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  • Why Sharad Navratri 2016 is So Auspicious?

    Sharad Navratri marks the change in the weather. The mercury drops and the days shorten. Coolness grips the air. So, calling it the festival of delight is absolutely correct.

    When does it fall?

    Every year witnesses this auspicious occasion twice. It falls in the spring and autumn seasons respectively. The one that is known as Vasanta Navratri is celebrated during the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra. It marks the beginning of the New Year as per Hindu Mythology.

    Sharad Navratri is also known as Maha Navratri. It falls on the first of the lunar month’s bright fortnight in the month of Ashvin (i.e. September-October).  It is the very time when the Shraadhs end.

    Nine Faces of ‘Devi Durga’

    It’s the most popular spiritual occasion when nine faces of the goddess ‘Shakti’ are worshipped. This is why it is also known as Navadurga. ‘Nava’ implies nine. Pairing it with ‘Durga’ determines its significance exactly.

    In plain words, it means the nine Durga. Scriptures have these nine names as Shailputri, Chandrakanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. Since it last for 10-day, each night is dedicated to different face of the goddess.

    Devotees dedicate 10-day in devotion. They keep fasting religiously as per their desire to appease Goddess Durga.

    Why Navratri of 2016 is so auspicious? 

    These pious nights will begin from 1st October, 2016. Such kind of planetary arrangement is coinciding after 16 years this time. The ‘Dwitiya’ or 2nd pious night will be observed till two consecutive days. Hence, people will celebrate it for 10 days. All these days will bestow prosperity, health & wealth.

    Astrological significance:

    This festival will begin in the Shukla Paksha of Ashvin month. Jupiter and moon will together house the virgo (Kanya Rashi) house at ascendant. This arrangement will form Gajkeshari coincidence.

    As per astrological predictions, the Goddess will come on horse and depart on buffalo. This is why, it is presumed as the most auspicious occasion.

    In Devi Bhaagwat (holy book), the following wagons are mentioned for the goddess to visit:

    Arrival:

    • Sunday & Monday- She arrives on the elephant.
    • Saturday & Tuesday: She comes in on horse.
    • Thursday & Friday: Her wagon would be Palanquin.
    • Wednesday: She would sail on the boat.

    Departure:   

    • Sunday & Monday: She departs on buffalo.
    • Saturday & Tuesday: She walks away on the lion.
    • Wednesday & Friday: She goes away on the elephant.
    • Thursday: She prefers to exit on male wagon.

    How to observe this festival?

    Since this festival will begin on Saturday, devotees should place the earthen pots in the Hast planetary arrangement. It’s purely their wish whether to keep fast or not. Devoting time to worship and chanting her name with revered heart would be enough to appease the deity.

    Offer flowers, betel nuts, incense, betel leaves, cloves, ghee, rice, turmeric and vermillion. Light earthen lamp and keep it lit for 10 days consecutively. It is known as Akhand Jyot.

    Some people grow wheat crop in their house and dedicate it on the 9th Navratri at the temple. The 10th day is observed as Dussehra. In West Bengal and adjoining regions, devotees immerse idol of goddess Durga in the sea as the last holy ritual of the fest. All these days are celebrated with pomp and show.

  • Why Hindus Do Ganpati Visarjan?

    Ganesh Chaturthi or Anant Chaturdashi is an occasion to celebrate the existence of lord Ganesh, the son of god Shiva and goddess Parvati. However, it is the festival of Hindus but people of all religions take part in Ganesh Mahotsav. This festival lasts for 11 days and devotees observe it with pomp & show.

    Many minds want to inquire if pilgrims revere this deity intensely, why his visarjan (immersion) takes place every year.

    The answer to this question lies in the history. Let’s take a look of what it states in support of Ganpati Visarjan.

    To integrate: Do you remember famous freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak? Yes! It’s the very personality that gave rise to this tradition. Actually, it was the high-time for showing integrity to fight against British rule. And what else would be the good reason that a religious celebration to gather? So, he urged to restore the Peshwas’ tradition of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi.

    This announcement did magic and people began to congregate in huge numbers. Dr. Narendra Dabholkar (a famous Maharashtrian Socialist & anti-superstition activist) had a real story of that time about visarjan.

    It goes, once the carnival was on and Brahmans were taking Ganesh’s idol for installation. A huge rally was organized following the urge of Lokmanya Tilak.  At that time, untouchability was prevalent. Low caste people were disallowed to touch holy idol.

