Diwali, the festival of lights, is India’s biggest religious celebration, when entire neighbourhoods are decorated with lights. It is generally a five-day celebration wherein families get together, friends indulge in merry-making, light lamps and diyas as well as gorge on sweet delicacies. This festival is celebrated on Amavasya or ‘no moon’ day and heralds the dawn of a New Year according to the Hindu calendar. It foretells of fresh beginnings as we open new check books and diaries as well as clean our homes.
Diwali signifies different things to people of different religions, across the country and is celebrated in a unique manner.
Read on to explore these interesting Diwali traditions across India.
Uttar Pradesh
Lord Rama's home Ayodhya lies in the state of Uttar Pradesh, where the Festival of Lights is one of the most widely and enthusiastically celebrated festivals. In Varanasi specially, Diwali is an elaborate affair, with the special evening Ganga Aarti, which lights up the entire Ganga with the thousands of earthen lamps which float over the surface. As the evening is brought on by chants from priests, people welcome Diwali by lighting firecrackers and lighting up their homes with diyas. It is truly an experience to celebrate Diwali in the largest state of India!
It is said that Lord Rama stayed in Panchvati for the major part of his 14 year exile. That place is now close to Nasik, in the state of Maharashtra. The mythological connection aside, Maharashtra celebrates Diwali with great vigour. Preparations begin way before the actual days of the festival, with women of the house preparing various sweets and savories collectively known as faral (translated as snacks) along with shopping for the the five-day long celebrations. Diwali in Maharashtra begins on the 12th day of the second half of the Hindu month ‘Ashwin’, and is called Vasu Baras. On this day cows are worshiped to honor the mother-daughter bond. Also, Lakshmi-pujan is celebrated on the Diwali evening, where it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits the households, bringing with her lots of wealth and prosperity. Mouth-watering delicacies like chakali, shankar-pale, anarse, kadaboli, karanji, shev, and more are served during Diwali, and Marathis hang 'Akash-dive' outside, to light up their homes.
Places to visit: Mumbai, Pune, Nasik
Tamil Nadu
While most of the country associates Diwali festivities with bursting of crackers at sundown, in Tamil Nadu, this happens during the day. People awake at the crack of dawn to have a traditional oil bath. Fragrant pepper, betel leaves and other ingredients are infused with hot oil for a pre-bath massage. After bathing, new clothes are worn and a tonic called ‘Deepavali Lehiyam’ is had as a precursor to the feast ahead, followed by bursting of crackers and sparkles. Most Tamilians celebrate this day as the death of Narakasura, a feared demon, at the hands of Lord Krishna.
Places to visit: Chennai, Rameshwaram
Bengal
West Bengal is famous for its Diwali festival, especially for its uniqueness as opposed to other parts of India. Diwali spans over a period of three days instead of five in West Bengal.
The celebrations in West Bengal differ a little from the celebrations in the rest of the states, adding to its exclusivity. For instance, the main day or the third day of Diwali, is referred to as Kali Puja. The Bengalis worship Kali Mata as opposed to worshipping Lakshmi Ji like most of the other states. The lamps that are lit in temples and houses on Diwali are in honour of Goddess Kali and her power to destroy all evils. Goddess Kali represents the destruction of evil, and is more dreaded than respected. Homes are adorned with traditional rangoli made with powdered rice and diyas. Fire crackers are burst to welcome the goddess who is an embodiment of a dark and dynamic feminine force.
Reference: http://bit.ly/2f2Z9dE
Temple: Dakshineswar Temple
Places to visit: Kolkata
Andhra Pradesh
Diwali is celebrated over a period of two days in Andhra Pradesh, unlike the rest of the country where celebrations last for five days. Other days are celebrated too, but not with the same fervor as rest of the country that celebrates all five days of Diwali with great eagerness. The main celebrations kick-off with Naraka Chaturdashi, on the second day of festivities followed by Deepavali or Diwali on the third day. Andhra Pradesh festivities include theatre and drama similar to that of Dussehra. The slaying of the demon is re-enacted by protagonists that play Satyabhama, the consort of Lord Krishna who killed him. Cracker stuffed effigies depicting Narakasura are burnt during these skits. Legend has it that the fiend’s dying wish was to live for one more day in the grandest way possible. Thus fireworks, feasts and festivities are meant to fulfil this desire. There is a lot of emphasis on buying items and gifting. Shop owners treat customers like gods and specially decorate marketplaces to welcome buyers.
Places to visit: Hyderabad, Hampi
Not just in India, Deepavali is also celebrated by Indians all over the world with great enthusiasm. In fact, every year the White House also observes the sanctity of this occasion dubbed as the “Indians Christmas” with great honour and respect. Australia and New Zealand embrace this glorious celebration with a carnival mood including fairs, exorbitant performances and cultural shows. Diwali, a diminution on its Sanskrit name of Deepavali, is also popularly celebrated in other corners of the world like Malaysia, Fiji, Singapore and Europe.
