Year: 2016

Tripura Bhairavi is the sixth amongst the ten Mahavidyas. She is an extremely important incarnation of the Adi Shakti, or one of the earliest forms of Goddess Shakti.

Tripura Bhairavi is also known in various other names such as, Bala Bhairavi or Kala-Bhairavi and also as Bhava Bandhan Mochan as it is believed that worshipping her relieves one from all kinds of resistances.

The name Bhairavi means one who is fearless and terror herself or who has vanquished fear and is awe inspiring. So the devotee who worships her is fearless and one who has won over the fear of death. In 2019, the Tripura Bhairavi Jayanti will be celebrated on the 11^th of December, Tuesday.

 

Legend of Tripura Bhairavi Jayanti

Long ago Narada had shared this story and the source of this legend is the Narada Panchatantra. Goddess Kali had decided to revert to her original form and had disappeared. Lord Shiva being unable to find her asked Narada to look for her. Narada informed Lord Shiva that she can be found in the north of Smairu. Immediately Lord Shiva sent Narada to Kali with the proposal of a marriage. Hearing this marriage proposal, Goddess Kali got so infuriated that a destructive shadow appeared from her body, which came to be known as Tripura Sundari.

 

Various forms of Tripura Bhairavi Mata

Tripura Bhairavi provides Riddhi and Siddhi to those who worship this form of Shakti. That is the devotee is blessed with wisdom and wealth. Goddess Tripura Bhairavi  is also known by numerous other names such as – CHaitanya Bhairavi, Siddhh Bhairavi, Sampadaprad Bhairavi, Kamaleshwari Bhairavi, Bhuvaneshwar Bhairavi, Kaleshwari Bhairavi, Kaamershwari Bhairavi, Rudra Bhairavi, Bhadra Bhairavi, Shatkuti Bhairavi and Nitya Bhairavi. Tripura Bhairavi is mostly worshipped by tantriks and she is the terrible manifestation of Goddess Adi Shakti.

 

Rituals of Tripura Bhairavi Jayanti

On the auspicious day of the Tripura Bhairavi Jayanti, special puja is carried out – such as Guru Vandana, Guru Pujan, Mata Abhishekam, Pushpa Arpan, Mata Shringar and alankaran, shri Tripura Bhairavi mata pujan. Devotees who chant the Tripura Bhairavi Mantra with all their devotion are blessed with a successful, complete and fearless life. The Tripura Bhairavi Mantra is – “Hanse Hanskari Hase”, “Om Aim Hreem Shree Sundriya Namah”.

 

Significance of Tripura Bhairavi Jayanti

Tripura Bhairavi is an incarnation of the Adi Shakti. She possesses all the powers of destruction and creation. Worshipped in 13 different forms, she possesses an extraordinary power in herself. She is fearless and she is Riddhi Siddhi and Bhava Bandhan Mochan. It is believed that she resides in the soul of those devotees who truly worship her with complete faith and devotion. Holding a book in her hand she is draped in a red sari. Thus the devotees should use things of the color red. She also wears a garland of flower in her hand that rocks the world. Her hands are again raised to bless all her devotees.

Annapurna Jayanti is one of the most ancient and unique festivals which celebrate and uphold food as an observance. Annapurna Jayanti is the festival which celebrates the birth anniversary of the Goddess Annapurna.

Annapurna as the name suggests is the Goddess of Food, as Anna means food and purna means fulfillment. She is known to be the avatar of Goddess Parvati. Her birth anniversary is commemorated on the purnima of the Margashirasha month as per the traditional Hindu calendar.

According to the Gregorian calendar the Annapurna Jayanti is celebrated on the month of December. It is a puja which is primarily observed by the women. In Bengal this observance is celebrated on the on the month of Chaitra.

 

Legend behind Annapurna Jayanti

As per legend goes, once the food from earth was getting over and it was not getting replenished. Human beings were at the risk of starving to death and perishing. All the human beings prayed to Lord Brahma and Vishnu to save them from perishing. Lord Vishnu and Brahma then awoke Lord Shiva from his Yoganidra or induced sleep. Awake, Lord Shiva agreed to restore food to earth.

It is believed that Lord Shiva took the form of a beggar begging for rice all over the world and Goddess Parvati took the form of Goddess Annapurna. Shiva then distributed this rice amongst people all over the world. It is believed that while Lord Shiva helps in getting his devotees attain Moksha or salvation, Goddess Annapurna ensures that no devotee remains without food.

