Bhavani Deeksha is an important ritual observed devotees of
Goddess Kanaka Durga in November – December at Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple.
Here is a brief idea on how to observe Bhavani Deeksha and important rules.
Bhavani Deeksha, a special ritual, is undertaken for 41 days
voluntarily by men and women in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and by Telugu
speaking people living in different parts of India and around the world.
The devotees wear crimson red clothes and visit the Kanaka
Durga Temple or other shrines of Mother Goddess Shakti in their vicinity.
The deeksha is undertaken to purge the body and soul of
impurities and to for desire fulfillment.
41 days – 21 days – 108 Days
Those who cannot endure the full Bhavani Deeksha Vratam can
opt for half-cycle known as Ardha Mandala.
The full Mandala Deeksha begins on Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in
Kartik Month and the half-cycle begins 20 days later both end on the same date.
Some devotees observe the Mahamandala which is for 108 days.
The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy temple authorities notify the
dates of initiation and conclusion (virmana) which are staggered for five days
to spread out the rush.
The 41-day spiritual sojourn is a life-time experience for
devotees. Those living in and around Vijayawada take the initiation at the Sri
Durga Malleswara Swamy temple while others visit the local temples designated
for the purpose.
Rules of Bhavani Deeksha
Bhavanis are required to have cold water bath, eat vegetarian
meal consisting of fruits and nuts, sleep on the floor and spend most of the
time in devotional and spiritual pursuit and atmosphere.
Men, women and children can undertake the ritual. Menstruating
women too can take part in the ritual.
After early morning ablutions, the devotee is initiated into
the deeksha by a priest who garlands the Bhavani with a string of beads which
the Bhavani wears for the next 41 days. The initiation process is called mala
dharana.
During the 41-days while attending to the chores, the
devotees offer prayers in the early morning at temple or at home.
Breakfast consists of fruits and milk. Lunch consists of a
simple vegetarian meal. Dinner is grovel or a simple vegetarian food.
During the 41-day period, one works hard to kill one’s ego,
evil thoughts and eliminate toxins from the body through liquid diet and
natural fruits and nuts.
During the period of deeksha, the family members and
colleagues consider the person undertaking the ritual as a spiritual person and
help in all respects to complete the deeksha successfully.
As the deeksha nears completion during the end of December,
Bhavanis proceed to the Sri Kanaka Durga Temple at Vijayawada. All members of
family and relatives take part in the final ritual. The devotees carry on their
head irumudi consisting of rice, dry fruit etc. bundled in a cloth for offering
at the puranhuti homam at the time of viramana or conclusion.
Before heading to the temple, the devotees undertake giri
pradakshina around the Indrakeeladri hill. The circumambulation takes nearly three
hours.