Rarest of Rare Navratri after 34 Years -2012 Navrati

Rarest of Rare Navratri after 34 Years -2012 Navrati

॥ सर्व मंगलं मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वाथ साधिके । 

शरण्येत्र्यंबके गौरी नारायणि नमोस्तुऽते ॥

Spiritual odes to offer Goddess Durga this Navratri would remain vibrant for 8 days only as this time the bright half of the Ashwin lunar month faces a merger of 3^rd and 4^th Tithi on the 18^th October as per the Hindu almanac.

But, the Rarest and prolific combination of this Navratri would be its onset from the 16^th October, Tuesday and ending on the next Tuesday itself i.e. on the 23^rd October.

This exceptional combination took place 34 Years back in 1978 and would happen again in 2039 after 27 years.

Tuesday also happens to be the most liked day by Goddess Durga according to religious hymns and prayers. Astrologers acclaim this combo very rewarding for spiritual aspirants, chanters and Lord Hanuman’s devotees too as the Mars planet would be in its own zodiac sign and the Saturn would remain in its highest degree of zodiac sign during all the 8 days.

Navratri (Navaratri) is a 9 day festival in Hinduism of  the worship of  Goddess Durga and entails traditional folk group dances known as Garba  & other festivities. Navratri actually means 9 nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning the number ’9′ and ratri meaning ‘nights’. 

During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped and is celebrated for Goddess Durga, the manifestation of Deity in form of Shakti, which is the representation of power.  Navaratri is divided into three-day sets, each devoted to a different aspect of the supreme goddess. T

he first three days are devoted to Durga (to destroy all our vices, impurities, and defects). 

The next three day set is devoted to Lakshmi (the giver of spiritual and material wealth), and the last set is devoted to Saraswati (the goddess of wisdom). 

The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, which is the day Goddess Durga defeated demons known as Shumbh and NiShumbh. Dussehra is also the day Lord Ram defeated Ravan. The dates of Navaratri are determined according to the lunar calendar.

The Hindu festival of Navaratri is celebrated all around the world, mainly in india . 

In the Indian state of Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with greater attention as it is local culture to participate in the traditional folk dance Garba.

 In some Indian communities, people participate in fasts during this season that lasts for the nine days of Navratri. The festival culminates on Mahanavami. On this day, Kanya Puja is performed. 

Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshiper.

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Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi

वक्रतुंड महाकाय कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभ ।

निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥

“Oh! Lord (Ganesha), of huge body and curved elephant trunk, whose brilliance is equal to billions of suns, always remove all obstacles from my endeavors.”

Ganesha Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is the Hindu festival celebrated on the occasion of birthday of Lord Ganesha[2], the son of Shiva and Parvati, who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. It is the day Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods, barring Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or at the start of travel.

The festival, also known as Ganeshotsav ("festival of Ganesha") is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi 

 Ganesha is the god of wisdom and prosperity and is invoked before the beginning of any auspicious work by the Hindus. It is believed that for the fulfillment of one's desires, his blessing is absolutely necessary. According to the mythology, he is the son of Shiva and Parvati, brother of Kartikeya - the general of the gods, Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and Saraswati-the goddess of learning. 

There are numerous stories in Hindu mythology, associated with the birth of this elephant-headed god, whose vehicle is the Mooshak or rat and who loves Modaks (droplet shaped Indian sweet).On Ganesha’s first day (Ganesh Chaturthi) as prasad. The ritual is that atleast 11 or 21 modaks should be kept in front of Ganapati Bappa.

Legend has it that Parvati created Ganesha out of the sandalwood dough that she used for her bath and breathed life into him. Letting him stand guard at the door she went to have her bath. When her husband, Shiva returned, the child who had never seen him stopped him. Shiva severed the head of the child and entered his house. Parvati, learning that her son was dead, was distraught and asked Shiva to revive him. Shiva cut off the head of an elephant and fixed it on the body of Ganesha.

   Another tale tells of how one day the Gods decided to choose their leader and a race was to be held between the brothers- Kartikeya and Ganesh. Whoever took three rounds of the earth first would be made the Ganaadhipati or the leader. Kartikeya seated on a peacock as his vehicle, started off for the test. Ganesh was given a rat, which moved swiftly. Ganesh realised that the test was not easy, but he would not disobey his father. He reverently paid obeisance to his parents and went around them three times and thus completed the test before Kartikeya. He said, " my parents pervade the whole universe and going around them, is more than going round the earth." Everybody was pleasantly surprised to hear Ganesha's logic and intelligence and hence he came to be known as the Ganaadhipati or leader, now referred to as Ganpati.