    A low caste (cobbler) was witnessing the holy rally. He could not stop himself from taking blessing of lord Ganesh. He touched the feet of the idol. Watching it, Brahmin community got angry. Tilak, himself, was a Brahmin. He wanted to remove the barrier of caste system between integrity. So, he wisely put a proposal of immersing the idol in the sea.

    He said, “Why don’t we drown lord’s idol if he is polluted by his touching. He will take away the evils or bad luck with him.” The community welcomed his idea and followed what he said.

    Since then, this trend became a tradition.  

    To worship formless divinity in idol’s form: There is another reason behind this tradition. Hindus believe that god is ‘nirgun’ (shapeless). Human being feels it easy to pay trust to someone that has form. But with no face, how could we develop trust on his power?

    This is why he is carved ‘sagun’ (form) to provide a face. This is how the divinity got its face. People search priest online and offline now to carry on the famous tradition across the country and worldwide.

    The idol is carved with the clay of pond. During procession, his statue is worshipped with turmeric, vermillion and flowers. All these are boon for the aquatic animals, like tortoise, fish. They get organic substances for growth. It’s the only reason, only the clay should be carved into idol but not the Plaster Of Paris (POP) or plastic material.

  • Who Revived Tradition of Ganesh Immersed on Ganesh Chaturthi?

    Importance of lord Ganesh

    The elephant-head Ganesh is the harbinger of auspiciousness. It is believed that his devotees get prosperity, joy, health and wealth as a return gift of his worshipping. Every puja or work requires citation of his name while beginning as per Hindu religion. It’s common belief that his name dispels ill omens.

    Traditionally, it is an age-old custom to celebrate it for 10 days. The fourth day of second fortnight in Bhaadrapada is when Ganesh Chaturthi falls according to Hindu calendar. In 2016, it is on 5th September. And finally, his idol is immersed on the fourteenth day of the Hindu month.

    It is also popular as Anant Chaturdashi.

    Let’s catch the story of his intelligence.

    How Ganesh took birth? 

    Ganesh is the son of god Shiva and goddess Parvati. As the myth goes, Parvati carved Ganesh and blew life to his idol with her powers. She deployed him at the entrance of the cave where she was taking a bathe. At that time, he had the face of human.

    Meanwhile, lord Shiva visited and tried to enter the cave. As an obedient child, he stood as a barrier and denied to let him go inside. The father and the son did not know their relationship. His father, Mahadev, began fighting and beheaded his son. His face was burnt in the fire of Havana.

    Watching this massacre, Parvati wept profusely. Sighting her in deep pain, Shiva transplanted an elephant’s face and made him alive once again.

    Story of Ganesh’s auspiciousness:

    Ganesh is famous for his jaw-dropping intelligence.  Once Ganesh and his elder brother Kartikeya has a fight over claiming ‘who is elder’.   To settle this issue, lord Narayana arranged a competition. The condition was put to circumambulate Pan Universe. Whosoever would complete it would be the winner.

    As the competition began, Kartikeya flew on his peacock to win. But Ganesh did not since he was so bulky and overweight. He surely would have been defeated. But an idea declared him winner. He moved around his parents and jumped claiming, “I won”.  When asked ‘how’, he said, “The world lies at the feet of parents. And I did so. So, I am the winner.”

    All praised his wisdom and crowned him as a winner.

    Let’s know who began worshipping and immersing his idol in India.

    Who revived immersing idol of lord Ganesh?

    The team of pujadivine.com explored many reputed sites to bring this fact in light.

    This deity had been worshipped for centuries. But the procession of Ganesh Chaturthi was paused. Earlier, Shivaji Maharaj (1630-1680) followed this tradition in Pune. It was the administration of Peshwas that carried it on. Actually, Ganesh was their ‘Isht deva’ (family god). But as he lost his ruling, the tradition was stopped.

    It was revived and re-introduced in trend by freedom fighter ‘Lokmanya Tilak’.

    How it is celebrated?

    Religious people observe it the most auspicious occasion. They install his idol in their house and pray for 10 days continuously. On tenth day, a grand procession is arranged. His idol is immersed into the water with pomp and show. Devotees dance, and play devotional music.

    Since this deity was born at Madhyahan Kaal (middday), thus the correct time of celebration falls at the same time. Devotees observe Shodashopchara Ganesha Puja and perform all rituals like anointing his idol with vermillion, raw rice, flowers, incense, sandalwood and so on.

