Bhishma Panchak 2023: Date, Fasting Rituals and Know its importance

Bhishma Panchak 2023: The last five days of Kartik Month known as Bhishma Panchaka or Vishnu Panchaka. For these five days, Grandfather Bhishma fasted in preparation for his impending death. In the Hari Bhakti Vilasa, it is said that if one is capable, one should observe fasting from certain foodstuffs on the Bhishma panchaka for the pleasure of the Lord. On the day of Ekadashi, the fast should start with remembrance of Bhisma Ptamah and conclude on Purnima or the full moon. The fast has begun from November 23 and it will conclude on November 27, 2023.

Bhishma Panchak 2023 Date

Bhishma Panchak Begins - November 23, 2023
Bhishma Pancka Ends - November 27, 2023

Bhishma Panchak 2023: Significance

Bhishma Panchaka is five day worship period that is set aside for the final five days of Kartika (Damodara) month. Lord Krishnapromised to shower his blessings on his devoteeswho fast, read, hear, chant the names of Lord Krishna. These five days are dedicated to Bhishma Pitamaha.The best way to follow the Kartika-vrata is to consume only milk or water for the final five days of the fast and refrain from eating grains for the entire month.
According to the Padma Purana, through such austerities, one pleases the Lord and connects with them spiritually.

Bhishma Panchak 2023: What to do and avoid?What to do?

You can eat all these food items during fast

• Fruits: Apple, orange, cheeku, pear, ripe banana
• Boiled potatoes, Tapioca, raw banana and sweet potato can be taken.
• You can use sea salt for taste.
• Black pepper, lemon, ginger.
• Cashew nuts (Plain), almonds, peanuts, raisins, dates can be taken.
• Coconut water and grated coconut can be taken.

What to avoid?

• Fruits with lots of seeds to be avoided like guava, pomegranate, cucumber etc.
• Milk and milk products (dairy) to be avoided.
• No oil, ghee
• Pistachio

If people can’t follow the above level of fasting, one can choose Havishya.

Aatap rice, Ghee from cow, Saindha salt (salt from ocean), Milk from cow, Milk with cream, Ripe banana, Kaala shaaka, Wheat, Fruits (Skanda Puraana, Naagara Khanda says they must be with a small seed or with few seeds only), Mango, Jackfruit, Pippalii, Haritakii, Naagaranga, Ikshu-dravya or sugarcane derivatives (other than gur or molasses), No oil

The below mentioned ingredients are normally part of Havishya but should be avoided in the month of Kartika:

• Mung dal
• Til oil
• Beta-shaaka
• Shashtikaa-shaaka
• Radish
• Jeeraa
• Tamarind

Bhishma Panchak Puja Rituals

1. One must take bath in Ganga and if they are unable to take bath in Ganga water then they can sprinkle Gangajal and chant "Ganga! Ganga! Ganga!”
2. Offer tarpana 3 times for bhismadeva by chanting the following mantra

Tarpana - Om vaiyaghra padya gotraya samkrti pravaraya ca aputraya dadamyetat salilam bhismavarmane..!!
Arghya - Vasunamavataraya santanoratmajaya ca arghyam dadami bhismaya ajanma brahmacarine..!!Pranam - Om bhismah santanavo birah satyavadi jitendriyah abhiradbhiravapnatu putrapautrocitam kriyam..!!