Chaitra Navratri 2015

Chaitra Navratri in 2015 (Vasant Navratri 2015) will begin from 21st of March to 29th of March, also known as Basant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri. The ninth day of Vasant Navratri overlaps with Ram Navami, hence it is also considered as Ram Navami at some places.

Navratri is alienated into sets of three days to worship three different aspects of the uppermost goddess or goddesses. During Navratri, different forms of mother Goddess are worshiped. On the first three days, people worship the goddess Durga (to bring energy & vitality) is worshiped. The next three days are devoted to Lakshmi (to bring immense wealth). And for the last three days, the devotees worship Saraswati (to impart one with right knowledge).

In order to seek blessings of Goddess Durga, devotees read the holy book Durga Saptashati (all 9 days of Chaitra Navratri). On the eighth and ninth day, Yagna or hawan is conducted to honour Goddess Durga to offer her departure. Our culture follows the tradition of serving food (Puri, Shrikhand, basundi) and offering some gifts or money to girls called as Kanyas. Kanyas meant girls who are unmarried. They are considered as Goddess Durga, and the offerings take place on 8^th day of Chaitra Navratri. In some regions, a young boy also complements them who represent Bhairav; he is considered as protector against all evils. Fast is observed by devotees during all the nine days of Navratri. Prayers are also offered for good health and prosperity throughout these days.

Auspicious Dates of Chaitra Navratri in 2015

Vasant Navratri Day 1 – Ghatsthapana – 21 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 2 – Sindhara Dooj, Dwitiya – 22 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 3 – Gaur Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Tritiya – 23 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 4 – Varadvinayak Chaturthi – 24 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 5 – Sri Laxmi Panchami Vrat, Naag Vrat Pujan – 25 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 6 – Skand Shashthi, Yamuna Jayanti – 26 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 7 – Mahasaptami Vrat, Chaiti Chat, Vijaya Saptami – 27 March 2015

Mahashivratri 2015, The Festival of Lord Shiva

(An auspicious time to receive blessings from Lord Shiva)

Whenever his beloved devotees run into predicaments, Lord Shiva pleased with their devotion Himself destroys their troubles. Maha Shivratri (The great night of Shiva) is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals, celebrated every year on the thirtieth night in the Krishna Paksha in February. It’s the night when devotees worship and offer prayers to Shiva who destroys the darkness of ignorance.

Many mythological legends shed light on the significance of this festival. Maha Shivratri connotes the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and His consort Shakti aka Goddess Parvati. The festival is also marked to honor Tandava, the cosmic dance.

One of the legends says that Shiva rescued the world from a great annihilation which was caused by a poison emanating from Samudra Manthan; the churning of the sea. Shiva drank the poison holding it in his throat with yogic powers. As a result his neck turned blue and henceforth he was called Neela Kantha, Neela means blue and Kantha means throat.

The most famous mythological tale is about a hunter. A tired hunter of Varanasi after killing game birds sat down below a tree to rest in an evening. He woke up and found it was all dark around him. He didn’t know that it was the night of Maha Shivratri. He climbed up the tree and tied the bund of game birdd to a branch. A Lingam stationed under the tree could not come to his notice. And the tree was Lord Shiva’s favorite, the Bilva tree. Accidently, he plucked and dropped a few leaves. Also, dew that formed on his body too trickled along with the leaves down onto the Lingam. Such an event pleased Lord Shiva. Later in life, the hunter died calling the death god Yama who decided to take him to Hell. At the same time, Lord Shiva sent his messengers to take the hunter to Him. A great fight between the men of Yama and Shiva ensued leading the defeat of Yama. At the request of Shiva’s devotee Nandi, Yama surrendered the hunter to Shiva learning that no devotees should be touched without the divine consent of Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivratri witnesses huge convergences and congregations at Shiva’s temples wherein devotees engage in scared rituals pouring water/milk onto the Shiv Ling in order to please Him. When pleased, the Lord blesses them the fulfillment of all desires.

The Shiva Purana mentions the rituals and prayers to be performed on this day. The Ling should be offered milk, honey and water. Vermilion paste signifying divine virtue should be marked on the Ling followed by the presentation of fruits, incense sticks, a lamp and betel leaves.