    This is how his idol is taken to water and immerse.

  • How South Indians Celebrate Navaratri?

    The pious festival ‘Navaratri’ is nine night festival. However, it falls twice a year but the most significant one is Sharad Navaratri or Maha Navaratri. The devotees conduct all tantrums to appease nine goddesses, including goddess Durga, goddess Lakshmi and goddess Saraswati. These all deities are the representatives of ‘eternal power’.

    South India celebrates it with different names:

    In Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Bommla Koluvu. But Keralites and Tamilians call it Navaratri. Its joy and significance enhance for the people of Karnataka. They observe it for nine days and then, celebrate Dusshera on the tenth day. This tenth day is also famous as ‘Vijayadashmi’.

    How south India observes it in a different way?

    The event of placing Kolu and Kalash (brass pot) makes it outstand. The Kolu is a doll. It represents the goddess ‘Shakti’.

    South Indian style of Navaratri celebration:
    * It’s a previous night ritual. The worshippers clean the house and puja room as the deity paves in the clean surrounding.
    *  Festoons are made with the mango leaves. They are tied on all the entrances of various rooms and puja room.
    * People tend to keep the kolu dolls of previous years safe. They repair the broken dolls in advance. They renew those dolls using natural colours.

    Pooja preparations:
    * Purchase a couple of new kolu dolls. The pair (of male and female) includes the Marapachi dolls.
    * Kalasha or Kumbha (pot)
    * Sweets
    * Neivediya (fruits)
    * Betel leaves
    * Areca nuts
    * Coconut
    * Incense sticks
    * Earthen lamp
    * Lotus and Jasmine flowers for goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga respectively.

    Pre-Navaratri preparations:
    * A night before ninth night of this festival, females design Kolam.
    * The Kalasha or Kumbha is kept on the Kolam. It also represents goddesses.
    * Kolu dolls are also put behind the Kalasha.
    * The kalasha is enticed with jewels, turmeric, sandal paste and flowers.
    * Betel leaves, cloves, areca nut, turmeric powder and coconut are placed in front of the Kalasha.
    * The prasadam is prepared with neividya, cooked rice and sweet milk.
    * A big earthen lamp is lighted before the Kalasha for nine days. It is also known as ‘Akhand Jyot’ since it is ignited for nine days continuously.

    How puja begins?
    Females take charge of this pooja in the family. The devotees keep fast on these nine days. But the priest-booking can also be done for observing it with holy customs. Let’s learn how it is performed.
    * Put all the things in the puja room that have been arranged a previous night.
    * Light the earthen lamp.
    * Chant the hymn “Om Aim Heem Kreem Chamundaaye Vichai”.
    * Light incense sticks and offer homam to the goddess.
    * Offer the coconut as well and break it.
    * On ninth day, unmarried young girls are fed with the prasadam.

  • What is The Traditional Way of Conducting Vedic Marriage?

    What is Vedic wedding?
    Hindus are the heirs of Aryans. They followed whatever rules which became a tradition. The marriage conducted under the prescribed vedas and sutras is known as Vedic wedding. It is also called vivaha. The bride and the bridegroom represent different paternal lineages. Hindus know it as Gotras. The pair gives birth to bundle of talents in the child. He/she continues the paternal linage.
    For solemnizing it, the community follows codified outlines. These outlines are termed as paddhatis in Hindi terminology. These paddhatis differ from place to place.

    Three stages of Vedic marriage:
    • Vagdana: The engagement ceremony is known as vagdana. Betrothal or engagement initializes the impending wedding ceremony of the couple.
    • Kanyavarana: Through this tradition, the maiden’s hand is laid in the hands of the bridegroom. It’s the final deciding of the marriage.
    • Vivaha: It’s the final tantrum of the wedding.

    How Hindus prepare wedding venue for bride and bridegroom?

    As the horn of wedding blows, the families stay busy in shopping, decoration and other arrangements. And when the day comes, the marriage venue is decorated no less than a bride.
    • Mandapa: The very place where knot is to tie is decided for erecting mandapa. Festoons of flowers and mango leaves are fasted around its territory. The couple takes pledge for accompanying each other during ups and downs of the life here. It also takes oath for dedicating their lives to the Grihasth ashram completely.
    • Kautukagara: The south pavilion of the venue is Kautukagara. This place is reserved for the family members of the maiden and bridegroom.
    • Decoration: Marriage is an auspicious occasion. It requires clean and pious vicinity around the mandapa. So, the wedding venue is decorated with various flowers. This is so because flowers are synonymous to piousness. And these are also offered to god. So, they are picked for enticing.

