Year: 2016

Amavasya is actually the dark moon phase. The dark moon phase happens when the moon is within a distance of twelve degree of angular distance, between the moon and sun before conjunction.

The various phases of the moon have special significance in all the observances as per Hindu beliefs.

Etymologically, the term Amavasya is derived from Sanskrit Ama and Vasya. Ama means together and Vasya means to cohabit or to dwell. According to ancient Indian culture and belief, Amavasya is a time of great power.

• Significance of Amavasya

Amavasyas are the fifteenth day of the month and are the new moon phase or the no moon phase of the month.  Of the lunar calendar, Amavasya is the first day of the first quarter. It marks the end of the dark moon phase or the Krishna Paksha.  Lot of people chooses to do Tarpan, or an offering towards their departed ancestors on this day.  People keep fast on this day, and the Kalasarpa dosha Puja also takes place during the Amavasya. The Presiding deities of the Amavasya tithis are the PIthri  Devathas.

Solar eclipses always happen during the Amavasyas and are the most propitious time to perform snana, tarpana, shraddha etc.

• All about Darsha Amavasya

Darsha Amavasi or the Darsha Amavasya, according to the Hindu calendar is the no moon night.  When the moon is absoluitely absent we can call it the Darsha Amavasya.  It can be said that the Amavasya tithi or time which is present after sunset and before the moon rises, can be called the Darsha.

Hariyali Amavasya, which marks the auspicious month of Shravan , coincides with the Darsha Amavasya.

Lord Shani, or Saturn, according to the Hindu mythology probably has the greatest influence upon people.  Shani Jayanti, as the name itself suggests is celebrated to observe the birth of Lord Shani.

Lord Shani, volatile that he is, is needed to placate by observing Shani Jayanti, so that all bad omen ends. Naturally, it is no surprise that devotees do their best to appease Lord Shani.

• When is the Shani Jayanti celebrated?

Shani Jayanti, commemorating the birth of Lord Shani is celebrated on Vaisakh Vadya Chaturdashi Amabasya, as it is believed that he was born on that day.  Shani Jayanti is celebrated with fervent prayers and rituals as Shani is known for his volatile and furious nature; and if annoyed, are believed to wreak havoc. This is celebrated with much fanfare in the Shani Shingnapur Shaneshwara Mandir located in Maharashtra.in Madhya Pradesh too people put a lot of emphasis on the observance of Shani Jayanti and people all over India believe in seeking the Lord’s benevolence.

• What is the influence of Shani in human life?

According to Hindu astrological science, it has been observed that a man’s success or failure is dependant to a large extent in the positioning of Shani in his natal chart.  Though success and failure are also things of great perseverance, thus Shani advocates hard work too, as consistent hard work can be a way of keeping negative influences away.

• What does one do to keep Shani satisfied?

On Shani Jayanti, a lot of people perform Navagraha Puja, or the prayer invoking the nine gods to satisfy the Lord Shani. Shani Yagna or Havana is also performed under the aegis of a pundit, or a learned man. People throng to Shani temples on Saturdays, or Shanivars and particularly on Shani Jayanti to seek the blessing of the God and to end their misery.

• How is the Shani Jayanti celebrated?

Shani Jayanti should be meticulously celebrated. Some pundits suggest chanting of the Shani Yapa, or prayer 23,000 times on a shanivar, or Saturday.  On the morning of the auspicious Shani Jayanti, the idol of the Lord Shani is cleaned with ganges water, oil and Panchamrat or the five amrits.  Then he is decked with the Navratan har, or the necklace adorned with nine stones.  Devotees perform the Shani Shanti puja or the Shani Yagna to protect themselves from all evils and black magic.  As it is generally believed that the Lord Shani creates hurdles towards one’s success and growth, the following measures are also applies, like chanting of the Shani Stotra, reading out the eleven malas of Om Sham Shaneshchraya Namah’.