However, Diwali is not just about burning candles, fireworks and gambling, but also rediscovering your inner peace. Hang lanterns this Diwali keeping in mind that they signify God’s grace and bathe your home in such luminescence that there is no place for any darkness. Make this holiday truly momentous and savor the differing tastes and cultures of India. May this festival of lights bring you peace, prosperity, success, health and great happiness! Happy Diwali!
Yes it is that time of the year… One of our most beloved festivals, Diwali, is arriving. More than a “festival” I would say that it has almost become an emotion or a way of life. It’s a time for poojas, spending time with family, eating sweets, meeting people, bursting crackers, so on and so forth. But apart from all this there is a very rich tradition and historical significance attached to each of the 5 main days of Diwali:
Day 1 : Dhanteras / Dhantaradrashi
On this day, Goddess Laxmi is worshipped for our prosperity, financial security and well being. It is also a day for celebrating our wealth. Many people also worship some or the other important asset of theirs on this day. People tend to mark this occasion by buying jewellery, utensils and wearing new clothes
Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi / Kali Chaudas
It is believed that on this day, Lord Krishna and Goddess Kali killed the evil Asura named Narakasura. This is a day on which we are supposed to abandon laziness and start living life with energy and enthusiasm. People start Kali Chaudas with an early morning bath called “Abhyang Snan” which helps us derive spiritual benefits. Later, we peform Diya pooja and pooja’s of lord Ganesha and goddess Laxmi.
Day 3: Laxmi Pujan
It is the main day & the most significant part of Diwali. This pooja is done to invite the goddess of wealth or goddess Laxmi home. Heartfelt prayers are offered so that the new year (which falls on the next day) is filled with peace and prosperity.
There are a few legends about as to how Diwali came into being:-
a) It is believed that Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Laxman returned after a 14 year exile on this day. In joy, people of Ayodhya lit their path with diyas .
b) The Pandavas are believed to have returned after an exile of 13 years on this day. In joy, people of Hastinapur lit their path with diyas.
c) In the Jain tradition, lord Mahavira is believed to have attained salvation / Moksha / Kevalgnyan on this specific day.
d) In the Sikh tradition, Guru Gobind Singhji is believed to have freed himself from the clutches of Jahangir and arrived at the Golden Temple on this day.
Day 4 : Padwa / Balipratipada
This day is celebrated is the beginning of the New Year. It is also a day the when the bond and mutual respect between a wife and husband is celebrated. The image below is a beautiful decoration done in Singapore to mark the Hindy New Year there.
Day 5 : Bhaiduj / Bhaubeej
This is the last & a very special day. We celebrate the bond between a brother and a sister on this day. The sister does an Aarti of her brother, who in turn gifts her something and promises to protect her and always take care of her.
These are the 5 days of Diwali, in a gist. But I also feel that this beautiful festival of lights as we call it signifies something more. It tells us to destroy the darkness within us like ego, anger, jealousy, negativity; and tells us to embrace light upon love, affection, a caring attitude and being a good human being. This year, this festival will be celebrated in between 28th of October, 2016 and 1st of November, 2016. Enjoy it and spend some great time with your families. It comes just once a year after all. A very Happy Diwali to all!
Paryushan Parva is the most important time of the year for Jains around the world. It is the time to do pious activities. The merit or the Punya attained from these activities is far more than those of activities done on a regular day. The Parva is typically held for a period of 8 days in Late August / Early September.
A Typical Paryushan Day
Derasar Sanghs typically invite Sadhu Bhagwan / Maharasheb (Jain Monks) or Vir Sainiks (Individuals with comprehensive knowledge of Jainism) for these 8 days. Meritorious activities are done in the Derasar’s and their nearby premises. For starters, a lot more people come for Pooja (Lord’s Worship) than usual. The Vir Sainiks give Vyakhyan (a holy discourse). In this, they a read a h scripture known as the Kalpasutra. Kalpasutra contains the biographies of 24 Jain Tirthankars and a lot more of the finer aspects of Jainism. Pratikaman (a 48 minute activity in which we are detached from the world) is performed 2 times a day. Finally in the night, a group of people specialising in musical instruments turn up in different derasars. People gather, have an evening full of devotional songs sung by the mandal and go away feeling happy. This is the sequence of activities on a typical Paryushan day.
Jain Fasting
Many people undergo different types of fasts during Paryushan. Some of them are as described below:-
1)Byashna: Allowed to eat 2 times a day by sitting at 1 place. Only boiled water can be drunk. No food or water is allowed before sunrise and after sunset.
2)Ekashna: Same as above except that you are allowed to eat 1 time.
3)Upvas: Just Boiled water consumption between sunrise and sunset. This has subtypes. It can be done for a day, 2 days(Bela), 3 days(Tela), and 8 days(Atthai).
