Krishna Janmashtami Songs

1.    Yashomati Maiya Se Bole Nand Lala.......

Film: Ram Naam Sukhdai

2.    Radha Kaise Na Jale.......

Film: Lagaan

3.    Wo Kisna Hai.......

Film: Kisna

4.    Govinda Aala Re Aala.......

Film: Bluff Master

5.    Maiya Yashoda Ye Tera Kanahiya.......

Film:  Hum Saath Saath Hain

6.    Go Go Govinada.......

Film: OMG

7.    Mohe Panghat Pe Nandlal Ched Gayo Re.....

Film: Mughal-e-Azam

8.    Radha Teri Chunri......

Film: Student Of The Year

9.    Radha Nachegi.......

Film: Tevar

10.    Choti Choti Gaiya Chote Chote Gwal.......
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Why are coconut and mango leaves kept in the kalash during puja ritual?

Kalash:

A kalash is a metal (brass, copper, silver or gold) pot with a large base and small mouth, large enough to hold a coconut. Sometimes "Kalasha" also refers to such a pot filled with water and topped with a coronet of mango leaves and a coconut. This combination is often used in Hindu rites and depicted in Hindu iconography. The entire arrangement is called Purna-Kalasha (पूर्णकलश), Purna-Kumbha (पूर्णकुम्भ), or Purna-ghata (पूर्णघट).

Sometimes the Kalasha is filled with coins, grain, gems, gold, or a combination of these items instead of water. The coronet of 5, 7, or 11 mango leaves is placed such that the tips of the leaves touch water in the Kalasha. The coconut is sometimes wrapped with a red cloth and red thread; the top of the coconut (called Shira – literally "head") is kept uncovered. A sacred thread is tied around the metal pot. The Shira is kept facing the sky.

The Purna-Kalasha is worshipped in all Hindu festivities related to marriage and childbirth, as a mother goddess or Devi. In this context, the metal pot or Kalasha represents material things: a container of fertility - the earth and the womb, which nurtures and nourishes life. The mango leaves associated with Kama, the god of love, symbolize the pleasure aspect of fertility. The coconut, a cash crop, represents prosperity and power. The water in the pot represents the life-giving ability of Nature.

The Purna-Kalasha is also worshipped at Hindu ceremonies like Griha Pravesha (house warming), child naming, havan (fire-sacrifice), Vaastu dosha rectification, and daily worship.

Other intrepretations of the Purna-Kalasha associate with the five elements or the chakras. The wide base of metal pot represents the element Prithvi (Earth), the expanded centre - Ap (water), neck of pot - Agni (fire), the opening of the mouth - Vayu (air), and the coconut and mango leaves - Akasha (aether). In contexts of chakras, the Shira (literally "head") - top of the coconut symbolizes Sahasrara chakra and the Moola (literally "base") - base of Kalasha - the Muladhara chakra.

A kalash is placed with due rituals on all important occasions. It is placed near the entrance as a sign of welcome. It is also used in a traditional manner while receiving holy personages.

Why are Shubh and Labh written on walls in Indian culture?

Ganesha is the god of Wisdom and is represented by the Swatik. The two lines on each sides represent his wives Riddhi and Siddhi.

The Siva Purana has a story in which Ganesha and his brother Skanda compete for the right to marry the two desirable daughters of Prajapati, Siddhi and Buddhi, and Ganesha wins through a clever approach. This story adds that after some time Ganesha begat two sons: Kshema  (Prosperity), born to Siddhi, and Labha (Acquisition, Profit) born to Buddhi.

 In Northern Indian variants of this story the sons are often said to be Subha (Hindi Shubh) (auspiciousness) and Labha. 

In discussing the Shiva Purana version, Courtright comments that while Ganesha is sometimes depicted as sitting between these two feminine deities, "these women are more like feminine emanations of his androgynous nature, Shaktis rather than spouses having their own characters and spouses."

So when Gaṇeśa is present, siddhi 'success' and buddhi 'wisdom' are not far behind.

Top 10 Best Bhakti Songs in Hindi

1. Tune Mujhe Bulaya Sherawaliye

Singer: Mohammed Rafi.

Movie: Asha.

