Bhishma Dwadashi is celebrated on the Shukla Paksha of Magh month. A fast in the memory of Bhishma Pitamah is observed on this day. The Bhishma festival chapter of Mahabharata is recited on this day. Lord Krishna too is worshipped. According to mythological belief, Bhishma Pitamah had sacrificed his body on Ashtami Tithi on the day of Bhishma Ashtami, but Dwadashi Tithi was selected to carry out all rituals and religious activities for him. Hence, his Nirvana day is celebrated on Dwadashi.

Bhishma Dwadashi Puja Muhurta

• This year Bhishma Dwadashi will be celebrated on 20 February 2024 on Saturday.
• Dwadashi Tithi begins - 20 February 2024, from 09:56.
• Dwadashi Tithi ends - 21 February 2024, to 11:27.

Bhishma Dwadashi Story

In Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah was fighting the war on behalf of the Kauravas. It was impossible for the Pandavas to beat Bhishma. This is because Bhishma had the boon to die only when he decides to do so. In the war, the Kauravas could not be defeated because of Bhishma Pitamah’s skills. A plan was made to defeat Bhishma. The center point of this scheme was Shikhandi. Pitamah had vowed that he would never take up arms in front of a woman. Therefore, when the Pandavas find out about this vow they trick Bhishma. During the war, they pitched Shikhandi right in front of Bhishma Pitama. As per his vow, he does not take up arms. Taking advantage of this opportunity Arjun starts showering arrows at Bhishma. Finally, Pitamah collapses and lays down on the bed of arrows.

But at that time Bhishma Pitamah did not give up his life due to Surya Dakshinayan. He sacrifices his body only when the sun turns Uttarayan. Bhishma Pitamah gave up his life on Ashtami. However, the Dwadashi date of Magh month was fixed for his Puja. For this reason, Shukla Paksha Dwadashi Tithi of the Magh month is called Bhishma Dwadashi.

Bhishma Dwadashi Puja Procedure

• One should wake up early in the morning, finish all chores, take a bath and then worship Lord Vishnu and Sun God.
• Tarpan should be performed for Bhishma Pitamah with sesame, water and Kusha.
• The ritual of Tarpan can also be done by a qualified Brahmin.
• The Brahmins should be offered food and Dakshina.
• Traditionally ancestors are also worshipped on this day.
• One should listen to Bhishma Katha on this day. It is believed that by performing pooja etc. on this day alleviates a person's sufferings and blessings of ancestors are obtained.
• This Puja also helps in getting rid of Pitra Dosha.

Donate sesame seeds on Bhishma Dwadashi

The day of Bhishma Dwadashi also indicates the importance of donating sesame seeds. Havan is organised on this day and sesame seeds are used in the same. Taking a bath with water filled with sesame seeds and donating sesame seeds both are said to be extremely good. Donating sesame brings happiness to one’s life. The doors to success open. There are different beliefs about this day in Hinduism, but one this is for sure, sesame seeds are considered very important on this day.

Everything related to sesame seeds, from the donation of sesame seeds to the consumption of sesame seeds on the day of Bhishma Dwadashi, is considered auspicious. In Hinduism, sesame seeds are considered holy, perishable and virtuous. One should collect pure sesame seeds and donate them to Brahmins as per one’s capacity. The fruit of donating sesame is similar to that of Agni Yagya. The donor of sesame seeds gets his/her due fruits.

Why Bhishma Pitamah got the boon of "wish death"

According to the legend of Mahabharata, there was a king named Shantanu in Hastinapur. His wife’s name was Ganga and they had a son by the name Devaratna. After the birth of Devavrata, according to her promise, Ganga leaves Shantanu. Shantanu is left alone. Once King Shantanu meets a girl named Satyavati. He gets smitten by her. He goes to Satyavati’s father with the proposal of marriage with Satyavati. Satyavati’s father agrees but on the condition that only the children of Satyavati will be made successors of the state.

Raja Shantanu rejects this condition. But when the son Devavrata comes to know about this, he pledges to remain unmarried and also pledges that he will let the children of Satyavati inherit the kingdom. After this, Satyavati is married to Shantanu. Hearing the son's harsh vows, King Shantanu gives Devavrata the boon of willful death. It is due to this pledge that Devavrata receives the name Bhishma.

Bhishma gave up his life on Ashtami, but was worshiped on Dwadashi

The period of Bhishma Dwadashi i.e. the Dwadashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Magh month is very important for Tarpan and Puja. Bathing on this day also gives very auspicious results. This day is also called Til Dwadashi. Therefore, both donations and consumption of sesame seeds are good on this day. It is believed that Pandavas performed the last rites of Pitamah Bhishma on this day. Therefore, performing Tarpan and Shraddha for the forefathers on this day brings a lot of peace to their souls.

It is believed that by fasting on the day of Bhishma Dwadashi, a person's wishes are fulfilled. There is happiness and prosperity in life. Lord Vishnu is also worshiped on Dwadashi. One must provide food and Dakshina to Brahmins according to one’s ability. This leads to an increase in happiness. Taking bath and donation on the day of Dwadashi brings happiness, good fortune and wealth. On this day, food is also served to poor people. All the sins are destroyed by this fast. All wishes are fulfilled by observing this fast. Fasting of Bhishma Dwadashi brings contentment.