Chaitra Navratri 2015

Chaitra Navratri in 2015 (Vasant Navratri 2015) will begin from 21st of March to 29th of March, also known as Basant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri. The ninth day of Vasant Navratri overlaps with Ram Navami, hence it is also considered as Ram Navami at some places.

Navratri is alienated into sets of three days to worship three different aspects of the uppermost goddess or goddesses. During Navratri, different forms of mother Goddess are worshiped. On the first three days, people worship the goddess Durga (to bring energy & vitality) is worshiped. The next three days are devoted to Lakshmi (to bring immense wealth). And for the last three days, the devotees worship Saraswati (to impart one with right knowledge).

In order to seek blessings of Goddess Durga, devotees read the holy book Durga Saptashati (all 9 days of Chaitra Navratri). On the eighth and ninth day, Yagna or hawan is conducted to honour Goddess Durga to offer her departure. Our culture follows the tradition of serving food (Puri, Shrikhand, basundi) and offering some gifts or money to girls called as Kanyas. Kanyas meant girls who are unmarried. They are considered as Goddess Durga, and the offerings take place on 8^th day of Chaitra Navratri. In some regions, a young boy also complements them who represent Bhairav; he is considered as protector against all evils. Fast is observed by devotees during all the nine days of Navratri. Prayers are also offered for good health and prosperity throughout these days.

Auspicious Dates of Chaitra Navratri in 2015

Vasant Navratri Day 1 - Ghatsthapana - 21 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 2 - Sindhara Dooj, Dwitiya - 22 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 3 - Gaur Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Tritiya - 23 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 4 - Varadvinayak Chaturthi - 24 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 5 - Sri Laxmi Panchami Vrat, Naag Vrat Pujan - 25 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 6 - Skand Shashthi, Yamuna Jayanti - 26 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 7 - Mahasaptami Vrat, Chaiti Chat, Vijaya Saptami - 27 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 8 - Sri Durga Mahaashtami, Annapurna Ashtami - 28 March 2015
Vasant Navratri Day 9 - Vasant Navaratri ends, Ram Navami - 29 March 2015

Mahashivratri 2015, Festival of Lord Shiva

(Anauspicious time to receive blessings from Lord Shiva)

Whenever his beloved devotees run into predicaments, Lord Shiva pleased with their devotion Himself destroys their troubles. Maha Shivratri (The great night of Shiva) is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals, celebrated every year on the thirtieth night in the Krishna Paksha in February. It’s the night when devotees worship and offer prayers to Shiva who destroys the darkness of ignorance.

Many mythological legends shed light on the significance of this festival. Maha Shivratri connotes the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and His consort Shakti aka Goddess Parvati. The festival is also marked to honor Tandava, the cosmic dance.

One of the legends says that Shiva rescued the world from a great annihilation which was caused by a poison emanating from Samudra Manthan; the churning of the sea. Shiva drank the poison holding it in his throat with yogic powers. As a result his neck turned blue and henceforth he was called Neela Kantha, Neela means blue and Kantha means throat.

The most famous mythological tale is about a hunter. A tired hunter of Varanasi after killing game birds sat down below a tree to rest in an evening. He woke up and found it was all dark around him. He didn’t know that it was the night of Maha Shivratri. He climbed up the tree and tied the bund of game birdd to a branch. A Lingam stationed under the tree could not come to his notice. And the tree was Lord Shiva’s favorite, the Bilva tree. Accidently, he plucked and dropped a few leaves. Also, dew that formed on his body too trickled along with the leaves down onto the Lingam. Such an event pleased Lord Shiva. Later in life, the hunter died calling the death god Yama who decided to take him to Hell. At the same time, Lord Shiva sent his messengers to take the hunter to Him. A great fight between the men of Yama and Shiva ensued leading the defeat of Yama. At the request of Shiva’s devotee Nandi, Yama surrendered the hunter to Shiva learning that no devotees should be touched without the divine consent of Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivratri witnesses huge convergences and congregations at Shiva’s temples wherein devotees engage in scared rituals pouring water/milk onto the Shiv Ling in order to please Him. When pleased, the Lord blesses them the fulfillment of all desires.