 

Rituals of Annapurna Jayanti

• Annapurna Jayanti is celebrated by devotees in their house. A small mandap with the idol of Goddess Annapurna is kept.
• The Goddess Annapurna on this day is worshipped with shodoshapochara.
• Goddess Annapurna’s abhishekam is done on this day.
• Women generally keep a fast and abstain from having anything till the evening when the puja is done.
• They seek divine blessings from the Goddess Annapurna.
• Devotees reciting Annapurna Devi Ashtakam’ is considered to be extremely auspicious.

 

Significance of Annapurna Jayanti

Annapurna Jayanti is a festival dedicated to the Goddess of food and cooking. As mentioned earlier her name implies food, i.e. Anna and completion i.e. Purna. Her intervention ensured that food never ran out of the world and is always replenished. It is also believed that the devotees observing this vrat or rituals are always blessed by her. The devotees never go out of food for sustenance and this is especially in the case of devotees staying in Kashi.

Dattatreya Jayanti is the celebration of the commemoration of the birthday celebration of the God Dattatreya or Datta. Dattatreya is considered to be the consolidated version of the gods like Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar.

It is believed that on the day that Dattatreys’s birthday is commemorated on earth; Dattatreaya’s principle is 1000 times more active than on any other day. Dattatreya Jayanti is celebrated on the purnima of the Margashirsha month or the Agrahayana according to traditional Hindu calendar.

As per the Gregorian calendar, this is observed on the month of December January. Dattatreya is also known as the Trimurti Avatar. It is mostly celebrated in the state of Maharashtra. In 2019, this will be observed on the 11^th of December, Wednesday.

 

Legend of Dattatreya

Dattatreya was the son of the sage Atri and his wife Anasuya. Anasuya was an extremely pious and chaste woman and had acquired tremendous power due to severe Tapas or penance. In fact she was so powerful that the Gods became threatened with her power and approached the Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to address their problems. So the Tri Devs went to test the chastity of Anasuya.

Thus, once when Atri was out of the house, the triumvirate went to check out the piety of Anasuya. They approached Anasuya for alms. She then requested the three sages to wait till her husband to return home. But the three sages asked her to serve the food immediately. They also said that thye had heard that in their hermitage food was served according to the wishes of the guests. Anasuya agreed to serve them food as per their wishes. The three Gods then said that they wished that she should serve them food in nude. Anasua was most perturbed, but she brought to her mind the severe penance of her husband and herself and agreed to do it. Anasuya then contemplated of her husband and thought that all the guests were all her children. The trinity of Brahma Vishnu and Maheshwar were immediately transformed into 3 small children. She then took them in her arms and breast fed them.

When the sage Atri came in, Anisuya told him what had transpired, and Atri realized who they were in reality. He paid his obeisance to them the Gods were appeased and the appeared in their true form in front of Anasuya and Atri. The Gods asked them to ask for a boon. The couple asked that the babies remain with them. The babies, Chandra, Dutta and Durvas were Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively. Chandra and Durvas left for heaven to seek penance and Datta stayed back to establish and accomplish the mission of Lord Vishnu. His mission was creation, sustenance and teaching people how to lead an ideal life.

 

Celebration of Dattatreya Jayanti

• A week prior to Dattatreya Jayanti , traditional recitation of Shri Gurucharitra is done
• Early in the morning a cleansing and ritual bath is taken
• A puja of Dattatreya is done with flowers, lamps, incense and camphor.
• While performing the puja, apply sandalwood paste using the right finger of the right hand.
• Then offer haldi and kumkum at Dattatreya’s holy feet.
• Circumambulation for 7 times is done around the idol ofDattatreya.
• Devotees read the works of Dattatreya which are Avadhuta Gita and the Jivanmukta Gita.
• Literary discourses based on Dattatreya’s life like Datta Prabodh by Kavadi Baba and Datta Mahatmya by Vasudevananda Saraswati is read by devotees.
• Bhajans and kirtans are sung by the devotees in praise of Dattatreya

 

Significance of the Dattatreya Jayanti

Sri dattatreya had remained the Avadhuta all his life and he was a supreme yogi. He had narrated the secrets of Vedanta to Lord Subramanya and it later came to be known as the Avadhuta Gita.

