JANMASHTAMI

JANMASHTAMI /KRISHNA PUJA




















The कृष्ण Puja

The festival of Janmashtami is considered a very pious day by Hindus.


Lot of bhajan singing, hymn chanting and poojas are performed this day. Devotees queue all the major Krishna temples to seek his blessings. People perform elaborate poojas during the festival. They keep day long fast. Functions and prayer meetings are organised to share the glory of their favourite God.

The general pooja process begins early in the morning with devotees giving a bath or abhishek to Bal Gopal's idol with gangajal, ghee, water, honey and curd. The idol is then adorned with new clothes (preferably in yellow colour), stone or other precious jewellery.

Next, the idol of lord is offered bhog, the contents of bhog may vary. Fruits, kheer, pedha, milk, and milk products are made. There are devotees who offer chappan bhog(56 dishes) to Bal Gopal.

Thereafter, special Krishna pooja is performed. The cradle containing the divine infant's idol is rocked, conch is blown. Devotees sing Krishna arti, some people read out 108 names of lord. They get totally immersed in the name and praise of Gopal.





Janmashtami Utsav


The lord is adorned this very special day with profuse gold jewellary and ornaments made of diamonds topaz and other precious stones. The shringar of shree Dwarkadhish is alluring.
The Utsav bhog is offered to the Lord, followed by arti. Through out devotees sing bhajans in front of Lord Dwarkadhish.

Lord Shree Krishna's birth exactly at 12.00pm mid night, is celebrated with joyous singing and dancing.









Janmashtami Puja Celebration

Mangla Arti
Mangla Arti comes first. 'Banta Bhog' (like milk and milk products) and butter is offered to Shri Dwarkadhish. Mukh prakshalan (cleanse the face with water) and Dant manjan (brushing the teeth) of dwarkadhish commences. Devotees can have first darshan (glance) from this Mangla Arti.
Mangla arti is always performed at 7:00 o'clock in the morning.

Abhishek Snan
The holy bath given to the Lord is known as Abhishek. This is a part of daily puja. Twice a year year once at the Janmashtami and the other at Jalayatra day, devotees can have darshan of this Abhishek Snan . On Janmashtami day this Abhishek ceremony is performed from 8:00 to 10:00 in the morning. Panchamrut (five pure things) made of milk, honey, ghee, curd and sugar begins the Snan, followed by Abhishek with pure water and other puja materials. The Abhishek Snan is completed with the chanting of 'Purusha Sukta'.

Shringar
The adorning of the lord with ornaments and clothes form Shringar. After an archana with petals of tulasi (basil) and chandan (sandal wood), the Lord is dressed with pitamber (golden colored one piece of silk). The Lord is then decked with golden ornaments of Chandanmala, soparimala (betel nut necklace) and vaijayantimala (garland). He wears a crown known as 'KUVE', containing the ornamental crest and chandrakala.

The lord is then adorned with with Shankha (shell), chakra (wheel), gada and padma(lotus), which are made of diamonds, topazes and precious stones. Finally an uparana (piece of silk kept on the shoulder) and golden pithika is offered.

LORD कृष्ण PHOTOS

DIWALI

DIWALI/DEEPAVALI /LAKSHMI PUJA






















LAKSHMI PUJA



In the land of festivals called India, Diwali or Deepavali is the most grand and auspicious festival. Diwali or the 'festival of lights' is considered most significant occasion in 'Hinduism' but the magical glow of Deepavali traverses the limits of race & religion and celebrated all over India with great joy and fervor. The festival of Deepavali heralds the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, joy, mirth and happiness in the life of every individual. Diwali or more aptly Deepavali is enthusiastically celebrated for five continuous days, in which the festivity begins two days prior and ends two days after Diwali, and each day has its significance with a number of myths, legends and beliefs. The magnificent jubilation of Diwali festival is marked by multi-colored Rangoli designs, special pooja ceremonies, lines of lamps, floral decorations fireworks, exchange of sweets and gifts that lends grandeur to the occasion. Every home - lowly or mighty - the hut of the poor or the mansion of the rich - shines with the glow of twinkling diyas or candles to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity.




Time of Diwali


Diwali festival is celebrated after 20 days of Dussehra. The five days long festivity of Deepavali begins on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin (October / November).

Diwali or the festival of lights falls on the Amavasya -the 15th day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin.

