Yugadhi :
On the "Shudha Padyami" of Chaithra month the New Year day of Hindus begin. According to "Puranas" this was the day when Lord Bramha, creator in entirety, created this "WORLD" and ordained planets, stars, seasons, months and "Samvatsaras" (years) to roll in equilibrium to take stock of TIME. Hence the Yugadi(Beginning of Millenium) . Just as life is a mixture of day and night it isalso a mixture of happiness and sadness. To represent this, on this day sweet(Jaggery) and bitter (Neem) are eaten and also distributed and all are advised to take up both temporary natured happiness and sadness in life alike with a stoic mind.
Shree Rama Navami :
On the ninth day of Chaithra, which is eighth day after Ugadi, is Shree Ramas birthday. Shree Ram who was moral incarnation of Mahavishnu .
Hanumanth Jayanthi :
On the full moon day of chaithra was born the "He man"of Ramayana, "Shree Mahabali Hanuman" as he was Rudravathari, the incarnation of Lord Rudra(Shiva) . It is large heartedness of Shree Hanuman that he always claims himself as humble servant of Lord Shree Ram and Mother Sitha. Hanuman is one amongst the Seven Chiranjeevis( of Eternal life) beleived to have been produced on Mother Earth.Narasimha Jayanthi:
The fourth and the greatest incarnation of Lord Vishnu amongst his ten prime avataras is Lord Narasimha who emerged out of a pillar as Man-Lion, i.e.,Lion's head on Man's trunk. He devoured Demon-Lord Hiranyakashyapu who was Master Prahalada's father. When Prahalada was in the womb of his mother, Queen Kayaadu, he had the fortune of listening to Devarishi Naradha regarding Lord Vishnu's compassion towards his devotees. Hence right from his birth Prahalada was dedicated to the name of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyapu who was an arch rival of Lord Vishnu and a symbol of torture to noble souls, could not bear with his son and started torturing young Prahalada in many ways after trying through his henchmen to advice Prahalada that Hiranyakashyapu himself was the prime god and Lord Vishnu stood null in front of Hiranyakashyapu. Young Prahalada denounced such thoughts and stuck to his wisdom that Lord Vishnu was "Purushothama", the supreme. One day, Hiranyakashyapu screamed at Prahalada and questioned him as to where his Lord Vishnu was present and whether he could save Prahalada from death at his own hands. To this, Prahalada replied that Lord Vishnu is omnipresent. Hiranyakashyapu pointed out at a pillar in his palace and asked Prahalada whether Vishnu was present in it. Prahalada's reply was affirmative. The Demon Lord using his Gadha(Mace) breake open the pillar and there emerged Lord Narasimha and slained the demon using his sharp paws on his lion and blessed Prahalad as his topmost devotee on earth.To remember the above incidence and to pay our obedience to Lord, Narasimha Jayanthi is celebrated with pomp and pleasure.
Naga Panchami :-
Shravana Shudha Panchami is every year celebrated as Naga Panchami.. Our ancestors believed in living with nature and not against it like modern generation. They knew very well that in this cycle of lilfe every creature has its role to play and more important was their wisdom to see God in all creatures. Elephant trunked Lord Ganesha, Lord Hayagreeva with a Horse face , Lord Vahara with the face of a Boar, Lord Mathsya with the body of fish and Lord Kurma with that of a Turtle, Lord Narasimha with the head of Lion were classic examples. Similarly serpant Lord Anantha, of Rishi Kashyapa and Kadru (Who as Ordained by Lord Shiva became the coach of Lord Vishnu), Serpant Vasuki (younger brother of Anantha) was accepted by Lord Shiva as his ornament on his neck and , their other brother Thakshaka chose to be friend Devendra of heaven, highlights what a sacred place Nagas (serpants) possess.
Serpant represents Kundalini Shakthi, the latent energy in all human beings that can be awakened by Meditation and elevates human beings to seat of omni potency. [Incidentally the DNA (Deoxy Ribonucleic Acid) in body cells are found to be in serpentine form ]. This omni potency is omni, the endless Anantha (the Unending).