Temples like Manik Prabhu Temple in Manik Nagar hosts an annual 7 day festival for the Dattatreya Jayanti. Devotees from places like Karnataka, Maharshtra and Telengana come to visit the deity at this time. The saint Manik Prabhu, considered to be the reincarnation of Dattatreya, worshipped by the devotees of Datta community, was born on this auspicious day.

Vat Savitri Vrat is an important ritual observed by the married women in all over the northern and western India solely for the well being of their husband and children.

This traditional festival is mostly celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Bihar amongst others.

This vrat is based on the fight of the legendary Savitri in trying t win the life of her dead husband Satyavan back from the hands of the death God Yama.  This beautiful legend is mentioned in the epic saga of Mahabharata.

 

When is the Vat Savitri Vrat observed?

There are two views about the date of this auspicious vrat or ritual. According to the Skand Purana or the Bhavishyottar Purana, the Vat Savitri Vrat is performed on every purnima of the shukla paksha of the month of Jyestha according to traditional Hindu calendar. According to Gregorian calendar, it is observed on the full moon in the waxing phase of the moon in the month of June. According to the Nirnayamrit, this vrat is performed in the amavashya in the month of Jyestha according to traditional Hindu calendar, or in the dark phase of moon in June according to Gregorian calendar. In 2019, this ritual will be observed on July 2^nd, Tuesday.

Vat savitri vrat is actually (as per traditions) should be observed for 3 days, and the fast is broken on the fourth day.  However in recent times, the vrat is observed on the Purnima day only.

 

What does the name Vat Savitri Vrat signify?

In this vrat women tie a thread around a Banyan or a Vat tree, thus the name Vat Savitri Vrat.

What is the legend behind this Vrat?

The Vrat is derived from the life of the legendary savitri and Satyavan. Savitri, a Princess married Satyavan, knowing he did not have a long time to live. While sitting under The  Vat tree one day, with his head on Savitri’s lap; Satyavan passed away. The messenger from the God of Death, Yama came to take him away, but Savitri refused. After numerous failed efforts, finally Yama himself came and asked Savitri to release Satyavan’s body against 3 boons. Savitri agreed and asked for the well beings of her in-laws. The boon was granted. She then asked for her parents well beings. Which again was granted. For the last boon, she asked for a son. Yama, granted that as well. But Savitri pointed out that she cannot have a son without a husband, thus Satyavan will need to be brought back from the land of the deads. Lord Yama was impressed and gave back Satyavan’s life thus in remembrance of this occasion, women keep a fast for their husbands and their safety.

 

How is the Vat Savitri Vrat observed?

Vat Savitri Vrat is a 3 day fasting vrat, which begins from Trayodashi or 3 days before the full moon. if bearing a fast for 3 days becomes difficult, then one can have a meal in an entire day. On the Trayodashi day women apply a paste of Amla or Indian Gooseberry and Gingli or Sesanum and then takea ritual bath. After this the women eat the roots of the Vata Vriksha or the roots of the Banyan Tree with water. Some women only sustain on this for 3 days.

On the Purnima or the Amavasya day, the devotee should go near the Banyan tree and carry a vessel which has decorations done with 7 types of cereals and covered with 2 piece of cloth. Then in another vessel the idol of Savitri should be placed along with dhoop or incense stick, flowers, lamps etc and worship should be done. Then the devotees tie a red or yellow colored thread around the trunk of the Banyan or Vat tree praying for the well being of your husband and family and also seek blessings for their prosperity. A Parikrama or round of the Vat tree is also done.  Red powder or kumkum is also sprinkle on the trunks of the Vat tree. At home, the painting of a Vat or Banyan is done with sandalwood or turmeric and then that is worshipped for 3 days, also as Prasad various dishes are prepared. This fast for 3 days is broken on the fourth day after prayers to Savitri and water to Moon has been offered.  Devotees also listen to the Savitri=Satyavan vrat katha. There is many who believe that charity during this vrat is auspicious and thus do some charitable work. Birds and cows should also be fed on this day.

The Vat tree is a symbolic representation of the triumvirate or the trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara or Shiva.  The root of the tree is Shiva, the trunk is Vishnu and the upper portion of the tree is considered to be Shiva. The whole tree is also believed to be taken as Savitri. Thus sitting under the tree and listening to the vrat katha or tales of Savitri is extremely auspicious and said to bless the devotee.

Maharana Pratap Jayanti is a celebration of the birth anniversary of the great leader and the warrior who ruled Mewar in Rajasthan.

