Diwali - The Festival of Lights.

Diwali or Deepawali is the festival of lights. It illuminates our houses and hearts and preaches the message of friendship and togetherness. Light is the depiction of hope, success, knowledge and fortune and Diwali reinforces our faith in these virtues of life.

In India, Diwali is a five day long celebration that commences with 'Dhanteras' that is held on the 13th lunar day of the Krishna paksha of the Indian month of Ashwina. It ends with the celebration of Bhai duj that falls on the second lunar day of the Shukla paksha of the Indian month of Kartik. According to the English calendar, Diwali is usually celebrated in mid-November every year.

Lakshmi Puja

Lakshmi Puja is one of the most important features of Diwali celebrations.Offered on the third and the main day of Diwali, Lakshmi Puja is performed to please Goddess Lakshmi to bring wealth and prosperity to the household.

Kedara Vrat

Kedara Vrat is to be observed on Aswayuja or Ashwin Sukla Ashtami, the eight day of the waxing phase of the moon in the  month of Aswayuja or Ashwin.Usually, on the day of Kedara Vratam, married women or married couple worships  Lord Shiva. Kedareshwara is another name of Lord Shiva. In some places, Kedara Gauri Vratam is observed from Ashwayuja Bahula Ashtami  and concluded on Ashwayuja Arnavasya .

Kali Puja

Kali Puja, or Shyama Puja, is one of the popular Hindu festivals. Dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali, Kali Puja falls in the month of October or November on the same day as Deepawali. Kali puja is celebrated after few days of Durga puja.

Devotees honor goddess Kali in their homes in the form of clay idols and in pandals.She is worshipped at night with Tantric rites and mantras. People visit these pandals throughout the night. Kali Puja is also the time for magic shows and theatre, fireworks.In the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata and in Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Kali is worshipped as Lakshmi on this day. Another famous temple dedicated to Kali in Kolkata is Dakshineswar Kali Temple.

2015 Date : 10th November, Tuesday.  

2016 Date : 29^th October, Saturday.

Naraka Chaturdashi

Naraka Chaturdashi also known as ‘Naraka Nivaran Chaturdashi’ is a significant festival for Hindu followers. It is observed on the ‘Chaturdashi’ or the fourteenth day of the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight) in month of ‘Kartik’ as per the Hindu calendar. It falls during the month of October-November according to the Gregorian calendar. Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated as the second day of the 5-day long celebrations of Diwali, the most important festival for Hinduism followers. The festival celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna after defeating a demon named ‘Narakasur’. It is also celebrated as ‘Hanuman Jayanti’ that is the birthday of Lord Hanuman.

Unbelievable Things That Emerged in This World From Sea As Per the Legend of Samundramanthan.

Samudra manthan is one of the most intriguing episodes of Hindu mythology. This was an event arranged by Lord Indra to find the kingdom of heaven and obtain the elixir of life (amrit) that was submerged in the great ocean. For this, the help of demons was crucial, as they had captured the sea. 

Chanting Gayatri Mantra and Benefits of this Mantra.

People of every religion of the world believe in the power of chanting hymns and mantras. This belief has logic and scientific aspect to it. The selected syllables of the mantras, when chanted, generate cosmic energy that has a specific psychological and physiological effect on your body.
 

Significance Of Celebrating Dhanteras

India is a country that celebrates a lot of festivals, and some of them extend for more than 2 days. Navratri, Diwali, etc., are some of those extended festivals, which fill our lives with fun, happiness and laughter. Diwali is a five-day long festival of the Hindus, which begins with the Dhanteras festival. Dhanteras falls in the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov), and it is the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight.

Grandest Hindu Temple of the World will Charm Your Heart

The Akshardham temple in Delhi made its way to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007 for being the world's largest Hindu temple complex. This temple has been in news lately, first because of the threath to its security by micreatants, and also due to the death of its founder, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Hanuman Puja During Diwali

A day before Diwali Puja, Hanuman Puja is performed in some parts of India especially in Gujarat. The day of Hanuman Puja coincides with the day of Kali Chaudas. It is believed that the bad spirits are most powerful during the night of Kali Chaudas. Lord Hanuman, who gives strength to fight evil spirits, is worshipped to seek strength, power and the protection from all sorts of bad spirits. 

