Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti – September 26, 2022, history significance fact why we celebrate
Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti is annually observed on the fourth day of the Hindu calendar’s Ashwin month and takes place on September 26 this year. The Vaishya community devotes the day to honoring their respected king, Maharaja Agrasen, who believed in nondiscrimination and equality.
His descendants involve themselves in social welfare activities to follow in his footsteps and spread the messages of brotherhood and equality. They organize free medical camps and food distribution events, and cultural functions and programs are held in several places.
HISTORY OF MAHARAJA AGRASEN JAYANTI
In India, Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti is a regional public holiday that falls on the fourth day of the Hindu calendar’s Ashwin month, sometime between September and October. In the Punjab and Haryana state, Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti is a gazetted holiday.
The day is celebrated by the Agrahari, Agrawal, and Jain communities to commemorate Maharaja Agrasen’s birth anniversary. He was the king of Agroha and is said to be the originator of the Agrahari and Agrawal. Throughout the day, the communities remember him and try to follow in his footsteps.
Maharaja Agrasen belonged to the Suryavamsha Kshatriya Dynasty, born to King Vallabh of Pratapnagar, now Bangladesh. His fame stems not from his ability to conquer rivals but from his compassion, which was evident from a young age.
He is said to have been against discrimination and to have an equal vision for all. In addition, he initiated a social concept called “one brick and one rupee.” Every new family coming to Agroha would be given one brick and one rupee from each family living in the city. The new family could use the bricks to build their house and the money to conduct business.
On Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti, the Agrahari and Agrawal communities commemorate Maharaja Agrasen with religious devotion and offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi to seek their blessings of harmony, peace, and prosperity. They also visit the temples of their respective ‘Kuldevi’ to ask for blessings.
Descendants of Maharaja Agrasen involve themselves in social welfare activities, such as free medical camps and food distribution, to emphasize brotherhood and equality. In several places, cultural functions and programs are also held based on the king’s life history to honor his ideals and follow in his footsteps.
MAHARAJA AGRASEN JAYANTI TIMELINE
3082 B.C.
Maharaja Agrasen
Prince Agrasen is born on September 15.
3rd to 4th Century B.C.
Agroha Mound
Agroha mound is founded, where there are a defense wall, shrine cells, and residential houses.
1888 — 1889
The Excavation
The Agroha mound excavation is started.
1976
Postage Stamp
The Government of India issues a postage stamp in honor of Maharaja Agrasen.
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HOW TO OBSERVE MAHARAJA AGRASEN JAYANTI
Offer prayers
Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti is celebrated in honor of the king. Aside from that, you may want to pray to Goddess Lakshmi for her blessings.
Visit the temples
Visit the temples of your respective ‘Kuldevi’ to ask for blessings. It’s time for you to worship and celebrate the respected king, Maharaja Agrasen.
Follow in his footsteps
Nothing honors the king more than living out his virtues. Be part of the various social welfare activities by donating food to those in need.
5 FACTS ABOUT GODDESS LAKSHMI YOU NEED TO KNOW
Her hands represent goals of human life
Goddess Lakshmi’s four hands represent the four goals of human life: ‘dharma’ (truth), ‘artha’ (prosperity), ‘kama’ (pleasure), and ‘moksha’ (liberation).
She incarnated whenever Vishnu did
Goddess Lakshmi incarnated every time Lord Vishnu did, demonstrating her love and devotion to her husband.
She’s closely associated with the lotus
The lotus Goddess Lakshmi stands on represents the material wealth of the world.
She’s a mother goddess
Goddess Lakshmi is addressed as ‘Mata’ (mother) rather than just ‘Devi’ (goddess).
She loves cleanliness
It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi only visits clean and tidy houses.
WHY MAHARAJA AGRASEN JAYANTI IS IMPORTANT
To commemorate
Maharaja Agrasen is believed to be the originator of the Agrahari and Agrawal communities. So, Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti is celebrated by those communities in honor of their forefather.
To do good deeds
Maharaja Agrasen initiated the concept of “one brick and one rupee.” It shows that good deeds that are done collectively yield great results.
To follow in his footsteps
Descendants of Maharaja Agrasen involve themselves in social welfare activities to celebrate the day. They are done to spread the king’s message of equality and brotherhood.
