Rishi Panchami is the fifth day of the Hindu month Bhadrapada and is the next day of Ganesh Chaturthi. On this day puja is performed to the seven sages who are called Sapta rishis. The names of the seven sages are Kashyapa, Atri, Bharadhvaja, Vishvamitra, Gauthama, Jamadagni and Vashishta.

Rishi Panchami is also observed as Vishvakarma puja in some parts of Kerala. This puja is performed to show gratitude to the great sages who devoted their entire life for the well-being of people and society. These learned sages taught people the ways of leading a disciplined life. They shared their knowledge and wisdom with common people in order to make them enlightened.

Rishi Panchami puja is of great importance to Hindus and the puja is mostly performed by women by observing rishi panchami vrat. According to the religious texts, fasting on the auspicious day of rishi panchami will free you from the misdeeds of the past as well as present life.

As per the legends, Lord Brahma narrated the story of a poor brahmin who was living in a village with his wife and his widow daughter. One night while they were sleeping they found that their daughter’s body was completely covered by ants. They were in shock and so they called a sage to resolve the problem.

The learned sage analyzed the situation and told them the reason behind her sufferings. The sage told them about the sins that she had made in her past life and asked her to carry out some rituals on the propitious day of rishi panchami. Sage made her understand how this ritual will sanctify her body, mind and soul. Daughter followed the instructions of the sage and got herself free from all the wrong doings which she had done knowingly or unknowingly. This story makes us realize the significance of the holy ritual rishi panchami.

Performers of rishi panchami puja have to strictly follow the rules which are mentioned in the holy scriptures. They have to wake up early in the morning and take a bath. Set the place for the puja and organise all the sacred materials which are essential for this ritual. All seven sages are worshipped and expert pundits read the rishi panchami katha. It is also said that taking a dip in the holy rivers on the day of rishi panchami will wipe off all the sins.