Meru Trayodashi is one of the most important and auspicious festivals which is celebrated by the Jains, who are one of the most ancient, reformist and liberal religions. Jainism taught its followers and devotees to lead a life without harming any living being. Jainism taught its devotees to renounce certain aspects of life to achieve salvation.

• When is next Meru Trayodashi?

In 2019, this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on the 2^nd of February, Saturday.

• What is Meru Trayodashi?

Meru Trayodashi is an observance which is observed on the auspicious occasion of the attainment of Niravana of the first Tirthankar of the Jain religion. The first Tirthankar of the Jain religion was Rishav Dev who had attained Nirvana or the ultimate salvation on this day. The holy place where he attained Nirvana was the “Ashtapad Mountain” and this occasion is also known as the Nirvan Kalyanaka.

• How is the Meru Trayodashi celebrated?

Meru Trayodashi is a joyous occasion rejoicing the achievement of salvation by the first Tirthankar.  The devotee observing this fast has to continue to fast with Pausadh for 13 years and 13 months every year commemorating this auspicious day. The disciple also has to make 5 merus and has to do a jap of Aum Rhim Shrim Adinath Parangataya Namh. It is believed that by this way a devotee can get the blessings of Pingal Kumar and yield sweet success of his life.

Chandra Darshan, when translated to English, literally, it would mean the sighting of the moon. Chandra Darshan signifies the first day that the moon is sighted after a no moon or the Amavas period.

According to the Hindu belief, the new moon day falls on the day after the Amavasya or no moon period, and sighting of the new moon has immense religious significance. It is believed to bring the devotees a plethora of boons in their life.

• What time is the new moon visible?

Predicting the exact date for the Chandra Darshan has always remained an uphill task for the Almanac and Panchang makers. The new moon, which is just a sliver, is only visible on the first day or the Chandra darshan day. The moon is visible only for a very short while after the sunset that is the moon too sets about an hour after the sunset. Thus the moon is only sighted for a short while after the sunset and it also sets soon after.

• What does one do on the Chandra Darshan day?

The Chandra Darshan days are marked by devout devotees observing Chandra Darshan Vrat, Chandra Vratham or Chandrodaya Vrata.  People keep a day long fast and only break it at the sighting of the moon.

• The Chandra Darshan Vrat is marked by fasting, as fasting is believed to be a tool in appeasing the Gods according to Hindu beliefs. It will not be out of place to mention that fasting for nine Mondays is believed to be beneficial in reducing the ill effects of the Chandra.

• It is believed that charity, or helping the needy is one of the most effective ways of reducing the malefic effects of the moon. A person  do charity of  all white articles, like in edibles rice, sugar, Sweets, kheer and in other articles white clothes, silver, pearl etc.

• One can also do Japa or chanting for the Lord Chandra. Chanting can range from one hundred and eight times of the Mula Mantra, which is “Om shram sreem shraum sah chandraya namah” to twenty one thousand times. Devotees also read the Chandra Stotra which is “Dadhi Shankha tushaarabham ksheero darnava sambhavam
  Namaami shashinam somam shambhor mukuta bhushanam”.

Mauni Amavasya is one of the most important rituals in the Hindu calendars. It is believed that the water of the sacred Ganges turns into madhu or Honey on this day, and thus it is auspicious and beneficial to take a bath in the Ganges on this particular day.

• What is Mauni Amavasya?

Mauni  Amavasya as the name suggests is the day when the devotee fasts the entire day and a complete Maun Vrat, or silence is observed by not speaking a single word.  Being Maun or silent is an effort to seek oneself and ways to connect to one’s inner soul. It is also an exercise in controlling oneself from uttering any bitter words for one day. It is also observed as a charitable day, when people according to their economic stature donate for charitable causes and for the lesser fortunate.

• When is the Mauni Amavasya celebrated?

Mauni Amavasya is celebrated in the Hindu month of Magha and is also known as Maghi Amavasya. In 2019, it falls on the 4^th of February when many people will observe this vrat.

• Why is then Mauni Amavasya celebrated?