Legends of Deepavali

On the auspicious occasion of Diwali the lines of lamps are lit, gifts are exchanged, jewellery is purchased, firecrackers are burst, all these facets of Diwali festival are associated with mythological and historical legends. Read on to know more.



Legend of Lord Krishna & Demon Narakasura
Bursting crackers for Deepavali is connected with the killing of the demon Narakasura, the evil king of Pragjyotishpur, near Nepal, by Lord Krishna. After the killing, Krishna freed all the women who had been abducted by Narakasura. After his victory Krishna returned very early in the morning and was bathed with scented oils. Hence there is the custom of waking up early in the morning, bursting at least one symbolic cracker and having oil bath of purification.

Legend of Lord Rama, Laxman & Sita
The most popular legend of Diwali is associated with the Ramayana. After a fierce battle Ram killed the demon Kind Ravana and recovered his wife. Ram's return with his wife Sita to Ayodhya and his subsequent coronation as king is celebrated at Diwali. On this dark Amavasya night, the people of Ayodhya light up the route with rows of oil lamps to welcome their Prince. Therefore on this glorious event lamps are lit and the festival bears the name of Deepavali or "line of lamps".




The Celebration


The First day is called DHANTERAS or DHANTRAYODASHI which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The word "Dhan" means wealth. As such this day of the five-day Diwali festival has a great importance for the rich mercantile community of Western India. Houses and Business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colourful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.

The SECOND day is called NARKA-CHATURDASHI or CHOTI DIWAL which falls on the fourteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The story goes that the demon king Narakasur ruler of Pragjyotishpur ( a province to the South of Nepal) after defeating Lord Indra had snatched away the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the Mother Goddess and imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of the gods and saints in his harem. On the day previous to Narakachaturdashi, Lord Krishna killed the demon and liberated the imprisoned damsels and also recovered those precious earrings of Aditi. As a symbol of that victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon king's blood. Krishna returned home in the very early morning of the Narakachaturdashi day. The womenfolk massaged scented oil to his body and gave him a good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since then the custom of taking bath before sunrise on this day has become a traditional practice specially in Maharashtra.






GODDDESS LAKSHMI & DIWALI PHOTOS

DURGA PUJA

दुर्गा puja

THE FESTIVAL NAVARATRI

Durga Puja is one of the most important festivals in India. Durga Puja is more than a festival; it is a celebration of life, culture, popular customs and traditions. It is a time of reunion and rejuvenation to love, to share and to care. This festival provides a perfect platform to every Indian with rich cultural ethos and values to organize them selves under a roof. Durga Puja is an important Hindu Festival celebrated all over India with different rituals and festivities. It is celebrated in the month of September/October every year.

The excited festivity is omnipresent during Durga Puja throughout India, specifically in East-India particularly in West Bengal.

The beautiful idols of the ten headed but fierce goddess on her lion is worshipped with great enthusiasm.
This festival is also known as ' Navaratri ' .



TIME OF THE YEAR

Durga puja is celebrated in the autumn months of September/October. According to the Hindu solar calendar, it falls on the first nine days of the month of Ashvin. It is the time of the year when the weather is at its moderate best giving the air a festive touch.



