Budh Ashtami

                     Budh Ashtami - is dedicated to godess parvathi

                   

      When an Ashtami (eight day of waxing moon) of sukla pakshna falls on wednesday(Budhavar) it is called Budh ashtami or Budhastami. People pefrom Budh ashtami vrat on these days so that they will never go to hell (Narak).

            It comes 5 times in 2013.It may  fall either in shukla paksha or krishna paksha in a month.People observe fasting on Budastami and worship  Godess Parvathi for Wellbeing and Prosperity also.

         Budashtami  vrata  is also performed by those who have Budha Graha dosham to pacify the effect of Budha Grah on their future.

Budhastami Dates in 2013:

20 March 2013
03 April 2013
14 August 2013
28August 2013
25 December 2013

The story behind being Budh Ashtami as follows:

           Once there was a king by the name of Ela in the satya yuga. He was the son of Manu. Ela once he went hunting and while roaming around entered a certain part of a forest and turned into a lady. That part of the forest was protected by the will of Lord Shiva, that if a male entered that part he would be transformed into a lady, as that part was where Goddess Parvati was supposed to visit frequently along with Shiva.

        Ela was now a lady and Budha seeing this lady falls in love with her and takes her as his wife, they have a son by the name of Pururuva with whom the Chandravamsa(dynasty of chandra) started.

        As the marriage of Budh and transformed Ela took place on the ashtami thiti it is famously known as Budh Ashtami. This day if one performs Budh ashtami vrat he will be free from all the evils he has done and he will be cleansed so that he need not enter hell.

Mangala Gowri Vrata Katha

                              Mangala Gowri Vrata Katha

One of the ways in which the Pandavas spent their time during Vanavasa was listening to Lord Krishna’s narration of various 

Poojas and Vrathas to be performed by mankind for the fulfillment of desires. On one such occasion Dharma Raja asks Lord Krishna to narrate a Vratha that will increase the “Aayu”– the life Span. Lord Krishna replies ‘Listen to me Yamanandana I will narrate a

Unique Vratha, which not only increases the life span of Sons, but also removes the Vaidavyya – \Widowhood of a daughter. Listen to me with single minded devotion. In the olden times there was a city named Kundanipura, there lived a very good and famous merchant called Dharmapala. He was very rich. However his only problem was he had no children.

A Sadhu used to come to their house for Bikhsha, and he would go back without taking anything from them. This was a daily routine. The merchant’s wife was very sad about this attitude of the Sadhu and seeks a solution from her husband. The merchant tells his wife not to worry, and instructs her to keep gold coins ready the next day and put it into the Sadhu’s hand before he left. The wife does the same the next day. The Sadhu becomes very angry; he tells her that he was not receiving anything from their house as they had no children and today by putting the Bhiksha forcibly, she had cheated him. So he curses her by saying “let you not have children”. The merchant’s wife says that she did it because of her Aviveka and begs him to give her relief from the curse. The Sadhu takes. pity on her and tells her to ask her husband to wear black clothes, and go to the forest on a black horse until the horse slips, the place where the horse slips needs to be dug until he finds the temple of Devi, perform pooja to the Devi and she will solve their problem. As per the instructions of the Sadhu the merchant goes to the forest wearing black clothes riding a black horse. The forest was very thick and fearful and full of wild animals. He goes on until he finds a lovely pond full of lotus flowers. He refreshes himself and his horse and goes on, until the horse slips. The merchant starts digging the place until he finds the temple of a Devi. The temple was surrounded with lovely flowering and fruit bearing trees. The walls of the temple were of Gold and precious gems. He enters the temple with devotion and performs Pooja to the Goddess. The Devi is pleased for having received such a wonderful Pooja in the forest, appears before him and tells him to ask for a boon. He tells the Devi that he is very sad as he had no children.