Anyone can perform this simple rite and please Lord Shiv who always blesses His devotees!

Yantras and their Benefits

Yantras meaning machines are sacred tool that help devotees achieve divine blessing and various objectives. Yantras are sacred geometries which when activated through specific Beej mantras provide the desired results. Different Yantras are used for different purposes, such as Kuber Yantra is used for acquisition of wealth whereas Mahamritunjaya Yantra is used for protection and more.

Yantras are geometric representation of Mantras and installing a Yantra is as good as chanting of the said Mantra. Yantras when placed at home or office disperses negativity and negative energies and attracts positivity. Yantras are available in different sizes and designs such as pocket Yantra, locket Yantra, desktop Yantra and more.

Maha Yantras are powerful combination of similar Yantras which are used for a specific purpose. Examples for Maha Yantras are Sarvasiddhi Yantra, Shree Sampoorna Mahalaxmi Maha Yantra, Sarva Karya Siddhi Maha Yantra and more. Depending upon the two dimensional or three dimensional nature Yantras are classified as Bhu and Meru, where Meru are three dimensional in nature.

Yantras are etched, drawn, incised or painted on various surfaces and materials such as copper, gold, silver, bhojpatra, ground and more. The installation of the Yantra in homes or workplaces is known as ‘Pranaprathishtha’ of the Yantra. Some of the most popular Yantras are Laxmi Yantra, Ganesh Yantra, Kuber Yantra, Akarshan Yantra, Mahamritunjay Yantra, Kaal Sarp Yantra, Navgrah Yantra, Durga Yantra and Hanuman Yantra. For more information or buy Yantras visit here : http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/yantra.html

Navratri Puja and Navratri Rituals

Navratri, the nine nights festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga or Shakti and is celebrated five times a year. Although the festival of Navratri is celebrated five times a year but Navratri celebrated during the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter are considered as very auspicious and special. These Navratris are known as Vasanta Navaratri and Sharad Navaratri respectively. Navratri 2014 will be celebrated from 25^th September to 3^rd October.

Navratri is regarded as the best and the most auspicious time to worship Goddess Durga and perform Pujas and Sadhanas dedicated to the mother Goddess. Devotees observe strict fast and worship Goddess Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati for three days each of the nine days of the festival of Navratri. Devotees believe that during Navratri worshipping Maa Durga leads to all round success and prosperity.

Navratri are divided into set of 3 days and different aspects of Mother Goddess are worshipped during these 3 days of Navratri. On the first day of Navratri a mud pot with sown barley seeds along with an oil lamp is placed near the Puja altar. During Navratri devotees practice meditation, mantra Japa and recitation of sacred texts dedicated to Goddess Durga.

Rituals that are followed during Navratri Puja are that devotees only consume vegetarian or Satvik food. Other rituals include Navdurga Yantra Sthapana, Garba, Kanya Pujan and more. Nine Goddesses that are manifestation of Goddess Durga are worshipped during the 9 days of Navratri. These nine Goddess are Goddess Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kaal Ratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri.

Shravan Maas in 2014

Shravan Maas is the fifth month in the Hindu calendar. In 2014, as per Gregorian calendar Shravan Maas will commence on 13 July and will last till 25 August 2014. During this month, on the full moon day the Shravana Nakshatra rules the sky, thus the whole month gets its name as Shravan Maas or month. The month of Shravan, often referred to as Sawan is the holiest month of the year as the entire month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many ancient Vedic texts speak about the importance and auspiciousness of the holy month of Shravan.

Each day of the Shravan month is considered auspicious more so Mondays (Somvars) are considered as the best days to fast and to worship Lord Shiva. Numerous festivals are celebrated during the month of Shravan such as Nag Panchami, Krishna Janmashtami, Raksha Bandhan and many more. It’s highly auspicious to wear Rudraksha In the month of Shravan and offer worship and do abhishekam for Lord Shiva using Bel Patra, Milk, Ganga Jal, Curd, Ghee, Honey, Sugar, Coconut Water, Sugarcane Juice, Lotus flowers, Datura fruit and much more.