Mauni Amavasya is celebrated because as the mythology goes, that during ancient times, when the ocean was being churned in the pursuit of Amrita or the divine nectar, couple of drops of Amrita fell on the Ganges, because of which it became extremely valuable. Thus, it is on this day that the river’s nectar like powers are at the fullest, people, millions of then takes a holy dip at the Ganges.  During the famous Kumbh Mela, the Mauni Amavasya is the most important day when millions of people near Prayag take a holy dip. The devotees fast and offer prayers silently and takes a holy dip and observes complete silence on this day.

• Is there any significance of Mauni Amavasya?

As discussed earlier, that Mauni Amavasya is a vrat when not even a single word which can be uttered by the devotee. It is an effort to realize the effect words have. It is generally said that one can hurt an enemy with a sword, but to hurt a friend, a word is enough. The supreme power of words cannot be over ruled and it is a day to practice complete self control on oneself. According to some sacred texts, the name of the Lord, the prayers are best offered when uttered from inside, rather than chanting it aloud and getting lost in the cacophony. Thus the importance of prayer increases manifold when offered from the heart. Thus Mauni Amavasya is all about seeking oneself and practicing complete control.

Navaratri or the nine Day period celebrating the Shakti or Mother Goddess in various forms is celebrated four times a year.

The Navaratri s is as follows – Magha Navaratri, Vasantha Navaratri, Ashad Navaratri and the Ashwin Navaratri. The two navaratri s which are not really known  to much people are the Magh Navaratri and the Ashad Navaratri as they are basically observed and meant for the hermits or the Sadhaks.

Let us take a look at the Magha Navaratri , and all that it entails.  Though observed all over India, it is mostly observed in the Northern part of the country, like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh etc.

• Magha Navaratri or the Gupta Navaratri and its dates –

Magha Navaratri is also known as Gupta Navaratri or Shishir Navaratri is a nine- day celebration , dedicated to the nine form of Mother Goddess or Shakti. Some are of the opinion that the Gupta Navaratri is dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati Devi. These nine days fall in the shukla Paksha of the Magha Month, which happens to be January or February.  The nine days spanning these celebrations are considered to be extremely auspicious for the Tantriks, or the hermits specializing in Tantra and the holy men or the sadhaks to pursue their sadhana.

• The tantric Anusthans of Gupta Navaratri –

During these nine days extensive prayers are offered to the Goddess to invoke her and to seek her blessings. The nine days are marked by extensive reading from the Durga Sapthasati from the Markendeya Purana. Shrimad-devi Bhagwat, Devi Mahaatmya is some of the other scriptures which are read during these nine days by the tantriks. The Mother Goddess is worshipped in three forms during this Navaratri.  She is the Goddess of Wisdom, the Slayer of Vices and the giver of wealth.

• The benefits that one attains by the Gupta Navaratri pujas –

The Gupta Navaratri Puja benefits are manifold. The Mother Goddess or the Goddess Durga is generally known as the Goddess of power, positive energies and benevolence. Thus we ask her for Beauty, Victory, fame and fortune and the courage to deal with everything. A very particular ritual is performed every day, along with the recitation of the Durga Saptasati.  Since Goddess Durga is known to alleviate distress and for her benevolence, people are encouraged to do Jap of as much as they can do. The Navarna Mantra to do Jap on the Gupta Navaratri is as follows – “Aim hreem kleem chaamundaayai vichche”.  Devotees can keep fast on all the nine days, else can fast partially by taking milk and fruits in alternative three days in the nine day period.