The Devi tells him that he is destined not to have children, hence she asks him to choose between a daughter who becomes a widow soon, a wonderful son with a short life or a blind son with a long life. The merchant chooses a wonderful son with a short life. The Devi Instructs him to pick a mango fruit by climbing on the Ganapathy in front of the temple and give it to his wife, and their desires will be fulfilled. The merchant becomes very happy and goes to the tree and plucks one fruit, he sees a lot of fruits on the tree and plucks more, when he comes down he has only one fruit, not satisfied he climbs again and plucks more fruits and the result is the same everytime. During all his attempts he was climbing on the Lord Ganeshas Idol to pluck the fruits. Lord Ganesha becomes angry at the greed of the merchant and curses him that his son will die at the age of 16, by snake bite. The sad merchant returns home and gives the fruit to his wife. They get a beautiful son. They name him “Shiva,” perform his upanayana at the age of 8 and when he is 10 years old the wife asks the merchant to get his son married. The merchant tells her that he has decided to send his son on Kashi Yatra and after he returns they can arrange for his marriage. They send their son along with his uncle for the Yatra. Both the boy and his uncle on their way to Kashi reach a city called Pratishtanagara. In a garden they see a few young ladies fighting, a girl curses another young girl called Susheela as being unfortunate and to become a widow soon. Susheela who is very pretty and shining like gold, is unperturbed she replies ” Your curse will have no effect on me, as my mother performs a Pooja called “Sri Mangala Gowri Vratha”, The Pooja is so powerful that even in the surroundings where the Pooja is performed , no ladies will be widowed. The Uncle of the boy Shiva who was watching this feels that, if the mother of Susheela blesses Shiva, possibly he may not die young. So they follow the girl and start living in the temple near the girl’s house. Susheela’s father by name Hari was very devoted to the Deity of the temple and he never used to take any step in his life without the permission of the God. He decides to get his daughter married, so he goes with his wife to the temple to ask permission from the Deity. They request Lord Shiva of the temple not getting any answer, they approach the Goddess of the temple. The uncle of Shiva who was very clever, makes use of the opportunity, hides behind the idol of the Devi and tells Susheela’s parents to get their.daughter married to a man called Shiva who is a stranger to the city. Next day the uncle of Shiva approaches Susheela’s parents and tells them that he has come with a boy called Shiva and is looking out for a suitable bride, and asks them for the hand of Susheela for Shiva. The parents of Susheela readily agree. On the night of their marriage, when they were asleep Sree Mangala Gowri appears in Susheela’s dream as her mother and tells her that a big snake is coming to bite her husband and asks her to wake up give the snake milk, keep a pot so that the snake enters into the pot and close the pot with a cloth. Susheela wakes up and sees a very big snake approaching her husband fast, she gives milk to the Snake and keeps a pot The snake• gets into the pot and she ties it with a doth. After that Shiva wakes up and tells her that he is hungry. She gets sweets for him to eat. He eats the sweets, washes his hands and keeps his ring in the vessel and goes to sleep. Next day morning he leaves the house. In the morning Susheela wakes up and takes the blessings of her mother. Now as the bridegroom had gone Lord Shiva himself appears in the guise of Susheela’s husband. Susheela tells her mother that this is not her husband, listening to which the Lord Shiva in the guise of groom disappears. Everyone was worried and start looking out for Shiva. They do Annadhana to get back the groom. They set up an Annachatra, Susheela used to wash the feet of people keeping her husband’s ring and her mother used to pour water. Hari her father and brothers used to serve them with food and look after their comforts, this went on for some tlme. Meanwhile Shiva and his Uncle went to City of Kashi, did a lot of Dhana and Dharma. Shiva completes 16 years and dreams that he is being taken away by Yamadhutas, and Lord Shiva came and saved him. The Uncle of Shiva becomes very happy that they got rid of a big problem. They hear from people the fame of the Annadhana being performed by Susheela’s parents and the praise of the qualities of Susheela. When they go there, Susheela washes the feet of her husband and recognizes him. The parents of Susheela were very happy and give the son-in-law all respect and a lot of wealth. Meanwhile the parents of Shiva were very worried about the whereabouts of their Son who would die soon due to the short life span. Some messengers tell them all the news about Shiva, his marriage with Susheela and their well being. They were very happy and receive Shiva and Susheela with all pomp. They hear from their daughter-in-law the way to perform the “Sri Mangala Gowri Vratha” and get her to perform the Vratha.

This Vratha needs to be performed on Tuesdays, during Sravana Masa. The people performing the vratha need to fast. The Pooja of the Devi needs to be performed with Sraddha and Bhakti.
                              //Om Sri Mangala Gowryay Namaha//

Mangal Gowri Vratam

Sravan Mangalavaram-dedicated to Goddess Parvati.

                    Mangala Gowri Vratam or Sravana Mangalavaram Nomu is considered to be very auspicious by women as the Mangala Gowri Vratam would prevent widowhood and lead a life of joy and prosperity. This Mangala Gowri vratam is performed on Tuesdays in the auspicious month ofSravanamasam.

According to a legend, Drowpadi once asked her brother Sri Krishna on what women should do to prevent widowhood and lead a life of joy and prosperity. Lord Krishna told her about Sravana Mangala Gowri Vratam in which people pray to the Goddess to achieve their goal. To perform the Mangala Gowri Vratam, women have to wake up early in the morning, take a head bath, prepare a worship place by cleaning it and decorating it with rangoli. Then rice is spread on the rangoli and small image of Mangala Gowri made with turmeric paste to which worship is offered. After the puja, the women give tamboolam to other women along with soaked bengalgram.

Normally, this ritual is performed by women from the Sravanamasam immediately after the marriage. This is continued for five years when it is said to be complete, with worship completed on all Tuesdays during the five years. Some may take even more time to complete the five years' prayer.

Women are seen visiting neighbors with loads of bengalgram, plantains and betel leaves for giving tamboolam to their counterparts. They apply turmeric paste and offer obeisance while presenting tamboolam. Chanting of Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam and offering kumkum poojas is also witnessed in temples. As no marriages are performed in the preceding months, a sudden burst of marriage activity is found during the month of Sravanamasam.