His birth anniversary is celebrated with lot of respect and fanfare on the 3^rd day of the shukla paksha in the month of Jyestha according to the traditional Hindu calendar. As per Gregorian calendar, Rana Pratap’s birthday falls in the month of June during the waxing phase of the moon.

Maharana Pratap is celebrated and respected for his extreme bravery and his phenomenal fighting skills. He is the epitome of valor, patriotism and honor. In 2019, Maharana Pratap Jayanti will be celebrated on the 6^th of June.

 

Who was Maharana Pratap?

Maharana Pratap was the ruler of Mewar, in Rajasthan. Belonging to the Sisodia clan of Rajputs, he was the eldest son of Uday Singh the 2^nd and Maharani Jaiwanta Bai and was born in the year 1540. He ascended the throne post his brother proved to be hopeless and the ministers all wanted Rana Pratap to lead the kingdom. During this time most of the Rajasthani small kingdoms had bowed their heads to the superiority.

 

Rana Pratap’s fight against the Mughals

The Mughal emperor Akbar sent his envoys 4 times to find a suitable solution to the impasse between Mewar and the Mughal Empire.  Rana Pratap refused to present himself to the Mughal court, thus all the solutions failed and a battle between Rana Pratap and the Mughal Empire became imminent.

Man Singh and Asaf Khan led a deputation against Maharana Pratap Singh. Maharana Pratap Singh waited for them in the entrance of the narrow defile called Haldighati. In Rana Pratap’s army the main commanders were Gwalior’s Ram Shah Tanwar and his three sons, Rawat Krishnadasji Chundawat, Maan Singhji Jhala and Chandrasenji Rathore of Marwar .

The Battle of Haldighati was fought on the 18 June 1576.  In this battle the Rajputs having the rough and hilly terrain knowledge were in an advantage. The heat, the fear of ambush all resulted in the Mughal army not following the Rajput army.  Pratap got on his highly trusted stallion Chetak and attacked Raja Man Singh. Man Singh ducked and theus Chetak was fatally wounded as was Rana Pratap. Rana Pratap’s trusted commander ManSingh Jhala understood the situation and changed his armor with Pratap’s , so that the Mughal soldiers mistake him for Rana Pratap. Chetak galloped away with the wounded Rana Pratap in his back through the famous Haldibari pass and then succumbed to his injuries. However, Rana Pratap’s brother Shakti Singh, who had joined the Mughals, gave Rana Pratap his own horse, so that he could ride away.

The Battle of Haldibari is looked up to as an endeavor towards independence. It was a battle for local independence and rising nationalism and regional patriotism.

He may have been unsuccessful in thwarting away the attempts of the Mughal Empire, but his sheer will power and guerrilla strategies gave courage and directions to numerous more national and regional heroes who fought for their own independence, be it against the Mughals or the British Empire. One amongst such who was greatly encouraged him id Shivaji who fought against Aurangzeb of Mughal Empire.

 

Demise of Maharana Pratap

Maharana Pratap Singh breathed his last at the age of 57 only on the 29^th of January, 1597, succumbing from a critical wound.

 

How is the Rana Pratap Jayanti celebrated?

The celebration centering on Maharana Pratap Jayanti is mostly limited to the Rajasthan and some parts of Uttar Pradesh region only. The famous Haldighati Fair is celebrated through numerous cultural events. Since Maharana Pratap was almost a demi-God amongst the poor people of this area at his time, lot of organizations distribute clothes, blankets or execute other charitable activities on these days. In the schools various events are organized to commemorate the brilliant valor, patriotism and dedication of Rana Pratap Singh. The UP government has declared a holiday on this auspicious day. On this day various special puja and other processions are held and also cultural events and debates are organized.

Dhumavati Jayanti is an extremely important religious observance celebrated amongst the devout Hindus. This is the day when Mata Dhumavati, the seventh incarnation of the Goddess Shakti, incarnated on this earth.

She is the most fearsome and furious form of Goddess Durga or Shakti. Dhumavati Jayanti falls on the auspicious day of ashtami of the shukla paksha (bright moon phase) of Jyestha month as per traditional Hindu calendar and according to Gregorian calendar, it occurs during the full moon phase of the month of May or June.

In 2019, Dhumavati Jayanti will be celebrated on the 10^th of June.