AARTI OF GODDESS DURGA


Jai Ambe Gauri, Mayya Jai Shyama Gauri
Tumko Nish-Din Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivri- Jai Ambe Gauri
Maang Sindoor Virajat, Tiko Mrig-Mad Ko
Ujjwal Se Dou Naina, Chandra Vadan Niko- Jai Ambe Gauri
Kanak Samaan Kalewar, Raktaambar Raaje
Rakt Pushp Gal-Mala, Kanthan Par Saaje -Jai Ambe Gauri
Kehri Vahan Rajat, Kharag Khapar DhaariSur Nar Muni Jan Sevat,
Tinke Dukh Haari - Jai Ambe Gauri
Kanan Kundal Shobhit , Naas-Agre Moti
Kotik Chandra Divakar, Sum Rajat Jyoti - Jai Ambe Gauri
Shumbh Ni-Shumbh Vidare, Mahisha Sur Ghati
Dhumra-Vilochan Naina, Nish-Din Mad Mati- Jai Ambe Gauri
Chandh Mundh Sangh-Haare, Shonit Beej Hare
Madhu Kaitabh Dou Maare, Sur Bhe Heen Kare- Jai Ambe Gauri
Brahmani Rudrani, Tum Kamla Rani
Aagam Nigam Bakhani, Tum Shiv Patrani - Jai Ambe Gauri
Chon-Sath Yogini Gavat, Nritya Karat Bhairon
Baajat Taal Mridanga, Aur Baajat Damaroo- Jai Ambe Gauri
Tum Ho Jag Ki Maata, Tum Hi Ho Bharta
Bhakto Ki Dukh Harata, Sukh Sampati Karata- Jai Ambe Gauri
Bhuja Chaar Ati Shobhit, Var Mudra Dhaari
Man Vaanchit Phal Pavat, Sevat Nar Naari- Jai Ambe Gauri
Kanchan Thaal Virajat, Agar Kapoor Baati
Shri Maal-Ketu Me Rajat, Kotik Ratan Jyoti- Jai Ambe Gauri
Shri Ambe-Ji-Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gaave
Kahat Shivanand Swami, Sukh Sampati Paave- Jai Ambe Gauri

THE CELEBRATIONS

The inauguration starts on Mahashasthi। The main puja is for three days

- Mahasaptami, Mahaastami, & Mahanavami.
Three days of Mantras and Shlokas and Arati
and offerings - needs an expert priest
to do this kind of Puja.

Because of these facts, the number of Pujas
held in the family has reduced and Durga Puja
has mostly emerged as a community festival.
The city of Kolkata takes a different look during
these three days, especially at night.

Millions of people come to the city and line up
before the pandals. The streets are lighted and
the electricians display all different kind of
light shows. The restaurants are packed and
numerous temporary food stalls are opened
though out the city.

Schools, colleges, offices remain closed during these four days. Bengalis in other cities in India visit their relatives in West Bengal. After the three days of Puja, on Dashami, on the last day, a tearful farewell is offered to the Goddess. The idols are carried in processions around the locality and finally are immersed in a nearby river or lake. Bengalis all over the world celebrate this great event of their culture.

BIJJOYA DASHAMI

Coinciding with Dussehra is bijoya dashami, the last day of the Pujas. Married women bid farewell to the Mother Goddess through various rituals, entreating her to come back every year. The playful ritual called sindoor khela during which women smear each other’s hair, faces and bangles with vermilion powder, breaks the solemnity of the occasion. Later, all the idols are taken to nearby rivers or ponds to be immersed. To an outsider, this might seem like a colossal waste, but don’t forget, this also ensures idol makers never go out of business.

Festivals in India are occasions to catch up with friends and relatives, and this festival is no different. The evening of bijoya dashami is reserved for spending time with friends and family, with youngsters touching the feet of the elders as a mark of respect. A description of bijoya dashami is incomplete without mentioning the mouth-watering delicacies like sweets and nimkis (a crispy treat made of flour) that are prepared by the women of the house.

Significance of Durga Pooja Festival

Durga is an incarnation of power the resides in every element of this universe. The literary meaning of ‘Durga’ is ‘difficult to approach’. Being Durga, Goddess Durga is the embodiment of intelligence, power, wealth, beauty and mercy that is creator, preserver and destroyer of this universe.

During Durga Puja festival, nine different forms of Goddess Durga is worshipped। The whole image of ten-headed and multi-armed mother goddess riding on a Lion is shown destroying buffalo-demon Mahishasura। This image signifies the victory of Good over Evil and also tells to invoke divinity by controlling the senses to get diverted to bad habits.


Durga Pooja festival is a celebration of life and its traditional and valuable culture।

Durga Puja In Orissa

Worship to the goddess of power is celebrated by the entire Hindu fraternity in general and Bengalis in particular in the form of Durga puja. The festival takes place in the month of Aswin or Kartik i.e. September and October according to the English calendar. An aggravated festive spirit engulfs every one as the ten armed image of the beautiful yet fierce goddess is erected in the puja pandal.

The clay idol of the goddess is decorated with immaculate decorative pieces, tiny lights and beautiful flowers. The goddess sitting on a lion is shown killing the 'Buffalo Demon'- Mahishasura accompanied by her two sons, Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya, and two daughters Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati presents a really powerful picture standing true to its synonym 'Goddess of Power.' The arti ceremony that takes place early every morning and evening is a grand affair where the praises of the goddess are sung describing her gumption and valor. The sweet fragrance of incense adds to the charm.

