Vishwamitra Jayanti, birth anniversary of Sage Vishwamitra, is annually observed on the Kartik Shukla Paksha Tritiya – third day during the waxing phase of moon in Karthi month – as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India. Vishwamitra Jayanti 2024 date is November 4. It is believed that Sage Vishwamitra was born on this day.
Vishwamitra was born in the Kushik Dynasty as the son of King Gaadhi. After he became king, Vishwamitra was very popular with his subjects. King Vishwamitra once visited the Ashram of Sage Vasishta and came to know about the holy cow Nandini in the Ashram, which had wish fulfilling power.
King Vishwamitra felt that the cow would be more use to a king. So he asked for the cow. But Sage Vasishta said that Nandini would only leave the ashram if she likes.
Nandini was not ready to leave. Vishwamitra and soldiers tried to take the cow away forcibly but were defeated by the powers of Nandini. An insulted Vishwamitra soon realized that spiritual powers were more powerful than a king’s commands and arrows.
Vishwamitra then abdicated his throne and took to the life of a Sanyasi. He performed intense meditations and became a powerful Rishi.
Numerous incidents involving Sage Vishwamitra are mentioned in the Puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharata.