Jaya Parvati Vrat is observed for the well-being of one’s husband and the happiness of children. It is believed that unmarried girls who perform this vrat (fast) with devotion are blessed with a righteous and virtuous husband. According to the scriptures, this vrat should be observed for either 5 or 11 years. After the completion of the vrat, it is customary to hold a night vigil (jagaran) and offer food to a Brahmin couple.
Jaya Parvati Vrat is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It begins on Ashadha Sud 13th and lasts for five days. During this vrat, salt is avoided in meals. On the final day, unmarried girls stay awake all night and conclude the vrat with rituals. This vrat is usually performed by unmarried girls and married women for a minimum of five years and a maximum of twenty years.This vrat is also known by other names such as Gauri Vrat, Mangala Gauri Vrat, and Saubhagya Sundari Vrat.
According to ancient beliefs, this vrat grants the boon of eternal marital bliss and improves children's health. It is said that Goddess Parvati herself first observed this vrat to attain Lord Shiva as her consort. Later, Goddess Sita also worshipped Parvati by singing the prayer "Jai Jai Girivar Raj Kishori" to obtain her desired husband. Pleased by her devotion, Parvati granted her the boon of marrying her beloved.
Jaya Parvati Vrat
At one time a suitable Brahmin named Vaman lived in a town called Kaudinya. His wife's name was Satya. There was no loss of any kind in his house but he was very sad because he did not have children there. One day Nardji came to him there. He served Naradaji and asked for a solution to his problem. Then Naradaji said, Lord Shankar is enthroned with his mother Parvati in a lingarup under a billy tree in the southern part of the forest outside your town. Worshiping them will definitely fulfill your psychic desires.
Then the Brahmin couple found the Shivling and worshiped it in a complete ritual. Thus the order of worship continued and five years passed. One day while he was picking flowers for Brahmin worship, he was bitten by a snake and fell into the forest. The Brahmin did not return many times so his wife set out to find him. Seeing her husband unconscious, she began to mourn and remember Parvati.
Hearing the pathetic voice of Brahmani, Vandevata and Parvati came and put nectar in Brahman's mouth, which made Brahman sit up. Then the Brahmin couple worshiped Mata Parvati. Mother Parvati asked him to ask for a blessing. The two then demanded procreation. Then mother Parvati asked him to make Jaya Parvati vow. The Brahmin couple performed this ritual and as a result they gave birth to a son Ratna.
This fast in which seven different types of grains are sown in Kodia at home. These sown seeds are preserved for four days. After waking up on the fourth day, it is discharged into the river, Vav or lake on the fifth day. These days the vow worshiper worships Lord Shankar and Mother Parvati every morning. Only unsalted items are eaten.