And Orissa being a Hindu state also observes this festival with a great pomp and show. Though Durga Puja is celebrated in the month of October, celebrations start weeks ahead. The entire state strikes a different chord altogether echoing the music of bonhomie, brotherhood and festivity.

The ceremony continues for three days with the immersion ceremony following on the fourth day. The images are taken in a huge procession to the nearest river or tank and are immersed there with loud music being played in the background. Youth bows down to the elders after this to seek blessings and be blessed with power like the goddess.

GODDESS DURGA PHOTOS

(Golden Goddess Durga)



















(Hindu Goddess Durga)























(Maa Durga)























(Sherawali Maa Durga)

RATH YATRA

रथ YATRA

The Puja

The biggest and the grandest of all festivals, the highlight is the the sacred journey of images of lord jagannath of puri with brother balabhadra and sister subhadra from main temple to Gundicha Temple, where they remain for nine days. The mammoth wooden chariots carrying the three deities pulled by thousands of devotees present a spectacular scene. The yatra (journey) begins on the second day of the lunar month (asadha).

The rath yatra is also known as car festival. An annual festival commemorates the journey of Krishna from gokul to mathura.It also symbolizes a journey to light from the dark, which commences on the 2nd day of the bright fortnight in the month of Asadha (June/July). Lakhs of devotees converge to the city to join festivities lasting for nine days. In this journey, thousands haul the three huge rathas (chariots) carrying images of jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, down Grand road to the Gundicha Temple, just 2 km away in puri, orissa

Name of the Rathas

Lord Jagannata ->Nandighosh

Goddess Subhadra ->Darpadalana/Devirath

Lord Balabhadra ->Taladhwaja

The Festival

The chariot festival of puri in orissa India.In the first phase of the rituals, the Chandan Yatra, the Chalanti Pratimas (moving images) of the deities take a ceremonial ride in a boat in Narendra Tank for 21 consecutive days, after a refreshing bath in fragrant sandal wood (chandan) scented water. This is followed by Snana Yatra, Literally the festival of bath, in which the three are taken to Snana Badi, a bathing platform where the deities are ceremonially bathed with 108 pitchers of water. After which the gods are believed to convalesce inside the sanctum sanctorum and undergo treatment in which special ayurvedic medicine and some special liquid diet (sarapana) is offered to them. Closed to public view, during this period of 15 days, the pilgrims have to be satisfied with a darshan of images on the Pattachitra paintings hanged there.

Puri Ratha Yatra

The Ratha Yatra in puri actually takes place during the full moon of the following month, Asadha (June/July) in a spectacular riot of colour and noise. Designed like a temple sanctuary the immense chariots are draped with brightly coloured clothes. Lord Jagannath's chariot, 13 m, is the tallest and has 16 wheels each 2 m in diameter. Subhadra has a yellow face and rides in a red chariot. Balabhadra has a white face and rides in a chariot with 14 wheels and 4 horses. Loud gongs announce the boarding of the deities onto the chariots with the arrival of the Raja of Puri accompanied by bejeweled elephants. The Raja sweeps the chariot with a golden bloom, fulfilling his role as the sevaka (servant) of the gods, a gesture symobolizing humility and equality with all castes. The procession is led by Balabhadra's chariot, followed by Subhadra,s with the Lord Jagannath's bringing up the rear, dragged by about 4000 honoured devotees to their garden house, the Gundicha Ghar. On the way deities are treated to special Cake, Podapitha offered at the shrine of goddess Aradhamsini (aunt or masi) of Lord Jagannath. Once the chariots reach Gundicha Ghar of Mandir, the deities give darshan to devotees every day. After a rest of 8 days, they return to Jagannath Temple with a similar procession. The festivities attract about 5-6 lakhs devotees to Puri each year. After the festival, the raths are broken and bits are used for firewood in the kitchens or sold to pilgrims as relics. New chariots are constructed each year to rigid specifications of make laid down in temple's ancient manuals. The assembled multitudes from all over India, the cacophony of music and percussion and the decorated chariots provide an unforgettable experience. Stories from ancient times, about some fanatics throwing themselves under the massive wheels of the chariots to die a death in hope of attainment of eternal bliss, abound.