Dhanvantari Jayanti

The festival of Dhanteras ( Dhanwantari Jayanti ) is also known by the names of Dhantrayodashi and Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanwantari Trayodashi). It is the festival that marks the beginning of the diwali celebrations and therefore it is considered the first day of five days long festivities of diwali. The term 'dhanteras' consists of two factors 'dhan', which literally means wealth and 'teras', which means thirteenth. Here thirteenth is meant to indicate the day 'Trayodashi', on which dhanteras falls. Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanwantari Trayodashi) is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartik, that is two days before diwali.

Dhanteras

Dhanteras marks the first day of five-days-long Diwali Festival. Dhanteras Festival, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanwantari Triodasi, falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November). In the word Dhanteras, "Dhan" stands for wealth. On Dhanteras Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Hence Dhan Teras holds a lot more significance for the business community.

Dos and Don’ts of Ayyappa Deeksha

Some Instructions to be followed during Ayyappa Deeksha.

Ayyappa Deeksha - Rituals

Ayyappa Deeksha is the ritual undertaken by Devotees of Lord Ayyappa Swamy during Karthik masam.The deeksha begins on mandal puja and ends on Makar sankranti day.Many devotees under take this deeksha for 41 days.

Karthika Masam at Annavaram Satya Naryana Swamy Temple - 2016

Some Important days during Karthika Masam in Annavaram Sri Satya Naryana Swamy Temple.

Satya Deeksha at Annavaram Temple

Every year Satya Deeksha Starts on Aswayuja Suddha Dasami and ends on Karthika Bahula Asthami.

Significance Of Five-Day Long Celebration During Diwali

Diwali means light, crackers, fun and complete celebration. You wait throughout the year for this auspicious festival and when it falls at the end of October or at November; your enjoyment touches the sky. Diwali is celebrated differently in different states. If it is celebrated as Kaali Puja in Bengal, and in Northern India, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on that day.

Bhavani Deeksha in Kanakadurga Temple 2016

Bhavani Deeksha is the vrata dedicated to Goddess Kanakadurga of Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. Bhavani Deeksha begins on the Karthika pournami or on the Utthana ekadasi during Karthika masam. This ritual is practiced for 41 or 21 days.

Govatsa Dwadashi

Govatsa Dwadashi is a unique Hindu festival that is dedicated to worshipping the cows as a thanksgiving gesture for their help in sustaining the human life. It is also popularly known as ‘Nandini Vrat’ and is observed on the ‘Dwadashi’ (12th day) of the ‘Krishna Paksha’ (the period of waning phase of moon) in the ‘Ashwin’ month of the traditional Hindu calendar. This date falls in the months of October to November in the English calendar. Govatsa Dwadashi falls one day before the celebrations of ‘Dhanteras’. On Govatsa Dwadashi Hindu devotees worship ‘Nandini’, the divine cow. It is believed that by doing so all their wishes will be fulfilled. It is celebrated with immense enthusiasm in all parts of the country. In Maharashtra this day is observed as ‘Vasu Baras’ and is the first day of the Deepavali festivities. On Govatsa Dwadashi, the ‘Sripada Vallabha Aradhana Utsav’ is held at Pithapuram Datta Mahasamsthan in the state of Andhra Pradesh while in Gujarat it is celebrated as ‘Vagh Baras’.

Rama Ekadashi

Rama Ekadashi is one of the important ekadashi fasts that are observed in the Hindu culture. It falls on the ‘ekadashi’ of the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight of moon) during the Hindu month of ‘Kartik’. This date falls between the months of September to October in the English calendar.

Guru Dwadashi

Guru Dwadashi is observed on the 12th day during the waning phase of moon (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Ashwin as per traditional calendar followed in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The corresponding month in North Indian calendar is Kartik .Popular belief is that Shri Vallabha an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya left the earth on the day. The day is also observed as Vaghbaras and Govatsa Dwadashi .The main ritual on the day is offering puja to cow and calf as it symbolizes auspicious and prosperity. In some regions, Govatsa Dwadashi marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations.

