Each day of the year has its own special importance in terms of fasts and festivals based on the Yogas that are created by Tithi, Nakshatra etc. From amongst these, Kokila Vrat is celebrated on the Purnima of Ashadh month. The Ashadh month of Hindu calendar ends with Kokila Vrat on the Purnima Tithi.
Kokila Vrat finds a place in the category of fasts in which love of nature is the main basis of celebration. This fast strengthens the relationship between human life and nature. It makes the bond auspicious. Ashadh month is the month that depicts new changes within nature. According to religious texts, traditionally Kokila Vrat is observed on the Purnima of Ashadh month.
Kokila Vrat is associated with traditions
Kokila Vrat is a fast which is associated with folk life and culture. This fast, especially in rural areas, brings out mythological significance through folk tales. Each caste recognizes the invaluable qualities of nature and performs several kinds of spiritual and religious rituals as an expression of harmony with nature’s bounty. Indian traditions and fasts too reflect human love for animals, birds, trees and plants.
The Kokila Vrat is mainly observed by women. The basic purpose of this fast is to increase the good fortune and to get the happiness of married life. Married women and girls perform this fast. Girls observe this fast to find a suitable life partner and timely marriage. The rituals that are to be followed to observe this fast are the same as any other fast under the Indian tradition.
Kokila Vrat Puja Rituals
When one observes the Kokila Vrat properly by following all rules and rituals, the outcome is very auspicious. Complete devotion while observing this fast helps in harnessing the blessings from this fast completely. Kokila fast is observed on the full moon day, but it starts a day in advance. Kokila Vrat has special significance in Hindu religion, this fast blesses the married with marital happiness and early marriage for those who are unmarried.
Kokila Vrat is especially observed by young girls who seek a suitable groom. Just as Teej’s fast also gives a boon to life partner’s long life, similarly Kokila Vrat blesses one with the attainment of a worthy life partner. All the wishes of the person who observes this fast as per rituals are fulfilled.
The one who decides to observe the fast must wake up at Brahma Muhurta. One must meditate on the Lord while carrying out daily activities and while bathing. Ganga Snan done on this day has special importance. Besides this pilgrimage, Snan in holy rivers should be done on this day. Araghya to the Sun should be done after the bath.
After the bath one must worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. An idol or a picture of them should be kept at the place of worship. Shivling Abhishek should be done. The Abhishek should be done using Panchamrit. After that Gangajal should be offered to the Lord. White and red flowers, Belpatra, Durva, Gandha, Dhup, Deep etc. should be used in the Puja. One must resolve to fast without food on this day. After the morning Puja the entire day should be spent in chanting Lord’s Mantra and Jap while fasting at the same time. In the evening once again Aarti Puja should be done. One can consume fruits after the evening Puja. Kokila Vrat Katha should be heard and recited on this day.
Kokila Vrat Katha-
The story of Kokila Vrat is related to Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati. According to this story, Goddess Sati sought Lord Shiva as her life partner. She undergoes a prolonged rigorous penance for this wish to be fulfilled.
The Kokila Vrat story is described in detail in the Shiva Purana. According to this legend, Goddess Sati was married to Lord Shiva. This penance lasted for an entire incarnation and she got married to Lord Shiva as Goddess Parvati. Goddess Sati was born as the daughter of King Daksha. King Daksha used to hate Lord Shiva a lot. Goddess Sati however marries Lord Shiva without her father’s permission. This angers King Daksha. He distances himself from Sati completely, deprives her of all rights and also expels her from his household.
Kind Daksha once conducts a Yagya. He invites everyone possible to the Yagya. Brahma, Vishnu, all Devtas and Devis are sent invites however Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati are not invited. When Sati comes to know that everyone is called but she is not called she gets very upset. She cannot help herself and decides to go for the Yagya. She then requests permission from her husband Lord Shiva to attend the Yagya. Lord Shiva advises her against attending the Yagya. He tells her it would not be right to go uninvited to the Yagya even if it is her own father’s house. Goddess Sati being stubborn does not pay heed to Lord Shiva’s advice and goes to her father’s house.
Instead of feeling happy, her father insults her completely. In fact, Daksha disrespects not only Sati, but also Lord Shiva. Sati is unable to bear the insult of her husband and jumps into the fire of the same Yagya. Sati sacrifices her body. When Lord Shiva comes to know about Sati, he ends the Yagya and diffuses Daksha’s ego. Sati too pays a price for her stubbornness, Prajapati curses Sati. As per the curse, Sati incarnates as a cuckoo and lives in Nandan forest for thousands of years. This is the reason why this fast is called the Kokila Vrat fast. In her incarnation as a cuckoo, she observes deep penance for thousands of years and once again gets married to Lord Shiva.
Kokila Vrat Beliefs
It is believed that women who observe this fast get all the happiness in life. They are blessed with a power within them that inspires them to keep their family connected. This fast helps them move forward by making them capable of enduring every form of hardship. This fast also improves a woman’s personality and beauty. It is considered ideal to bathe with herbs on this day.
Women who observe the Kokila Vrat should follow certain bathing rituals. To begin with, for the first eight days they should apply Amla paste on their entire body and then take a bath. After this, they should take a bath using medicines such as Koot, Jatmasi, raw and dry turmeric, Mura, Shilajit, Sandalwood, Vach, Champak and Nagarmotha for another eight days.
Once this is done they should take a bath using herbs for another eight days. Finally, for the last six days, they should use sesame seeds, Amla and all medicines while bathing. Every day, after bathing, a cuckoo should be worshipped. On the last day, the cuckoo should be beautified and donated to either a Brahmin or the mother-in-law and the father-in-law.