4)Chauvihar Upvas: No food, No water.
Savvadsari & Micchami Dukdam
The most important moment of Paryushan comes on its last day: Savvadsari. It is a very special day of the year for every Jain in the world. It is a day to seek forgiveness from every human being in whom you may have knowingly or unknowingly hurt them. So after Savvadsari Pratikaman, Jains greet each other with “Micchami Dukdam” (Forgive me). Then this extends to seeking forgiveness from many others through your phone, social media or meeting people in person. Many people have said over the years that they felt better, lighter and more at peace with themselves by the power of this 1 simple word : “Micchami Dukdam”.
Paryushan Parva is coming from 29 August 2016 - 5 September 2016. Happy Paryushan Parva & Micchami Dukdam to all!
Lord Ganesha. These very words evoke so much emotion and mean so much to so many different people. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the brother of Lord Karthikeyan who occupies a very special place in our hearts and minds.
Introduction
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in India usually in Late August / Early September. “Ganpati Bappa” as he is affectionately called is awaited with bated breath every year. When the time does come, he is given the most raucous welcome on this particular day with dholaks and by mandals in a huge way.
The stay of the Lord is for about 10 days. There are many different pandals across cities which are graced by Bappa’s presence. His Aarti is performed 2 times in the day: 1st in the Morning and later in the Evening. This is followed by devotees feeling the Aarti from the diya and receiving the Prasad. Many Pandals also have depictions of significant stories of the Indian Mythology through human like idols.
Ganpati Bappa's Importance
Lord Ganesha also has a special significance otherwise in our lives. Any new task we day, any journey we set out for, any dream of ours we chase, Many of our Pooja’s are done by remembering him or writing “OM GANESHAY NAMAH”. He is like that very special guest whose arrival we look forward to very excitedly. And his departure is greeted with tears that are a mixture of joy and sorrow. Sorrow because he is leaving us. Joy because he will surely be back at this time next year.
Dhol Tasha Groups
A very special feature of this festival are the Dhol Tasha groups. They are a group of youngsters who are simply amazing players of the Drum. They create a glorious atmosphere, frenzy and excitement at the many pandals across the cities. Dhol Tasha is one of the best features of these 10 days.
Famous Pandals
Ganesha Festival is celebrated across India and has a true Pan-Indian appeal. But it is especially huge in Maharashtra, Goa and parts of South India. Siddhivinayak Temple & Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai, Dagdusheth Halwai Temple in Pune are two of the most famous Pandals you must visit in the duration of the festival.
Anant Chaturdashi
After 10 days, comes Anant Chaturdashi. The lord is immersed in various water bodies on this day. If anything the Lord is sent off with even more grandeur, energy and passion . Some of the send offs last for as much as 24-48 hours and instead of feeling tired people have the time of their lives since the atmosphere they experience during Anant Chaturdashi is simply otherworldly in energy and emotion. Finally with moist eyes and heavy hearts of lakhs of devotees Bappa is immersed in Water bodies across India. Immersions at Sankey Tank and Ulsoor Lake in Bengaluru and Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad are truly a spectacle to behold.
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
Ganesh Chaturthi is coming on 5th September this year. Have a great time & a special 10 days with Ganpati Bappa. May the Lord and all of us: his devotees have a lot of Modak (Bappa’s favourite sweet) as Prasad! And may Lord Ganesha give us all the blessings in the world.
What is Tapta Mudra Dharana and why should one get it done?
Tapta Mudra Dharana is a special ritual followed by the Madhwa sect and Vaishnavas in general. It is usually performed on the First Ekadashi of Ashada Month of the Hindu Calendar. This day is called as Shayani Ekadashi as it signifies the start of Chatur Masya Vrat (Chaturmasa).
How is the ritual performed?
Mudras usually made of gold or copper are heated on coal fire and stamped 5 times at various parts of the body. However, ladies and children are stamped only two times. According to scriptures, the stamping is meant to be performed by Sanyasis only and one must not perform this ritual on themselves.
Why do this?
It is believed that the stamping of these mudras (Shanka, Chakra, Gada, Padma) at specified spots on the human body activate the chakras that lie beneath them. This has a special mention in scriptures (Vayu Purana, Ramamruta Maharnava etc.) and is prescribed to be done annually.
Could there be a scientific reason behind this?
It is believed to improve the immune system during rainy season and also has positive impact on the nervous system.
What can I do if I missed it on Shayani Ekadashi day?
While it is considered most auspicious to get the mudras stamped on the First Ekadashi (Prathama Ekadashi), the mudras can also be stamped on the next 3 Shukla Ekadashis by a Sanyasi.
Are there sects other than Madhwas who follow this ritual?