 

• Who is Dhumavati Mata

 

As mentioned earlier, Dhumavati is the seventh amongst the ten Dasa Mahavidyas. She is believed to be the void that is created out of Proloy or chaos. It is often mentioned that she manifests or shows herself when there is cosmic disharmony and deluge. Yet she is considered to be a great teacher who bestows the ultimate knowledge to her devout devotees. She is also known to be affectionate towards her devotees and gives them blessings to overcome all their difficulties. She is often described as a provider of Siddhi, or one who can bestow supernatural powers and a guardian angel from all kinds of troubles.

 

• Legend of origin of Dhumavati Mata

 

There are plenty of legends regarding the origin of Dhumavati Mata.

 

• o According to the details of her origin from the Shakta Maha-Bhagavata Purana, Sati the first wife of Lord Shiva feels humiliated at not having been invited by her father Daksha for his yagna or a kind of puja. Sati wants to go there despite Lord Shiva’s protests and ministrations to her for not going. When Lord Shiva does not fall in with her wishes, enraged, she turns into ten Mahavidyas surrounding Shiva. Dhumavati stood in the southeast.

 

• o A different legend from Shaktisamgama-Tantra tells of a story when enraged and humiliated, Sari commits suicide by jumping in the Yagna fire, Dhumavati rises from that fire. She is all that is left from the body of Sati and is her outraged and angry avatar.

 

• o Yet again the Pranatosini-Tantra tells the story that once when Sati was very hingry, she asked Lord Shiva for some food. However, Lord Shiva was too engrossed and did not pay heed to her plea. She got so hungry that she ate up Lord Shiva. Lord shiva then requestes her to bring her out, and when she does, he curses her to be in the form of a widow; since she had eaten up her own husband.

 

• o According to yet another legend, Dhumavati was created by Durga in her battle against the demons, Shumbha and Nishumbha to defeat them with her stinging smoke.

 

• Appearance of Dhumavati

Dhumavati is depicted as an ugly old widow who rides a horseless chariot. She is also sometimes depicted to be riding on a crow. She is thin tall and wears old tattered clothes, her nose is long and crooked, her complexion sallow and is always hungry and thirsty. Sometimes she is depicted of wearing garland of human skull and limbs. She holds a winnowing basket in one hand, and in the other; she makes a gesture of blessings. She wears white clothes as a mark of her being a widow. However a Nepali painting of 18^th century depicts her as completely nude with a pearl necklace, standing on a peacock, and holds a mirror. A ring of fire surrounds her signifying the flames of cremation after death.

 

• Importance of Devi Dhumavati

 

Devi Dhumavati is also known as Kalahapriya, or one who loves to have fights. She however ends all fears and brings relief to her devotees. She was created to kill all the demons, evils and sinners. According to traditions, no married women worship Ma Dhumavati as she is a widow. They catch a glimpse of her from a far. However her children and husband are blessed by her.

 

• Dhumavati Puja

 

Special puja and worship for Devi Dhumavati is arranged on the Jayanti. It is believed that a devotee if offers black sesame seeds in a black cloth to Ma Dhumavati, then his wishes come true. She is mostly worshipped by Tantric practitioners to overcome various difficulties and troubles in life and to fulfill the devotee’s desire. There are certain regions, where Devi Dhumavati is looked upon as a protective deity who takes care of her devotees.

India is a diverse land of various race religions and a variety of diversity. Numerous occasion and observances are celebrated here with great pomp and fervor.

One such celebration is Mahesh Jayanti. This is basically a festival celebrated by the devotees of Lord Shiva, and is celebrated mostly by a community known as the Maheshwari community.

This Maheshwari community, despite being less in number, is spread almost all over India.

 

Date of Mahesh Navami

The Mahesh Jayanti falls on the navami of the Shukla paksha of the Jyestha month according to the traditional Hindu calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, this falls in the month of June in the waxing period of the moon. In 2019, Mahesh Navami will be observed on the 11^th of June.

 

Legend of Mahesh Navami

This day of Navami is considered as the Mahesh Navami because according to some legends, Lord Shiva or Mahesh first appeared in front of his devotees on this day.

Another legend tells us about the foundation of the Maheshwari community and the integral part of Mahesh Navami. Long ago, all the royal men along with an entourage went to hunt in a jungle near Jaipur of Rajasthan. However, the hunters entered an asharama and disturbed the tranquility and the environment of worship there. The sage got very angry and cursed all of them to become stone.

