Festivals
The most ferocious appearance of Durga is in the form of Maa Kaalratri. Devi Kaalratri is the seventh aspect of Durga and Worshiped among Navdurga. She is worshiped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She is believed to be the most violent Devi among Navdurga. She has dark Krishna (black) complexion and her appearance is extremely fearful.… Read the rest
Rituals
The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshiped on the sixth day of Navaratri. To destroy demon Mahishasura, Goddess Parvati took the form of Maa Katyayani. It was the most violent form of Goddess Parvati. In this form Goddess Parvati is also known as Warrior Goddess.… Read the rest
Festivals
The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ – the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. Maa Skandamata is the leader of the army of Gods. Being the mother of powerful deity Kumar Karthikeya, She is glorified with the name Skanda Mata.… Read the rest
Festivals
Maa Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. Mother Goddess created the whole universe in shape of an egg called “Anda” with her little & light divine smile, so Maa Durga is named Kushmanda.… Read the rest
Festivals
The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquillity and prosperity in life. She has a ‘Chandra’ or half moon on her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called Maa Chandraghanta.… Read the rest
Festivals
Maa Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri and is the second form of Mother Goddess. Brahmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. In one hand she carries a Rudraksha mala and in the other hand she carries a Kamandal (water utensil).… Read the rest
Festivals
Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated twice a year, in the months of Chaitra and Ashwin. It is dedicated to worshipping the divine feminine, the nine forms of Goddess Durga, known as the Navadurga. It is observed with great devotion and enthusiasm throughout India and by Hindus worldwide. During the nine nights of Navratri, devotees worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga, with each day representing a different aspect of the goddess.… Read the rest
Festivals
Vara MahaLakshmi Puja and Vrath is a popular ritual observed by married women in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Vara MahaLakshmi Vrath is a festival celebrated to appease goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. This festival falls in the holy month of Shravan on the first Friday before the Pournami (the full moon day), corresponding to the months of July – August.… Read the rest
Festivals
Rudrabhishekh is a Hindu celebration in which Lord Shiva is worshiped in His Rudra appearance, which is greeted by all Vedic scriptures as one of the supreme Pujas to eliminate all evils, to conquer all wishes and overall success. Lord Shiva is also known as Rudra and Rudrabhishek is the ceremonial bath of the Shiv Lingam.… Read the rest
Festivals
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 Hindu calendar.… Read the rest