   There is also a story behind the symbolic snake, rat and the singular tusk. During one of his birthdays, His mother, Parvati, cooked for him twenty-one types of delicious food and a lot of sweet porridge. Ganesha ate so much that even his big belly could not contain it. Mounting his little mouse, he embarked on his nightly rounds. His mouse suddenly stumbled upon seeing a huge snake. To adjust His belly, Ganesha put the snake on as a belt around his stomach. All of a sudden, he heard laughter emanating form the sky.

   He looked up and saw the moon mocking him. Ganesha infuriated, broke off one of his tusks and hurled it at the moon. Parvati, seeing this, immediately cursed the moon that whoever looks at it on Ganesh Chaturthi will be accused of a wrong doing. The symbology behind the mouse and snake and Ganesha's big belly and its relationship to the moon on his birthday is highly philosophic. The whole cosmos is known to be the belly of Ganesha. Parvati is the primordial energy. The seven realms above, seven realms below and seven oceans, are inside the cosmic belly of Ganesha, held together by the cosmic energy (kundalini ) symbolized as a huge snake which Ganesha ties around Him. The mouse is nothing but our ego. Ganesha, using the mouse as a vehicle, exemplifies the need to control our ego. One who has controlled the ego has Ganesha consciousness or God-consciousness.

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations

It is started by Chatrapati Shivaji, Maharaja the great Maratha ruler  to promote culture and nationalism.

The festival was revived by Lokmanya Tilak (a freedom fighter) to spread the message of freedom struggle and to defy the British who had banned public assemblies. The festival gave the Indians a feeling of unity and revived their patriotic spirit and faith. This public festival formed the background for political leaders who delivered speeches to inspire people against the Western rule. The festival is so popular 
that the preparations begin months in advance.

Ganesha statues installed in street corners and in homes, and elaborate arrangements are made for lighting, decoration, mirrors and the most common of flowers. Poojas (prayer services) are performed daily. The artists who make the idols of Ganesh compete with each other to make bigger and more magnificent and elegant idols. The relevantly larger ones are anything from 10 meters to 30 meters in height. These statues are then carried on decorated floats to be immersed in the sea after one, three, five, seven and ten days. Thousands of processions converge on the beaches to immerse the holy idols in the sea. This procession and immersion is accompanied by drum- beats, devotional songs and dancing.

Don’t forget not to look at the moon on that day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day.

Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.

"May the blessings of Shri Ganesha be upon you all! 

May He remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! 

May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation!"

Independence Day

Jawaharlal Nehru said on Indian Independence Day, 1947 :

 "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new…India discovers herself again."

After more than two hundred years of British rule, India finally won freedom on 15th August, 1947. All the patriotic hearts rejoiced at seeing India becoming a sovereign country and the triumph of thousands of martyred souls. It was a re-birth of a new nation and a new beginning. The only fact that marred the happiness of the fruits by the blood of martyrs was the fact that the country was divided into India & Pakistan and the violent communal riots took away a number of lives. It was on the eve of 15th of August, 1947 that India tricolor flag was unfurled by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, on the ramparts the Red Fort, Delhi.

 As the tri-colour unfurls in its full splendor on the 15th day of this August, let’s come  together to make  this country a great country

On the eve of Indian Independence Day, let’s pay our modest homage to all the freedom warriors who sacrificed their lives.

Happiest Independence Day to all

Happy Janmastami

जन्माष्टमी  की हार्दिक शुभकामनाये  

Janmashtami is the birthday of lord Krishna which is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country. It is believed that lord Vishnu reincarnated in the form of lord Krishna on the auspicious day of Janmashtami. The historical background of the birth of lord Krishna depicts the significance of this Hindu festival.

The tale of Krishna’s birth is recited and remembered from temples and households. The story signifies the divine power of lord Krishna. Devotional songs are sung which are dedicated to lord Krishna. Cities all over India get into a trance like mode. People visit temples at night, joint their hands and bow their heads in front of Krishna’s idol with enormous faith.
A small cradle is placed with a miniature Krishna’s idol in it as a symbol of his birth. Devotees swing the cradle joyously and celebrate the arrival of Shri Krishna by reciting aarti (prayer) and bhajans. Devotees fast for the whole long day, they break their fast in the midnight or on the next day. The fast is usually a waterless fast. Fragrance of the flowers, soothing aroma of burning camphor and jingle of the temple bells fill the atmosphere with divinity.