The Shiva Purana mentions the rituals and prayers to be performed on this day. The Ling should be offered milk, honey and water. Vermilion paste signifying divine virtue should be marked on the Ling followed by the presentation of fruits, incense sticks, a lamp and betel leaves.

Anyone can perform this simple rite and please Lord Shiv who always blesses His devotees!

Ruby Gemstone and its Benefits

Ruby is one of the most ancient and beautiful gemstone among the Navratna. The word Ruby is derived from the Latin word 'Rufus'. The Ruby gemstone has been a popular gemstone in almost all ancient civilizations since the last 2500 years. Ruby is known as Manik in Hindi, owing to it's popularity the Ruby Gemstone is also known as 'Ratnaraj' meaning the king among Gemstone.

The color of the Ruby gemstone varies from the shades of pink to blood red. In Vedic Astrology the Ruby gemstone is ruled by the planet Sun or Surya Dev. The Ruby gemstone blesses the wearer with name, fame and wealth. The stone is highly recommended to individuals who aspire to hold high offices or budding actors and politicians. Doctors, lawyers and engineers should also wear Ruby for professional growth.

Wearing a Ruby gemstone induces vigor in an individual and elevates him to positions of power. Ruby also blesses the wearer with wisdom, knowledge, good health and self-confidence and more. The Ruby gemstone also dispels all negativities and attracts positivity and enhances financial stability.

Ruby is highly recommended to individuals that have a weakly placed Surya in their horoscope or to individuals who are suffering from Surya Dosha or have an imbalanced Manipura Chakra. On a therapeutic level the Ruby gemstone provides relief from indigestion, lethargy, gastric ulcer, weight problem, liver issues, arthritis and diabetes.

Yantras and their Benefits

Yantras meaning machines are sacred tool that help devotees achieve divine blessing and various objectives. Yantras are sacred geometries which when activated through specific Beej mantras provide the desired results. Different Yantras are used for different purposes, such as Kuber Yantra is used for acquisition of wealth whereas Mahamritunjaya Yantra is used for protection and more. 

Yantras are geometric representation of Mantras and installing a Yantra is as good as chanting of the said Mantra. Yantras when placed at home or office disperses negativity and negative energies and attracts positivity. Yantras are available in different sizes and designs such as pocket Yantra, locket Yantra, desktop Yantra and more. 

Maha Yantras are powerful combination of similar Yantras which are used for a specific purpose. Examples for Maha Yantras are Sarvasiddhi Yantra, Shree Sampoorna Mahalaxmi Maha Yantra, Sarva Karya Siddhi Maha Yantra and more. Depending upon the two dimensional or three dimensional nature Yantras are classified as Bhu and Meru, where Meru are three dimensional in nature.  

Yantras are etched, drawn, incised or painted on various surfaces and materials such as copper, gold, silver, bhojpatra, ground and more. The installation of the Yantra in homes or workplaces is known as ‘Pranaprathishtha’ of the Yantra. Some of the most popular types of yantras are Laxmi Yantra, Ganesh Yantra, Kuber Yantra, Akarshan Yantra, Mahamritunjay Yantra, Kaal Sarp Yantra, Navgrah Yantra, Durga Yantra and Hanuman Yantra. For more information or buy Yantras visit here : http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/yantra.html 

Navratri 2014 – The Nine Nights Festival

Navratri - Navdurga Festival 2014

Navratri 2014, the nine day grandeur festival dedicated to Goddess Durga will be celebrated from September 25^th till October 3^rd in 2014. During the Navratri festival which means nine nights, 9 forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped and revered. The period of Navratri is considered as most auspicious to worship the divine mother Goddess Durga and do Shakti Sadhanas.

During the festival of Navratri, for nine consecutive days and nights devotees fast, offer ritualistic Navratri Puja and also become part of colorful celebrations. The festival of Sharad Navratri is celebrated during the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin which is around September-October as per Gregorian calendar. The festival of Navratri is celebrated all across India with some variations.