2. He Ram He Ram

Singer:  Jagjit Singh.

3. Maa Sherawaliye

Singer: Sonu Nigam.

Movie: Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi

4. Shirdi wale Sai Baba

Singer: Mohammed Rafi

Movie: Amar Akbar Anthanoy

5. O Palan hare

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar.

Movie: Lagaan

6. Itni Shakti Hume Dena Data

Singer: Poornima.

7. Ae Maalik Tere Bande Hum

Singer: Lata Mangeshkar.

Movie:  Do Aankhen Barah Hath.

8. Shree Hanuman Chalisa

Singer: Suresh Wadkar , Udit Narayan ,Kumar Sanu

Album: Hanuman Chalisa

9. Leke Pooja Ki Thali

Singer: Suresh Wadekar.

Movie: Jai Maa Vaishno Devi.

10. Hey Naam Re

Singer: Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle.

Movie: Suhaag

also check top 10 janmasthami songs.....

Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2016 starts today……(1st Oct to 5th Oct)

The Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale has started for festive season, manages online customer to increase sales

Online marketplace Amazon is taking care of customers in India for sellers to groom them for increasing sales ahead of the upcoming festival season.

 This is also an opportunity for us we are getting benefit from Amazon to this upcoming festive season so that they are better for all of us.

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How to Look Glamorous Everyday or Specially Karva Chauth

1. Start Early: Perfection takes time, and so does Beauty. So ladies!!! Start early. Schedule beauty appointment with your beautician a minimum a week ahead your date. Share your concerns with her/him like acne, dry skin, hair fall.

2. Get the skins glowing: Get your skin to glow like a pearl by taking care of it every day and nights. For a special occasion, follow a special regime either in the home or in beauty parlour. Clean, scrub, pack, bleach, massage, moisture. Don’t shop for cheap skin products, but be cautious of allergies and expiry dates of products.


3. Pedicure and Manicure: After skin, clean and stylize your nails. Simple home cleaning techniques can do the trick as well.
In home nail, cleaning: Simple mix a face wash in Luke warm water, adda few drops of lemon and scrub it. Dip your hand and feet in warm water for about 10 minutes and cover in clean towels. Moisturize using good creams with almond/coconut oil, rich in vitamin E. After all wear socks to protect them for a while and lock in all moisture. Stay away from dust.

4. Shiny Hair. Always use conditioner after shampoo. If your hair is dry, use hair serum after hair wash and could oil them twice a week with almond/coconut oil. Occasionally use hair mask. Regularly get a haircut to avoid split ends.

5. Exercise. Regularly engage in light to heavy exercise regime, at least 4 -5 times a week. Go for short walks in a park, meditate, swim or yoga. This enhances the body –mind balance and lifts your mood. The mood directly reflects on the skin and overall personality. This is better than any beauty treatment.

On special day: Karvachauth

1. Start a day before: You don't want to be in a parlour, hungry and thinking about evening Puja, praying for Moon to appear early, so book you parlour a day or two before the special day.

2. Facials: Any facial takes about 10-15 hours to show its effects. Your skin may appear slightly red immediately after facial, to let your skin rejuvenate after the scrubbing and message, always schedule your facials a day or two early. Facials ranging from pearl, diamond or gold are good. You could try new types, but after sharing concerns or cross-reaction with the beauticians.

3. New hair style: To surprise your husband, try a new hair style. Go through the internet to find the different hairstyles that may look good according to your face cut and goes along with your personality and attire.


4. Makeup: One of the most important one on the list! .Never overdo it!. Nude make up with bright lipstick and nice eye makeup can boost your personality and confidence. You can book an appointment with your beautician and let her take care from there. Always tell her about your attire and possibly show pictures, so that she/he could use matching lipstick and overall can give look that is in synchrony. Or you could do it yourself too.
If you unsure or certain techniques go through few internet videos and you may be able to excel them. Always ask your friend for advice and help. Always clean, moisturize before using any makeup, as dry skin can lead to cracks in makeup layers.


5. Nails: Paint then with color that goes well with your attire.

6. Mehandi: This can help in making your traditional look perfect. Book prior appointment in parlour as last day rush could spoil your excitement. Follow ideas from the expert or internet for the recent trends.

