Chaitra Navratri Festival and Durga Puja

Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasant or Basant Navratri. Chaitra Navratri as the name suggests is celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra, during the Shukla Paksha. Chaitra Navratri coincides with Ram Navami and hence is also known as Rama Navratri. Navratri literally means nine nights, these nine nights are dedicated to worship of nine incarnations of Goddess Durga.
Chaitra Navratri is celebrated on the first nine days of the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra. The nine incarnations of Goddess Durga that are worshipped during the Chaitra Navratri are Goddess Shailputri, Brahmcharni, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Chaitra Navratri is one of the best periods to worship Goddess Shakti and to chant Durga Suktam.
During Chaitra Navratri devotees observe strict fast and worship Maa Durga with devotion. According to the Brahma Purana on the first day of Chaitra month Lord Brahma started creating the universe. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated with dedication and devotion especially in North India. During the Navratri Puja the first three nights Goddess Durga is worshipped, on the next three nights Goddess Laxmi and on the last three nights Goddess Saraswati is worshipped.

On the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri, Kanya Puja is done in which nine young girls (who haven’t attained puberty) representing the nine Goddesses are worshipped and fed. Durga Stuti ‘Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu shri rupen sansthita namas tasye namas tasye names tasye namo namah’ is recited during the Navratri to worship and revere Goddess Durga.

Mahashivratri Festival 2014

Mahashivratri is celebrated yearly by all Shiva devotees in the month of Phalguna according to the Hindu calendar. Maha Shivaratri 2014 will be celebrated on 27^th of February.  On the day of Mahashivratri devotees observe a strict fast and make it a point to visit a Shiva temple. Bhajans and Mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva are sung and chanted with dedication on this day.

On the day of Mahashivratri Shiva temples big and small are decorated to the hilt. One can find long serpentine queue of devotees at all Shiva temples on the day of Mahashivratri. Devotees perform Shiva Abhishekam using sacred articles such as Panchagavya, Gangajal, milk, curd, honey, water and more. Flowers, fruits such as Datura and Ber, Betel nut and Bel Patra are also offered to Lord Shiva.

There are many legends which are associated with Mahashivratri such as that on this day Lord Shiva married Maa Parvati. Also on the day of Mahashivratri Lord Shiva performed Tadava. One more legend is that on the day of Mahashivratri Lord Shiva consumed the poison Halahala which emerged during the churning of oceans and also that Mahashivratri is the favorite day of Lord Shiva.

One more legend is that on the day of Mahashivratri, Maa Parvati performed strict penance for the wellbeing of Lord Shiva and hence on this day married women worship Shiva for wellbeing of their husbands and unmarried girl for an understanding life partner. According to Shiva Purana worshipping Lord Shiva with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water and with utmost sincerity and dedication is blessed with all worldly pleasures and finally attains Moksha.

Rituals for Mahashivratri festival celebration 2014

Rituals for Mahashivratri

The celebration of Maha Shivratri starts on the night of Chauthas, the fourteenth day of the waxing moon and continues till the morning of Amavas (dark night). On the day of Mahashivratri, devotees observe a strict fast and make it a point to visit a Shiva Temple. In the morning devotees after taking a bath preferably a dip in Holy Ganga, head towards a Shiva temple. At the temple, after circumambulating the Shiv Lingam three or seven times, devotees bathe the Shivling with either water or with milk.     

According to Shiva Purana, the Maha Shivratri rituals must compulsorily incorporate the following six items Bael Leaves, Vermilion Paste, Fruits preferably Ber (jujube fruit) or Datura, Incense, Oil Lamp and Betel Leaves. On Mahashivratri the entire night is divided into four Prahars or quarters and special prayers are offered during each quarter. At the end of each quarter Shiva Abhishekam is done with Milk, Gangajal, Yoghurt, Honey, Sandalwood Paste and Rose Water. Shiva Bhajans (Hymns in praise of Shiva)are sung throughout enhancing the festivities. Mahashivratri is also one of the best days for Spirit

The Importance of Calling Priest at Home

Be it a holy puja like a janamdinpooja, satyanarayanpooja, vaastu shanti puja, Navagrahapuja or any other puja, in Hindu tradition, we always call a priest or a Brahman home in order to perform the rituals. Even if someone dies, a priest is called in order to conduct the funeral rituals. This is not just restricted to Hinduism but even Christianity and Islam follow the same.

Have you ever given a thought as to why the priests, Maulvi or Fathers are given so much importance? Why do we need to call them in order to perform the pujas and not do it ourselves? Let us now explore…

Who is a Priest?

Before finding the reason behind why are priests called at home for performing different rituals, we need to understand who is a priest! A priest is a person from the Brahmana community, it being the highest among other castes. Brahmanas or priests are often referred to as pandit which means "learned scholar." Priests, brahmanas or pandits are trained in vedas and they know all the important and relevant mantras or hymns to perform any kind of religious pooja or ritual. They are expected to know all the religious scriptures and also Sanskrit. In fact, some of them work in the temples as pujaris or the ones who conduct daily rituals to the deity.

Why do we call priests at home?

Poojas or rituals are conducted in order to seek the blessings from the Almighty. It is believed that in order for the pooja ritual to reach the Supreme Being, hymns or mantras are necessary. Since the priests are trained and well-versed with the hymns or mantras, they are called home in order to perform the different rituals. The priests act as an intermediate between us and the God. In this way, the Almighty is pleased and in turn, we receive His blessings and find solace in life.

So, the next time you plan to conduct any pooja or ritual, make sure that you call a priest home in order to make sure that your prayers reach the God in the right way!

