Matangi Jayanti is a sacred celebration in the Hindu tradition. It is observed on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the month of Vaishakha, according to the Hindu calendar. As per the Gregorian Calendar, it comes in the month of either April or May. This year, “Matangi Jayanti” is on the 30th of April 2025.
As per “Drik Panchang,” the “tithi” for “Matangi Jayanti” in 2025 is as follows:
Matangi Jayanti honours the divine appearance of Goddess Matangi, one of the ten powerful Mahavidyas according to the Tantric tradition. The Goddess is deeply connected with speech, music, and spiritual knowledge, and is believed to help guide people toward their inner truth by recognising the divine even in the unexpected or unusual.
Goddess Matangi is known as the ninth Mahavidya and is often seen as a form of Saraswati because of her close link with learning, the arts, and communication. She governs overexpression in all its forms—music, poetry, or spiritual discourse. However, unlike the mainstream Goddess Saraswati, who epitomises refined knowledge and conventional purity, Matangi resides on the margins, representing the unorthodox, the rejected, and the transformative.
She is also considered a composite form of Goddess Lakshmi (wealth), Saraswati (knowledge), and Parvati (power)—making her a powerful force of Shakti, the feminine divine energy. Matangi manifests in various forms, such as Raja Matangi, Sumukhi Matangi, Uchchishta Matangi, Vashyamatangi, and Karnamatangi, each with specific attributes and divine roles.
Matangi's origins are found in both Tantric scriptures and Puranic mythology. One well-known story from the Brahmayamal Tantra tells of how Goddess Matangi came into being as the daughter of Sage Matanga, who had performed intense penance to gain control over all beings. Because of the power of his spiritual practice, a radiant form of the Goddess was said to have emerged from the eyes of Goddess Tripura Sundari. She took on a deep green hue and came to be known as Raja Matangini.
Another story found in the Shakta Maha-Bhagavata Purana explains how the ten Mahavidyas were born out of Sati’s anger after her father Daksha insulted her. In this legend, Matangi is believed to have taken her place in the northwest, representing her divine strength and presence.
The Shaktisamgama Tantra has a beautiful story for the origin of Matangi Maa. There was a divine feast of the Gods where Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, and Lakshmi were sharing their meal and something magical occurred. As the divine feast was over, a beautiful young girl appeared from the leftover food. She humbly asked if she could receive a small portion of the left-over food. Her humbleness was noticed and appreciated by Lord Shiva, who blessed her with the name Uchchhishta-Matangini. At that defining moment, she was known as devi who offers protection and blessings to the outcasts - the ignored or overlooked beings.
One of the most striking and unusual qualities of Goddess Matangi is how she is seen as Chandalini—the outcast. In her well-known form, Uchchhishta Matangi, she is offered food that has already been tasted (Uchchhishta) and is worshipped with unwashed hands. These rituals challenge traditional ideas of purity in Hindu worship and turn them upside down.
Matangi is not just found in grand temples or royal homes; she is also believed to reside in places that people often avoid, like cremation grounds, the edges of forests, or places considered impure. Matangi is a symbol of transformation as she represents things that society usually rejects. She has always been a guiding light for the devotees to recognise the divine in the most overlooked or discarded parts of life. Through her, we learn that true wisdom comes from embracing every experience, even those we are often told to avoid or consider unimportant.
Goddess Matangi is usually shown with a rich emerald green skin tone, which represents deep wisdom and is linked to the planet Sun (Surya), the planet of Power, fame & honour. In her royal form, Raja Matangi, she is portrayed with four arms holding a veena, a parrot, a club and showing the Abhaya Mudra, which is a gesture that offers protection and reassurance. The veena in her hands is a symbol of her strong link to music and the arts. And, the parrot beside her stands for clear speech and self-expression. Many ancient texts including the Tantrasara and Purashcharyarnava describe her beautiful form with the crescent moon on her forehead. She also has a deep connection to all 64 traditional art forms and branches of knowledge.
According to the Purashcharyarnava:
अक्षवक्ष्ये महादेवीं मातङ्गी सर्वसिद्धिदाम्।
अस्याः सेवनमात्रेण वाक्-सिद्धिं लभते ध्रुम्॥
"Akshavakshye Mahadevim Matangi Sarvasiddhidam।
Asyah Sevanamatrena Vak-Siddhim Labhate Dhrum॥"
This translates to the belief that even a fool becomes wise through Her grace. Devotees who worship and perform the Sadhana of Matangi attain Vak Siddhi—perfection of speech—as well as mastery in fine arts, knowledge, and mystical disciplines.
People across many parts of India celebrate Matangi Jayanti with heartfelt devotion. It usually takes place in April or May, and many times, it falls on the same day as Akshaya Tritiya, which makes it feel even more special. On this day, devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, and get ready for worship with care. They place a picture or idol of Goddess Matangi on a decorated altar and light incense sticks and oil lamps. Offerings like coconuts, flower garlands, fresh flowers, and homemade sweets are also made.
As the day goes on, the feeling of devotion grows. Many chant her mantras, sing kirtans, and even stay up at night singing songs in her praise. Some also give food or clothes to those in need. In temples, priests perform special pujas, havans (fire rituals), and kanya pujas.
Some also use her yantra during prayers and offer sacred items like Bael leaves, neem, turmeric, or perform fire rituals in spaces that are quiet and sometimes considered impure, symbolising the letting go of ego and social expectations.
There are several notable temples dedicated to Mata Matangi that honour her unique energy. In the state of Tamil Nadu, there are two temples: one in Kanchipuram & the other in Nangur of Nagapattinam district. In Uttar Pradesh, there is a shrine of Devi in Varanasi, reflecting her connection to the sacred city.
Even in Ujjain of Madhya Pradesh and Belgaum of Karnataka, there are significant places where devotees worship Maa Matangi. Andhra Pradesh’s Madanapalle in Chittoor District features a dedicated temple as well. Additionally, the Kamakhya Temple of Assam also includes a shrine for Matangi Mata among the ten Mahavidyas.
In today’s modern world, Matangi Devi is seen more and more as a symbol of inner freedom and bold, unapologetic truth. She speaks to artists, writers, musicians, and anyone who has ever felt silenced or pushed to the margins. Her energy is deeply felt in a time where more people are seeking honesty, self-expression, and a deeper kind of spiritual acceptance.
This Matangi Jayanti, let's honour the goddess who encourages us to lead with clarity, speak with honesty, and stay grounded in wisdom throughout life’s journey.
In her green glow, holding a veena and sitting with her parrot, Matangi does not stay at a distance. She comes close, as a reflection of your own voice, your creativity, your hidden wisdom. And in her smile is an invitation to be fully yourself, even in the most forgotten corners of life.
Om Sri Matangi Devi Namah.
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