7. Finally the Look!!. Your attire is most important. Mostly everybody follows colors like red and pink for the day. You can experiment with the color of your choice, if you are confident it will look good on you. Remember, only if you are confident! Follow recent trends in social media and internet to know the designs trending.

8. Pair with accessory. This can help you in completing your look. Use matching jewelry, bangles and brooches. But don’t overdo. You don’t have to look like a bride. Accessorizing just right is also an art, and you don’t have to use everything in your wardrobe. Get a friend's advice if unsure.

New book One Indian Girl by Author Chetan Bhagat

One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat is a story of Radhika Mehta, an intelligent and successful lady who works at a top Investment Bank. Not only she earns a lot of money but also has an opinion on everything happening around her. Radhika, because of being a successful working woman, finds it hard to get love. The novel takes a deep look at the problems faced by any employed Indian women in all walks of life, be it work, society or love.

Indian Festivals and Holidays in 2017

January 2017

  1 January            Sunday                  English New Year

  5 January            Thursday               Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti

  8 January            Sunday                  Tailang Swami Jayanti

13 January            Friday                    Lohri

14 January            Saturday                Pongal , Makar Sankranti

19 January            Thursday               Swami Vivekananda Jayanti

23 January            Monday                 Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti

26 January            Thursday               Republic Day

February 2017

  1 February             Wednesday          Vasant Panchami

10 February             Friday                   Guru Ravidas Jayanti

21 February            Tuesday                Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti

24 February             Friday                   Maha Shivaratri

28 February            Tuesday                Ramakrishna Jayanti

March 2017

12 March               Sunday                  Chhoti Holi , Holika Dahan , Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Jayanti

13 March               Monday                 Holi

15 March               Wednesday           Shivaji Jayanti

20 March               Monday                 Vernal Equinox , Parsi New Year

28 March               Tuesday                Gudi Padwa , Ugadi

29 March               Wednesday           Jhulelal Jayanti

April 2017

  1 April                  Saturday                Bank's Holiday

  5 April                  Wednesday           Rama Navami

  9 April                  Sunday                  Mahavir Swami Jayanti

10 April                  Monday                 Hazarat Ali's Birthday

14 April                  Friday                    Solar New Year , Baisakhi , Ambedkar Jayanti , Good Friday

16 April                 Sunday                  Easter

22 April                 Saturday                Vallabhacharya Jayanti

30 April                 Sunday                  Shankaracharya Jayanti , Surdas Jayanti

May 2017

 7 May                   Sunday                  Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti

10 May                  Wednesday           Buddha Purnima

28 May                  Sunday                  Maharana Pratap Jayanti

June 2017

  9 June                 Friday                    Kabirdas Jayanti

21 June                 Wednesday           Longest Day of Year

23 June                 Friday                    Jamat Ul-Vida

25 June                 Sunday                  Jagannath Rathyatra

26 June                 Monday                  Eid al-Fitr , Ramadan

July 2017

30 July                  Sunday                  Tulsidas Jayanti

August 2017

  7 August             Monday                 Rakhi , Raksha Bandhan

14 August             Monday                 Janmashtami Smarta

15 August             Tuesday                Janmashtami ISKCON , Independence Day

25 August             Friday                    Ganesh Chaturthi

September 2017

  2 September                 Saturday               Eid al-Adha , Bakrid

  4 September                 Monday                 Onam

21 September                  Thursday               Maharaja Agresen Jayanti

22 September                  Friday                   Al-Hijra , Islamic New Year

23 September                  Saturday               Autumnal Equinox

28 September                  Thursday               Durga Ashtami

29 September                  Friday                   Maha Navami

30 September                  Saturday               Dussehra , Madhvacharya Jayanti

October 2017

  1 October            Sunday                  Day of Ashura , Muharram

  2 October            Monday                 Gandhi Jayanti

  5 October            Thursday               Valmiki Jayanti , Meerabai Jayanti

  8 October            Sunday                  Karwa Chauth

18 October            Wednesday           Narak Chaturdashi

19 October            Thursday               Diwali , Lakshmi Puja

20 October            Friday                   Gowardhan Puja

21 October            Saturday               Bhaiya Dooj

26 October            Thursday               Chhath Puja

November 2017

  4 November         Saturday              Guru Nanak Jayanti

14 November         Tuesday               Nehru Jayanti

December 2017

  1 December         Friday          Milad an-Nabi , Id-e-Milad

21 December         Thursday     Shortest Day of Year

25 December         Monday       Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti , Merry Christmas

29 December         Friday         Tailang Swami Jayanti

Gomed Stone (Hessonite Gemstone)