Rudra Centre specializes in various Pujas services. Our Pujas for Success include Laxmi Puja, Baglamukhi Puja and Satchandi Puja. We also conduct various Dev Pujas like Shiv Puja, Laxmi Puja and Ganesh. Our Siddhi Pujas include Laxmi Mantra Siddhi Japa, Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantra Siddhi Japa, etc. For Dosh Nivaran, we conduct Pujas like Shani Dosh Nivaran, Pitra Dosha Nivaran Puja, Kaal Sarp Dosh Nivaran Pula, etc.

Diwali Festival 2013 Celebration in India

Deepavali or Diwali is one of the major festivals of Hindus which is celebrated in grandiose manner throughout India for five days. The word Diwali festival literally translates to “a row of lamps” and lighting clay lamps filled with oil is significant in this festival. Lighting lamps signify the victory of good over evil.

Five Days of Diwali:

1.     Dhanteras: Dhanteras marks the beginning of the Indian financial year and proprietors hold pujas for the God of wealth.

2.     Narka Chaturdasi: It was on this day that goddess Kali defeated the demon Narka, freeing the world from his malice. This day is celebrated to commemorate the victory of goddess Kali over the demon Narka.

3.     Lakshmi Pujan: Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and success is worshipped on this day so that she can shower her blessings on her followers throughout the year.

4.     Bali Padyami: On this day, king Bali was banished to the nether world by lord Vishnu. This day is celebrated to commemorate lord Vishnu’s victory.

5.     Bhaubeej: On this day sisters pray for their brothers’ long life and apply a ceremonial “Tilak” on their brothers’ forehead, just as Subhadra applied tilak on her brother lord Krishna’s forehead after he defeated the demon Narkasur.

These five days of the festival of lights help us by bringing us close to each other, irrespective of caste or creed.  This festival ignites in us an awareness of inner light and a feeling of oneness.

Importance of Parad Shivaling

Shivalings are always considered to be superior and Parad Shivaling is one step higher than the rest as it is made out of SiddhParad or Mercury along with other important herbs. Unlike others, Parad Shivaling contains no other metal but only mercury. Let us now explore the importance of this special Shivaling…

Importance of Parad Shivaling

Parad Shivling is known to give us 24 Ras and fiveTatva which helps in eradicating all diseases in the human body.

A quote from SarvadarshanaSangraha states;

“A man can get crore times greater blessing by worshipping a Shiva Linga in case he worships a Parad (Mercury) Shivalinga. Poverty would never enter his house and he would never fear death during his life.”

It is believed that when you worship a ParadShivaling by following a proper procedure and belief, it helps you physically, spiritually, and even psychologically. ParadShivaling is known to protect us from natural calamities, disasters and even against the evil.

There are many holy texts that have a mention of the ParadShivaling and its benefits. According to RasRatnaSamuuchayy, it is believed that ParadShivlingis made of pure mercury and this makes it unique and leads to longevity of life, enhances prosperity and also washes away the sins.

Besides this, it is also considered that Goddess Lakshmi resides in the house of those who worship the ParadShivaling. This Shivaling also ensures that your life is in perfect harmony.

Worshipping of Parad Shivling

Here is the method to worship Parad Shivaling:

·         While chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" or singing the "Maha Mrityunjaya mantra", you need to first wash the lingam in a bowl containing clean water.

·         Then wipe the lingam dry with a soft tissue.

·         Follow this bath with milk and then with rose water.

·         After the final bath, you need to install in a place of worship with full love and devotion.

·         Apply "Vibuthi", sandal paste and then follow it with"saffron".

·         Post this, offer the incense stick or Dhoop of Googal.

·         Offer Bilva leaf and flowers to the lingam

It is believed that Rudram chants please Lord Shiva. Worshipping ParadShivaling with a pure heart is sure to yield results

Importance of Navgraha Idols

Every time we enter a temple, we see Navagraha idols and people busy circling them. Have you wondered why do people worship Navagraha idols so much? In fact, did you know that Navagraha is responsible in influencing your horoscope and your life to a great extent?

In fact, before any auspicious occasion like grihapravesh and such others, a navagraha puja or a homam to please the Navagrahas are performed.

Navagraha: Important deities

After Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the Navagrahas are considered to be most important as far as Hindu rituals are concerned. They are considered to play an important role in deciding our destiny.

The Navagrahas or the nine influencers include the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. The Navagrahashold immense importance in astrology as well.  As per astrology, the nine planets are places in the twelve zodiac constellations. Zodiac constellation is the belt in the sky where the Moon, Sun and the planets move. According to astrology, the planetary movements have some effect on our lives.

Temples of Navagrahas along with their consorts are rare in India. A temple of Navagrahas with their consorts is in Singapore. Navagrahas with their consortsare called as SAKTHI SAMETHA NAVAGRAHAS. It is believed that grahas with their consorts are generally in a cheerful mood and on praying to them they tend to render immediate positive influence.

Significance of Worshipping Navagrahas

It is believed that Lord Vishnu told Rudra, that one who worships the Navagraha or the nine planets with proper rituals will attain the four Purusharth or the four main objectives of life; one dharma (religion), artha (money), kaam (sex) and moksha (salvation).

Mantra for Worshipping Navagrahas

Here is the mantra that you are required to chant while worshipping the Navagrahas:

Om SuryaeNamah, ChandraeNamah, Budhae

Namah, BrahaspatiaeNamah, MangaleNamah, ShukraeNamah, SaniAeNamah, RahuAeNamah, KetuAe

Namah, NavgaraheNamah.

So, the next time you go to any temple, do not forget to meet the Navagrahas and worship them in order to please them and have a peaceful life.