During the nine days of Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped in Her nine forms namely Goddess Shailputri, Goddess Brahmacharini, Goddess Chandraghanta, Goddess Kushmanda, Goddess Skandamata, Goddess Katyayani, Goddess Kalratri, Goddess Maha Gauri and Goddess Siddhidatri. After nine days the festival of Navratri ends on the day of Dusshera or Vijayadashami.

During the nine days of Navratri, the first 3 days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, the second third to Goddess Lakshmi and the final third to Goddess Saraswati. On the ninth day of Navratri, ‘Kanya Puja’ is done when nine young girls symbolizing the nine Goddesses are worshipped and fed.  

Shravan Maas in 2014

Shravan Month Festival 2014

Shravan Maas is the fifth month in the Hindu calendar. In 2014, as per Gregorian calendar Shravan Maas will commence on 13 July and will last till 25 August 2014. During this month, on the full moon day the Shravana Nakshatra rules the sky, thus the whole month gets its name as Shravan Maas or month. The month of Shravan, often referred to as Sawan is the holiest month of the year as the entire month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many ancient Vedic texts speak about the importance and auspiciousness of the holy month of Shravan.

Each day of the Shravan month is considered auspicious more so Mondays (Somvars) are considered as the best days to fast and to worship Lord Shiva. Numerous festivals are celebrated during the month of Shravan such as Nag Panchami, Krishna Janmashtami, Raksha Bandhan and many more. It’s highly auspicious to wear Rudraksha In the month of Shravan and offer worship and do abhishekam for Lord Shiva using Bel Patra, Milk, Ganga Jal, Curd, Ghee, Honey, Sugar, Coconut Water, Sugarcane Juice, Lotus flowers, Datura fruit and much more.

During the Shravan Month and especially on Shravan Mondays devotees throng to Shiva temples big and small to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and seek health, wealth and prosperity. Various Pujas such as Shravan Maas Shiv Pujan, Laghu Rudra Abhishekam, Maha Rudra Abhishekam, Shiva Mantra Japa, Maha Mritunjaya Mantra Japa are offered to Lord Shiva during the month of Shravan. During Shravan Maas, women observe fast on Mondays and recite the Shravan Somvar Vrat katha so as to find a good husband.
        As per Legends it was in the month of Shravan that the Samudra Manthan took place. And it was on a Monday in the month of Shravan that Lord Shiva drank the Halahala poison that emerged from the Samudra Manthan. Shravan Maas is also an excellent time to get in touch with one’s spiritual side, do meditation and Mantra Japa especially Maha Mritunjaya Mantra and the Maha Mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’.

Hanuman Jayanti Festival 2014

Hanuman Jayanti

Lord Hanuman is one of the most worshipped and revered Gods in Hinduism. Lord Hanuman himself an incarnation of Lord Shiva is an ardent devotee of Lord Ram, who is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Hanuman is worshipped for both physical and mental strength, devotion, perseverance and knowledge. Lord Hanuman is the son of Vayu Dev (Wind God); He is known by many other names such as Bajrang Bali, Maruti, Kesari Nandan, Anjaniputra and many more.

There are numerous legends and mythology associated with Lord Hanuman such as when Lord Hanuman was a kid he mistook the sun as a mango and tried to eat it. One of the names of Lord Hanuman is Sankat Mochan meaning the remover of obstacles. Lord Hanuman is provider of courage, knowledge, strength and valor to His devotees.

In Ramayana Lord Hanuman helped Lord Rama by searching for Maa Sita and finally locating Her in Lanka. Lord Hanuman also killed many demons and set Lanka on fire. Lord Hanuman helped make the bridge to Lanka. In Lanka Hanuman killed Ahiravan to save Lord Ram and Laxman. Lord Hanuman also saved Laxman’s life by bringing Sanjeevani butti when he was hit by Indrajit’s arrow.        

Lord Hanuman is immortal as He has received the blessings of immorality from Lord Ram. Lord Hanuman is the bravest of the brave, strongest of the strong and wisest of the wise. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Hanuman. It’s celebrated in the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. In 2014 Lord Hanuman Jayanti will be celebrated on 15^th April.