- Sage Kashyap
- Sage Bharadwaj
- Sage Atri
- Sage Vishwamitra
- Sage Gautam
- Sage Jamadagni
- Sage Vasishtha
This vrat signifies spiritual growth and cleansing. Generally, women observe this fast but some men observe it too. This fast also helps detoxify our body as only fruits are consumed on this day. In Maharashtra a special delicacy called Rishi Panchami bhaji / curry is prepared using all the seasonal locally grown vegetables without using spices in earthen pots, to signify the simple life led by the sages.
Every year on the second day of the Ganpati Festival that is on the day of Rishi Panchami, Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust arranges a Collective chanting ceremony of the Atharvashirsha Stotra, a prayer dedicated to the praises of Lord Ganesh. This ceremony is arranged specifically for women. On this day women from all over Maharashtra come together near the Shrimant Dagdusheth Ganpati pandal as early as 4 am in the morning. The chanting ceremony usually starts at 6 am, goes on for an hour or so and is concluded by a musical programme. This year as well Rishi Panchami was celebrated with all pomp and glory. Thousands of ladies graced it. The musical programme started around 5 am and was followed by the chanting ceremony or the Atharvashirsha Pathan.
‘Atharva’ means something that doesn’t move or is steady and has divine knowledge, and ‘Shirsha’ means head. Thus, Atharvashirsha means someone whose head on in this case mind cannot be moved or swayed in any situation. Lord Ganpati Bappa also signifies this and teaches us devotees to never loose sight or focus and not let our mind get diverted by greed or evil while going on with our lives.
– Shruti Ghanpathi