• Blessings sought during the Gupta Navaratri –
  • The Shree kalash sthapan pujanam,  Pranpratistha etc are done to seek overall happiness and prosperity.
  • Prayers and fasting on these nine days, is done to solve financial problems, health and other problems.
  • Apart from all the other rituals, shree Navaran Yantra Pujanam is done for the protection and end of continuous problems.
  • The Vasant Panchami or the Saraswati Puja day too falls in this period and is generally celebrated for academia, arts and culture; however, the Yamatantra also initiates the tantric sect or clan, who pledge to learn the various forms of Tantra. A japa of the root mantra of Saraswati, “Ang” is said to bestow good results to the devotees.
  • The seventh day of the Gupta Navaratri is known as the Achala Saptami, Saur Saptami or the Ratha Saptami.  The sutya Narayana, commemorated the birthday of the Sun God; Surya. Thus, this day Arogya Saptami Vrat is celebrated to seek relief from health problems. A special tantric puja also helps people avoid an untimely death.
  • The eighth day of the Gupta Navaratri is known as the BHisma Ashtami, in memory of the erudite and honest Bhisma Pitamah.  Offering Tarpan with Kush, sesame or til and water is said to liberate the devotee from all sins and mitigate one of Putra Dosha and bless the worshipper with an honest and glorious child like Bhisma of Mahabharata.
  • On the final ninth day, the Navami puja is conducted in all the Shakthi peeths, or places where remnants of Shakthi were found, pan India. A huge Havana is performed in front of a deity, with Durga Sapthasathi and other verses being recited.
  • The Dasami kanya Puja sees nine girls below the age of ten being worshipped in the form of Goddess Durga. These young girls are presented with new clothes, toiletries and various food items.
  • The devotees seek blessing from the Goddess and show their submission by chanting mantras and shlokas during this Gupta Navaratri period. According to ancient beliefs, during this Navaratri, the Goddess is pleased at the worshipper and blesses them fulfilling their wishes.

Lord Skanda is one of the most popular deities amongst the Tamilian Saivites, or the devotees of Lord Shiva.  

Lord Skanda is said to be the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. He is also known by other various names such as Murugan, Kartikeyan and Subramanya.

When is Skanda Shasthi observed?

Skanda Shasthi is observed on the sixth day as the name suggests, on the bright fortnight of the Tamil month of Aippasi; which coincides with October- November.  It is celebrated by all the Saivites with extreme fervor all over Tamilnadu, and with particular fanfare in the temples of Subramanya, or Murugan.

Who is Skanda?

As ancient lores go, Skanda, is an ancient deity, whose mentions have been found in stone inscriptions from first to fifth century. His mention is found in epics such as Mahabharata, Shiva PUrana and is again retold is Kalidasa’s Kumar Shambhava.  In Tamil, Arunagiri’s  Thiruppugazh, Nakkeerar’s Thiru Murugātrupadai and numerous other literary works have mentioned and praised Murugan or Skanda.

How did then Skanda come into being?

Skanda or Kumara was born to fulfill his destiny of divine reincarnation.  When the Gods were harassed and deeply perturbed by the demon Tarakasura, Lord Brahma, after numerous failed attempts by the Gods to defeat him proclaimed that only a spark of Lord Shiva can defeat the demon. Unfortunately Lord Shiva was in deep meditation and no one dared disturb him in the fear of his tremendous wrath.  Upon Brahma’s suggestion only the Gods then took the help of Parvati and the Lord of Love- Kama.  Parvati, engaged herself in severe penance to arouse Lord Shiva from the stupor of his meditation and Kama, in a suicidal mission shot his arrows of Love at Lord Shiva. Shiva woke, and the fire of his wrath burnt down Kama to ashes.

No one could bear the angry seeds of Shivas fiery energy and it fell in the mouth of Agni, later on received by Ganges, who threw it to the Sara Vana, or the forest of grasses like arrows. Saravanabha was born in this way. He was Skanda.

Skanda was brought up by six mothers of the six mothers of the divine constellation of Krithika. Karthikeya divided himself into six babies to be nursed, and when Parvati came and picked up all the six babies, he became Shanmukha, the one with six faces.