Now the wives of the hunters started a deep penance and started praying to Lord Shiva for redemption of the curse of their husbands. Lord Shiva took pity on them and promised to lift the curse only if they renounced hunting as a profession and took up some other work. The wives of the hunters immediately agreed and promised to start small business etc. thus those who were saved by Mahesh started a new community, which they in deference to Lord Shiva or Mahesh called the Maheshwari community, where this Mahesh navami is the most auspicious day, as Mahesh had saved their community and people.

 

Celebrations of Mahesh Navami

All devotees of Mahesh, ie Lord Shiva and Parvati participate in this celebrations. This is mainly observed in the state of Rajasthan or wherever there are Maheshwari people. The temples are beautifully decorated with various colors of flowers. The newlyweds on this auspicious day seek the blessings of Mahesh and Parvati to begin their life with the heavenly blessings.

 

Rituals of Mahesh Navami

A day long pious festivity occurs on the auspicious day of Mahesh Navami.  Various yajnas or chanting are organized in all the temples. Jhanki or alarge picture of Lord Shiva in a palanquin are taken from house to house. Prayers and songs sung at his name reverberates the air. An Abhishek of Mahesh along with Parvati is done earlier in the morning on this day.

When the picture of the Jhanki darshan comes back to the temples, a BHajan Sandhya is organized where religious songs are performed in the temples in Shiv-Parvati’s names and finally Prasad is distributed amongst all present. There is no special rule of fasting or celebrations on this day; rather it is the dedication of the people which makes them worship Mahesh with utmost fervor. However, women who wish for a child offers special prayers on this day, as it is believed that Lord Mahesha blesses them especially so that they are blessed with a child.

Apart from the temples lot of people offer prayers in their houses too, on this auspicious day to seek divine blessings and to have a prosperous life.

Mithuna Sankranti is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Odisha apart from Rathayatra. People there celebrate this occasion for a period of 3 to 4 days.

Mithuna Sankranti actually is the auspicious beginning of the third solar month. It ushers in the rainy season with Ashar along with this ritual.

The Mithuna Sankranti is actually the movement of the Sun from Vrishabha or Taurus into  the constellation called Mithuna or Gemini in English and is considered to be extremely important and auspicious according to Hindu astrology.

In South India this observance is called Mithuna Sankramanam and in Odisha people call it in the name of Raja Sankranti. In 2019, the Mithuna Sankranti will be observed on the 15^th of June, Saturday.

 

• Legend of Mithuna sankranti

 

There is an interesting legend behind the Mithuna Sankranti or the Raja Sankranti as it is known in many parts of the country. According to legends, it is believed that Mother Earth, or Bhu Devi, Lord Vishnu’s wife feels the pang of menstruation or has Rajah for the first three days, and on the fourth day she is given a ceremonial bath called Vasumati Gadhua. As mentioned earlier the term Rajah originally has arisen from the word Rajahswala or a woman who is menstruating. One can see the idol of Bhudevi made of silver in the Jagannath Temple of Puri.

 

• Customs followed during the Mithuna Sankranti

 

This festival is very significantly meant for the unmarried women, the potential mothers or it is all about fertility. Girls during the three days are absolutely forbidden to do any kind of physical or menial jobs. They are prohibited from grinding grains, sewing clothes, sweeping floors, walking barefoot and other activities. They are given rest. They are even asked not to comb their hair.  The unmarried girls in beautiful and colorful clothes get into swings to observe this ceremony as it is believed that by swinging a girl may get a good husband. The girls also while swinging sing the Raja Gita. People play a lot of indoor games. The girls wear beautiful clothes and put on the Alata in their feet.

 

• The Raja Sankranti

 

The Raja Sankranti is celebrated for four days in Odisha. The first day is called the Pahili Raja, the second day is known as the Mithuna Sankranti, the third day is known as the Basi Raja and the fourth day is the day when all the ladies have a bath and is called the Vasumati snan.

 

The day before the Pahili Raja is called the Sajabaja, which is a day of preparations. On this day all the spices are ground, the houses cleaned and chores completed for the coming three days. The women in all the three days do not do any work. They eat unsalted food and observe the custom of eating uncooked food, for example the Podapeetha etc, swing in huge swings from the Banyan tree etc. on the first day the women folk wake up early, have a traditional ritual bath after putting turmeric paste and oil on their bodies. For the next three days they are in a joyous frame of mind without having to do a single thing. The women swing in various kinds of swings such as – ‘Ram Doli’, ‘Charki Doli’, ‘Pata Doli’, ‘Dandi Doli’ etc

 

All these three days are considered to be menstruating period of Mother Earth or the period of rest and recuperation. Looking at mother Earth as a menstruating woman, which is a sign of her being fertile, all kinds of agricultural activities remains stopped for these three days, symbolically giving mother Earth the time to rest.