Yes, Shri Vaishnavas also follow the custom of Tapta Mudra Dharana for getting accepted into Vaishnavism. However, they follow it only once in their lifetime unlike Madhwas, who follow it each year. In fact, people irrespective of their caste, creed, faith and gender can get stamped on religious fervour.
Do you want to share any other interesting facts about Tapta Mudra Dharana? Chime in with your answers below!
Rath Yatra is also known as Car Festival. This spectacular Chariot Festival is celebrated in the hindu calendar month of Asadha, held at Puri in India during the months of June or July. Popularly known as Rath Yatra, this festival is celebrated in the honor of Lord Jagannath who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The Puri Rath Yatra is world famous and attracts more than one million pilgrims each year, not only from India but also from different parts of the world and hence it is considered to be a symbol of equality and integration.
On the day of the festival, the 3 deities, Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra are taken out in procession in three chariots which are drawn by multitude of devotees. The 3 deities make an annual journey to their summer temple (Gundicha Temple), 2 km away from Lord Jagannath temple.
All three chariots are newly constructed every year with wood of specified trees like phassi, dhausa, etc. The main chariot is 14 meters high and 10 meters square with 16 wheels. Actual construction of the carts begin two months before the festival day. The chariots are decorated with bright canopies that are made up of different coloured cloth, to give a vibrant look to the chariots.
On their way back from the Gundicha Temple, the three deities stop for a while near the Mausi Maa Temple (Aunt's abode) and have an offering of the Poda Pitha, which is a special type of sweet, supposed to be the Lord's favourite. After a stay for seven days, the deities return to their abode. Here, the deities are attired in gold ornaments and worshipped on the chariots itself. This celebration is known as Suna Besha.
The Jagannath Temple in Puri is amongst the most sacred temples in India and the Chariot festival held at this temple is the oldest Rath Yatra taking place in India and the World, dating back to the 10th - 11th century era. Since Sri Jagannath is a form of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, and many of the rituals observed in Puri temple are associated with events in the life of Sri Krishna, this annual Car Festival represents Sri Krishna's Journey from Gokul to Mathura.
Explore Jagannath Temple in Puri on PrayEase at http://bit.ly/2912195
Yoga: Origin, Influences and Practice in modern times!
In Vedic Sanskrit, yoga (from the root yuj) means "to add", "to join", "to unite", or "to attach".
History
Yoga is more than mastering postures and increasing your flexibility and strength. The traditional purpose of Yoga, however, has always been to bring about a profound transformation in the person through the transcendence of the ego.
In Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism the word yoga means "spiritual discipline". Though people often associate yoga with the postures and stances that make up the physical activity of the exercise, it is actually only the most superficial aspect of this profound science of unfolding the infinite potentials of the human mind and soul. Yoga is a 5000 year old Indian body of knowledge, and it is something that has evolved and changed over time. Different factions of yoga have developed since its conception.
It is known that yoga originated from the East. The earliest signs of yoga appear in ancient Shamanism. Evidence of yoga postures were found on artefacts dating back to 3000 B.C. Evidence of yoga were also found in the oldest existing text, the “Rig Veda”.
Yoga originally focused on acting as a religious mediator. Its focus later changed to the self, as ‘Self Enlightenment’ became the ultimate goal. It was not until the sixth century B.C. that the postures and meditation became a critical element. They were implemented by Buddhist teachings.
Modern Yoga
Modern yoga is based on five basic principles that were created by Swami Sivananda.
Proper relaxation
Proper exercise
Proper breathing
Proper diet
Positive thinking and meditation
Yoga is the secret to better health and greater sense of happiness.
Yoga for All
One of the beauties of yoga is that one can sustain the poses no matter how old or young, fit or frail they are. With ageing, one’s understanding of various ‘asanas’ become more sophisticated. You move from working on the external alignment and mechanics of the posture to refining the inner actions to finally just being in the ‘asana’.
International Day of Yoga
On 11 December 2014, United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution establishing 21 June as 'International Day of Yoga'. The declaration of this day came after the call for the adoption of 21 June as International Day of Yoga by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on 27 September 2014. In suggesting 21 June, Narendra Modi had said that the date is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world.
The first International Day of Yoga was observed world over on 21 June 2015. About 35000 people, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a large number of public figures, performed 21 Yoga asanas (yoga postures) for 35 minutes at Rajpath in New Delhi. The day devoted to Yoga was observed by millions across the world. The event at Rajpath established two Guinness records – largest Yoga Class with 35985 attendees and the record for the most nationalities(84) participating in a single class.
This ‘International Day of Yoga’, grab your Yoga mats and discover the infinite self-realisation and health benefits that Yoga can help you achieve in life!
