Rishi Panchami Vrata

Today (Bhadra Shukla Panchami) is Rishi Panchami, a special day for women to worship the seven sages (Saptarishis). The history of Rishi Panchami is thousands of years old and just as old is the history of the importance given to women's sexual and reproductive health and rights by Vedic Sanatan rituals. It is customary for women to compare the days of menstruation according to the four goddesses: Chandalani on the first day, Brahmadhatini on the second day, Dhobini on the third day and purification by bathing on the fourth day.