When is Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti?
Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti is a regional public holiday in India, usually observed in Haryana and Punjab, though it may be observed in some years in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It is observed on the fourth day of Ashwin, the seventh month in the Hindu calendar.
This holiday is celebrated on the birth anniversary of the legendary Hindu king, Agrasen Maharaj.
Traditions of Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti
The time that this legendary king ruled stretches backs beyond antiquity to about 5,000 years, making him a contemporary of Lord Krishna in Hindu tradition.
Agrasen was born as Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, to King Vallabh of Pratapnagar (in modern-day Bangladesh) and belonged to Suryavamsh Kshtriya dynasty. Agrasen is said to have founded both the Agrawal and Agrahari communities in northern India.
His capital is believed to have been Agroha, which is now an important archaeological site in modern-day Haryana.
Interestingly, Agrasen's fame and legend are not based on his ability to conquer and defeat rivals. Instead, from childhood, Maharaj Agrasen was known for his qualities of compassion. He never discriminated against anyone and had an equal vision of all.
A famous example of this is his social concept of 'one brick and one rupee'. According to which every new family coming to Agroha were given one brick and one rupee from every family living in the city. They should build their house with the bricks and do business with the money.
It is a fitting tribute to Agrasen's ideals, that on this day, his many descendants participate in social welfare activities. Free medical camps, food distribution and various cultural functions take place to spread the Agrasen's eternal message of equality and brotherhood.