 Gomed Stone (Hessonite Gemstone) is also one of the important gemstone that delivers a variety of benefits to wearers and make them capable to live a health and stress free life.

gomed

Wearing Finger-The ideal finger to wear hessonite or gomed stone is middle finger of the right hand.

With Metal- silver or ashthdhatu.

Wearing Period - 4 Year from wearing Ruling Planet- Sun (Ravi)

Day/Time- The appropriate day to don this stone Saturday,This stone should be worn after Sun set between 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 

Benefits- Gomed / Hessonite gemstone is not worn on zodiac signs basis.Gomedh is very much beneficial for those who are suffering from skin disorder,piles,infection of eyes,sinus infection, allergies,insomnia, etc.Original Gomed Gemstone (Hessonite) bestows health,wealth and prosperity upon its possessor.

Ruby (manikya)

Ruby

Ruby is the gemstone which can be subscribed to avail the innumerable benefits which are being provided by Sun. Since, sun signifies health, dignity, self-esteem, courage, prosperity and love. Therefore, wearing this stone ensures its wearer all these benefits.

Wearing Finger- right hand ring finger

With Metal- Gold/Copper ring

Wearing Period - 4 Year from wearing Ruling Planet- Sun (Ravi)

Day/Time- Sunday / 8 am to 10 am

Nakshatra- Krittika, U Phal, U Shad

Benefits- A person having good effects of sun on him will be optimistic and royal in its thoughts. He will have good reputation and success in his or her life.

Gemstones and their Powers

Every planet has its own power and is the lord of its house in the kundali. If a person’s kundli contains any weak or debilitated planet then he may face many difficulties in his life. To reduce the malefic results from the planets, Astro Vastu Guide provides Ratna Dharana remediies.

Janmasthami

On the eighth day of the black half of Bhadra (August - September) was born Shri Krishna, the eighth Avatar or incarnation of Vishnu. Therefore, this day is well known as Janmastami or Krishna-Janmashtami. This auspicious day of birth of Krishna, the direct manifestation of Vishnu himself is celebrated in all parts of India with clat and great enthusiasm. In the Bhagvad Gita Krishna declares: "All this universe has been created by me; all things exist in me", and Arjuna addresses him as "the super universal spirit, the supreme dwelling, the eternal person, divine prior to the Gods, unborn omnipresent". His life is celebrated in great detail in the Puranas like Harvamsha and Shrimad Bhagvatam. The circumstances in which he was born were quite peculiar and mysterious. He incarnated himself primarily to destroy evil and wickedness and to establish Dharma.

Celebration

Janmashtami celebrations start right from the early morning with the bath in the sacred waters and prayers etc., but the climax reaches in the midnight with the rising moon, which marks the divine birth. On this auspicious day, strict fast is kept and broken only after the birth of Krishna at midnight. The temples and homes are decorated, scene-depicting Krishna's birth and his childhood pranks, etc., are staged with models both living and inanimate. Child Krishna's image is put into a richly decorated swing and rocked with a tender care all the day by the devotees. At night after birth, a small image of toddling Krishna is bathed in Charnamrita, amidst chanting of hymns, blaring of the conches, ringing of the bells and joyous shouting of "victory of Krishna".

In Braja Mandala, especially Gokula and Mathura, this festival is celebrated with great possible religious fervor and enthusiasm and the special deliberations of the day are relayed on the air. People from distant places congregate to Mathura and Vrindavan on this day to participate in the festival. The piety and fast observed on this day ensure birth of many good sons, and salvation after the death. Reading and recitation of the Bhagvatam and Geet Govindam are most recommended on this day.

