Rishi Panchami also known as bhadraprada sukla panchami has special significance in Hinduism. On Rishi Panchami,a ritual bath is taken in holy rivers,ponds or in other water masses.Hands and mouth is washed 108 times. Lord Ganesh, Navagraha( nine planetary Gods), Saptarshis (seven Sages) and Arundathi are worshipped.Women offer the 'Prasad' to Gods and wash husbands' feet.Then,women again perform sacred bath and rub the special red mud for several times on different parts of the body.They sprinkle water over head and brush the teeth for 360 times with Dantiwan, a sacred plan.By taking one more ritual bath in sacred water,devotees feel blessed that their all sins are cleansed away..Rishi Panchami to the Sapta Rishis, also known as the seven seers or mental sons of Brahma: Bhrigu, Pulastya, Kratu, Pulaha, Marichi, Atri, and Vasistha. An earthenware or copper pitcher filled with water is placed on an altar sanctified with cow dung. The seven seers are then worshipped with betel leaf, flowers, camphor, and lamps. Only fruits are eaten on this day.
