Agrasen Jayanti 2023 Date, Celebrations & Significance
Every year on the birthday of the legendary Hindu monarch Agrasen Maharaj, also known as Monarch Agroha, Agrasen Jayanti is observed. Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti is a regional festival celebrated in the Indian states of Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh on the fourth day of the Hindu calendar’s seventh month of Ashwin.
It is believed that Maharaja Agrasen is the founder of the Agrahari and Agrawal communities. The word “Agrawal” is composed of two separate words: “Agra” means “Agrasen” and “wal” means son. Agrawal and Agrahari are believed to be boons to society. As he is known to be the community’s progenitor, the festival is celebrated with great joy and reverence in his honor.
Agrasen Jayanti is celebrated on the ‘Ekam’ (first day) of the Shukla Paksha (period of the radiant fortnight of the moon) during the Hindu month of ‘Ashwin’ (Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada) per the Hindu calendar.
Agrasen Jayanti Date 2023
Sunday, 15 October, 2023
Celebrations on Agrasen Jayanti
Agrasen Jayanti is commemorated with great fervor throughout India, particularly in the northern states dominated by the Agrawal, Agrahari, and Jain communities, such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. On the 5100th anniversary of his birth, in 1976, the Indian government issued a commemorative stamp in his honor.
On the day of Agrasen Jayanti, members of the Agrawal and Agrahari communities pay devoted homage to Maharaja Agrasen and pray to Goddess Lakshmi for peace, harmony, and prosperity in their personal and professional lives. Shobha Yatras (procession) in honor of Maharaja Agrasen are conducted at various locations endowed with Maharaja Agrasen’s relics and images.
According to legend, Agrasena Maharaj performed rigorous Tapas and called upon Shiva, who advised him to venerate Goddess Lakshmi. Then, Agrasena Maharaj conducted penance for the goddess Lakshmi. She appeared and urged him to pursue a career in business for the welfare of his people. Thus, members of the Agrawal and Agrahari communities uphold the custom of conducting business.
This day is deemed favorable for launching a new business venture. In an effort to follow in his charitable footsteps, the members of Vaishya samaj engage in a variety of social welfare activities. To spread the message of equality and brotherhood, they coordinate free food distribution and medical camps. In certain locations, cultural events and programs based on the life of Maharaja Agrasen are also conducted.
Notably, innumerable Dharamshala (inns) located throughout the holy city of Haridwar and other pilgrimage sites in the country attribute their existence to the Agrahari sect of the Hindu community, whose ancestors constructed them to provide free shelter and food to pilgrims.
Significance of Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti
In addition to his humane qualities, Maharaj Agrasen is also a successful businessman. According to Mr. Hamid Ansari, former Vice President of India, Agrasen Maharaja taught society the importance of unity and mutual aid. It is said that in Agrasen’s dominion, every new family entering Agroha received one brick and one rupee from each city-dwelling family, in accordance with the ‘one brick and one rupee’ policy. Using the bricks, the family can construct a home for themselves and use the money to conduct business. In this way, the birth anniversary of Agrasen signifies the significance of being kind and helpful to others, and the day is also considered fortunate for launching a new business.