During the Shravan Month and especially on Shravan Mondays devotees throng to Shiva temples big and small to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and seek health, wealth and prosperity. Various Pujas such as Shravan Maas Shiv Pujan, Laghu Rudra Abhishekam, Maha Rudra Abhishekam, Shiva Mantra Japa, Maha Mritunjaya Mantra Japa are offered to Lord Shiva during the month of Shravan. During Shravan Maas, women observe fast on Mondays and recite the Shravan Somvar Vrat katha so as to find a good husband.

As per Legends it was in the month of Shravan that the Samudra Manthan took place. And it was on a Monday in the month of Shravan that Lord Shiva drank the Halahala poison that emerged from the Samudra Manthan. Shravan Maas is also an excellent time to get in touch with one’s spiritual side, do meditation and Mantra Japa especially Maha Mritunjaya Mantra and the Maha Mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’.

Chaitra Navratri Festival and Durga Puja

Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasant or Basant Navratri. Chaitra Navratri as the name suggests is celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra, during the Shukla Paksha. Chaitra Navratri coincides with Ram Navami and hence is also known as Rama Navratri. Navratri literally means nine nights, these nine nights are dedicated to worship of nine incarnations of Goddess Durga.

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated on the first nine days of the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra. The nine incarnations of Goddess Durga that are worshipped during the Chaitra Navratri are Goddess Shailputri, Brahmcharni, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Chaitra Navratri is one of the best periods to worship Goddess Shakti and to chant Durga Suktam.

During Chaitra Navratri devotees observe strict fast and worship Maa Durga with devotion. According to the Brahma Purana on the first day of Chaitra month Lord Brahma started creating the universe. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated with dedication and devotion especially in North India. During the Navratri Puja the first three nights Goddess Durga is worshipped, on the next three nights Goddess Laxmi and on the last three nights Goddess Saraswati is worshipped.

On the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, Kanya Puja is done in which nine young girls (who haven’t attained puberty) representing the nine Goddesses are worshipped and fed. Durga Stuti ‘Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu shri rupen sansthita namas tasye namas tasye names tasye namo namah’ is recited during the Navratri to worship and revere Goddess Durga.

Mahashivratri Festival 2014

Mahashivratri is celebrated yearly by all Shiva devotees in the month of Phalguna according to the Hindu calendar. Maha Shivaratri 2014 will be celebrated on 27^th of February.  On the day of Mahashivratri devotees observe a strict fast and make it a point to visit a Shiva temple. Bhajans and Mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva are sung and chanted with dedication on this day.

On the day of Mahashivratri Shiva temples big and small are decorated to the hilt. One can find long serpentine queue of devotees at all Shiva temples on the day of Mahashivratri. Devotees perform Shiva Abhishekam using sacred articles such as Panchagavya, Gangajal, milk, curd, honey, water and more. Flowers, fruits such as Datura and Ber, Betel nut and Bel Patra are also offered to Lord Shiva.

There are many legends which are associated with Mahashivratri such as that on this day Lord Shiva married Maa Parvati. Also on the day of Mahashivratri Lord Shiva performed Tadava. One more legend is that on the day of Mahashivratri Lord Shiva consumed the poison Halahala which emerged during the churning of oceans and also that Mahashivratri is the favorite day of Lord Shiva.

One more legend is that on the day of Mahashivratri, Maa Parvati performed strict penance for the wellbeing of Lord Shiva and hence on this day married women worship Shiva for wellbeing of their husbands and unmarried girl for an understanding life partner. According to Shiva Purana worshipping Lord Shiva with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water and with utmost sincerity and dedication is blessed with all worldly pleasures and finally attains Moksha.

Rituals for Mahashivratri festival celebration 2014

Rituals for Mahashivratri

The celebration of Maha Shivratri starts on the night of Chauthas, the fourteenth day of the waxing moon and continues till the morning of Amavas (dark night). On the day of Mahashivratri, devotees observe a strict fast and make it a point to visit a Shiva Temple. In the morning devotees after taking a bath preferably a dip in Holy Ganga, head towards a Shiva temple. At the temple, after circumambulating the Shiv Lingam three or seven times, devotees bathe the Shivling with either water or with milk.