Sita is described as the daughter of the earth goddess Bhūmi. One day as the soil of Mithila was being ploughed, a lidded gold urn decorated with a lotus flower design, popped out beneath the plough. Inside the urn was a beautiful baby girl. The ruler of Mithila, King Janaka brought this gift from the god’s home to be the royal princess Sita. She was delicate and graceful: her black hair was threaded with pearls. Her forehead was like a half-moon, glittering with the jewelled ornaments she wore. Her eyes glowed, shaded with glistening lashes. Her lips, soft as corals. Her voice was as sweet as the nightingale's song. Everyone who saw Sita loved her instantly.
Meeting Ram
One day, Princess Sita walked upto the terrace of her quarters and saw Lord Ram standing just below. Their eyes met and it was a love at first sight for both of them. Sita shyly ran back inside and silently prayed that Ram should end up becoming her husband in her Swayamvara (a ceremony where the bride is allowed to choose her groom from among the group of men assembled at that place).
Swayamvara
When Sita was about sixteen, the king announced that she could be married by whoever was able to string the divine bow of Shiva. Many strong warriors came to attempt to bend Shiva’s bow, but no one succeeded. Then, to Sita’s great joy, Ram not only lifted the bow, but also was strong enough to bend it and snap it into many pieces! Thus, Lord Ram won the hand of Sita. After the festivities were over, Ram and Sita returned home, where all of Ayodhya waited to greet them and welcome Sita.
Vanvasa
Soon after the marriage, Sita had to go for 14 years of Vanavasa(Exile) with her husband Ram and brother-in-law Lakshman. Sita was a devoted wife and was deeply in love with her husband. Ram, in turn, was assiduously protective about Sita, took good care of her and fulfilled all her wishes during the time of the Vanavasa. Both shared many happy and peaceful moments in the wonderful locales of the Dandaka and Panchavati forests.
Trouble started when Sita laid her eyes on the Golden Deer, Mareecha. Mareecha was Ravana’s uncle. Ravana, the cruel demon King of Lanka, asked Mareecha to take the form of a beautiful golden deer and gain Sita’s attention. And then, while Ram was away fetching Mareecha to please her, Ravana kidnapped Sita, disguising himself as a saint pretending to ask her for Bhiksha (alms). Jatayu, the vulture-king tried to protect Sita but Ravana chopped off his wings. However, Jatayu survived long enough to inform Ram of what had happened.
Ram built the Rama Sethu (a bridge) with the help of the Vanara Sena, connecting South India to Lanka. Ram then carried out a violent war against Ravana and eventually gained victory over demon King Ravana. This way, Ram rescued Sita from her long period of captivity at Lanka.
Agni Pariksha
But troubles did not end there either. Sita volunteered to undergo an Agni-Pariksha (Fire Test) to prove her purity to Lord Ram, which speaks for the high volume of understanding between the couple, since she understood Ram’s wish without him explicitly stating it. She then walked three times around Ram and stepped into the flames. The flames crackled but refused to burn her. She walked through the flames, unharmed and as she walked, the flames turned to flowers. Upon witnessing this, it was clear to everyone, including Ram, that Sita was indeed pure during her period of captivity at Lanka.
Travel back home
After the Agni Pariksha, Ram and Sita headed back to the Kingdom of Ayodhya in Northern India. The band set off and crossed the bridge. When they got to the other side, the bridge sank down under the sea, leaving a trail of rocks jutting out in the sea towards Lanka. As the band walked across India, people came out of their houses and placed little lamps on their doorsteps to light their way. Eventually, many more people lit lamps and helped the band follow the trail of lights home. This is still celebrated today in the Festival of Lights – Diwali – where people place lights in their windows to welcome Sita/Lakshmi, wealth and prosperity, into their homes.
Golden Temple is the holiest Gurudwara of the Sikh Religion. It is located in the city of Amritsar in Punjab,India at the centre of the holy Amrit Sarovar lake. The name of the city : Amritsar is derived from this lake. It is also called the Harmandir Sahib or the abode of god.
Construction
This 3rd, 4th and 5th Gurus of Sikhism (Total 10) have a key role in the construction of this temple. The 3rd Guru : Revered Guru Amar Das ji did the planning to excavate the holy tank. The 4th Guru : Revered Guru Ram Das ji excavated the holy tank Amrit Sarovar in 1578. Finally, the 5th Guru : Revered Guru Arjan ji designed the Golden Temple at the centre of the tank. He also installed the Guru Granth Sahib (The holy scripture of Sikhism) at the centre of the Harmandir Sahib.
Rules
Some important rules and norms are to be followed while someone is in the Gurudwara. Everyone must wear an appropriate head covering. Shoes are to be removed outside and feet are to be washed with a little bit of water. All are supposed to sit on the ground inside the gurudwara complex as a mark of respect to the Guru Granth Sahib.
