Bhaidooj Today: Customs, Auspicious Muhurat & Puja Vidhi

Cherish the everlasting bond of love! Read out what makes Bhaidooj so special, and what customs must be followed when carrying out the tilak ceremony.

Bhaidooj is widely known as one of the significant Hindu festivals, and holds a great mythological significance. It highlights the pure, naive and unbreakable bond between a brother and sister and their love for each other. In other local cultures, it is also known as Bhai Teeka, Bhrat Dwitya, Yam Dwitiya etc. It occurs the day after Diwali, the festival of lights.

On this occasion, sisters pray for a long and prosperous life for their brothers, and apply tilaks on their forehead. Then, the brothers bless them with all their heart and give them lots of gifts.

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए क्लिक करें

Here is the auspicious muhurat & puja vidhi to follow. Read out the customs and find out different mythological connections and importance of this beautiful occasion.

Bhaidooj Muhurat 2017

Date	Starting Time	Ending Time	Duration
21 October, 2017 (Saturday)	13:13:46	15:29:56	2 Hour 16 Minute

These timings are applicable for New Delhi (locally). Know the muhurat time for your city: Bhaidooj Muhurat

Rituals and Puja Vidhi

Here are the customs you must follow on this day:

• Prepare a plate with flowers, vermillion or kumkum, fruits, betel nuts, sandalwood paste and rice.

• Mark a specific area, outline it with rice and make your brother sit within it.

• Apply tilak when the auspicious muhurat begins, perform an aarti on him and offer him fruits, crystallized sugar, betel leaf and nut.

• The brother presents his sister with gifts, vows to protect her with his life and protect her dignity. 

For more details about the rituals, read this page: Bhaidooj 2017

Mythological Legend & Beliefs

Every Hindu festival portrays a substantial history filled with momentous beliefs and customs. There are two very popular enthralling stories behind the origin of Bhaidooj. Read them below:

Saga of Yam and Yami

Yam and Yamuna, being the children of Sun God, were brother and sister. As per the legend, Yam paid a visit to his sister, which became a tradition, where Yamuna would shower lots of love and make him eat from her hands. She would apply tilak and pray for his life. When asked what she wants, she wished for her brother to visit her every year. From that day, the festival of Bhaidooj came into sight.

Tale of Krishna and Subhadra 

After killing devil Narkasur, Subhadra, his sister, welcomed Lord Krishna with flowers, sweets and applied tilak on his forehead, praying for his long life.

Bhai Dooj In Different States

Bhai Dooj is known by different names in various parts of/outside India. It is called Phota festival in West Bengal, Bhao Beej in Maharashtra, Bhai Tihar in Nepal and much more. Names are different, but the feeling is mutual- pure love for each other.

AstroSage wishes you a very blissful Bhai Dooj.

Govardhan Puja: Celebrating Lord Krishna’s Victory, Get Puja Vidhi

Celebrate the victory of Lord Krishna! On the auspicious occasion of Govardhan Puja, read how Lord Indra, due to his sheer arrogance and ego, got the right mind from Lord Krishna and learned the lesson.

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें

As per Hindu calendar, Govardhan Puja or Annakoot signifies Lord Krishna defeating Lord Indra by killing his ego and lifting the Govardhan hill on his finger. It is widely celebrated across India with joy and gratitude and performed on the fourth day of Diwali. People worship a heap of grain, which symbolizes the Govardhan hill, with a full heart and wish for prosperity and happiness. It is a popular festival across India’s many states such as Mathura, Vrindavan, Bihar, Nandgaon, Gokul, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

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Govardhan Puja Muhurat 2017

Auspicious Time	Starting Time	Ending Time	Duration
Govardhan Puja Pratahkal Muhurat	06:24:40 (Morning)	08:41:08 (Morning)	2 Hour 16 Minute
Govardhan Puja Sayankal Muhurat	15:30:35 (Afternoon)	17:47:04 (Evening)	2 Hour 16 Minute

Timings are applicable for New Delhi (locally). Know the exact muhurat for your city: Govardhan Puja Muhurat

Legend Behind The Big Day

According to the fables and legends, villagers in Gokul were preparing enthusiastically for a great feast, singing songs and praising Lord Indra for his blessings and recent downpours. Little Krishna asked his mother Yashoda about the whole scenario, and proposed worshipping Govardhan Parvat, as it is rightfully the major source of food for cattles and has a terrestrial plain for plants and trees to absorb water. 