“Lord Krishna is the greatest political leader in the world. He has divine power which he uses to serve people. 

The Geeta always talks about the truth of the world. Let us all together celebrate his birthday”

                                                                    Hey Anand Ummnag Bhayo Jai Ho Nand Lal Ki
                                                                    Nand Ke Anand Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

Hey Anand Ummnag Bhayo Jai Ho Nand Lal Ki
Nand Ke Anand Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

Braj Me Anad Bhayo Jai Yashoda Lal Ki
Hathi Ghoda Palaki Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

Braj Me Anad Bhayo Jai Yashoda Lal Ki
Hathi Ghoda Palaki Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

Jai Ho Nandlal Ki Jai Yashoda Lal Ki
Gokul Me Anad Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

Jai Ho Nandlal Ki Jai Yashoda Lal Ki
Gokul Me Anad Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

Hey Anand Ummnag Bhayo Jai Ho Nand Lal Ki
Nand Ke Anand Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

Braj Me Anad Bhayo Jai Yashoda Lal Ki
Nand Ke Anand Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

Jai Ho Nandlal Ki Jai Yashoda Lal Ki
Hathi Ghoda Palaki Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

Jai Ho Nandlal Ki Jai Yashoda Lal Ki
Hathi Ghoda Palaki Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

Nand Ke Anand Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki
Nand Ke Anand Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki

JAI SHRI KRISHNA

Guru Purnima

Gururbrahmaa Gururvishnuh
Gurudevo Maheswara;
Gurursaakshaat Parambrahma
Tasmai Sreegurave Namah

Guru purnima is celebrated by devotees who follow ancient Gurus of India. Especially in North India, devotees of Dattatreya and Shirdi Sai Baba, Akalkot maharaj – Swami Samartha, Saint Narasimha Saraswati and Shree Paadha Shree Vallabha celebrate Guru Purnima to offer their respect and love for Guru.

Guru Purnima is the auspicious Full moon day which comes every year sometimes during July-August . Its also spelt as Guru Poornima ,

The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus.

On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a 'puja' of their respective spiritual preceptor or 'Gurudevs'.

Guru Purnima - A perfect time to thank your Guru

'Guru' in India, holds a supreme significance. Guru is a person with revered personality, who by his teachings enlightens us. He introduces us to the vast world of knowledge and shuns our ignorance. He teaches us, he guides us, he protects us from all sorts of dangers and sins. Perhaps, that's the reason why Kabir in one of his songs says, that if God and Guru stand side by side, the first adoration and worship should be offered to Guru and then to God. This is because through Guru we can recognise and realize the significance of God.

So today prefect time to thank your Guru .

Holi Aayee Re !!!

Meaning of 'Holi'

'Holi' comes from the word 'hola', meaning to offer oblation or prayer to the Almighty as Thanksgiving for good harvest. Holi is celebrated every year to remind people that those who love God shall be saved and they who torture the devotee of God shall be reduced to ashes a la the mythical character Holika.

Holi is also known by the name  Phagwah.'Phagwah' is derived from the name of the Hindu month 'Phalgun', because it is on the full moon in the month of Phalgun that Holi is celebrated. The month of Phalgun ushers India in Spring when seeds sprout, flowers bloom and the country rises from winter's slumber.

Gyan

The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year. It is festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land.

The story is around an arrogant king who resents his son Prahlada worshipping Lord Vishnu. He attempts to kill his son but fails each time. Finally, the king's sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning, sits with the boy in a huge fire. However, the prince Prahlada emerges unscathed, while his aunt burns to death. Holi commemorates this event from mythology, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi 

Kind of colours should you use?

Natural is best! Make the colours at home, like they used to in the good old days. Mix the following natural colour producing ingredients by making a paste and mixing with besan or gramflour:

1)henna, palak (green)

2)turmeric, marigold flowers (yellow)

3)red hibiscus flowers, tomatoes, beetroot

4)kumkum (red)

5)Tea leaves (brown)

Buy organic/herbal colours to play safe this Holi

 We wish you all a very Happy Holi