Also known as Car festival, this spectacular chariot festival is celebrated in the month of Asadha, on the second day of the lunar fortnight that falls during June-July. Popularly known as Rathyatra, this festival is celebrated in the honor of Lord Jagannath who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The celebrated Ratha-Yatra festival is said to have started in the time of Svarochisha Manu of the second manvantara and is predicted to continue until the end of the second half of Lord Brahma's lifetime. Even in the Valmiki Ramayana, it is related that when Lord Rama was getting ready to leave this world; he told Vibhishan, Ravana's younger brother to worship Lord Jagannatha, the Lord of the Iksvaku dynasty in His absence.

The Skanda Purana also fixes the date of the Ratha-Yatra as the second day of the bright fortnight if the month of Ashadha, a day called Pushyami Nakshatra by astrological calculations. The Padma Purana describes that in Purushottama-kshetra, or Jagannatha Puri, the supremely blissful Personality of Godhead pretends to be made of wood. In this way, although the Lord takes on what appears to be a material form, it is completely spiritual by the causeless mercy of the Lord for the conditioned souls who cannot perceive the transcendental domain of His.

On the day of the festival the wooden images of Krishna, Balrama and Subhadra are taken out in procession in three chariots to their summer temple for a week. The main chariot is 14 meters high and 10 meters square with 16 wheels. The actual construction of the carts begins two months before the festival day, on the third day of the bright fortnight of Vaisakha (April-May). More than 600 trees, or 400 cubic meters of wood, are needed for the construction, taken from the local forests along the banks of the Mahanadi River. Using the same simple tools and procedures as they have for the past hundreds of years, once the basic elements are made, such as the wheels, the actual construction begins only a few weeks before the festival.

The ropes of the huge chariots are pulled by millions of devotees. In the ancient times, devotees would occasionally throw themselves in front of the chariot of Sri Jagananath, for it was believed that to be crushed to death under its sixteen wheels was to go straight to heaven. Since Sri Jagannath is a form of Vishnu and Sri Krishna, many of the rituals observed in Puri temple are associated with events in the life of Sri Krishna. Thus this annual car festival represents Sri Krishna's Journey from Gokul to Mathura.


Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, & Lord Balabhadra Photos

GANESH PUJA

गणेश PUJA

GANESH AARTI

Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva
Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.
Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari
Mathe sindur sohai, muse ki savari, Jai
Ganesh...
Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya, Jai
Ganesh....
Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva
Ladduan ka bhog lage, saht kare seva, ,Jai
Ganesh....
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva,
Mata jaki Parvata, Pita Mahadeva

Birth of Lord Ganesh

The most popular legend deals with the birth of Lord Ganesh to Parvati. Once while Parvati was going for her bath, she rubbed off the dust and oil from her body and out of it created the figure of a young boy. She infused life into the figure and told him he was her son and should guard the entrance when she went to bath.
Soon after, Shiva came to see Parvati but the young boy blocked his way and would not let him in. Shiva, unaware that this lad was his son, became furious and in great anger fought with the boy whose head got severed from his body in the ensuing battle.

Parvati, returning from her bath, saw her headless son, and in aggrieved anguish threatened to destroy the heavens and earth.

The gods and Shiva pacified her and the latter sent out his ganas, or hordes, to bring the head of the first living being with his head towards the north (the auspicious direction associated with wisdom). The first living creature they found sleeping with his head to the north was an elephant. They brought the head of this animal and Shiva placed it on the trunk of Parvati's son and breathed life into him.

Parvati was overjoyed and embraced her son, the elephant-headed boy whom Shiva named Ganesh, the lord of his ganas “ Ganpati”

The Puja

Ganesh Puja or Ganesh Chaturthi is a
popular Hindu festival, celebrated every year
in a grand manner in almost
all the states of India.
Ganesh Chaturthi is otherwise known
as the birthday of Lord Ganesha and the day is recognized
for most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the
bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August - September) and is o
bserved throughout India, as well as by committed
Hindus in all parts of the world.

The Celebrations

During the festivals day's beautifully sculpted Ganesh idols are installed in the Mandaps (large tents) that are colourfully decorated, depicting religious themes or current events. There are huge public displays of Ganesh idols with Aarti (song of devotion to God) and loud music and dancing by the devotees.

Lord Ganesh Photos