Chaturthi is the fourth day of the Hindu lunar calendar and comes around
twice in a month. Chaturthi is dedicated
to Lord Ganesh. Ganesh devotees observe vrat or fast on Chaturthi day from
dawn to dusk and break their fast only after sighting the moon.
The Chaturthi that comes after Purnima or full moon night is called Sankashti Chaturthi. This is considered very
auspicious for fasting and fulfilment of wishes or ‘manokamna’.The Chaturthi that comes after Amavas or new
moon night is called Vinayaki Chaturthi.
On rare occasions
in a year, the Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi happens to fall on a Tuesday. This day
has a special name called ‘Angarak Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi ’. This is
considered very potent and auspicious day for praying to Lord Ganesh.
Ganesh is the god
who is ‘Shubh karta’ and ‘Mangalkari’ or one who makes anything auspicious. He
is also ‘vighnharta’ or one who rids all obstacles. He grants knowledge, wisdom,
wealth, and fortunes to his devotees.
In 2014, Angarak Sankashti
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on 18th February, 15th July, and 9th
December.
One also prays to
Goddess Durga, Lord Hanuman, Lord Mangal Grah on Tuesdays.
The one who is prayed to by the Trimurti, namely Brahma, Vishnu, and
Shiva along with all other Gods
Saa Maam Paatu
Saraswati Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadya'apahaa.
That Bhagwati Saraswati Devi (Ma Saraswati), please remove our ignorance
and grant us knowledge, wisom and intelligence
Vasant Panchmiis celebrated as Saraswati puja today. Vasant or Basant
means spring and Panchmi is the fifth day of the Magh month of the Hindu lunar
calendar. This day is important since it heralds the spring season after the bitter
cold winter. The days are brighter, weather is pleasant, and trees are
decorated with lush foliage and colorful buds. Today mata Saraswati came into existence.
When Lord Brahma was asked to
create the ‘Shrishti’ or world, he did so but was not satisfied with what he
saw. It was bland. He then created Goddess Saraswati. Sarawati played the Veena
(a stringed musical instrument) and at once the world came alive with music.
People laughed and sang, the wind whistled, the birds chirped, and the water
bubbled and gurgled. Everything had a sound.
Saraswati is regarded as the goddess of knowledge, skills,
art, music, beauty, intelligence and wisdom. She is known as the mother of the
Vedas. She also influences’s speech. Saraswati is symbolized as holding the
Veena which plays the music of life and love. She rides a gracious swan,
symbolizing the ‘satvic gunas’ or virtues of purity and righteousness. She is
also known as ‘Bagishwari’, ‘Bhagwati Sharda’, and ‘Veena Vadini’.She gives impetus and growth to our talents
and abilities. Praying to her today enhances
our brilliance and mental growth.
Today also, people adorn
themselves with yellow clothes. Yellow is the color of sunshine, newly ripe fruits,
love, abundance and the beautiful fields filled with crops. People also eat and distribute yellow sweets
and fruits today.
Basant or Spring is also the time
for love and romance.Kamdev, the God of
love is also worshiped today along with his wife Rati. It is believed Lord Krishna
did most of his merriment and pranks-play with the gopis, during this season..
Note: Let the video load completely before playing it.
Shri Shuktam
'Om Hiranyavarnaam harineem suvarnarajatsrajaam Chandraam hiranyamayeem Lakshmeem Jaat Vedo Ma Aa Vaho.'
Lakshmi is invoked in the hymn Shri Shukta or Shree Sukta of the Rig veda. She is described as the goddess of opulence with richness in feminine form, with beauty, clothes and jewellery. Her image is full of grace and her adornment of red saree, gold, and precious stones fills us with aspirations to reflect in her blessings. The hymn, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi describes her as glittering as the moon. Seated on a lotus, her skin also like the lotus and she wears a garland of the Lotus. Her ornaments are of gold and silver, and she bestows upon her devotees fame, prosperity and abundant food.
Aditya
Hridayam Heart of Aditya - Surya, the Sun God
A sloka that leads to victory, fearlessness, success, great name and repute, wealth, good health and long life, happiness, family and children.
Offer 'arghya' to the visible God, lord Surya. Sundays are most dear to Sun God. Wake up with the sun rise. Lead a disease free prosperous life.
