India is land of Rishis, Seers who were not only the people with a deep bent of spirituality but also social reformers and Law givers.
There are seven great Rishis though there are many more,
These are called Saptha Rishis (Seven Rishis).
These seven for the present Kali Yuga are,
Atri, Bhrigu,Kuthsa,Vasihsta,Gauthama,Kasyapa and Angirasa.
They are represented in the Great bear Constellation.
Please read my post Rishis a Timeline.
They have given great mantras for the society and set standards of behavior , selfless in their discharging their duties with a fair sense of Justice.
To commemorate their memory Rishi Panchami is celebrated.
This falls on the next day after Ganesh Chaturthi every year on Panchami.
This day is devoted vrata , Vow.
Women visit river or any water storage in the afternoon, take cow dung with them, clean their teeth with medicinal herbal stick, take cold-water bath.
They arrange the idol of Saptarshi on small wooden platform in the form of seven betenuts and perform pooja.
On this day they should eat only those fruits, which grow below the earth (soil) and strictly avoid eating any eatables, which are prepared from the grains grown from the toiling of bullocks.
‘Aghada’ is one such plant, which has many medicinal uses.
This is grown in Ashadha and Shravana months.
In Bhadrapada it becomes full-fledged and its medicinal instincts are prominently noticed in the same month.
The Jains regard this a very important day.
Among them, the followers of Shwetambar cult end their Parjushan Maha Parva on this day and the others following Digambar cult, start their Maha Parva from this day.
‘Rhushabhadeva’ was the first and the most sacred Teerthankar as per the Jains.
He is known as Aadinath also. ‘Rishi Panchami’ day is observed in the name of this Aadinath. The motive of such observance between the Hindus and the Jains is the same.
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