Festivals
Some of the important festivals celebrated in the Harmandir Sahib include Vaisakhi, The Birthday of the 4th Guru : Revered Guru Ram Das ji, the martyrdom day of the 9th Guru : Revered Guru Tegh Bahadur ji and the birthday of the 10th Guru and the founder of Sikhism : Revered Guru Gobind Singh ji. On Diwali, the Golden temple is beautifully decorated with Diyas. Fireworks are also discharged.
Everyone who comes here takes part in the free community kitchen or Langar. About 1 Lakh+ people are estimated to be visiting the temple daily.
What does it mean?
Most Sikhs visit or dream of visiting Harmandir Sahib / Golden Temple at least once in their lifetime. Regular Devotees visit before or after significant life events like birth, graduation, promotion, marriage etc. It is also a very popular tourism spot. It is said that for international tourists visiting India, Taj Mahal and Golden Temple are on the must visit list of every tourist.
If you haven’t, do visit Harmandir Sahib. It would give you a lot of peace, hope, tranquility, love for life, fulfilment of desires and love for the divine.
Wahe Guruji!
Explore Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) on PrayEase at http://bit.ly/1Yuhp2M
Satyanarayan Pooja is done to obtain the blessings of the lord who keeps our well-being: Lord Vishnu. Lord Satyanarayan is an extremely kind, warm-natured, and good-hearted form of Lord Vishnu.
Why is it done?
This Pooja is typically done before or after we achieve some of our important goals or some significant life events, like marriage, job promotion, graduation, buying a new vehicle, housewarming ceremony, success in business etc. It is also done for the good health of all our family members. For general well being, peace and harmony in the family, it is recommended that we perform Satyanarayan Pooja at least once every year.
When is it done?
The Pooja is performed on the Full Moon Day of every month, typically in the mornings or the evenings. The Devotee performing the Pooja must observe a fast. Usually, evenings are preferred so that whoever has observed the fast since morning can break the fast that evening. The Pooja takes about 3-4 hours of time. It is considered auspicious to invite relatives and friends for the Pooja. People also engage into some customary singing, dancing etc., after the Pooja has been performed.
The Procedure
Satyanarayan Pooja is initiated with a little Prayer and Pooja of Lord Ganesha. All his names are chanted, prasada (laddu and modak) is offered and flower petals are showered. Then the 9 celestial beings : Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, North Node (Rahu) and South Node(Ketu) are invoked and prayed to.
Then, Lord Satyanarayan is worshipped. First and foremost, the place where the lord’s idol will be placed, must be cleaned properly. After this, various names of the Lord are chanted, Prasada (combination of milk, honey, ghee, butter, yoghurt, sugar) is offered and flower petals are showered. Ultimately, Aarti is performed, wherein a small ‘diya’ is lit, placed in a plate and rotated at a little distance in a circular fashion in front of the Lord. In conclusion, prasada is distributed to everyone attending the pooja.
All in all, Satyanarayan Pooja is a very popular, important and special part of Indian Consciousness. It is an Evergreen Pooja that can be done any time, any day of the year.
This is a special day of the year in the Buddhist calendar. It is a celebration and a tribute to Lord Buddha’s life. It is also his birthday or the day on which he was born.
Lord Buddha’s Teachings
The Lord in his teachings has described how to pay him homage. He stressed that besides the regular rituals people should absorb his teachings and implement them in their life. These include leading pious lives, being kind to one and all and helping humanity flourish. Besides also accepting the indisputable fact that one who has taken birth will die.
Celebrations on this day
Buddhists celebrate this day in a special way. They indulge in charity in a big way by donating to the poor and the underprivileged. They take care of those who are not well and differently abled. They focus on decorating and cleaning temples and making them look grand. The more artistic ones amongst them are given the duty of painting events form the Lord’s life for increasing public knowledge about his life and teachings. The devotees provide vegetarian food to all those who visit the temple.
All in all, it is special day to remember one of India’s greatest gods and the pioneer of Buddhism: Lord Gautam Buddha. Happy birthday to Lord Gautam Buddha and Happy Buddha Jayanti to you!
4 Important Legends associated with Akshaya Tritiya
We know Akshaya Tritiya is a good “Mahurat” to start something new. We know that people buy gold on that day. But not many have an idea of the legends associated to this day. Here are some:
River Ganga
It is believed that Ganga, which is considered to be the most sacred river in Hindu Religion, came into existence on this day. A dip in the holy river is considered to be sacred.
Sudama and Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna’s best friend Sudama was suffering from poverty. On continual pestering from his wife he went to greet his friend on this day. All he could offer was puffed rice (Poha). He was received royally and given a lot of respect. Despite wanting to Sudama couldn’t bring himself to speak about his poverty to Krishna. After bidding farewell and upon his return home what he saw stunned him. Instead of a hut there was a palace!
Mahabharata
Legend also has it that the great saint Ved Vyasa and Lord Ganesha started writing the war epic Mahabharata on this day.
Luck
Vedic Scriptures say that any charity done, new business venture, or study done on this day is very productive, a good omen and gives a lucky headstart.