A verse from the RAMAYAN
When waves of uncertainty and confusion filled Ram about the battle that was to take place with Ravana, Rishi Agastya stepped forward. Agastya asked Ram to chant this sloka (Aditya Hridayam) three times and assured Ram that he would be victorious. All confusion would fall aside and success would shine with the brilliance of the light that emanates from the Sun....
OM Mitraya
namah (The
friend of all)
OM Ravaye namah (Praised
by all) OM Suryaya namah (The
guide of all) OM Bhanave namah (The
bestower of beauty) OM Khagaya namah (Stimulator
of the senses) OM Pushne namah (The
nourisher of all) OM Hiranyagarbhaya namah (The
creator) OM Marichaye namah (Destroyer
of disease) OM Adityaya namah (The
inspirer) OM Savitre namah (The
purifier) OM Arkaya namah (The
radiant) OM Bhaskaraya namah
(The illuminator)
Tato yuddhaparishraantam samare chinmayaa sthitam.
Ganesh is 'Mangalkari' and bestows happiness and auspiciousness in our every effort and endeavor. He has over a thousand names. Some of his more famous names are: Gajanan, Vinayaka, Kapil, Ekadanta, Lambodar, Sumukha, Gaj Karnak, Ganadhyaksha, Vikata, Bhalchandra, Ekakshara, Dhundhi Ganapati, Haridra Ganapati etc.
Let us pray to Lord Ganesh today so that our every karma is successful.
A beautiful video piece in the soulful voice of Shankar Mahadevan - courtesy You Tube
Chhat or Dala Chhath Vrat is also known as Surya Sashati Fast. This festival takes place in the Hindu month of Kartik and is devoted to the Sun God or Surya Narayan. Chhath is a very important festival in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand. People gather around water bodies or small ponds and offer Arghya to the setting sun and the rising sun.
Chhath is a wish fulfilling festival and people's 'manokamna' is said to be fulfilled by observing this Vrat and puja. Families carry the tradition of doing Chhath puja from generation to generation. Its a great family tradition. Devotees try to please Surya Bhagwan and Chhathi Maiya for blessings on their families. Chhath puja spans four days of rituals and fasting and all family member lend support in the fulfillment of the puja tasks.
Nahai Khai
Nahai Khai is a purifing ritual. It cleanses the devotees body and prepares body and mind for the forthcoming fast. On this day devotees take a full head bath, sometimes in holy rivers or at home. They eat rice and Lauki or Kaduu preparations. The food is plain and very easy to digest.
Kharna
Second day is a fasting day. In the evening kheer is made with Gur. Plain roti with ghee or 'Suhari' is made. The food is first offered as bhog and prayers are done. Friends and family are invited to participate and partake in the Kharna food. Devotees and their families all enjoy the sweet food with other fruits and mithaii also.
Setting Sun Arghya
On the third day, 'Soop' and 'dagra' or new containers made from bamboo plants are filled with all kinds of Prasads today.. Khajur, sugarcane, Daab Nimbu, Thekuaa, Sindoor, lighted diyas, different fruits, bananas etc are placed in the containers. Each Soop is a different wish. The Fasting devotee along with family members go to the different water bodies.
Standing in the water, the devotee offers each container of Prasad to the setting Surya and offers Sandhya Arghya to the setting sun - praying and seeking the fulfillment of many wishes and blessings from the God almighty.
Rising Sun Arghya
On the fourth day devotees reach the 'ghats' before sunrise. They wait in the water for the first rays of the rising sun light. Suryodaya Arghya is offered. Music is played. Crackers are lit and the mighty Surya Bhagwan is offered the prasad again. The Surya Sashti Katha is read. Married women receive sindoor from married fasting ladies.
People then make their way home and eat Prasad and enjoy the festivities at the end of the Vrat and Puja.Surya Narayan has the power to fulfill all one's wishes, grant the devotee longevity and a disease free, long and prosperous life.
Always Pray to Goddess Lakshmi after invoking Lord Vishnu. Mata Lakshmi is devoted to the God of Dharma - Narayan. She sits steadfast and patiently at the feet of Lord Narayan. She blesses all who follow the teachings of Narayan - namely Karma and Dharma. There is no way to receive Goddess Lakshmi's blessings except to seek Lord Narayan's blessings first.