As Gokul villagers agreed on this, Lord Indra became enraged, taking this whole idea as an insult, got drowned in power and initiated heavy downpour. Seeing how terrified people were, Lord Krishna came forward, and lifted Govardhan Parvat just on his finger. After 7 days of constant disaster, Lord Indra realised his mistake, and apologised to Lord Krishna for his arrogance and egoistic behaviour. 

On this day, lakhs of people visit the Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh just to pay their respects to Govardhan Parvat and circumnavigate around it.

Read and follow: Rituals and Puja Vidhi for Govardhan Puja

Annakoot Celebrations

During Govardhan Puja, people organize Annakoot, where several kinds of cereals are mixed and offered to Lord Krishna. In some places, Khichdi, fried Puri and sweets out of milk is prepared and offered as “bhoga” to the beloved Lord Krishna.

Worship Lord with a suitable Rosary or Mala: Buy Genuine Mala

Let the festivities begin! AstroSage wishes you an exciting and joyful Govardhan Puja!

Diwali Today: The Festival of Lights and Happiness

Follow these rituals to please Goddess Laxmi! On this very joyful and felicitous occasion, know the auspicious time for puja and follow the rituals and customs for Laxmi Pujan.

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें

Diwali is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism and celebrated with full fervour, enthusiasm and energy. Said to be a festival of lights, it signifies the victory of good over evil, light over darkness. Brightly-lit diyas placed all over the house drive away any bad omen or darkness from one’s life and create a sense of hope and positivity around. On this day, Goddess Mahalaxmi is worshipped with full fervour and enthusiasm. According to Hindu Panchang, the festival of lights is celebrated on the night of Amavasya (dark moon lunar phase) during the month of Kartik. Apart from India and Nepal, Diwali is celebrated in various parts of the world by numerous sectors (hindus, sikhs, jains, buddhists) of the society.

Diwali Puja Muhurat 2017

Laxmi Puja Muhurat	19:13:28 to 20:19:19
Duration	1 hour 5 minutes
Pradosh Kaal	17:47:58 to 20:19:19
Vrishabh Kaal	19:13:28 to 21:09:16

Timings are applicable for New Delhi. Know the exact muhurat for your city: Diwali Puja Muhurat 2017

It is a custom to worship Goddess Mahalaxmi. After sunset and before the night, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Ganesh and Goddess Saraswati are worshipped. For common people, pradosh kaal is best to carry out the customs, whereas nisheeth kaal is best to carry out tantric puja. 

Read: Laxmi Puja Vidhi and Customs

Religious Significance And Legend

There are many popular stories creeping from the historic past of Hinduism which signifies the importance of this day. Out of these, mythologies related to Lord Ram and Lord Krishna are the most narrated and popular:

• It is believed that on the night of Amavasya, Lord Ram came back from the exile after 14 long years to Ayodhya. In order to celebrate his comeback, people lit diyas all around the state and danced merrily, citing his tales and praising him.

• Another story goes with Lord Krishna killing evil demon Narkasur on Narak Chaturdashi and relieving people and sages from his cruelty. Along with that, he freed 16 thousand women from the jails of those monsters. People lit diyas the very next day to celebrate the liberation, hence starting the very custom of Diwali.

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As per astrological point of view, the festival of Diwali holds a great importance. Around this festival, sun and moon resides in the Libra zodiac sign, which is said to be benefic and fruitful as per vedic charts. Due to these religious, astrological and historical significances, Diwali is considered as one of the widely celebrated Hindu festivals.

Happy Diwali to all readers of AstroSage! We hope that this festival of Diwali brings happiness and prosperity to your life.

Narak Chaturdashi Today: How Lord Krishna Killed Narkasur!

Why Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated? Read out the details about this auspicious day and find out why Abhyang Snan is carried out. Scrape off your bad karma and walk on the righteous path of kindness and truth.