Now something on the traditions of this day. Charity is done in a big way with fruits, clothes, vegetables and rice given to the poor and the needy. People undergo fasting and perform various Poojas. Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Aarti is performed and Tulsi water is sprinkled near the Lord’s idol.
Mass Marriage ceremonies are specially conducted on this day. Like I noted right at the start, people buy gold coins on this day as it is considered auspicious to do so. All in all, Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most beloved, positive and looked forward to days in the Indian Calendar!
The Legend of Navpad Ayambil Oli & it’s Significance
This occurred at the time of Bhagwan Munisuvarat Swami (The 20th Tirthankara), about a million years ago.
Prince Shripal and his mother had to go into hiding after the death of his father due to his evil Uncle. During their travels in far off places including forests they came into contact with a group of lepers. After living with them for a few days the Prince to became affected by leprosy. His distraught mother left to find a cure for him and left him at the care of the lepers. The Lepers made Shripal their king.
Unlike her sister, Princess Mainasundari had hurt the ego of her father who was a powerful King. She had claimed that only Karmas and deeds decide your fate and not the king. The king was enraged and wanted to teach Maina a lesson. He got his chance when the lepers and Shripal arrived in the court. The Lepers demanded a bride for their king. The king married off Mainasundari to Shripal despite protests by Maina’s mother.
Mainasundari had great faith in Jain Dharma. She took her husband along with the lepers, to a monk named Munichandra for the cure. He suggested them to perform the Siddhachakra Mahapuja which included a particular type of fasting known as Navpad Ayambil Oli for a period of 9 days. Eventually, all of them including Shripal got cured due to the power of Ayambil.
Jains perform Ayambil Navpad for nine days to salute the nine supreme beings in the universe. Ayambil is special type of fast in which people can eat only boiled grains that too once in a day. It is not permitted to add anything that has salt/sugar/oil to the boiled grains. It is one of the most challenging fasts of Jainism.
Here are the individual meanings of Navpad :-
Day 1, ARIHANT PAD – Conquer of Anger, Greed, Ego, and Deceit.
Hanuman Chalisa or the 40 Chaupais on Hanumanji is a Hindu Strota (hymn of praise) addressed to Bajrang Bali. It has been authored by the Great Indian poet, Shri Goswami Tulsidas in the Awadhi language (a dialect of the Hindi dialect continuum). Born in the 16th Century, Tulsidas was a Hindu poet, saint, reformer and a philosopher renowned for his devotion for lord Ram.
Tulsidas was once invited by Mughal Emperor Akbar in his court, after hearing that he had witnessed lord Ram. Akbar doubted on the truth of the deity’s existence and asked Tulsidas to show him Lord Ram. Tulsidas replied that Lord Ram gives darshan (vision) to his devotees only; to which the Emperor imprisoned him. It was during this time when Tulsidas started writing Hanuman Chalisa.
On the 40th day of his stay in Fatehpur Sikri where he was imprisoned, the entire palace was surrounded by giant monkeys who created a lot of mess within the premises. That’s when Akbar was advised by his wise ministers to free Tulsidas. The moment Tulsidas was released, the monkeys left as well. It was then believed that Lord Hanuman came to the rescue of him. Tulsidas also mentioned that he had witnessed the presence of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram at various occasions. One such occasion was…
One fine morning Tulsidas was on his way back from the woods after bathing. He poured the remaining water on a tree which was consumed by a spirit, whose thirst seemed endless. The spirit was so happy with Tulsidas that he decided to offer him a boon. Tulsidas had a desire to meet Lord Ram, but unfortunately the spirit could not arrange for the same. Instead, the spirit explained to Tulsidas how he could meet Lord Hanuman, the biggest disciple of lord Ram. The following day when Tulsidas was reciting his bhajan, he saw an old leper attending the same. He also noticed that that man was the last one to leave. Tulsidas then followed him and realized that it was Lord Hanuman in an avatar (human form) who had come to meet him. This holy place where lord Hanuman met Tulsidas is where Sankat Mochan Temple has later laid its foundation.
Holi is one of the most loved Indian festivals. Holi is usually celebrated over two days. On Day One, a bonfire of waste products is done typically in the evenings. The next day is a celebration of colours where people play with colours and have a great time with family and friends. However, not many of us know the story behind these celebrations or activities.
King Hiranyakashipu was a feared demon. He had earned a boon which made him all powerful. He felt that he was no less than god and expected the world to worship him only. But lo and behold, his own son, Prahlad was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. Prahlad refused to believe that his father was a god and superior to his Lord. This angered Hiranyakashipu a lot...