 

Songs sung make an important part of this ritual. These songs are direct, straight from the heart and composed extempore, yet they make up an important part of the Cultural map of Odisha by their sheer lyrical beauty and simplicity. The men engage themselves in various games and entire nights’ revelries in terms of Jatra or a form of theatre and Gotipua dances are organized.

 

• The Vasumati Snan

 

The grinding stone is what is considered to be Bhudevi, or the mother Earth and is worshipped. Devotees wear traditional Oriya costume and give a sacred bat h to the grinding stone. Then the grinding stone is beautifully decorated with flowers, turmeric powder, sandalwood and vermillion or sindur; which is the mark of a married woman. After they decorate the grinding stone, fruits are offered to Bhudevi as prasads. This entire ritual has a direct connection and connotation to the unmarried women being prepared for a life of matrimony and fertility. It is also an interesting observation that Mother Earth is seen as a woman who also is in need of rest and recuperation at times.

 

Women play games like cards, ludos or swing, while the men play games like Kabaddi. People sing songs like Rajagita.

 

Almost all of Odisha’s villages wear a festive look during this ceremony. People wear new colorful clothes and almost all the houses build a make shift swing or jhula to have the women folk enjoy the three days. The women apart from new clothes, put alta, a red liquid, considered to be auspicious, on their feet.  The villages all reverberate with the folk songs sung straight from the heart and become a melee of activities and fun. Pitha or a kind of dough cake is a staple delicacy made in the entire household at this time of the year and is closely associated with all the festivities surrounding the Mithuna Sankranti. It is a symbolic time of rest before being plunged in harvesting activities.

Gayatri Jayanti is the celebration of the first appearance of Devi Gayatri who is the divine manifestation of knowledge on this earth.

She is considered to be the Goddess of the Vedas, and for that purpose is also known as Veda Mata. Vedas are the collection of hymns and revelations by ancient sages or is sometimes attributed to Lord Brahma.

According to scholars it was the ekadashi of the shukla paksha of the Jystha month when Vishwamitra first uttered the Gayatri Mantra. According to the Gregorian calendar, 11^th day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of June is when Gayatri Jayanti is traditionally celebrated.

Devotees also call Gayatri Mata by the name of Adi Shakti.

 

• Background of Gayatri Mata or Adi Shakti

 

According to legends, Gayatri Mata is a manifestation of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara and the Vedas. She is also considered to be an amalgamation and the implication of the Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess Parvati and the Goddess Lakshmi. Her appearance suggests her ultimate abode of learning. Gayatri Mata sits on a lotus and has five heads and ten hands. Her five heads signify her embodiment of the four Vedas, namely – the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda, and the Atharva Veda. Her fifth head signifies her being the almighty and the epitome of being all pervading. The ten hands of Gayatri Mata are reflections of all the symbols of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that she appeared to eradicate ignorance from this world, which was later propagated by the sage Vishwamitra. She came at a time when the world was in a chaotic state and wallowed in ignorance. It was her presence and her knowledge which enlightened the world.

 

• Celebrations of Gayatri Jayanti

 

• o Gayatri Jayanti is celebrated with utmost devotion as it celebrates the appearance or the Pradurbhava of the Adi – Shakti of Gayatri.

 

• o On this auspicious day special pujas and bhajans are held. Satsangs and other chanting of hymns from Vedas are also organized.

 

• o The Gayatri Mantra, which is – “Om bhur bhuvah svah,Tat savitur varenyam, Bhargo devasya dheemahi, Dhiyo yo na prachodayaat” — are also chanted by the devotees throughout the day.

 

• o People on this day gather together and offer prayers or chant the Gayatri Mantra under the guidance of a Guru, or they conduct a didactic discourse on the importance of the Vedas.

 

 

• o Currently this auspicious day is being celebrated as Sanskrit Diwas. This is being done to emphasize the importance and the richness of the Sanskrit language.

An ekadashi as per Hindu calendar falls on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight, making it a total of 24 ekadashis in an entire year.

