Festivals
Lohri is a fun-filled festival full of life and energy and is mainly celebrated as a harvest festival. The festival marks the end of winter and the upcoming spring. Bonfires are lit, traditional songs and dances accompany the fire in the evening. Lohri is celebrated mostly in Northern states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.… Read the rest
Festivals
How many of us know about Lord Ganesha’s family? Lord Ganesha is more popularly known as a celibate however the scriptures that are dedicated to Lord Ganesha (the Ganesha Purana and the Mudgala Purana) provide information about his wives Siddhi and Buddhi (also called Riddhi). “Siddhi” means spiritual power and “Buddhi” means intellect.… Read the rest
Festivals
“(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 a very different, historically based, significance as well.… Read the rest
Festivals
Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja is a significant ritual during Navratri and Durga Puja. It is held during the most important days of Navratri i.e. Ashtami and Navmi. This ritual involves worshiping girls aged between 6 and 12, symbolizing the Kanya Kumari.
Kanya Puja is an integral part of Devi Durga Puja and perhaps this auspicious puja was originally initiated in order to give girls due social status in the male dominated Indian social fabric.… Read the rest
Festivals
Did you know this year Navratri is a 10 day festival? Yes, that is correct . The festival started on October 1st and the last day of Navami will be celebrated on October 10th. The last time this happened was 16 years ago in the year 2000. Usually, Navratri is celebrated for 9 days and nights and the 10th day is celebrated as Dussera or Vijayadashami.… Read the rest
Rituals
The festival of Navratri is dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga known as the Nava-durga. Devi Durga is the form of Shakti or the Infinite Power. It is believed that she manifested herself into nine divine forms collectively known as Navadurga or nine Durgas.
The first day of the festival is dedicated to Goddess Shailaputri.… Read the rest
Rituals
Festivals
Mayureshwar or more commonly known as Moreshwar is the avatar of Ganesha who was born to Shiva and Parvati in the Treta yuga, for the purpose of killing the demon Sindhu. This incarnation of Ganesha has six arms and a white complexion and sits on a peacock. Because Ganesha rode a peacock,he is known as Mayureshwar or Moreshwar (“Lord of the peacock”).… Read the rest
Festivals
Gowri Habba, also known as Hartalika Teej, is an Indian festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in Karnataka, India. It is a festival dedicated to the epitome of femininity, beauty, and purity – Goddess Gauri.
Women from all walks of life come together during this festival to celebrate and offer prayers to the goddess.… Read the rest
Festivals
Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of one of the most powerful incarnations of Vishnu, who we consider a leader, hero, protector, philosopher, teacher and friend all rolled into one. Krishna took birth at midnight on the ashtami or the 8th day of the Krishnapaksha or dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Shravan (August-September).… Read the rest