Legends of Janmasthami

The demon king Kansa was a great and dreaded tyrant, but he loved his sister Devaki, and at her marriage with Vasudeva, he, out of great affection, drove their marriage chariot. Then, all of a sudden an oracle told him that eighth born of Devaki shall be the cause of his doom and death. At this he would have killed her then and there, but for the intervention of Vasudeva and their promise to give him over each and every child born to them. They kept their promise, and Kansa killed all of their seven children one after the other to a great suffering and grief of the couple. They were kept in the prison under strict watch and in chains and locks.

So Krishna was born as their eighth son in the prison cell. But it so happened, with divine grace, that the guards fell asleep, their chains loosened and locks and the gates of the prison cell opened. Vasudeva took the child Krishna to Nanda's house in Gokula and exchanged him for a baby girl born there to Yasoda. When Kana heard of the birth of girl child, he at once rushed to prison cell, and lifted the female child high, catching it by the feet and was about to dash her against the rock. When it slipped from Kansa's grip and assuming the beautiful form of the Divine Mother vanishing saying, "Wretch! The destroyer is flourishing in Gokula". There was a great joy and rejoicing in Gokula at the birth of a son to king Nanda and queen Yashoda. Yashoda was quite unaware of the exchange that had taken place during the night.
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Holi

The ‘Holi’ festival is a very fun-filled and popular occasion in the northern part of India. It is an occasion when people smear each other with bright colored powders, which are known as Gulal, and colored water. This festival is celebrated around early March each year. It can be said that ‘Holi’ festival is called a bright festival as a wide range of bright colors is used during it. The people believe that the bright colors represent energy, life, and joy.

Legends of Holi

There was once a demon king by the name of Hiranyakashyap who won over the kingdom of earth. He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana and refused to worship his father. Hiranyakashyap tried several ways to kill his son Prahlad but Lord Vishnu saved him every time. Finally, he asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. For, Hiranyakashyap knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the fire unscathed. Treacherously, Holika coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire by her life. Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.

Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Lord Naarayana all this while, came out unharmed, as the lord blessed him for his extreme devotion.& Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika. And, is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil. Holi is also celebrated as the triumph of a devotee. As the legend depicts that anybody, howsoever strong, cannot harm a true devotee. And, those who dare torture a true devotee of god shall be reduced to ashes.

Celebrations

To start off the festival, preparations are usually made on the eve of Holi: huge bonfires are burnt as a symbol of its representation. These fires are created to ward off evil spirits around the place. 'Holi' is grandly celebrated in villages around Mathura, the place where Krishna is said to be born. Before the start of the festival, shops are busy selling ‘Gulal,’ the colored powders, and it is no surprise that the shops are flooded with festive shoppers. In preparation for the festival, new clothes are also bought for the family: it is a tradition for mothers to buy new clothes for their married daughters. On ‘Holi’, mothers let their children go out on the streets to indulge in the splashing of colors. Men like to wear white ‘Kurtas’ while ladies prefer to wear white saris, or ‘Salwar Khameez,’ on 'Holi'. One thing that is very attractive about this festival is the spirit of the people who celebrate the occasion. Whether they are young or old, all the people are lost in the joyful occasion, having fun throwing colors at each other. Even water balloons would be thrown at each other. When they splash colored water on passer-bys, it is common for the passer-bys to get involved in the color riots themselves. Even kids love this festival, as they enjoy being drenched in colored water. On this happy occasion, dances and folk songs are also important features in the festival.

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Diwali

The word Diwali is the abstraction of the Sanskrit word Deepavali - Deepen meaning light and Avali, meaning a row. On the Hindu calendar, Diwali is celebrated for the five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of Karttika. On the English calendar, Dipawali falls in the months of October or November, and always on a new moon day. Diwali is celebrated with a variety of rituals, which depend in large part on one's location, but they center on the lighting of candles, electric lights and fireworks.

