Champa Dwadashi (Champak Dwadashi) 2024

The festival of Champak Dwadashi is celebrated on the Dwadashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month. This year Champa Dwadashi will be celebrated on 19  June 2024. On this date, Lord Vishnu is worshiped and Champa flowers are offered to him. Lord Shri Krishna loves these flowers. When a devotee offers him these flowers on this day, all the desires of the devotee get fulfilled.

Other names for Champa Dwadashi

Every Hindu month has two Dwadashi Tithis. One from amongst these two has been associated with the worship of Lord Shri Vishnu. Dwadashi Tithi is also known as Vishnu Dwadashi. Ancient Hindu scriptures talk about the importance of worshipping Lord Vishnu’s various forms on this day. It is hence believed when a devotee worships Lord Vishnu’s Krishna form on this day, he/she gets very good fruits and is blessed with happiness, wealth and glory.

Champa Dwadashi is also known as Raghav Dwadashi and Rama Lakshmana Dwadashi. On this day, idols of Shri Ram and Shri Lakshman, the incarnation of Vishnu, are also worshiped. After worshiping Rama and Laxman, a pitcher or a Kalash filled with ghee is donated. It is believed that this absolves one of all his/her sins and leads to the attainment of salvation.

The fast begins with Udaya Tithi. First of all, the devotee should wake up in Bharama Muhurat, finish all household chores and then sit for the Puja. The devotee should spread some grains and set a Kalash on it. Place an idol of Lord Vishnu in the Kalash. Offer Abir, Gulal, Kumkum, fragrant flowers, sandalwood and Kheer to the Lord. God should offer Kheer. Food for Brahmins should be organized. Brahmins should also be given clothes, Dakshina etc. It is believed that the Vishnu idol immersed in the Kalash should ideally be given Brahmin on Trayodashi date.

Champak Dwadashi Pooja Vidhi

• Start the day by remembering Lord Krishna.
• One should resolve to worship Lord Krishna after retiring from daily chores.
• An idol of Lord Krishna the Avatar of Lord Vishnu should be installed.
• On this day one should also worship Rama, another avatar of Shri Vishnu.
• Shri Ramdarbar should be decorated.
• Chandan, Akshat, Tulsi Dal and flowers should be offered to the Lord while chanting ‘Hare Rama, Hare Krishna’.
• The idol of God should be bathed with Panchamrit. After this, the idol should be wiped and adorned with beautiful clothes.
• A lamp, incense sticks should be lit in front of the idol.
• Attar, sandalwood and flowers should be offered to the Lord.
• If Champa flowers are not available then yellow-white flowers can be used.
• Once the Aarti is done, Bhog should be offered to the Lord.
• The Prasad should then be distributed amongst everyone.
• Brahmins should be offered food, donations etc as per one’s ability.

The Champak Dwadashi fast should ideally start from Ekadashi. If for some reason this is not feasible then one can start the fast on Dwadashi. After fasting the entire day of Ekadashi, Jagran Kirtan should be done at night. Next day one must take a bath early in the morning and then Brahmins should be given fruits, food and donation as per one’s capacity. It is believed when one observes the Champa Dwadashi fast by following all rituals properly then he/she receives Baikuntha. The glory of this fast destroys all the sins of the fast and he is able to enjoy all the worldly pleasures.

Importance of Champa flowers in Puja

Champa flowers are mainly used in the worship of Lord Shri Krishna on Champa Dwadeshi. As per another belief, Champa flowers are also related to Lord Shiva. Moreover, on the day of Jyeshtha month Dwadeshi, these flowers are used in the worship of Shri Vishnu. It is believed that this leads to the fulfillment of wishes.

A mythological belief about the flowers of Champa is also very popular, according to which neither a moth, nor the butterfly, nor a bee perch on Champa flowers. There is a Hindi saying

“चम्पा तुझमें तीन गुण-रंग रूप और वास, अवगुण तुझमें एक ही भँवर न आयें पास’’। रूप तेज तो राधिके, अरु भँवर कृष्ण को दास, इस मर्यादा के लिये भँवर न आयें पास।।”

According to beliefs, Champa has been regarded as Radhika and Krishna as Bhanvara and bees as Gopas and Gopikas. Bees never sit on Champa as Radhika belongs to Krishna.

Even in Vastu Shastra, this flower is considered very auspicious. It has been considered a symbol of good luck. Keeping it in the house brings wealth.

There is no pollination in this flower, as pollinating agents like butterflies, bees, moths etc. do not perch on it. Along with this, it is also said that Champa flower is considered to be free from lust. In other words, it represents sacrifice. Therefore, Lord Shri Vishnu is adorned by garlands, bracelets, leg bracelets etc. ornaments made of this flower. This appeases Lord Vishnu immediately.

Importance of Champak/Champa Dwadeshi

It is believed that when one worships Lord Krishna with Champa flowers on Champa Dwadeshi, that person attains Moksha. Yudhistar was told about the Champa Dwadeshi story by Lord Shri Krishna. Lord Krishna said to Yudhishtar, “One who will fast on Shukla Paksha, Jyeshta month, Dwadeshi Tithi by reciting Hare Rama, Hare Krishna, that person will receive fruit equivalent to the donation of a thousand cows.” All the wishes of a person who observes this fast as per rituals on Dwadeshi Tithi get fulfilled, not only this, he/she also attains a place in Vishnu Lok.