Bhishma Dwadasi

Bhishma Dwadasi, or Bhishma Dvadasi, is observed on the 12th day in the month of Magha (January - February) during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon). Bhisma Dwadasi is also known as Magh Shukla Dwadasi.

Bhishma Dwadashi is an auspicious Dwadasi vrata observed on Shukla Paksha dwadasi in Magh month. It marks the end of Bhishma Panchak Vrata which begins on Bhishma Ashtami. Devotees who have started their Ekadashi vrata would break their fast on Bhishma Dwadashi by performing special puja to Lord Vishnu. Reciting Vishnu Sahasranama stotram and performing Vishnu puja are the best rituals to observe on Bhishma dwadasi.

Worship of Bhishma Dwadshi :

A person should take a bath on this day and keep a fast before worshipping Lord Laxminarayana. He is worshipped with fruits, banana leaves, supari, pan, til, moli, roli, kumkum etc. Panchamrit is made with milk, honey, banana, ganga jal, tulsi and sweets. Prasad is made by mixing wheat and sugar together and roasting them.

After Laxminarayana puja, other devi-devas are worshipped. Charnamrit and Prasad are worshipped among everyone after the puja. A person should take a bath in the morning and worship Lord Vishnu. Donations and charities to Brahmanas should also be made. This provides blessings and a person is blessed with a child, wealth etc. Later on, food should be eaten with the family and prayers should be offered to the Lord asking for his blessings, salvation etc.

Bhishma Dwadashi Story :

A legend is famous about Bhishma Dwadashi. According to this legend, Shantanu's wife Ganga gave birth to a son named, Devvrat. She left Shantanu after giving birth to this child. Shantanu was depressed because of this for a long time. After some time, Shantanu wanted to cross river Ganga and sat in boat. The boat belonged to a girl named, Matsyagandha.

Matsyagandha was later famous by the name, Satyawati. Shantanu was spell bound by the girl's beauty and asked for her father's permission to marry her. Satyawati's father had one condition. It was that her son would be Shantanu's successor to the throne.

2017 Date : 8th February.