Notes: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of Lancaster, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
According to the Hindu Panchang, Parashara Rishi Jayanti is celebrated on the Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi of the Vaishakha month. This day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sage Parashara. On this occasion, devotees observe fast and perform rituals such as worship and fire offerings, i.e., Havan in honor of the great sage. According to the scriptures, Sage Parashara was the Vyasa of the twenty-sixth Dvapara Yuga.
Maharshi Parashara was the son of Sage Shakti and Devi Adrishyanti, the daughter of Sage Utathya. The illustrious Maharshi Vedavyasa, author of the great epic Mahabharata and several other sacred texts, was the son of Sage Parashara and Devi Satyavati.
Sage Parashara composed the Parashara Smriti, also known as the Parashara Dharma Samhita. He was also the author of Vriksha Ayurveda, one of the most ancient treatises on botany. The scriptures describe Sage Parashara as a Mantradrashta i.e. seer of Mantras, Shastravetta i.e. a scholar of sacred knowledge, Brahmajnani i.e. a knower of Brahman and a revered Smritikara Rishi. He was the grandson of Sage Vasishtha, the Gotra Pravartaka means Vedic lineage, a seer of Vedic hymns and an eminent author of sacred texts.
It is said that Sage Parashara visited Bhishma Pitamaha when he lay on his bed of arrows. He was also present among the many sages gathered during King Parikshit's final vow of fasting unto death known as Prayopavesha, as well as during great Sarpa Yajna of King Janamejaya. Hence, Sage Parashara has always held a highly esteemed position among the ancient Rishis. Therefore, on Parashara Jayanti, one should worship him with devotion and observe the Vrat according to one's capacity.
In the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of about 2,730 meters, lies a serene freshwater lake known as Parashar Lake. On its banks stands a magnificent three-tiered temple dedicated to Sage Parashara. According to legend, the sage performed intense penance at this very spot. A grand festival is organized here every year on the occasion of Parashara Rishi Jayanti to honor his life and spiritual contributions.