Rugupakarma :-
It is believed that sacred thread worn this day (The Full Moon day of Shravana month) brings good health. The consecrated Thread threefolds worn by Brahmacharis (Bachelors) and sixfold ones worn by married ( three fold on account of man and three fold belonging to his spouse) is ordained by Seriptures to followers of religious rituals. From the day of Upanayana (Inner eye opening day) a man has to wear the Sacred Thread with its three folds representing Bhakthi (Devotion), Jnana (Wisdom) and Karthavya (duty)
At Sunrise, Midday and Sunset, thrice a day Sandhyavandane (Salutation to Sun Lord) Chanting the Gayathri Manthra is to be offered holding the sacred thread. By this all Evil motives in his would dwindle and Light of Wisdom would dawn from Energy of Sun God. The Gayathri Manthra is translated means that the Lord in his form as Sun God Energy trigger wisdom in us.
The threads that yield cloth to cover our shame is sacred to us and on this day of Rigupakarma we offer our Gratitude to it by consecrating it at the feet of Lord through Mantras (hymns) and wear the same on us.
Gowri Trateeya - Ganesha Chathurthi :-
Goddess Gowri is the very incarnation of Aadhi Shakthi Mahamaya. She is the untransfixed matrix of this universe, the Prime ordeal " Prakrithi " the Shakthi of Lord Shiva without her Lord Shiva is merely a handicap. She is "Yoganidra" of Shree Harivishnu and is potential enough to even take ShreeHarivishnu to mystic sleep "Yoganidra". She is the most auspicious Goddess and hence called Mangala-Gowri who blesses her ladies devout to her with Maangalya (Mangala Suthra that is worn by all ladies on the day they are wedded and as long as their husband lives). It is believed that on Gowri Trateeya when she is called by "Suhaagan" women along with her Lord(Shiva), she comes home like any married girl coming to her parents house. The next day Lord Ganesha, her son comes as if to take his parents back to their abode (Kailasa). Goddess Gowri is the proud Mother of Lord Ganesha at whose might and wisdom the "Threemurthis", Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the sustainer) and Lord Shiva (the finisher) remain astounded. He is the very incarnation of Pranava manthra the syllabel "OM", hence the most auspicious Lord. It is quite natural that being the Son of the Most auspicious Goddess, he is a part and parcel of her. The mother and son stand for the greatest Bonding on earth between any mother and her offspring.
Lord Shiva blessed Lord Ganesha with "First Worship" and for all Hindus in any auspicious function Lord Ganesha is first prayed as he is the one who destroys all calamities (Vighnas) and evils. Lord Ganesha is a "Shakthi Devatha" and when called with devout mind gets down to the devotee without delay. Let us pray that Lord Ganesha bestow his Blessings on us.
Anantha Chathurdashi (nopi):-
"Anantha" in other words is endless, the eternal. Hence this festival is the King amongst the "Vrathas" or the austerities observed by the Vedics stretching on the Lord Anantha (the eternal serpent Vasuki) with Lord Brahma seated on the Lotus Flower emerging out of Vishnus naval and Goddess Lakshmi serving at his feet is the actual deity to whom Pooja is performed on this sacred day to pay respects to th Eternal Life which is represented as a part and parcel of this Lord (as Lord Vishnu is the one who Lives in us when our body is alive and his spark of this keeps this body going). It is said one has to eat the offerings (Naivedya) of this Vratha even if he has to beg for it. Let Lord Anantha bless us with long life full of health and cheers.
