Dev Uthani Ekadashi 2018: Awakening of Lord Vishnu!

Auspicious period for Marriage has finally come! The occasion of Devutthana brings joy and music of shehnai along.

The month of Kartik is particularly auspicious. Diwali and the Diwali season is followed by a period considered Shubh for marriages. Why are marriages prohibited in Hindu Shastras until the day of Dev Utthan? Read to know.

हिन्दी में पढ़ने के लिए क्लिक करें!

Dev Uthani Ekadashi Muhurat 2018

Ekadashi Tithi Begins	13:35	18th November
Ekadashi Tithi Ends	14:31	19th November

The above muhurat is for New Delhi. Find for your city: Dev Uthani Ekadashi Muhurat

Parana Muhurat

Parana the breaking of fast, is carried out on the next day of Ekadashi, i.e. on Dwadashi or 12th day.

Parana Time

06:47:17 to 08:55:00

20th November

Rituals

• Take a holy dip early morning.

• Carry out Tulsi Vivah - the marriage ceremony of Lord Vishnu with Tulsi Mata. 

• Observe a fast from the day of Dashmi till the Parana is done.

Legend

It is said that Goddess Lakshmi was unhappy with the sleeping pattern of Lord Vishnu. She complained to him about the same Since Devtas had to wait for a long period to meet him. He promised to goddess that he will find a solution to it. Meanwhile, Vedas were stolen by Sankhyayan, a demon. Lord Vishnu then went to bring back the Vedas and was so tired afterwards that he slept for 4 months. This was termed as Yoga Nidra. Those 4 months are considered inauspicious in Hindu religion and no ceremony is carried out during this phase.

Significance

Attainment of Moksha is considered to be the ultimate goal of a soul that has been granted human race. With the grace of God, if a person worships Lord Vishnu on the day of Devutthana Ekadashi, the doors of heaven are opened for him as well as his ancestors. The festival is celebrated in different forms in different places in India. 

Maharashtra: In Maharashtra, Lord Vithoba, another incarnation of Lord Vishnu is worshipped.

Rajasthan: In Rajasthan, Pushkar Mela (fair) begins and Lord Brahma is offered reverence. 

Gujarat: In Gujarat, a Parikrama (circumambulation) is performed by the devotees around Mount Girnar for 2 days to please the Lord.

Why is Tulsi Vivah carried out on Devutthana Ekadashi?

As per a legend, Tulsi was the wife of a demon named Jalandhar. She was called Brinda or Vrinda. Since she was a devoted wife, it was impossible to kill Jallandher in the battlefield. Devtas insisted to Lord Vishnu to find a solution. He then had to take the disguise of Jalandhar and come to Vrinda. She on knowing the truth, after her husband was killed in the fight, cursed Lord Vishnu. Since Lord Vishnu himself was guilt-ridden, he declared that Vrinda is as pure as a virgin and she in the form of a plant shall be married to him. Since then, it is accustomary to carry out Tulsi Vivah or the marriage of tulsi to Lord Vishnu. The ritual is of immense significance and considered equivalent to a performing a Kanyadaan.

AstroSage wishes you a Happy & Auspicious Dev Uthani Ekadashi. 

Anant Chaturdashi Tomorrow, Know Its Puja Muhurat

Worship Lord Vishnu’s Anant Roop and get blessed! Anant Chaturdashi will be celebrated on September 23, 2018. Read here to know the significance of this propitious festival, and also know its Vrat Puja Vidhi.

Anant Chaturdashi, which is also known by the name of Anant Chaudas, is a Hindu festival, and is celebrated with lots of zeal and happiness. It occurs on the 14th day of the brighter fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapada.

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें

This year, it will be celebrated tomorrow on Sunday, September 23. On this auspicious day, Anant Roop of Lord Vishnu is venerated. The idol of Lord Ganesha (established during Ganesh Chaturthi) is also immersed in water, i.e. 10 days later on the day of Chaturdashi. (Please not that Ganesh Sthapana is also done for 3, 5 or 7 days.) This festival of Anant Chaturdashi is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm in Central and North India.

