CHAITRA GOWRI VRATHA

This vratha starts from the third day of Ugadhi on Tadige or Teej. Gowri kalash is installed and worshipped for one month till Akshaya Thrithiya
  It is said the Gowri comes to her parental , home as she is with child. therefore all the Upacharas we do is, with a pregnant lady in mind. Apart from the Sand Gowri and the Kalas, a alankar Gowri is also kept, (This in not in Madi), for this a new Alankar (Dressing up) is done every  Friday and Tuesday.

The following materials are to be kept ready.

One small taambya or thambige or tumbler. If available a small silver or brass coconut to fit into the mouth of the above container.

Fine sand, betel leaves, 2 or cardamoms, haldi, kumkum, gandha, chuna, gejje vastra, mantraakshita.

For naividya , kosambari , lime juice , buttermilk and a sweet dish. Rava Laddu, or besan laddu and  any HOME MADE sweet can be offered. Sweets
If possible a full  Festival meal can be cooked for Naividya, and a Mudhaidhi/Savashni called and serve the food. All this has to be in a very clean place, which is called Madi/Sowla.
 Madi, is nothing difficult to follow, only the person has to make up her mind.

As this Gowri is to remain in one place for a month, select a suitable place.

Clean the taambya well and with the chuna(lime)draw two parallel lines around it and draw a kamala (lotus) on it. .Mix a little chuna and haldi which well result in a red colour ,with this draw a kamala (lotus) in the center.

Inside the container pour some water , haldi kumkum, cardamon and a little mantraakshita. Then place two betel leaves so that the tips are at the top.

Take a handful of sand and a little mud from the tulasi vrindavana mix with a little water and make five cones and place these in a suitable small plate.(Do not use steel plate) .Clean the place where Gowri is to be kept and draw a rangoli and Shree and place a plank on this keep the Kalash and the sand Gowri.

Pray to Ganesha and offer some naividya and start the Gowri puja.

Puja Vidhi

Keep water, unboiled milk, and other puja samagris and flowers ready.With a flower sprinkle a little water, then milk and water again, all the while reciting songs and slokas about Gowri.

If you do not know any recite..

Sarva mangala maangalye Shive sarvaarth saadhike

Sharanye Trayambake Gouri Narayani namostute

Next sprinkle haldi powder, put gejje vastra. This symbolises giving a bath and clothes to Gowri. Next apply haldi kumkum, put flowers, mantra-akshita and light lamps . Offer the naividya as prepared.T hen do theDhoop arthi and deepa arthi. Lastly pradakshina and namaskara.

This procedure for puja is for all pujas done by women.

On the Trithitya that comes after Poornima , you can change the water in the kalash and puja as mentioned above is done..

Puja is to be continued till Akshayatrithiya. On this day too special worship and special puja is performed for Gowri . Neividya is offered. Some people offer jewelry and saree to Gowri before sending her away after a month's sojourn in her mother's place ( our home). But since Akshayatrithiya is a festival Gowri cannot be sent awayon this day. Therefore select a day excluding Tuesday and Friday perform puja offer naividya and arathis. Avoiding Rahukala and Yamaganda. Gowri may be moved a little before visarjana.

 Akshaya  Thrithaya day is considered to be a very auspicious day, when what ever we give  by way of dhan  to the needy,  will produce  good punya. It was on this day that  Sudhama ie Sri Krishnas friend went to see his friend with a hand full of Beaten rice ( Pohe}. Sri Krishna in return gave him so much. he released him from poverty, Gave him wealth and prosperity.

   Akshya Thrithiya is a  festival celebrated with great bakthi. The married ladies ask Gowri to bless them, by giving their husbands long life .

 The Manthra for this or any Puja for a married lady is :-

 Hari Sarvothama Yemba Mangalya Sthravirali ,

Sridevi Yembo Arishina Kumkuma erali ,

 Bramha Vayu Yembo Serai Kubasa Virali ,

Vani Bharathi Yembo Kannu Kadige irali ,

Ashta Mahishi yembo  Hoo Irali ,

Sow Paruni  Girije embo Sarva mangalya Drivya Virali ,

 Indra Kama Yemba Sounarya Virali ,

 Hariye Nimma Naama  VannuUnnisutha Pore Yendu Bedikombe .