Navarathri Uthsavam :-
These ten days are most charming days of year for any Hindu. It is very characteristic of Hindus to worship the God as Mother during these ten days. Since there cannot be anybody more dearer than ones mother, this festival is also the most dearest to all Hindus. Goddess Durga (Who slained the barberous Demon Durgama and hence won the celebrated name Goddess Durga) is worshipped as Goddess Aadhishakthi (Lord Shivas spouse Gowri ), Goddess Mahalakshmi (Lord Vishnus spouse Lakshmi) and Goddess Saraswathi (Lord Brahmas spouse Sharada). Vedas are the most important ones to be worshipped at their Mother Saraswathi's Lotus feet. Goddess Durga in the form of mother Saraswathi had slained maximum number of Demons during the first nine days and the tenth day was celebrated by all Gods and selestials as her victory day "VIJAYA DASHAMI" . Goddess Saraswathi was in various forms during battle with Demons on nine days. She had multiplied herself as Goddess Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maha Gowri, Kaala Raathri, Siddhi Daathri, Skanda Maatha, Shaila Puthri, Chandraghanta, Kooshmandini, Brahmachaarini, Kaathyayini, Aindri, Narasimhi, Vaarahi and any other forms to devour the demons.
Lalitha Panchami, Durgashtami,Sharada Pooja, Maha Navami Vidya Dashami are the most important days of this festival which Coincides with the reaping period when the entire landscape is lush green at receding monsoons. Goddess stands as the symbol of vindication of the good over the evil, the auspicious over the inauspicious and the Sathva over Asuri nature.
Karthika Month Baleendra/Dhanya Lakshmi Pooja/Utthana Dwaadashi /Tulasi Pooja :-
Baleendra Pooja is the day when one of the "Eternal Living being"(out of Seven Eternal Living Beings believed to be blessed with Eteternal Life) Demon Emperor Baleendra was pushed down to Netherworld (Paatala) by Lord Vishnus incarnation, Vamana. On this day Veeravittala, the oiginal Deity of Veera Venkatesha Temple is brought to seat at the Flog post (Dhwaja Sthambha) of the Temple and annual Credit/Debits of his treasury are apprised to him. His spouse as DhanyaLakshmi(Goddess of Grains) is worshipped on this day, the First Day of Kaarthika Month.
The tenth day of Paschima Jaagara which starts exactly a month ago on the 10th day of Aashwija Month(Vijaya Dashami).. On the Eleventh day Kaarthika Ekaadashi, it is believed that Gates of Vaikunta the Abode of Lord Hari Vishnu opens for all Gods and Goddess to visit the God Head and his Ardhangini(better half) Mother Lakshmi. In the temple overnight Bhajans and Pooja are conducted to reach our prayers in his Praise to him who has opened his doors so as to crave his Blessings.
On the twelfth day of this month, Lord Vishnu on hearing our Prayers gets up and due to his "WEAKNESS" towards his Devotees comes running to them at the Vrindavanam(Tulasi, the most sacred plant).Hence blessed Mother Tulasi is worshipped along with "Her Govinda" on this day. This day marks the end of Lords "Confinement" to his Sanctum(due to monsoon season) and His Digvijayam starts from this day. On the fifteenth day of this month Veera Venkateshwara accompanied by his Devout Wives Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Padmavathi travels to woods for picnic. He enjoys the Serenity of woods, bathing in Pushkaranis(pools) and gets seated in Charriots decorated all over using natural fruits and vegetables of all kinds that grow abundently in the monsoon. In otherwords tha Lord is visiting Prakrathi, his Sister Paarvathi along with his family on a Picninc cum family tour. And this day is celebrated as the "VANABHOJANA" in the temple.
MUKKOTI DWADASHI(during the marghasheera month):-
The winter is auspicious as it bears "Shasti", the sixth day celebrated to please Lord Shanmukha(The six faced God) the celebrated Son of Lord Shiva who is also the Commander-in-chief of the Devas(Gods). On this day Lord Venkateshwara rides on his small charriot in Car-street along with his Divine "Partners", Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Padmavathi.
The twelfth day , the Mukkoti Dwaadashi is the day when all the Thirty three Crore Devas(Gods) come to Pandarapura to bath in river Bheema and pay obeisance to the most compassionate(Soft Hearted) incarnation of Lord Hari Vishnu, Lord Vithobha, who is waiting for embracing his devotees. He is the only accessible Lord whom anyone is allowed o Physically touch(him).
Thursday, November 20, 2008
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