shiva parvati

Mahesh Navami is an annual festival observed by Maheswaris community. It is celebrated on the ninth day (Navami) of Shukla Paksha of Jyestha (May-June). In 2010, Mahesh Navami falls on 20th June.

The Legend of Mahesh Navami
Mahesh is another name of Lord Shiva. The Maheshwaris community is named after this name of Lord Shiva, for they have ardent faith in Lord Shiva as their protector. There is an interesting legend connected to the Mahesh Navami. It is as follows:

In a small village near Jaipur, Rajasthan a group of men went for hunting along with the royal party of King. The hunters went all over the place and accidentally ventured into an ashram where sages were in meditation. They disturbed the peace and tranquility of the ashram. This made the sages very angry on them. In the rage of anger, the sages cursed the hunters and turn them into stones.

When wives of the hunters came to know this, they were panic-stricken. They started praying to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, as he was full of compassion towards the fallen souls, appeared before them immediately. He agreed to rescue the hunters provided they stop the heinous activity of hunting for their own pleasure. He ordered them change their profession if hunting is profession for any of them. The women agreed and prayed Lord Shiva that they will definitely make their husbands more moral and ethical. Finally Lord Shiva relieved them of the curse.

The rescued hunters and their wives keep up the promise and gave up hunting. They took up business as their profession and their community as the Maheshwari community. From then people of this community have faith in Mahesh as their protector.

Celebrations
Maheshwari community celebrates this day with great enthusiam. They believe Mahesh Navami to be the day Maheshwari community was formed. They worship Mahesh and his consort Parvati and show their love and devotion. They worship elaborately with all pooja paraphernalia. They pray for well-being and prosperity of the community.