Ahoi Ashtami

Ahoi Ashtami festival is specifically meant for mothers who have sons. Mother's keep fast on this day and this is celebrated in the month of November (Karthik Mas).Pure water is offered to stars during the evening time by the mothers and they prey for their long life of their sons. Many stories are associated with this festival which pertains to asking for wish and and blessings for their sons.The Ahoi Ashtami fast and prayer are almost similar to that of Karwa Chauth. People from different parts of North India celebrate the fast with a few variations. 

SRI GT GEARS UP FOR TIRUMALA NAMBI ANNUAL FETE

The sub shrine of Tirumala Nambi located in Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple in Tirupati is gearing up to observe the annual Tirumala Nambi festival from October 24 till November 2.

Diwali Special: Light Diya at These 7 Places To Keep Money Flowing in Life for Rest of the Year

A diya or an earthen lamp is synonymous to the festival of Diwali. Diyas of different shapes and sizes adorn every corner of the house on this day, adding fervour to the festive spirit. But do you know there’s something more symbolic about lighting diyas? And knowing that can help you transfrom your thinking.

Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth is a very grand festival observed by married Hindu women. This is a one-day festival in which the female folks observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise for the longevity and safety of their husbands. Karva Chauth is observed on the ‘Chaturthi’ that is the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of Kartik as per the Hindu lunisolar calendar. Whereas according to the Amanta calendar that is followed in the Maharashtra, Gujarat and Southern India, Karva Chauth is observed during the ‘Ashwin’ month. However, it is only the name of the month that differs in different states; the spirit of celebration remains the same everywhere.

Atla Taddi Festival

Atla Taddi is celebrated in the Indian month of Ashwayuja and falls on the third night after a full moon.  it falls in the month of October every year. It is a traditional festival of Andhra Pradesh and is celebrated by Hindu married women to seek blessings of Goddess Gauri for a happy and long married life. This festival is symbolic of the strength of a woman and the effect of her good deeds that benefit her husband. 

Tula Sankranti

Tula Sankranti is also known as Garbhana Sankranti and is the first day of the Kartika month by the hindu solar calendar. It falls on the same day as Mahasthmi and is celebrated all over India with different rituals. The festival is especially celebrated in Odisha and Karnataka to enjoy the achievement of the farmers in growing rice fields just as a pregnant mother rejoices and feels proud of her womb. Thus, Tula Sankranti is also called the garbhana Sankranti. The day is celebrated with social, religious, and cultural significance.

Sharad Purnima

The first full moon day of the month of Ashwin is known as Sharad Purnima. It is also referred to as Rasa Purnima, or Sharath Purnima.This day is also observed as the birthday of Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth.

The festival is also referred as Kaumudi Festival, Kaumudi meaning moonlight.It is also believed that on this day as moon and the earth are very close to each other, the moon rays have certain healing properties of nourishing the body and the soul.

Kojagara Lakshmi Puja

Kojagara Puja is an auspicious day dedicated to worshipping Goddess Lakshmi during the ‘Purnima’ (full moon day) during the Hindu month of ‘Ashwin’. It is celebrated with great fanfare in the Indian states of Orissa, West Bengal and Assam. In the Gregorian calendar it is observed in the months of September-October. This day of Lakshmi Puja is also popularly known as ‘Kojagari Purnima’ or ‘Bengal Lakshmi Puja’. In Hinduism, Lakshmi is known to be the Goddess of Prosperity and it is believed that on the day of ‘Ashwin Purnima’, the Goddess descends on Earth to abundantly bless all with prosperity and good health. The day of Kojagara Puja is also referred as ‘Sharad Purnima’ in some parts of the country. It is a significant festival of Central India, particularly in the Budelkand region and some parts of Bihar.

Papankusha Ekadashi

Papankusha Ekadashi is a Hindu fasting day that falls on the ‘ekadashi’ (11th day) of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) during the lunar month of ‘Ashwin’ in the Hindu calendar. For this reason this ekadashi is also referred as ‘Ashwina-Shukla Ekadashi’. In the Gregorian calendar, it is observed between the months of September-October. The Papankusha Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Padmanabha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this day devotees worship Lord Padmanabha with total dedication and zeal. By keeping the Papankusha Ekadashi vrat, the observer will be bestowed with the blessings of Lord Padmanabha and will enjoy all the luxuries of this world.