panchami Celebrated? How to celebrate Rishi Panchami?
Rishi Panchami is the festival celebrated to honor the great deeds of Saptarishi, the ancient sages. The word ‘Sapta’ means seven and the word ‘Rishi’ means sage thus, the word ‘Saptarishi’ literally translate to Seven Sages.
Rishi Panchami Rishi Names: Rishi Panchami is Associated with the name of Which Rishi?
During this festival of Rishi Panchami, people engage in the traditional worship of Sapta Rishi (Seven Sages) namely
- Kashyapa
- Atri
- Bharadhvaja
- Vishvamitra
- Gauthama
- Jamadagni
- Vashishta
Women observe fast known as ‘Rishi Panchami Vrat’ or ‘Sama Panchami Vrat’ on this day to express gratitude, respect and to celebrate the good deeds these Maha Purush or sages who devoted their lives for the betterment, and welfare of the society.
Rishi Panchami Puja Vidhi:
The Rishi Panchami Puja is observed by married women. Let us look how to perform the Puja Vidhi
- On the day of Rishi Panchami get up early in the morning.
- Take bath and cleanse yourself
- It is said to be fruitful if you take ritual bath in the holy rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari etc.
- Bathing with a mixture of curd, milk, basil and butter also can be used as it detoxifies the body and purifies the soul.
- Wear clean clothes and sprinkle holy waters on the head and around the house on the day of Rishi Panchami.
- Observe fast for the whole day.
- Worship Shri Ganesha, Saptarshis (seven Sages) and Arundathi are worshipped.
- Women offer the 'Prasad' to Gods and wash husbands' feet by chanting mantras and offering Durva grass and sweets to him in the morning.
- This day becomes more auspicious when it starts with prayers offered to Ganesha who cuts the knots of sins and removes all the obstacles from your path.
- Worship Navgraha or Nine planets namely: Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Rahu and Ketu.
- One can worship these planets by installing Navgraha idols , wearing Navgraha lockets, Navagraha Herbal Planetary Pendants, performing Navagraha Puja, using Navagraha Yantras, Navagraha Shanti Pack and Wearing Rudraksha Combination of Navagraha.
Rishi Panchami Vrat Katha (Story)
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The observance of Rishi Panchami is described in detail in the Brahmanda Purana . On this sacred day, devotees honor the seven sages by bathing their images with Panchamrit, adorning them with sandalwood paste and camphor, and offering flowers, incense, and lamps. Fasting is observed with simple vegetarian food, accompanied by discipline, self-restraint, and prayer. It is believed that such practice protects one from difficulties, removes past errors, and brings auspiciousness and good fortune.
The Bhavishyottara Purana narrates that Krishna explained to Yudhishthira the deeper significance of this vrata: it helps devotees purify themselves from negligence in dharmic duties and align with the wisdom of the Rishis. For women, it has also been described as bringing happiness, well-being, and prosperity to the family.
In its truest essence, however, Rishi Panchami Vrata is not about impurity or guilt. Ancient references to women and purification were shaped by the context of that time, when rest and ritual discipline were emphasized during natural cycles like menstruation. In a modern understanding, the vrata is about conscious remembrance of the sages, gratitude for their wisdom, and purification of the body and mind through prayer, fasting, and simplicity.
Thus, Rishi Panchami reminds us that devotion, discipline, and respect for the eternal wisdom of the Rishis uplift the soul, bringing balance, harmony, and spiritual strength into our lives.
What To Eat in Rishi Panchami Vrat (Fast)?
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In ancient times, the devotees consumed fruits which grew underground and avoided the food prepared from the grains grown by ploughing the soil by toiling the bullocks.
On the tithe of Rishi Panchami people observe fast and generally consume the “Rishi Panchami Bhaji” while opening the vrat.
This bhaji is prepared using Ridge gourd (turai), Amaranth leaves – chawli, chaulai (red or green), Sweet potato – shakarkandi, Elephant foot yam – suran, Potatoes – aloo/batata, Pumpkin – kaddu/bhopla, Colocasia roots – arbi, Colocasia leaves – arbi ke patte, Raw banana – kachche kele, Tender peanuts – moongphali, Snake gourd – chichinda, in the past earthen pots were used for cooking, today people cook all these veggies in metal pots on the gas stove.
