Vasavi Jayanthi is the day when Goddess Vasavi appeared on
earth. It is her birth anniversary Vasavi, a manifestation of Mother Goddess
Adi Parashakti, worshiped by the Vysyas. Vasavi Jayanthi 2024 date is May 18. It
is observed on the Vaishakh Shukla Paksha Dasami day, or the tenth day during
the waxing phase of the moon, in Vaishakh month as per traditional Hindu lunar
calendar followed in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Story of Goddess Vasavi
King Kusuma Shreshti of Vysyas and his wife Kusumamba were
childless. On the advice of their Kulaguru, they performed a yajna with the
intention of getting a child. The yajna was successful and they received a parasadam
from the yajna kunda. The queen consumed it and in due course of time, she delivered
twin babies – Virupaksha and Vasavamba.
From a young age, Vasavamba was interested in philosophical subjects.
She had no interest in the material world.
Years later, Vishnu Vardhana, the emperor of the region,
happened to see Vasavamba and he was smitten by her beauty. He was determined
to marry her even though he was much older than she was and was already married.
But Vasavamba was not interested in the marriage proposal.
She wished to focus on spiritual life.
This angered Vishnu Vardhana. He decided to take her away forcibly.
King Kusuma Shreshti, the father of Vasavamba, called the assembly
of 18 city chiefs and 714 gotra chiefs. 612 gotra chiefs were not in favor of
displeasing Vishnu Vardhana. But 102 gotra chiefs stood with Vasavamba stating
that self-respect was more important than leading a life of servitude.
The 102 gotras gave permission to King Kusuma Shreshti to
start preparation for the defense.
Vasavi Devi now entered the arena and said there should be
no bloodshed and the matter should be resolved through non-violence and self-sacrifice.
As per the directions of Vasavi, 103 fire pits were prepared
at Brahmakund on the banks of Godavari River.
She asked couples of the 102 gotras to jump into the fire
pit and perform self-sacrifice.
Vasavi Devi then showed her true self. She appeared in an
unimaginable form. She declared that she is a manifestation of Mother Goddess Adi
Parashakti and she was here to protect dharma and safeguard women. Her aim
was to annihilate Vishnu Vardhana but through non-violence.
Goddess Vasavi then disappeared into the fire pit.
Couples from 102 gotras performed self-sacrifice.
Soon Vishnuvardhana who was marching towards Brahmakund
came to know about the great sacrifice being performed by the 102 gotras and
the disappearance of Vasavi Devi. He soon fell down from this throne and died
vomiting blood.
The modern Vysyas community is the descendants of the 102 gotras
that performed self-sacrifice, through agnipravesham, along with Goddess Vasavi.
Temples dedicated to Goddess Vasavi Devi is located in Telangana,
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Followers of the Goddess are also
today settled around the world especially in United States, Europe, United
Kingdom and Australia.