Showing posts with label festivals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label festivals. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Kajari Teej Fast: Muhurat & Vidhi

Kajari Teej is a symbol of love and union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati that will be celebrated today. Adding auspiciousness to this is Ganesh Chaturthi which is also falling on the same day.

Observe fast on this Kajari Teej to get blessed with your husband’s long life
हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें

FREE matrimony & marriage website

What Is Special In This Kajari Teej?


Kajari Teej is falling in Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra this year. According to the Hindu calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi is also falling on the same day. Our scriptures have considered this combination as auspicious. It is also said that observing fast on both of these days fulfills all the desires of the fast seeker and showers good luck.

Muhurat For Kajari Teej


Date
Time
Tritiya Tithi Begins On August 31, 2015
16:50 PM
Tritiya Tithi Ends on September 1, 2015
13:23 PM

How To Get blessed With Marital Bliss & Suitable Match?


  1. Observe Nirjala fast (fast observed without consuming water) on this day.
  2. Offer rice, Sattu, Ghee, Mawa, fruits and other marriage adornments (Solah Shringaar) to the Goddess.
  3. Offer Puja, fruits, sweets, Dhoopa and Deepak to Lord Shiva and Parvati.
  4. Chant this mantra to get a husband of your choice:Donate all the adornments (Shringars) to any poor woman.
    “हे गौरी शंकर अर्धांगिनी यथा त्वं शंकर प्रिया।
    तथा मम कुरू कल्याणी कान्त कान्ता सुदुर्लभम्।।”
  5. Take blessings from your elders, mother and sister in law.
  6. Receive Prasad first after doing charity and then perform Paran.

What Is Kajari Teej?


Kajari Teej is known with different names in different parts of India. It is many times referred as ‘Budi Teej’ or ‘Satudi Teej’. It is known as Kajari Teej because of the presence of dark and rainy clouds during this period. Women in their houses make delicious delicacies with barley, wheat and gram. Therefore, it is also known as Satudi Teej. Kajari Teej is one of the eminent festivals of states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh etc. Women often sing songs of separation, love and union with their partner on this day.

Importance Of Kajari Teej


It is believed that Goddess Parvati has devoted herself entirely into austerities to get married to Lord Shiva. It took her 107 births to allure him. The duo finally got married in 108th birth and since then Kajari Teej is celebrated mostly in Northern parts of the country. Performing Shiva and Parvati Puja during this day is considered auspicious. According to our scriptures, both married and unmarried women can observe fast on this day. Married women observe fast for protection & longevity of their husbands while unmarried observe fast to fulfill their long yearning desire of a suitable match.

Click here to read more about Kajari Teej: Kajari Teej 2015


Today’s Special


Kajari Teej, Angarika Ganesh Chaturthi and Bahula Chaturthi Vrat will be celebrated on the same day this year. Bahula Vrat is done for longevity of brothers and children. Idols of lion, cow, calf and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on this day. Gods are offered with Sattu of Barley on this day.

AstroSage wishes you a happy Kajari Teej, Ganesh Chaturthi & Bahula Chaturthi!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Makara Sankranti 2014: The Holiest Day

Makara Sankranti, Pongal or Magh Bihu, though it is called by many names, it stands for one common thing - Harvest Festival. This festival which occurs on January 14 every year is a grand gala celebration. Read on...

Makara Sankranti, Pongal

Celebrating Harvest Festival - Region Wise


Makara Sankranti will be observed on 14th of January, 2014. Makara Sankranti is a festival celebrated with great zeal and zest all over the country. This harvest festival is known by many names depending on the region it is being celebrated. While Makara Sankranti is name followed in majority of the states of India, it is also known as Pongal in the state of Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, Magh Bihu in Assam, Uttarayan in Gujarat and so on. We will give you an idea of different rituals and customs followed in various states in this article. 

Makara Sankranti


Makara Sankranti, the grand harvest festival is celebrated to mark the journey of sun towards north. As Sankranti festival is celebrated as per the solar calendar, the date remains the same every year, January 14. The actual definition for the word Sankranti is the journey of sun from one zodiac sign to another. But now-a-days, Sankranti is more popularly known as the harvest festival. People thank the Gods for a good harvest and share the joy with one and all. One of the main attractions of Makara Sankranti is the tradition of Kite flying.

