Bhadrapada Amawasya 2024: Story of a Fearless Woman Warrior of Jhunjhunu

Hail Rani Sati dadi

Namaste!

Welcome to the world of engrossed readings at www.onindianpath.com. Today I am going to unveil a festival and a legendary women who is talk of the town. She has devotees all around the world.

Introduction

You must be wondering how a Sati can be worshipped? Let me explain you this first with the concept of Sati.

Further, the meaning of Sati is self immolation. Do you know why female counterparts of Rajput and warrior caste used to get Sati? Lets read on to know the answers.

However, Sati, as concept was mainly prevalent in northern India during the times of kings and queens. The concept was to sacrifice one’s life with cremation of her late husband. I am not advocationg the Sati system here, although trying to tell you the core concept of Sati.

At that time, it was never a forced action to ask a widowed woman to burn herself in the pyres (chitta) of her late husband. It was her will and wish to get out of materialistic world with her late husband out of her unbroken love. Later on people made it a bad practice by imposing it strictly on all widow women counterparts.

Date of Pithori/Sati Amavasya/ Sati Ki Jaat

We are going to witness the Sati Amavasya on 2 September 2024. It falls on Amavasya (new moon) of Bhadrpada maas of Hindu panchang. The Amavasya tithi will start at 5:24 AM on September 2, 2024 and will end at 7:26 AM on September 3, 2024.

Moreover, it is also called Kushopatini Amavasya as people gather kusha (green grass) at home on this day and store it for sacred rituals. Besides, at many places it is also known as Pithori Amavasya. In Baniya and Marwadi Samaj, it is popularly called Sati ki Jaat or Sati Amavasya.

Significance of Pithori Amavasya

Moreover, Bhadrapada Amavasya holds profound significance in Hindu culture. Infact, it is celebrated with glee majorly in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan etc. It is believed that by praying and observing fast on this day, people get rid of sins, bad luck and bless with harmony and peace in life. In Rajasthan and many other areas of Uttar Pradesh, Bhado Amavasya or Bhadi Amavasya is observed in memory of Rani Sati or Dadi Sati.

Rani Sati Dadi Temple, Jhunjhunu

Further more, there is a 400 years old temple in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, India dedicated to Rani Sati dadi.

Also, this temple is an indication to feminine bravery and spirit which certainly captures the attention of all the devotees. It is also famous for its magnificence and extraordinary paintings. It is also part of one of the oldest presented Indian pilgrimages.

Although Rani Sati temple has no painting or idol. As shown in image, instead it has trishul (trident), a red bindi, two big eyes, a big nose pin, bangles and a red chunri. Apparently, devotees worship trishul as it is a sign of strength and bravery, a part of divine power. Also, this portrait of Rani Sati Dadi is located at the main Mandap of the temple. This beautiful temple is made up of white marble with colorful paintings on walls and ceiling.

Story of Rani Sati Dadi

As per mythological history, once in the war of Mahabharata, the brave Abhimanyu had attained heroic strength in Chakravyuh. At that time, Lord Shri Krishna had given a boon to Uttara (wife of Abhimanyu) that in Kalyug, you will be famous as Shri Sati Dadi by the name of “Narayani” and will do welfare to the people. And, you will be worshiped all over the world.

As a result of the same boon, Sati Dadi Ji performed Sati about 715 years ago. Dadi Sati was born in Dokwa village. Her father’s name was Seth Shri Gursamal. She was named Narayani Bai. She used to play religious and sati games in her childhood. When she grew up, her father gave her religious education as well as weapons training and horse riding lessons. Since childhood, divine powers were visible in her, due to which the people of the village were astonished,

Later, Narayani Bai married with Tandhan Das in Hissar. The prince of Nawab and Tandhan days were good friends. Once, the prince liked Tandhan Das’s mare. The insistence of getting the mare led to enmity between the two. The prince was killed while trying to snatch the mare. Frightened by this accident, Tandhan’s family moved from Hissar towards Jhunjhunu overnight. Due to enmity between the two kings, these people settled in Jhunjhunu.

On the day of bidai, near the hill of Devsar, the soldiers attacked. Tandhan Das bravely faced the soldiers. A soldier attacked him deceitfully from behind, Tandhan attained martyrdom. When the newlywed bride Narayani saw all this from the carriage, she took the form of the brave lady, Narayani Chandi. And, she wiped out all the enemies with her talwar. The ground was covered with dead bodies. The entire land became blood stained. Rana ji woke up from his trance, he came and started praying to Mother Nararani, then the mother calmed down and gave up her weapons.

Then she called Rana ji and said to him – I will commit Sati, you quickly bring wood to prepare the chitta. There was a delay in making the wooden bed and the sun started setting, so she stopped the sun from setting with the power of truth. She took her husband’s dead body and sat on a chitta. Fire appeared from the pot and Sati went to her husband’s world. Although, it started burning. The gods showered blessings from their necks. From then onwards, she is worshipped as Rani Sati dadi, who keeps a blissful eye on her all the children.

Conclusion

Thus, we know the relevance of Rani Sati ki Amawasya and significance of Sati in Agarwal and Marwadi families. Have a blessed day ahead.

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