Kedhara Gowri (also spelled as Gouri) Vrata is familiarly known as Dipavali or Diwali. It is celebrated in a grand manner all over India. The people observe this festival with no bar of cast, creed, rich or poor. Very few people know that it is an important Shaivite Vrata.

Brungi Rishi was a great Vakta (follower) of lord Shiva. When he prayed to god he used to pray only to Lord shiva and ignored Shakti. Shakti was very angry by this act and she extracted all the energies from the sage`s body. The Rishi was not able to stand any more. He keep continuing his prayer to Lord Shiva and god gave him a stick to support his body. Shakti wanted to become a part of lord`s body. She observed the Kedhara Vrata, which was one of the god`s favorites. Pleased by Shakti`s austerities God allowed Shakti to become the left part of his body and turned into `Ardhanarishwara`( half god half woman). The Vrata is thereafter called Kedahara Gowri Vrata since goddess Gowri observed it.

The Kedhara Gowri Vrata is observed for twenty-one days starting from Shukla Paksha dashami (tenth Monday of Moon`s growing phase) in the month of Purattachi (mid September to mid October). The final day of this twenty one day is Dipavali, which should be observed with great devotion.

There are certain rules and Mantras to observe this Vrata. Lord Kedharaswami is installed in a filled pot or Kalasham. A roof or Mantapa is made above the kalasham. The Vrata thread is made with twenty-one fibers with twenty-one knots. Sixteen courtesy worships have to be done for 21 days starting from the Purattachi Dashami to Aipachi (mid October to mid November) Amarapaksha/ amavasya Chaturdashi (Dipavali). The 21st day is the culmination day on which the kalasham is installed on a clean decorated area over the grains spread in a banana leaf. The lord is offered various foods and fruits and poor people are given donations.

The Kedhara Gouri Vrata is very glorious as Shri Gowri Devi observed the Vrata in full devotion to get assorted in Lord Shiva`s body as Ardhanariswara. Vishnu became Lord of Vaikuntha by observing this Vrata. Brahma got his Hansa vehicle and the guard of eight directions got rid of their curse they got from Brahma. Bhagavati and Punyavati got lots of wealth after performing this Vrata. One who observes this Vratam with devotion pleases Lord Shiva.