Anant Chaturdashi Puja Muhurat
Puja Timings (September 23-24)	From 06:09:42 AM to 31:19:37 PM (07:19:37 AM on September 24, 2018)
Duration	25 Hours 09 Minutes

Note: Above Muhurat timings are for New Delhi only. To know the timings in your city, read Anant Chaturdashi Puja Muhurat

Importance of Anant Chaturdashi

In Hinduism, fasts and festivals are of great importance and celebrated every year. Among them, Anant Chaturdashi is a significant festival. On this occasion, Anant Roop of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. This Puja takes place in the noon time. In early morning, a vow is taken for the fast and urn installation is also done. (Kalash Sthapana). The significance of this fast and Puja are mentioned in Agni Purana. At the same time, binding of Anant Sutra after worshipping the God is of similar importance on this occasion. This Sutra is made from cotton or silk thread, and is tied on the hand after Puja. As per beliefs, Lord Anant protects people and provides them with worldly splendour, after binding Anant Sutra. Sacred fast is also performed for getting blessed with a child and for prosperity on this day. People also listen to the religious tales of Lord Vishnu.

Religious Story of Anant Chaturdashi

It is believed that the fast and festival of Anant Chaturdashi began in Mahabharata Era. When Pandavas got defeated and were living in the woods, at that time, Lord Krishna had described them about the importance of Anant Chaturdashi Vrat. It is said that in beginning of creation, Lord Vishnu took 14 incarnations (Roop) to protect and preserve 14 worlds (Loka). As a result, the God appeared infinite. That is why, fast on Anant Chaturdashi is taken to appease Lord Vishnu and seek his divine blessings. The fast is also considered to give infinite (Anant) blissful results.

AstroSage wishes you a very happy Anant Chaturdashi, and sincerely hopes that Lord Vishnu endows you with his sacred blessings!

Hartalika Teej Today, Know Muhurat Timings

Why fast for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati today? Know Hartalika Teej Vrat Puja rituals. Also know the significance of this auspicious festival for girls and married women.

Just like Hariyali Teej and Kajari Teej, Hartalika Teej is the festival of married women. Dedicated to Shankar Bhagwan and Maa Parvati, the fast is performed by married women for the wellness and long life of their husband and family.

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें

As per Hindu Calendar or Panchang, this festival is observed on the third day (Tritiya) in Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. It is believed that this auspicious fast was performed by Goddess Parvati to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Therefore, the fast of Hartalika Teej can also be performed by unmarried girls. This festival is also known by the name of Badi Teej in some parts of India. It is especially celebrated in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan along with other states with lots of zeal and happiness.

Hartalika Teej Puja Muhurat
Muhurat in Early Morning	From 06:03:49 to 08:33:02
Duration	2 Hours 29 Minutes

Note: The Muhurat is valid for New Delhi. To know muhurat timings in your city, click on Hartalika Teej Muhurat

Hartalika Teej Vrat Rituals

The festival of Hartalika Teej is celebrated on Tritiya of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. This time period is of great significance as God Shiva and Mata Parvati are especially worshipped in this duration during Hasta Nakshatra.

On this occasion, Shiv Parvati idols made of clay or sand are worshipped. Since, this is a Nirjala Vrat (without water), therefore, the devotees should only offer fruits to the deities. At night, Jagrans and Bhajans are performed to worship Parvati Maa and Bhagwan Shankar. This fast of Hartalika Teej is completed after immersion of Puja material (Samagri) in the morning, the next day.

Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha and Significance

According to religious beliefs, Parvati ji performed difficult austerity to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Seeing her condition, her father Parvat Raj Himalaya was very sad. Meanwhile, Narada Muni brought the marriage proposal for Maa Parvati on behalf of Lord Vishnu. When the Goddess heard about this, she became upset. After being asked by one of her friends, Parvati told them that she’s performing penance to get God Shiva as her husband. After this, her friends took the Goddess to the forest. Since then, the festival is known by the name of Hartalika Teej, as Maa Parvati was abducted by her friends, so that she could achieve her goal to marry Bhagwan Shankar.

Here, the word Hartalika comprises “Harat”, which means abduction, and “Talika” that signifies female friends. After taken to the forest, Goddess performed severe austerity. On the Tritiya of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha during Hasta Nakshatra, the Goddess created the idol of Lord Shiva with sand and worshipped him with complete devotion. Pleased with her sincerity and Puja, Lord Shiva accepted her as his wife as desired by Mata Parvati.

Thus, performing this fast with utmost devotion, and worshipping Shiv Parvati while following all Puja rituals sincerely, blesses a girl or women with luck and prosperity. This is the reason why Hartalika Teej Vrat and festival is of high significance for girls and married women.

AstroSage wishes our readers a happy Hartalika Teej and hopes that Maa Parvati blesses you all the happiness in life!