Celebration

Diwali or more aptly Deepawali is very enthusiastically celebrated for five continuous days and each day has its significance with a number of myths, legends and beliefs. The First day is called Dhanteras which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Aasho. The word Dhan means wealth. Believing this day to be auspicious, women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. The Second day is called Narkachaturdashi or Choti Diwali which falls on the fourteenth day of the month of Aasho. This day therefore is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter. The Third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of Lakshmi-Puja which is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi. On this very day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale. Hence, this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. Despite the fact that this day falls on an amavasya day it is regarded as the most auspicious. The fourth day is padwa. Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. The Fifth and final day of Diwali Festival is known by the name of Bhayya-Duj. As the legend goes Yamraj, the God of Death visited his sister Yami on this particular day. She put the auspicious tilak on his forehead, garlanded him and fed him with special dishes and while parting Yamraj gave her a special gift as a token of his love. That day Yamraj announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister will never be thrown. Since then, this day is being observed as a symbol of love between sisters and brothers.

Rituals and Legends of Diwali

The ?row of lights? for which the festival is named are lit on the new-moon night to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. But in Bengal, it is the goddess Kali who is so honored, and in North India the festival also celebrates the return of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman to the city of Ayodhya, where Rama's rule of righteousness was inaugurated.

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Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav or the birthday of Ganesha (the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and Prosperity) falls on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (around August-September). It is celebrated all across India and is the biggest festival in Maharashtra. Ganesha is India’s cutest god. He has the head of an elephant on which is perched a dainty tiara, four podgy hands joined to a sizeable belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object. One has a trishul, or a trident, the second, an ankush, or goad made from his very own broken tooth, the third hand elegantly holds a lotus and the fourth a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks – his favourite sweet). Ganesha is famous not only for being a trickster and for his sense of humour, but equally for his wisdom. He is the son of Shiva (Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) and Parvati (Shiva’s consort) .

Celebration

Although the Ganesha Chaturthi festival falls in the month of Bhado (August-September) but the preparations for the celebrations starts well in advance. Beautiful idols of Lord Ganesha, small and large, are made. The spirituality and enthusiasm dominates the entire atmosphere. Ganesh Puja : On the festive day these idols are placed in the house holds and public mandaps. Then the ritual of the Pranapratishhtha Pooja is performed to invoke the holy presence of Lord Ganesha into the idol followed by the worship with sixteen modes of showing honor, known as Shhodashopachara. Offering of Durva (grass) blades and modaka, a delicacy prepared from rice flour, jaggery, and coconut, is an important part of the Ganesha Chaturthi puja. Ganesha is also offered red flowers, and anointed with a red chandan. For next 10 days, the Ganesha temples, each house hold and large mandaps are swayed away by the name of their most loved God Ganesha. On 11th day, the procession ceremony of the immersion of the image/idol in a water body is performed to see-off the lord and praying him to take away all misfortunes and come again next year.

Rituals and Legends of Ganesh Chaturthi

The puja of Lord Ganesh or Ganesha on the Ganesha Chaturathi day is to be performed at noon. A clay image of the God, painted beautifully, is installed on a raised platform. After the usual preliminary rituals, the Pranapratishhtha must be done with the appropriate mantras. This Pranapratishhtha is done for the purpose of invoking the presence of Lord Ganesha into the image. This is followed by the worship with sixteen modes of showing honor, known as Shhodashopachara.

Offering of Durva (grass) blades and modaka, a delicacy prepared from rice flour, jaggery, and coconut, is an important part of the Ganesh Chaturathi puja. Ganesha is also offered red flowers, and anointed with a red chandana. The immersion of the image in a body of water is ceremonially performed at the end of the chaturathi vrata.

According to Hindu mythological scriptures Lord Ganesha was formed by Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva. It is said that one day Parvati formed a sculpture from the paste that she used on her body before taking bath. She infused life in that figure and ordered him to guard the entrance of her bathroom. God Shiva returned and stopped at the entrance of his house by that boy. In extreme rage Shiva struck off the boy’s head. This incident filled Parvati in utter grief and requested Shiva to return her son. Then Shiva fixed the head of an elephant and restored life onto the body of that boy. Lord Shiva named this boy as ‘Ganpati’ Gan means (hosts) & Pati means (Chief) and blessed that Ganpati would be worshipped before every new venture.

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Maha Shivratri

Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva.

Legends of Mahashivratri

There are various interesting legends related to the festival of Maha Shivaratri. According to one of the most popular legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction. Another popular Shivratri legend stated in Linga Purana states that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by Shiva devotees and they celebrate it as Mahashivaratri - the grand night of Shiva .

