Uniting India
Festivals
All the festivals observed in different parts of India
Ratha Sapthami – The Festival of Sun God
Feb 16th
! Aadi Deva namasthubhyam Praseeda mama
Bhaskara Diwakara namasthubhyam Prabhakara namosthuthe!!
Ratha Sapthami is a highly auspicious festival dedicated to Sun God. In Hindu religion it is observed as a festival across the country falling on the seventh day of Magha Masa sukla paksha. Generally it occurs during the months of January-February. This day is also known as Surya Jayanthi, the day on which Sun is supposed to have taken birth to Aditi and sage Kasyapa. Sun centric events falls continuously during Pushya and Magha Masam including Dhanurmasam, starting with Vaikunta Ekadasi and ending with Ratha Sapthami. Worshipping Sun God during this period is very sacred and celestial.
Significance of Ratha Sapthami :
Ratha means chariot. Sapthami is a thithi in a lunar month falling on the 7th day of both sukla and Krishna paksha. At the time of division of constellations each day or thithi is attributed to one deity/God. In the process Sapthami thithi was allotted to Sun God and hence it is his favourite day.
On this day of Ratha Sapthami, Northern movement of the Sun God is supposed to take definite effect after he commenced his journey towards Northern hemisphere entering Makara Raasi on Makara Sankramana Day. Traditionally it is More >
Maasaanaam Maargaseersho~ham (Significance of Margasira Masam)
Dec 15th
Margaseersha also named as Agrahayana is the ninth month in a Hindu calendar starting from Chaitra masam. The word Agrahayana means the month of equinox. In olden times the year used to begin with Margasira Masam. This month is named after the star Mrigasira when the full moon day coincides with Mrigasira constellation and that month is denoted as Margasira Masam. During the month Sun will be transiting in Scorpio sign (Vrischika raasi) and will be entering into Dhanus raasi in the middle of the month when it is known as Dhanurmasam. It marks the beginning of a new season called Hemantha Ruthu that generally occurs during the calendar months of November and December.
Lord Sri Maha Vishnu in the name of Keshava is the presiding Deity (Masa Niyamaka) who governs this month of Margasira masam. We find Lord Sri Krishna being referred to as Keshava. In 24 Keshava Namas the very first name that we recite is Om! Keshavaya Namah! In Bhagawadgeeta we find Arjuna addressing Lord Sri Krishna several times as Keshava. In Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram we find a reference to the word Keshava in sloka # 3 and 69,
Kalaneminiha virah saurih sura-janeshvarah
Trilokatma trilokeshah keshavah keshiha More >
Sri Maha Ganapathi (The remover of obstacles)
Sep 19th
In Hindu religion and philosophy Lord Ganesha has acquired a unique and significant prominence and is considered as the most potent God. Also known as Maha Ganapathi (Ganesha), the elephant headed God is the best known and the most revered God in Hindu religion who is offered prayers first before any other God. He is known as Vinayaka (Vigathanayaka). That means the one who has no master over him. He is totally an independent Deity, has no overlord and is the one who leads. He is popularly known as Ganapathi (Gana + Pathi) the Lord of all the Ganas (divine Groups or spiritual entities). The word Ganapathi also signifies, Ga means Buddhi (intellect), Na means Vignana (wisdom) and Pathi means the Lord. Ganapathi means the one who is the Lord of intellect and wisdom. He is considered as the Lord of learning and patron of letters.
He is also referred to by other names like Vighneshwara the Lord of Vignas (obstacles), Gajaanana the one who has the face of an Elephant, Ekadantha the one who has only one tusk etc. Looked upon as a Brahmachari people also believe Siddhi and Buddhi as his consorts but in fact they are his two More >
Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Aug 10th
Janmaashtami is a very popular Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna the most revered God in this Universe. It is celebrated with all gaiety and religious fervor across the country by one and all irrespective of the caste and creed. As per Hindu lunar calendar it occurs during the auspicious month of Sravana Masam on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight. It is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Gokulaashtami and Janmaashtami.