Pongal Or Bhogi


Pongal is the festival celebrated by the people of Tamil Nadu. This festival is celebrated for a period of four days. The first day is the Bhogi festival, which symbolizes new beginning. As such, people follow the tradition of getting rid of all the old stuff by throwing them into the bonfire. The second day is the Surya Pongal, when the traditional Pongal (sweet dish) is prepared and the Sun God is worshipped. The third day is called as the Mattu (cow) Pongal. On this day cows, which are one of the main sources for agriculture are worshipped. The main attraction of this day is the Jallikattu (bull fighting). The fourth and the final day is called the Kaanum Pongal, where in people visit the dear and near ones to exchange sweets and gifts. This Festival is also known as ‘Ellu Beerodu’ in Karnataka, celebrated by the people of Kannada community; and in the state of Andhra Pradesh, this festival is called as Sankranti or ‘Pedda Pandiga’ (big festival). 

Magh Bihu In Assam


Magh Bihu is the harvest festival of Assam. This festival is all about extravagant celebrations, which last for weeks. Many traditions are followed by the people of Assam during the Magh Bihu like Tekeli Bhonga, which is the breaking of earthen pots and bull fighting. People from near and far get their bulls to participate in the annual festivals for attractive prize money. This festival goes on for weeks where in makeshift huts are built, in which festive food is served to enjoy. Once the food is eaten, the huts are burned down as per the traditions which are followed. 

Every festival comes alive when celebrated with dear ones. In that context, mother nature is a dear one here. Sankranti, the harvest festival brings everyone closer to mother nature and gives us a chance to thank her for all the good that has been bestowed on us. With this, we wish one and all a very happy Makara Sankranti 2014!

Monday, January 13, 2014

Pradosh Vrat: Eliminate The Misdeeds

Pradosh Vrat, a path to overcome negative karmas by pleasing Lord Shiva, falls twice a month. The Lord with supreme power forgives all the sins, mistakes and other bad karmas if prayed with faith and loyalty. Let’s understand the day in detail...

Pradosham Fast and Lord Shiva

Shivaya Namah Om Bhavaya Namaha | Bhavaya Namah Om Namah Shivaya ||

What Is Pradosham?


The term ‘Pradosh’ means getting relief from sins and negative karmas. It prevails after the sunset for 2 hours 24 minutes and therefore, that duration is known as ‘Pradosh Kaal’. It is believed that one who worships Lord Shiva during Pradosh Kaal gets relief from all the evil deeds and mistakes. 

Weekly Pradosham


Monday/ Soma Pradosham: Bestows the observer with health and all his wishes are fulfilled. 

Tuesday/ Bhauma Pradosham: For those who are facing financial crunches, observing Bhauma Pradosham is very helpful. Also, it is very effective against diseases and ailments.

Wednesday: Pradosham occurring on Wednesday has great importance for the childless couples. Married couples, who do not have any child, observe this Pradosham to get blessed with their progeny. 

Thursday/ Guru Pradosham: Guru Pradosham helps the observer in raising his confidence level which further helps him to defeat his enemies. 

Saturday/ Shani Pradosham/ Maha Pradosham: Shani Pradosham is very effective and is meant for the happy married life of the couples. 

You may also like to read Pradosh Fast significance and legend. Click here to read about it - Pradosh Fast Significance & Legend

Rituals Followed During Pradosham


To begin with the rituals, the observer takes shower before the sunset. After wearing clean clothes, he/she commences the Puja by worshipping Lord Shiva. To worship Him, His idol or Shivlinga or Nataraja Avatar is needed. Along with the Him, following Gods are also worshipped:

  • Goddess Parvati
  • Kartikeya
  • Ganesha
  • Nandi

During the Puja, a Kalasha (metal pot) is filled with water followed by covering the Kalasha with Durva grass (Cynodon Dactyl). A lotus is drawn on the surface of the grass. After it, flowers, rice, betel nuts, betel leaf and coin are offered to Shiva. To please the deity, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is chanted for 108 times. The devotee then applies the sacred ash to his/her forehead and lights a lamp before the Lord. 