The Jains regard Rishi Panchami as a very significant day. There are two sects in Jainism, the people belonging to the Shwetambar cult celebrate this day as the end of their Parjushan Maha Parva while the people following the Digambar sect, celebrate this day as the beginning of their Maha Parva.
Rishi Panchami Mantra:
कश्यपोत्रिर्भरद्वाजो विश्वामित्रोय गौतम:। जमदग्निर्वसिष्ठश्च सप्तैते ऋषय: स्मृता:।।
Kashyapotri-bhardwaajo Vishwaamitroy Gautamah|
Jamadwagnir-vashishthashch Saptaete Rishiyah Smritah||
Significance or Importance of Rishi Panchami
In Maharashtra on the auspicious occasion of Rishi Panchami, a special dish is cooked. It is called the Rishi Panchami bhaji. This delicacy is prepared cooking seasonal vegetables together. Usually while preparing this sabji or bhaji the seasonal vegetables along with tubers are used. Even today, the devotees consume fruits which grow underground and avoid the food prepared from the grains that are grown by ploughing the soul by toiling the bullocks. The Rishi Panchami bhaji is cooked in a way the rishis use to cook, simple and without spices.
Thus, the Rishi Panchami is an auspicious day where the selfless hard work of the sages is acknowledged, and the saints are revered and worshipped by the devotees. It is a day that allows us to cleanse our mind, body and soul of all the impurities while strengthening our digestive system through fasting for the entire day. Also, while breaking the fast the foos that is consumed is light and easily digestible. It is cooked with no spices or little spices and very little oil.
Rishi Panchami Menstruation:
Menstruation is a natural part of the human biological cycle, as essential and normal as any other process in the body. In ancient times, when proper hygiene and rest facilities were limited, certain customs were created to give women space and time to rest during their monthly cycle. Over centuries, however, these customs were often misinterpreted, leading to social restrictions and taboos that labeled menstruation as impure.
Rishi Panchami, in its true essence, is not about reinforcing these taboos but about honoring the wisdom of the sages and practicing inner and outer purification. Today, the observance can be understood as a reminder to respect natural rhythms of the body, embrace self-care, and live in harmony with dharma. Rather than exclusion, the day encourages inclusion, reflection, and gratitude- recognising menstruation as a sacred sign of creation and continuity of life.
Spiritual Items Associated with Rishi Panchami from Rudra Centre
Saptarishi Puja & Yajna
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Worship of the Saptarishi is considered very beneficial and meritorious especially for those on spiritual path. As per scriptures, worshiping Saptarishi is equivalent to visiting all Tirth Sthal or pilgrimages and it washes away all the sins and propels one on the path of spirituality and Dharma. Saptarishi’s passed on the knowledge of Dharma, Vedas and Vedanta and are highly revered Gurus for generations.
11 Mukhi Rudraksha
The 11 Mukhi Rudraksha is a potent bead that bestows heightened awareness and wisdom upon its wearer. 11 mukhi rudraksha awakens the Guru within hence it is used as a powerful tool for meditation and sadhanas, and it balances the Vishuddha chakra. The 11 mukhi rudraksha gives true meaning to life because it enables a person to listen to his self-conscience, giving him the courage to make wise decisions and analyze every situation objectively, without being influenced, confused, or biased.
Navgraha Yantras
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Navgraha Pujas
Performing the Navagraha Puja on Rishi Panchami is one of the highly auspicious activities. It is a powerful puja for Navagraha (Nine Vedic astrological planets) to effectively minimize and eliminate the malefic effect of the planets caused due to inauspicious placement of planets in birth chart, so that the positive energy can flow in. It is also done to seek guidance and blessings from Navgrahas that are considered Gurus.
Navgraha Idols
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Gyanvriddhi Vidya Prapti Yantra
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This maha yantra is used for a variety of purposes, including reducing the negative effects of the nine planets, attaining good health and prosperity, enhancing the quality of one's life, attracting prosperity, abundance, love, harmony, and peace, enhancing learning, promoting healing, alleviating health issues, advancing one's career, achieving desired project goals, enhancing business, removing obstacles, and warding off negative forces. Most importantly this yantra is used for gaining divine knowledge and the ultimate truth as blessings as the name suggests.
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