Shanmukha was Kumara, the beautiful and the handsome- Muruga. He was made the senapati or the general of the Divine army.  The Gita quotes him as saying: “Of the army generals I am Skanda.” Skanda from his mother Parashakti, received a vel or a lance, thus he is called Shaktivela.  He got involved in a fiery battle with Simhamukha, Surapadman and Tarakasura and their armies, and finally on the sixth day defeated and vanquished them; and all the Devas gained liberation. Thus the sixth day is celebrated as Skanda Shasthi.

How does one celebrate the Skanda Shasthi?

Skanda Shasthi is celebrated with lot of fanfare all across Tamilnadu.  In many places the festivities start from six days earlier and reach a pinnacle on the shasthi day.  People fast religiously, often for a period of six days for six or twelve years. Skanda Sasti kavas am is recited in the morning, afternoon and in the evening.  Devotees recite other hymns, read stories of the great Subramanya and also put up the Lord’s exploits on stage in theatrical forms.  Thousands of people gather to catch these and arrive for feasts and burn incense and camphor.

What are the most popular places where the Skanda Shasthi is celebrated?

Grand celebrations are held at Tirupparankunram, Tiruchendur, two of the six ‘Padai Veedu’ temples of Murugan. Celebrations are also seen at the well known Lord Subramanys temples at Udupi, Tiruchenu and Kathirgamam. At Sikkal, the festival image of Subramanya receives a spear.

There are twelve sankranti days or conjunctions according tthe Hindu calendar.  Kumbha sankranti marks the beginning of the eleventh month according tthe Hindu Solar calendar.

Etymologically, from Sanskrit, San means good or plenty and Kranti means a radical change. Thus the word Sankranti means a time ushering in plenty of good and positive changes. It is perceived that during the Kumbha Sankranti the Sun transits and moves from Makar Rashi tKumbha Rashi.

Kumbha Sankranti sees the Kumbha Mela in Prayag , which is easily the biggest and the most religious gathering in  the world.

• Legends surrounding the Kumbha Sankranti –

Our holy scripture Bhagwad Purana alsmentioned Kumbha sankranti. Kumbha Mela has been celebrated since the time of King Harshavardhana, in the circa 629 CE. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every twelve years.  Devotees take bath in the rivers. Ganges in Haridwar, Yamuna in Allahabad, Shipra in Ujjain and Godavari In Nasik is thronged by devotees ttake a holy dip. It is believed that a dip washes away all your sins and purifies one completely.

• Kumbha sankranti celebrations –

• Devotees wake up early on this day and make a beeline thave a holy dip in the river. Having a dip they seek blessing from the Goddess Ganga.  After the holy bath, the devotees then head tthe nearby temple located on the banks of the rivers tseek further blessings from the Goddess for her benevolence, for peace and happiness.

• Making offering of cows are considered sacred and devotees in Allahabad and Haridwar are often seen making the auspicious offering of cow on this day.

• Bathing in the river Ganges is considered tbe the most auspicious, and it is said tincrease manifold if done on a Kumbha Sankranti. It is believed that the devout bathing in the Ganges on the Kumbha Sankranti, are freed from the cycle of numerous rebirths and attain Moksha or ultimate nirvana.

• The other holy rivers like the Sipra, Godavari etc toare extremely important, and a holy dip in them on this day assures the devotees of a happy life henceforth with all their sins purged. The holy dip taken on this is known as the Sankramana Snana.

• In Eastern India, The Kumbha Sankranti sees special rituals being followed. It begins the Falgun Maas in West Bengal.  According tMalayalam calendar the Kumbha Sankranti sees the beginning of the Kumbha Masam and the sankranti festival is known as the Masi Masam.

• The Kumbha Mela –

The Kumbha Mela held in once every twelve years sees millions of people converging from all over the world, either tpurge themselves of their sins or tseek one’s own self out. It has attracted people from all over the world, of all races and creed, and has gone on tgain International recognition. Coverage of the same is telecasted in many places, such is the fervor of this occasion.  People are said tfeel in peace and harmony at this period of having the bath, and it is unique the way they leave the worldly pleasure and seek out spiritual blessing on this day of the Kumbha Sankranti.