Pradosham Fast Observance


Devotees not only pray to Lord on this day but also observes fast to honor Shiva. Strict observers worship Shiva throughout the day and night. They chant Mantras and recite His songs and prayers. Such observers do not consume any eatable and refrain from having water too. On the other hand are partial observers who follow the same rituals but break their fast in the evening after the evening prayers. 

Puja Materials You Need


Milk: gives long and healthy life
Curd: blesses the childless couple with child
Lemon: to overcome the fear of death
Ghee: grants Moksha (salvation)
Rice: helps to overcome the financial sufferings
Cooked Rice or Annam: grants a royal life
Coconut: provides luxuries and comforts of life
Sandal: blesses the observer with the beauty like Maa Lakshmi 
Panchamrutham: bestows the devotee with health and wealth
Honey: is used for a melodious voice
Sugar: helps to overcome anger
Sugar cane juice: bestows with good health

Invoke Lord Shiva’s blessings and expel out all the negative karmas with Pradosh Vrat. Pradosham falling every month, provides the best platform to overcome the evil deeds and achieve Moksha.

Lohri 2014: Celebrating Fertility With Bonfire

In Punjab, the festival of Lohri will be observed on January 13, 2014. Lohri is considered to be the most important and most awaited day. People who belong to Punjabi community are mostly robust, fun-loving and enthusiastic by nature. The festival of Lohri symbolizes their enthusiasm for festive celebrations.

Lohri 2014


The festival of Lohri will be observed on January 13, 2014. With the first light of the New Year, people in India are all set to get started with the journey full of celebrations and festivals. The distinctive and perfectly assorted Indian culture is attracting the inhabitants to get closer to some of the very thrilling and enjoyable festivities. The commencement of these celebrations is to be initiated by the festival of Lohri. It is a festival related to harvesting and is celebrated annually in January. 

Legends And Traditions 


On the day of Lohri, little children demand for Lohri from their elders in the form of money and eatables such as Sesame seeds (Til), Gajak, Jaggery, Rewari and Peanuts, to name a few. The children also sing a festive song in praise of Dulla Bhatti. He is considered as the Punjabi Avatar of Robin Hood. He robbed the riches to assist the poor people. 

Performing Bonfire On Lohri


On the day of Lohri, as the sun sets in the evening, huge bonfires are lit in the harvested fields. A few people also perform this in the front yard of the house. At the time of Lohri celebration, a lot of people gather up at one place. They circle around the rising flames of fire and at this time, they throw edibles like puffed rice, popcorns, etc. While doing so, they say “Adar Aye Dilethar jaye”, by this they mean to pray that “may honor come and may poverty peter out”. 

At the time of celebrating the festival of Lohri, they also sing folk songs. Lohri is a festival in which people offer prayers to Agni (fire) to let their land get blessed with fertility and abundance. After they are done with the rounds around the bonfire (Parikrama), gift exchange ritual with relatives and friends begin. Once the Pooja and other related rituals are done, Prasad (holy food offering) is distributed to all the people present in the celebration. The most important part of this celebration is the Lohri Prasad, which includes sweets like Gajak and Rewri together with some other munchies such as peanuts, popcorns and jaggery. After that, all the guests are served with some traditional edibles like cooked mustard herbs with multi-millet chapattis for dinner.

The Traditional Performance


After getting done with all the related rituals, Bhangra, which is the traditional dance of Punjab, is performed by men. This celebration goes on till late night on the day of Lohri. These traditional touches add up more vigor and excitement to the festive mood.

Maghi: The Day Following Lohri


The day of Maghi falls on the next day of Lohri. This day signifies the commencement of Magh month. In accordance with the beliefs of Hindu religion, Maghi is considered to be the most auspicious day for taking a dip into the holy river together with doing some charity. Sweets such as Kheer (sweet rice porridge dessert) are prepared by adding sugar cane juice, rice and milk as Prasad for the day.

Showing Gratitude Toward The Harvest God 


The festival of Lohri comes up with a chance for the people to put aside all their tensions and worries. On this day, people get an opportunity to keep away from their hectic work schedules and to enjoy this festive day to the fullest. On this day, people offer prayers to the harvest God so their land could get the blessings to be amazingly fertile.

Hope you will have a great time this Lohri 2014. Stay tuned to AstroSage for more such interesting stuff.

Happy Lohri 2014!