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें

According to Hindu festival calendar, Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated every year in the month of Kartik, on Krishna Paksh’s fourteenth day. This festival is celebrated one day before Diwali, and is popularly called as Choti Diwali. Apart from this, it is also known in various states of India as Narak Chaudas, Roop Chaudas and Roop Chaturdashi. As per hindu mythology, people worship Lord Yamraj after carrying out Abhyang Snan, wishing a long and healthy life and light up diyas in the evening.

Abhyang Snan Muhurat for New Delhi (India)

Date	18 October 2017
Time	From 04:47:00 to 06:23:24
Duration	1 hour 36 minutes

These timings are applicable locally. Find out the muhurat according to your city: Abhyang Snan Auspicious Muhurat

Importance of Abhyan Snan

On the occasion of Narak Chaturdashi, Abhyang Snan forms an important part of this day. It is believed that on this day, if a person bathes properly during the during the muhurat, s/he is enable to wash away his/her bad deeds and adds to the karma. Before that, one has to apply sesame oil on his/her body, and put Achyranthes aspera or Chirchira leaves in the water.

Religious Importance

According to the legend, there was an evil monster called Narkasur, terrorizing gods, sages and saints with his powers and taking in 16 thousand women as hostages. In order to get rid of the demon, gods and saints went into Lord Krishna’s shelter. He assured that the tyranny of Narkasur will soon come to an end. 

As Narkasur was cursed to die at the hands of a woman, Lord Krishna, with the help of his wife Satyabhama, killed the demon on the fourteenth day in the month of Kartik and freed 16 thousand women from his captivity. After that incident, all those women were called the “Pat-Rani” of Lord Krishna.

After the slaughter of Narkasur, people came together on the Amavasya night in the Kartik month, lit diyas and celebrated the victory. Hence started the very custom.

Heartfelt wishes to all the readers of AstroSage! A Happy Narak Chaturdashi and Diwali to you!

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Sun Transit in Libra Tomorrow, Know its Effects

Sun's transit will bring good luck to you! Surya or Sun will transit in Libra sign on 17th October 2017 at 12:50 PM and will remain posited there till 16th November 2017 at 12:56 PM. Let's see what effect will it show on your zodiac sign. 

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें

Predictions are based on your moon sign. Calculate yours: Moon sign Calculator

Aries

Sun will move into the 7th house from your moon sign. Your married life might have to face trials and troubles. You’ll have to be cautious about conflicts with your siblings...Read More

Taurus

Sun will move into the 6th house from your moon sign. Your determined attitude would coax you into moving mountains in this period...Read More

Gemini

Sun will move into the 4th house from your moon sign. There will be a sudden rise in your career. Although, some issues might keep the children away from attaining success in studies...Read More

Cancer

The planet Sun will move into the 4th house from your moon sign. This period could give health issues to your mother. You’ll be mentally stressed due to this...Read More

Leo

Sun will move into the 3rd house from your moon sign. During this period there will be an improvement in your health. You’ll get over any past illnesses in this period...Read More

Virgo

Planet Sun will move into the 2nd sign from your moon sign. This period might increase the harshness in your speech and make your relationships go bitter due to this...Read More

Libra

Sun will transit into your own house. During this period slight health issues will keep you bothered. Ego clashes are probable, due to your anger and temper issues...Read More

Scorpio

Sun will move into the 12th house from your moon sign. This period indicates travel plans taking shape. You might get to travel overseas or to a distant place due to professional purposes...Read More 

Sagittarius

Sun will move into the 11th house from your moon sign in this transit period. This predicts multiple gains in your life. You’ll cash in favours from your seniors, higher business officials, and even Government...Read More

Capricorn

Planet Sun will move into the 10th house from your moon sign. This period would provide you favours from the Government sector and Government policies...Read More

Aquarius

The planet Sun would move into the 9th house from your moon sign. A decline in your name is probable. Your glory would dwindle; this might trigger mental unhappiness...Read More

Pisces

The planet Sun will transit into the 8th house from your moon sign. This period would invite health issues in your life. You’ll have to struggle with minor health issues, but proper medication is advised to get them gone for good...Read More