He decided to teach his son a lesson and subjected him to several cruel punishments. He even tried to burn Prahlad alive with the help of his evil sister Holika, but all of them to no avail. Holika got burnt alive instead! With Lord Vishnu’s blessings, no harm could come in his devotee’s way. This enraged Hiranyakashipu further and he smashed the wall in fury screaming at Prahlad, “If your Lord Vishnu is so powerful, he will emerge out of this wall and save your life”. He laughed like a maniac while saying this. To eveyone’s surprise, Lord Vishnu then emerged out of the wall in Narasimha’s avatar, a form that many feared. He tore apart Hiranyakashipu with his bare hands.
The bonfire on the 1st day is this symbolic victory of good over evil. The next day, people used to apply ash to their foreheads. Over the years, coloured powder has come to be used to celebrate this great festival.
There is another sweet legend behind Holi. This is about Lord Krishna and Radha. Lord Krishna had developed a dark blue skin colour since he had been poisoned in his childhood by the demon Putana with breast milk. Krishna, during his childhood had been worried if Radha and the other girls would ever like him due to this fact. His mother became concerned about this and asked him to apply any colour he liked on Radha’s face. Eventually he applied colour on her face and Radha – Krishna became a couple. Ever since, Lord Krishna’s playful colouring of Radha’s face has been commemorated as Holi.
Holi has further cultural aspects. It is a day to forgive and forget, to improve upon past mistakes, to end conflicts by meeting people. To many, it is also a fresh beginning or even the new year.
Here’s wishing you a Happy Holi. Stay blessed and play responsibly!
Spirituality: It cannot really be defined in entirety. It is something abstract and difficult to comprehend. We’ve got to define the word for ourselves. To each of us, it could mean different things.
To me, spirituality means feeling peaceful, feeling fresh, feeling good about myself. Small activities like visiting a place of worship, being a part of a Satsang, taking a nature walk, spending some quality time with myself or with some loved one will help me feel that way.
Going to a Satsang or to a place of worship is pretty special. When you experience the vibe that devotional music brings along with it or when we are standing alone in a temple reciting some mantras, it stays with us long after we are out of there.
In these stressed times when the world’s stress levels are at an all time high, it is all the more important that we have these moments of peace and tranquility. Like I said earlier there are many different ways of experiencing that peace and once we do it, that is the root and heart of all spirituality.
Smile, Relax, Be Cheerful, Be Positive, Be Spiritual!
Easier said than done, isn’t it?
Here are 4 ideas that could help us reach this peak frame of mind called spirituality:
1) TRY to make peace with the past
Typically our past is grey. In other words, a mix of good and bad. Mind being the mind will tend to remember the bad before the good. So it is best for us to cherish our good memories, treat the bad ones as important life lessons and move on.
2) Surrender to someone/something
There needs to be 1 person and 1 thing in our life whom we do NOT question, trust 100% and believe that the concerned person or thing will only be good for us and do good to us! In persons, it could be our parents, a relative, a cousin, a friend or even our teacher. In things, it could something like aspiring for a special career goal by giving your 100% or even something as simple as having a beautiful family life.
3) Question what you have done for others
We have always questioned our parents, teachers, friends, work colleagues, employer, government in terms of what they have done for us. Sometimes we need to ask ourselves as to what we have done for them. Many times the impromptu answer would be “Not Much”! THIS moment is as good a time to change that as any.
4) Accept different perspectives
We have a viewpoint on many things that affect us or are a part of our life. But almost the entire humanity has a perspective too. We need to accept that, understand that and even change our perspective sometimes if the situation demands it.
All in all, one thing I wish to point out is that being spiritual is not only visiting a place of worship. It is far more beautiful, multilayered and complex than that.
This is my version or my understanding of Spirituality! What’s yours? Share them with me in the comments below and I’ll learn something new today!
Prince Shreyans Kumar was fast asleep and was having a dream. He was washing a blackened golden mountain with milk. He awoke with a start in the dead of the night. He had a premonition that something wonderful was about to happen in his life.
Lord Rishabdev had been without food for a Year. During the course of his Vihar he arrived in Prince Shreyans Kumar’s kingdom. The Prince was observing him carefully from his balcony. He felt peaceful on looking at the lord’s serene face. He felt he had seen the lord somewhere. After a couple of minutes he attained Gyati Smarana Gyana (knowledge of past births). He realized that he had lived with Lord Rishabdev as his son and as a monk in his last birth.
Filled with reverence and emotion, Prince Shreyans Kumar descended. He asked the attendant’s to carry Sugarcane Juice. Upon coming face to face with the Lord, he said “Matthein Vandami Sahebji! Please oblige me by breaking your fast with Sugarcane juice and bless my life.” Lord Rishabdev accepted it. The three worlds’s celebrated this historic moment.
This day became famous in Jain Religion as Akshay Trutiya. Even today Varshi Tap / Yearly Fasts (Alternate day Byashna and Upvas) are performed for 13 Months and are broken on the same day in honour of Lord Rishabev & the great religion he pioneered.
