Shashti of Shukla Paksha of Margashirsha month is also celebrated under the name Champa Shashthi. It is believed that the festival of Champa Shashthi is dedicated to Khandova, an avatar of Lord Shiva. Khandova or Khandoba is also called by many other names. Of these, the names Khanderaya, Malhari, Martand etc. are very famous.
Champa Shashti and Khandova Belief and Importance
Khandova Dev, an Avatar of Lord Shiva, is worshiped as a Kul Devta by the people living in Maharashtra and Karnataka. They are worshiped by people of every class. There is no distinction between the rich and the poor amongst them. Everyone worships the Lord at the same level. Apart from this, Khandoba is also considered by some to be an Avatar of Skanda, according to some, he is considered an incarnation of Shiva or his Bhairava form. According to some other thinkers, Khandoba was a heroic warrior and so was considered as the form of deity. Many such views are found about Khandoba.
So many different views and beliefs prove that Khandoba’s place has been extremely important for all people. Different festivals are hence organized on this date in his name.
Champa Shashthi Pooja Method
Champa Shashti is celebrated more in the Poona and Maharashtra regions of the country. It is celebrated with great pomp in the Khandoba temple in Jejuri. On this day turmeric, fruits, vegetables etc. are offered to Khandoba Dev. A fair is also organized here. Lord Shiva is worshiped on the Shashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Margashirsha month. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Martand on this day.
Martand incarnation of Shiva is also an extremely fierce form and is also called as Bhairava. Lord Shiva is anointed on this day in the morning. Lord Shiva is worshipped by placing a lamp, flowers, Bel Patra, Akshat, fragrance etc. in front of him. This incarnation of Lord Shiva is also associated with farmers. Therefore, farmers worship their tools on this day. Lord Kartikeya is also worshiped along with Lord Shiva. The Shashthi Tithi is anyway dedicated to Skanda (Kartikeya). Therefore, this festival is also called Shashti festival. Along with Puja, fast is also observed on this day.
Champa Shashthi Mythology
The day of Champa Shashthi is associated with Khandoba. This story is related to Lord Shiva. Khandoba was served by two beings “Baadhya” and “Murali”. Baadhya was the name of Khandoba’s dog. Murali was a worshiper of Khandoba and a devadasi. Accordingly, in the south, there are two classes of worshippers named Baadhya and Murali. They are Banjaras and lead a nomadic life.
Many opinions have been popular with regard to Khandoba. It is also said that custom to worship Khandoba started from Karnataka and then reached Maharashtra. Khandoba Dev is also seen as a symbol of a cultural connection between Maharashtra and Karnataka. In Karnataka, Khandoba is called Mallari, Mallari Martand, Mallar etc.
As per some stories, one can decipher that once a group of sages was absorbed in deep penance on the Munichal mountain. Two demons by the names Mani and Maal reach the mountain and create a lot of havoc. They destroy the mountain completely. The sages get disturbed by all the havoc created by the demons and they are not able to complete their austerities.
Troubled by the demons, the sages seek help from the Devtas. The demons were blessed by Lord Brahma which made them invincible, the Devtas too could not defeat them. Gods also do not defeat those demons because the blessings of Brahma Ji protect those demons. All sages and Devtas then seek Brahma ji’s help. Brahma ji tells them that both Mani and Malla have the gift of immortality. No one can kill them because of this boon.
The Devatas then seek protection from Lord Shiva against the demons. Lord Shiva takes the form of Martand and destroys the demons. He incarnates in the form of Bhairav. Together he and his brother Kartikeya fight against Mani and Malha. They conquer the demons. Mani and Malha were great devotees of God. Therefore, at the time of surrender, Mani requests for a boon to serve the God in the form of horse and Malha requests to worship the God in his own name as a sage. Both the boons were granted.
This story depicts a confluence of cosmic and trans-cosmic powers. Martand Bhairav gave Mani the boon to live with him as a horse. Malla on the other hand named himself Mallari. The sage began to live fearlessly. Even today the Mallari Mallar Katha is prevalent in these places.
Importance of Champa Shashthi festival
Champa Shashthi is a very auspicious day. Lord Surya is also addressed by the name Surya. A devotee should wake up before sunrise, take a bath, offer greetings to Suryadev and perform Surya Puja. Meditation is done remembering Lord Shiva. Shivalinga is worshiped. Milk and Ganga water are offered on the Shivling. Champa flowers are offered to God on this day. It is believed that by worshiping God and fasting on this day, sins are destroyed, troubles end, happiness and peace are attained in life. One must sleep on the ground. There are different types of opinions and beliefs about how Champa Shashti started.
Puja Path and charity done on this day also helps one attain salvation. The stories of Champa Shashthi are associated with Skanda Shashti and sometimes Khandoba Dev is associated with Shashthi Tithi. This day is worshiped with different names in different parts of India.