An ekadashi is also known as Hari Vasara. Amongst all these Ekadashis, the Nirjala Ekadashi is considered to be the most beneficial, auspicious and powerful. Devotees observing this Ekadashi have to give up not only food, but water too.

This Nirjala Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh day of the waxing fortnight of the moon in the month of Jyestha according to the traditional Hindu calendar. As per the Gregorian calendar, the Nirjala Ekadashi happens on the 11 th day of the lunar calendar of the month of June.

 

What is Nirjala Ekadashi?

Nirjala Ekadashi, as mentioned is the most powerful Ekadashis amongst all the 24 Ekadashis in an entire year. As the name itself suggests, Nirjala Ekadashi is one Ekadashi where the devotee has to abstain from not only food but also water, which means Nir jala, or no water.  Because of its very strict fasting guidelines, this becomes the most difficult Ekadashis to be observed in the whole year. This fast begins on the day before and ends on the next day at sunrise.  It is believed that devotees who observe this vrat or ritual go to Heaven or the abode of Lord Vishnu, the Vaikunthadham. The Nirjala Ekadashi is so effective that people who do not observe the ekadashis throughout the year, if observes the Nirjala Ekadashi; will gain all benefits and blessings. Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as the Pandava Bhima Ekadashi or Bhimseni or Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi.

 

What is the Legend of Nirjala Ekadashi?

The legend behind Nirjala Ekadashi goes back a long way. This is also known as Pandava Bhima Ekadashi for legendary reasons. It is derived from Bhima, the second of the Pandava brothers.  The saga of this is recounted in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. As per the legend, Bhima, a connoisseur of food had always failed dismally to observe an ekadashi vrat as he could not keep a fast, whereas, everyone else, gained the blessings of Vishnu, by keeping a fast in the Ekadashis.  He felt that he had been dishonoring Lord Vishnu, by not being able to observe a Ekadashi. Thus Bhima went to sage Vyasa to seek a way out for the same. Vyasa was the grandfather of the Pandavas and the author of the Mahabharata.  Vyasa suggested gaining the blessings and the result of all the Ekadashis, Bhima should observe the fast of the Nirjala Ekadashi to make up for the 24 ekadashis.

 

How to observe the Nirjala Ekadashi?

Nirjala Ekadashi is an extremely difficult austerity to be performed and maintained. A fast without water during hot and humid weather for 24 hours is difficult and thus considered to be the most auspicious. There are certain things which are to be done on this auspicious day. These are as follows –

• The day before the ekadashi the devotee takes one meal without rice and performs the evening prayers or the Sandhyavandanam
• Devotee should have a ritual cleansing bath in the morning and  pray to Lord Vishnu in the morning
• A puja should be done by lighting a lamp, burning incenses and offering  fruits and tulsi leaves
• Visit a Vishnu temple and take part in the proceedings of pujas etc
• Maintain a fast without water for the whole day. Only a drop of water while doing the ritual of Achaman or water for purification, is permitted, but anything more than that is considered to be a break of the vow
• Image of Vishnu or a shaligram shila is bathed in Panchamrita, which is a mixture of the five foods of milk, curd, honey,sugar and ghee or clarified butter
• The Shaligram shila is then bathed in water and adorned in royal and beautiful clothes
• Hand fan, flowers, incense, water, and lamp for arati are also offered
• Devotees worship Lord Vishnu with Durva grass in their hands
• It is forbidden to sleep at nights , thus the devotees have to keep awake throughout the night and pray
• It is important to do some dan-dhyan to the Brahmins, meaning charity should be done to the Brahmans on this day.  Umbrellas, hand fans, grains, clothes etc are all things which are donated to the Brahmins on this auspicious day
• The fast to be broken the next day by drinking water

 

What are the merits of the Nirjala Ekadashi?

As per the Markandeya Purana, the day of Nirjala Ekadashi is itself Lord Vishnu’s manifestation. It is said to redeem people from all sins. It gives the result and benefits of all the 24 ekadashis in one day. It is believed to grant the devotee who performs and completes this ritual immense favor from Lord Vishnu. It is the vrata which post death guarantees an entrance to Vaikuntha, Lord Vishnu’s abode by passing the Lord of Death, Yama Raja. This ekadashi astrologically happens just before the onset of the monsoon season, and thereby cleanses the body, mind and soul. Blessings of Vishnu grants happiness, prosperity and moksha or salvation to the devotees.