Sri Krishnaavathara took place during the sandhi kala (transit time) in Dwapara Yuga in the 28th Maha Yuga of Vaivaswatha Manvanthara. Lord Sri Krishna considered as the Paripoorna Avathara of Lord Sri ManNarayana, took birth in Chandra Vamsam in Yadu dynasty in the clan of Vrushni. He was born to the noble couple Vasudeva and his consort Devaki Devi as their eighth child. Devaki and Vasudeva in their previous birth had performed severe penance for several thousands of years to have Lord Sri Maha Vishnu as their child for three lives. As a result, Lord Sri ManNarayana took birth as Prusnigarbha in Krutha Yuga to the Divine couple Prusni and Suthapa, as Lord Vamana to the Divine Sage couple Kashyapa and Aditi in Vaamana Avathara and More >
The Significance of Sravana Masam(The Nabho Masam)
Jul 19th
The month in which full moon day coincides with Sravana star, that month is denoted as Sraavana Masam. Sravana star is considered as Sri Hari (Vishnu) Nakshathra. While Moon is the star lord, Sri Maha Vishnu is the Star Deity of Sravana nakshathra. It is said that Lord Brahma had darshan of Sri Maha Vishnu for the first time at the beginning of the creation in Sravana constellation. Sri Maha Vishnu’s Vaamana avathara had taken place in the constellation of Sravana. It is also believed that Lord Sri Maha Vishnu (Lord Srinivasa) stepped His foot on the Tirumala hills in search of his consort Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi in Sravana constellation. At Tirumala temple, the nine day festival Brahmotsavam concludes every year on the day coinciding with Sravana Star.
Astrologically Sravana star is regarded as an auspicious star which falls in the zodiac sign of Makara Raasi (Capricorn) ruled by Saturn. It is said that when Sun during his transit in Makara Raasi comes opposite to Sravana star the doors of Vaikuntam (Moksha Dwara) gets opened. When Sun enters into Makara Raasi, Uttarayana begins. Sravana is considered as a star of learning and Sraavana masam is the auspicious month to begin More >
The Significance of Jagannatha Ratha Yaathra (Puri Temple)
Jul 7th
Custom of car festivals held in Hindu temples is not uncommon, but the one that is held at Puri Jagannath temple has unique significance. More than a million people from across the world participate in the car festival, perhaps largest gathering for a carnival. Sacred place Puri is known as Purushottama Kshethra, one of the popular names of Lord Vishnu. Pouranically reference about Purushottama kshethra is said to have been made in Skhaandha Purana. Puri is a sanskrit word meaning the town or city and Jagannatha Puri is the place where Lord Jagannatha resides.
Puri Kshethra is referred to as Saptha Puri, one of the seven most sacred and revered places in the Indian sub-continent. It is also known as one of the Char Dhaams, the four abodes of God in four directions viz. Badari in the North, Rameswaram in the South, Puri Jagannath in the East and Dwaraka in the West. These are said to be the most revered sites for Hindus to be visited at least once in their life time.
Main deities of the temple are Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra (brother of Lord Sri Krishna), Subhadra (sister of Lord Sri Krishna) and Sudarshana (Chakra); While Jagannatha and Balabhadra are symbolizing the Vaasudeva More >
The Significance of Deva Sayana Ekadasi
Jun 30th
Deva Sayana Ekadasi is also reffered as – Padma Ekadasi, Vishnu Sayana Ekadasi, Sesha Sayana Ekadasi, Tholi or Toli Ekadasi (Andhra Pradesh), Harivaasara Ekadasi, Vishnu Sayana Ekadasi and Ashadi Ekadasi (Maharashtra).
Deva Sayana Ekadasi is observed on June 29th 2012 (USA) & June 30th (India & UK) in this year.