    How wedding occurs?
    • Hosting: The bride’s father hosts the procession by welcoming. He revers god and the ancestors while uttering his paternal lineage, the geographical location, the lunar year and date.
    • Chanting verses: The priest takes charge on host’s behalf and chants verses from four Vedas. In India, the priest is booked in advance. But finding and booking priest in Melbourne (for example) is tough. So, they do so in advance.
    • Invoking deities: The priest’s chanting invokes deities. Further, he worships different deities through kalasapuja, Raksavidhanam,and Matrkapuja etc..
    • Vistara offering: Meanwhile, the host or the father offers vistara to the bridegroom. He welcomes him by handing over a bundle of 25 kusa grass’ shoots. Groom’s acceptance honours yajmanas (host).
    • Padyam and Acamanam: Subsequently, the host caters groom the water for washing feet (which is known as Padyam) and rituals like sipping holy water (which is known as acamanam).
    • Honouring groom: Then, a kalasha (copper pot) is filled with honey, curd, and ghee. The groom takes in during rituals after appeasing gods and cows.
    • Gauri worshipping: Then comes the turn of the bride. She worships goddess Gauri and appeases her.
    • Gargpadhhati: It is a ritual in which the maternal uncle of the bride accompanies to the mandapa. He drops a curtain between the bride and the groom on an auspicious occasion.
    The above said Vedic rituals may vary from place to place and people to people.

  • Why & How is Maha Shivaratri Celebrated?

    The night dedicated to lord Shiva is ‘Maha Shivaratri’. It’s a Hindu festival. Devotees celebrate it with fervor. The environment echoes with the ringing of bells and conches.

    When does Maha Shivaratri fall?

    Maha Shivaratri falls in the Hindi month of Phalgun (or February/March as per Gregorian calendar). It comes on the Krishna Paksha Trayodashi or Chaturdashi of Bikram Samvat. Reverends conduct ‘Jaagaran’ to worship Mahadeva throughout night.

    Why it is celebrated?

    Shiva is a legend himself. His legendary is mentioned in Garuda Purana and many other scriptures of Hindus. Let’s catch a few famous mythologies that stat the significance of this festival.

    Lord Shiva is considered as an illuminating figure. Let’s learn ‘Why’. It was the time when there was no cosmos. Lord Brahma suddenly came out of lord Vishnu’s navel.  A rift broke out between them over claiming superiority. Lord Shiva intercepted. He set them off to find the north & south end of the pillar of light. Brahma took avatar of a swan while Vishnu became a boar.

    A flower namely ‘Ketki’ told a lie to favour Brahma. He claimed that he had found the southern end. And lord Vishnu told the truth of finding no end. Lord Shiva got angry over liar Brahma. He cursed him to deprive of being worshipped.

    Another is the story of Samudra Manthan. The churning of ocean produced a byproduct called ‘Poison’. Lord Shiva saved the earth from the impending destruction due to that poison. He bears earth in his stomach. He choked it in his neck that turned his throat in to blue. This is why he is known as ‘Neelkantha’.

    One more story also goes of Maha Shivaratri. King Chitrabhanu had regression of his past life. He recalled that he was a hunter then. One day, he did not make out any hunting. It was only mean of earning bread and butter. So, he sat on the bael tree. With empty stomach, he kept awake throwing leaves down at Shivalinga. Canned water in his hand was dropping down. It was the night of Maha Shivaratri. Involuntarily, he did fasting and worshipping of lord Shiva.

    Appeased lord called him to his abode when he took his last breathe. Lord’s messengers had a terrible fight with the messenger of Yama (the deity of death) since they wanted to take him along. The former messengers defeated the latter.

    How people celebrate this festival?   

    Worshippers take a bath early in the morning. They add a few drops of Ganges water to it for purifying themselves. Wearing clean cloths, they head to the temple with offerings. Hindus living abroad book priest online to conduct Shiv puja at home.

    The offering of betel leaves, applewood, sandalwood paste, vermillion, and fruits made him happy. The worshippers light incense sticks and an earthen lamp before his idol.

    The prayer begins with offering water and milk to the Shivalinga. Afterwards, they circumambulate it three to seven times. Then, they offer the offerings. Chanting Shiva’s favourite mantra ‘Om Namah Shivay’, they appease him.