Rath Yatra (Festival of Chariots) is one of the most awaited and celebrated festivals in India. This annual festival is celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Paksha dwitiya tithi in Puri, Orrisa. The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath i.e. Lord Krishna, his sister Goddess Subhadra and his elder brother Lord Balabhadra. It is commonly known as
In Vaastu Shastra it is a belief that the home itself is a living being, which negative forces can inhabit and take shelter inside during vacancy – even if the home is brand new. The Griha Pravesham Puja or Housewarming ceremony is about respectfully acknowledging these entities and purifying the space. It is about cleansing
“Om Ganesaya Namah Avahayami” The first mantra chanted by the pandit as the Griha Pravesh Puja commences as you embark on the divine experience which is the hindu equivalent of a housewarming ceremony. But why do we perform Griha Pravesh Puja ? What rituals are performed as a part of it? And how do you
CHAITRA SHUKLA PAKSHA PRATIPADA VIKRAM SAMVAT Happy New Year Vikram Samvat 2074 to you all!! Vikram Samvat (abbreviated as V.S.) is an era used in India and Nepal, just like the Christian era started in 1 CE. The Vikram Samvat started in 58/57 BCE in southern (purnimanta) and 57/56 BCE in northern (amanta) systems of
Maha Shivaratri means the Great Night of Shiva. It is an annual festival dedicated to the Lord. Unlike most Hindu festivals which are celebrated during the day, the Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night. Also, unlike most Hindu festivals which include expression of cultural revelry, the Maha Shivaratri is a solemn event notable for its
The Shankha is a conch shell of ritual and religious importance in Hinduism. It is the shell of a large predatory sea snail, Turbinella pyrum found in the Indian Ocean. In Hindu mythology, the Shankha is a sacred emblem of the preserver Lord Vishnu. It is used as a trumpet in Hindu rituals, and in
The Fourth day is of Diwali festival is Padwa or Govardhan Puja or Bali Pratipada. This day is also known as Varshapratipada which marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya. Vikaram-Samvat(Hindu Calendar) started from this Padwa day. Govardhan Puja Govardhan Puja is celebrated on this day. Govardhan is a small hillock in Braj, near Mathura and
Asato ma sat gamaya | (असतो मा सद्गमय ।) Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya | (तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।) Mṛtyor ma amṛtam gamaya | (मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।) Om shanti shanti shantihi || (ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥) Translation: From untruth lead us to Truth. From darkness lead us to Light. From death lead us to
Narak Chaturdasi is celebrated a day before the main Diwali and a day after the Dhanteras. It falls at the 14th day in the month of Ashwin (October or November). It is celebrated to eliminate the idleness and evil from our life. It is known by different names in different regions, namely – Kali Chaudas,
“(When) the lamp is lit, darkness is dispelled. Where there is light of knowledge, ignorance is dispelled.” (Guru Granth Sahib p.791) Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated all over India to signify Lord Rama’s return home from 14 years in exile after destroying the demon god Ravana. However, in the Sikh tradition Diwali has
Rudrabhishek Puja in 2017
Nag Panchami 2017
Guru Purnima
Puri Rath Yatra
Griha Pravesham Puja (South)