According to Shiva Purana, the Maha Shivratri rituals must compulsorily incorporate the following six items Bael Leaves, Vermilion Paste, Fruits preferably Ber (jujube fruit) or Datura, Incense, Oil Lamp and Betel Leaves. On Mahashivratri the entire night is divided into four Prahars or quarters and special prayers are offered during each quarter. At the end of each quarter Shiva Abhishekam is done with Milk, Gangajal, Yoghurt, Honey, Sandalwood Paste and Rose Water. Shiva Bhajans (Hymns in praise of Shiva)are sung throughout enhancing the festivities. Mahashivratri is also one of the best days for Spiritual meditation and Mantra Japa of Shiva Mantras like ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ using a Rudraksha Japa Mala.

Importance of Calling Priest at Home

Be it a holy puja like a janamdinpooja, satyanarayanpooja, vaastu shanti puja, Navagraha puja or any other puja, in Hindu tradition, we always call a priest or a Brahman home in order to perform the rituals. Even if someone dies, a priest is called in order to conduct the funeral rituals. This is not just restricted to Hinduism but even Christianity and Islam follow the same.

Have you ever given a thought as to why the priests, Maulvi or Fathers are given so much importance? Why do we need to call them in order to perform the pujas and not do it ourselves? Let us now explore…

Who is a Priest?

Before finding the reason behind why are priests called at home for performing different rituals, we need to understand who is a priest! A priest is a person from the Brahmana community, it being the highest among other castes. Brahmanas or priests are often referred to as pandit which means “learned scholar.” Priests, brahmanas or pandits are trained in vedas and they know all the important and relevant mantras or hymns to perform any kind of religious pooja or ritual. They are expected to know all the religious scriptures and also Sanskrit. In fact, some of them work in the temples as pujaris or the ones who conduct daily rituals to the deity.

Why do we call priests at home?

Poojas or rituals are conducted in order to seek the blessings from the Almighty. It is believed that in order for the pooja ritual to reach the Supreme Being, hymns or mantras are necessary. Since the priests are trained and well-versed with the hymns or mantras, they are called home in order to perform the different rituals. The priests act as an intermediate between us and the God. In this way, the Almighty is pleased and in turn, we receive His blessings and find solace in life.

So, the next time you plan to conduct any pooja or ritual, make sure that you call a priest home in order to make sure that your prayers reach the God in the right way!

Rudra Centre specializes in various Pujas services. Our Pujas for Success include Laxmi Puja, Baglamukhi Puja and Satchandi Puja. We also conduct various Dev Pujas like Shiv Puja, Laxmi Puja and Ganesh. Our Siddhi Pujas include Laxmi Mantra Siddhi Japa, Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantra Siddhi Japa, etc. For Dosh Nivaran, we conduct Pujas like Shani Dosh Nivaran, Pitra Dosha Nivaran Puja, Kaal Sarp Dosh Nivaran Pula, etc.

Diwali Festival Celebration 2013

Deepavali or Diwali is one of the major festivals of Hindus which is celebrated in grandiose manner throughout India for five days. The word Diwali Festival literally translates to “a row of lamps” and lighting clay lamps filled with oil is significant in this festival. Lighting lamps signify the victory of good over evil.

Five Days of Diwali:

1. Dhanteras: Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Indian financial year and proprietors hold pujas for the God of wealth.
2. Narka Chaturdasi: It was on this day that goddess Kali defeated the demon Narka, freeing the world from his malice. This day is celebrated to commemorate the victory of goddess Kali over the demon Narka.
3. Lakshmi Pujan: Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of prosperity and success is worshipped on this day so that she can shower her blessings on her followers throughout the year.
4. Bali Padyami: On this day, king Bali was banished to the nether world by lord Vishnu. This day is celebrated to commemorate lord Vishnu’s victory.
5. Bhaubeej: On this day sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and apply a ceremonial “Tilak” on their brothers’ forehead, just as Subhadra applied tilak on her brother lord Krishna’s forehead after he defeated the demon Narkasur.

These five days of the festival of lights help us by bringing us close to each other, irrespective of caste or creed.  This festival ignites in us an awareness of inner light and a feeling of oneness.