Ritual & Celebrations

Various traditions and customs related to Shivaratri Festival are dutifully followed by the worshippers of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe strict fast in honor of Shiva, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk some do not consume even a drop of water. Devotees strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the ideal husband.

To mark the Shivratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in river Ganga. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc.

On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day and night. Every three hours priests perform ritual pooja of Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water amidst the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells. Nightlong vigil or jaagran is also observed in Shiva temples where large number of devotees spend the night singing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the following morning that devotee break their fast by partaking prasad offered to the deity.

Devotees of Lord Shiva observe the Shivaratri Festival by following the prescribed rituals with sincerity and devotion. All through the day, devotees abstain from eating food and break their fast only the next morning, after the nightlong worship. Ritual baths of Shivalinga in the numerous Shiva temples by Shiva worshipper, mainly women, is another significant feature of Shivratri customs and traditions. Devotees strongly believe that ritual worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri absolves them of past sins and they are blessed with Moksha.

Ram Navami

The festival of Ram Navami is the celebration of birthday of the Hindu God, Shri Ram. Shri Ram was the seventh incarnation (Avatar) of Lord Vishnu and born in Ayodha, an ancient Indian city. Rama Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of Hindu month of Chaitra (April). Ram Navami marks the end of nine day long festival called Chaitra Navratri or Vasanta Navratri. On this auspicious day devotees observes fasting, visits temples to offer special prayers, takes religious processions and the special readings of Ramayana are also hold.

Celebration

Ram Navami is celebrated with religious fervour. On this day, people observe a fast. Many devotees fast for nine days. In all the Ram mandirs, Aarti and Pooja are performed during the noon hours, the time of Lord Rama's birth. At the end of the rites and rituals, which includes abhishek of Lord Rama and Shiva and chanting of Bhajans, the priest performs the peace chant with sprinkling of consecrated water. Prasad of sweets and fruits is given to people attending the pooja. Many devotees stay awake on the previous night, in anticipation of Lord Ram's birth. A havan is performed and they sing devotional songs in praise of Lord Ram and rock his image in cradles to celebrate his birth.

On Ram Navami day, all the Ram temples are beautifully decorated. the idols of Lord Ram, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman are adorned with new clothes, jewellery and flowers. Devotees visit various Ram mandirs and offer sweets, flowers and fruits. Selected chapters on Ramlila of Ramayan are read, the most popular version being Tulsidas's Ramacharitmanas. A huge fair is held in Ayodhya on Ram Navami day, where thousands of devotees gather to celebrate this festival. Pondicherry is another place where many pilgrims visit the Ram temples. Processions accompanied by splendid floats of Rama, his wife Sita, his brother Lakshman and his monkey-general, Hanuman are carried out with great zest.

Legends of Ram Navami

Lord Vishnu took the seventh avatar as Lord Ram to destroy the demon King Ravana. Ravana was very powerful and his tyranny knew no bounds. Sages were not able to perform their rituals under his reign. So, to destroy Ravana, Lord Vishnu took his seven avtaar as the son of Kaushalya, the first queen of king Dasharath. The king had two other queens, Kaikeyi and Sumitra and three children from them - Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughna.

In course of time, Ram married Sita. Dasharath planned to declare Ram as the crown prince of Koshal. Being the eldest son and rightful heir to his father, he stepped down for his step-brother, Bharat, Kaikeyi's son, to please his foster-mother. He was banished to the forest for 14 long years. His wife Sita and brother Lakshman followed with him during the banishment period. In the forest, Sita was abducted by Ravana, which resulted in a great war between Ram and Ravana. At the end, aided by a band of monkeys, the most loyal of whom is Lord Hanuman, Ram, killed Ravana. Ram completed his period of exile and came back to Ayodhya to rule the kingdom. Ram’s life, as described in Ramayana, sets an example of a dutiful virtuous life for an Indian. The legend is cited to prove how Lord Rama always lived a life of righteousness (dharma). Lord Rama is known as Maryaada Purushottam. His life exemplifies the ideal son, ideal husband and ideal ruler. Lord Ram was the true embodiment of humanity. Ram Navami is a therefore a special reminder of the noble ideals for which Lord Ram stood.