Significance of Deva Sayana Ekadasi Vrat or Ashadi Ekadasi Vrat:
The importance of Deva Sayani Ekadasi was mentioned in Bhavishyottara Puran. Yudhistira, Oldest among Pandava brothers asked about the significance of observing a fast on Shayana Ekadasi. Lord Shri Krishna explained the glory of Sayana Ekadasi Vrat which was told earlier by Lord Brahma to His Son – Sage Narada.
Story related to Deva Sayana Ekadasi:
The great emperor Mandhata of Surya Clan was famous for being Honest and Truthful. Unfortunately, there occured a severe famine in His Kingdom. Many people and animals died due to pangs of hunger. There was shortage of food-grains in the Kingdom. Seeing the sufferings of His Subjects, King Mandhata observed vratams, performed homams and Pujas to get rid of famine; but all his efforts were in vain.Sage Angirasa suggested Mandata to observe Ekadasi fasting on Ashada Shukla Ekadasi, which is popular as Deva Sayana Ekadasi. As told by the Sage, King Mandhata observed Deva Sayani Ekadasi Fasting, More >
Vaikunta Ekadashi
Jan 1st
Vaikunta Ekadashi falls every year in the Krishna Paksha Ekadashi that occurs during the Dhanurmasa period in the Hindu calendar in the month December-January. Ekadasi is the eleventh day in both the halves of the lunar month – Shukla Paksha(brighter half) and Krishna Paksha(darker half). Approximately there are as many as 24 Ekadasis in a year. The Ekadasi in Mrugasira Shukla Paksha is known as Vaikunta Ekadasi. Vaikunta is the abode of Lord Vishnu. On this day, thousands of devotees perform special poojas in Vishnu Temples.This year it falls on January 4th or 5th 2012. This is observed with all solemnity in the temples of Lord Vishnu. Please check your local calendars to see if it falls on 4th or 5th 2012.
Vaikunta Ekadashi is of great significance at the Tirupati Balaji Temple and also all other Vishnu temples around the world. The devotees firmly believe that whoever dies on this auspicious day directly goes to the Vaikuntam. They believe that ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘The Gate to the Heaven‘ gets opened on this day.
During this month Sun transits through Dhannus Rasi. Ancient texts recommend that the mornings in this month are ideal for worship of the Lord Vishnu. People fast during More >
Happy Childrens Day
Nov 15th
Children’s day is special day for the children. Universally, Children’s Day is celebrated on 20th November, every year.But in India it is celebrated on 14th November, because the date marks the birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighter and independent India’s first Prime Minister – Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru.
As a tribute to Nehru and his love for children, Children’s Day is celebrated on his birth date.
This day reminds to each and every one of us, to renew our commitment to the welfare of children and teach them to live by their Chacha Nehru’s quality and dream.
The video from the Tamil film ‘ Kuzhanthaiyum Deivamum’ is removed by the up-loader unfortunately. Baby Padmini played twin sister’s role. The song compares the chidren with God. Its meaning is as below.
‘ ‘God and children are pure souls. God always forgives people’s mistakes as told by elders. A man is open minded in childhood. The child is equivalent to God due to innocence. Clouds block the rising sun. Anger blocks man’s wisdom. Wind blows away the clouds. So does the peace and friendship between two angry persons. The children become elders when they grow up. The grown up people lose dignity when they fight. All the More >
Happy Diwali
Oct 25th
Diwali is one of the biggest festivals of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. Each year on the Ammavaasya in the month of Ashwayuja the glittering lamps, the dazzling fireworks, sounds of crackers announce the arrival of the most vibrant festival of India-Diwali. Originally, the name was Deepavali, which has its origin from Sanskrit, meaning “Rows of light”. This festival is still called Deepavali in South India. Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali is by far the most glamorous and important festival. Enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion, its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity. The festival of Diwali is not only significant to Hindus, but, has importance in Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism as well. Diwali is considered auspicious for shopping, inaugurations of new homes, business deals or for starting any new ventures and projects.
Historically, the origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali or ‘Deepavali.’ Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu, whereas in Bengal the festival is dedicated More >