Dates2013, Sravana Tuesdays fall on August 13, 20, 27 and September 3

.

Sravana  Somavara Vratam:  performed in dedication to Lord Shiva.

                         
                                      

          One of the name of Lord shiva is soma - saha uma. For the Lord someshvara Who wears the soma, the moon crescent on the matted hair, on the somavara day (Monday), this festival is observed.

         Sravanam is considered the holiest month of the year. Each monday
 of this month,known as Sravana Somavaram, is a special day in Siva 
temples where thedharanatra hangs over the linga or the idol to bathe it with holy water, day andnight. Devotees pile the linga high with Bel (Bilva) leaves and flowers and fasttill sunset. The nandadeep (24 hour lamp) burns steadily in the temples.

            This fast is observed by married women to get happy and long married life and unmarried women perform this in wish of good husbands. This fast is also performed by men to get peaceful and happy life. People who perform this vrat are allowed to eat only a single vegetarian meal in the whole day.

Lord Siva and Sravana Masam

The legend says that when the churning of oceans - Samudra Manthanam -
took place in the month of Sravanam, fourteen different types of rubies came
out. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the demons, except Halahal
(poison).

Lord Siva drank the Halahal and stored it in his throat. Hence the name
Neelkantha (meaning blue throat) is attributed to Siva. To reduce the strong
effect of poison, Lord Siva wore the crescent moon on his head.

All the Gods, thereafter started offering the Ganges water to Lord Siva to make
lessen the effect of poison. Since, this happened in the month of Sravanam, the
Siva devotees offer the Ganges water in this month.

It is considered highly auspicious to wear a rudraksha in Sravana month.

As, Mondays or Somavarams of Sravana month are specially observed with
austerity. All Mondays are devoted to the worship of Siva as this day is sacred
to Lord Siva. No other Mondays of other months are so greatly honoured. The
belief is that in Sravana month, offering milk to Lord Shiva earns a lot of
punya.

Shravan Somwar Vrat 2013 Dates:

12 August (Monday)
19 August (Monday)
26 August (Monday)
02 September(Monday)

                            " Dharmo Rakshati Rakshithaha " 

Nagapanchami 11th August 2013

 II Nag Panchmi : The Festival of Snakes II

"  Nag-Panchami" the festival of snakes and this festival celebrated on fifth day of Suklapaksh (waxing phase) of Hindu Calender month of Shravana,People  worship the snake or nag. The day is known as Nag Panchami.There are many legends associated with this festival. One of them is the day when snake Kalia was defeated by Lord Krishna.On this day, Milk and cooked rice is offered to snakes carried by snake charmers. Clay snakes are brought home to be worshipped and immersed in the sea / river in the evening.

      Fasting is done by people on this day, milk and silver jewelry is offered to the Cobras so that they will safeguard them from all evils. Lord Shiva also wears snakes around his neck. That is why there is a huge rush in the temples of Shiva and snakes on this day for prayers. Traditionally, married young women visit their premarital households to celebrate the festival. Especially in villages, an aspect of the celebration involves women swinging on swings hung on tree branches and people buy snakes images to worship. It is the period when the snakes come out of the holes due to rain and in gardens, nearby houses and shrubs shelter is taken by them.

       According to Puranic scriptures, Brahma's son Kashyapa had four wives. The first wife gave birth to Devas; the second to Garudas; the third toNāgas; and the fourth to Daityas. Nāgas were the rulers of Pātāl-Loka.

The names of the Nine Great Nāgas are:

  

Ananta,
 Vāsuki, 
Shesha,
 Padmanābha, 
Kambala,
 Shankhapāla,
 Dhārtarāshtra, 
Takshaka, and Kaliya:

Vahanas of Hindu Gods

       Vahanas - The Divine Animal Mounts of Hindu Gods

                  Hindu deities have particular vehicles or 'vahana' on which they travel. These vehicle, which are either animals or birds, represent the various forces that he or she rides. These deities are seldom depicted without their corresponding creatures.

Below is a list of Hindu gods and goddesses who are inseparably linked with their respective 'vahanas':

 Lord Brahma :    Hamsa, the swan. 

        

  Hamsa  able to separate milk and water, symbolizes intelligence and discrimination.

Lord Vishnu :  Garuda, lord of birds. 

      

                Garuda is a remover of obstacles and  a fanatic enemy of serpents. 


Lord Shiva : Nandi, the bull.

        
                  Long ago, Nandi was an independent deity, the 'Lord of Joy,' but gradually his divine

Indra :  Airavat, lord of elephants.

  

the elephant has beenrepresented as raining clouds, fertility of crops, the conception of womanhood.

    

Lord Ganesh : Musaka, the mouse 

        a mouse represents the timidity and nervousness that overwhelm us at the onset of any new venture - feelings that can be overcome by the blessings of Ganesha.

Saraswati :  peacock,swan.

       Saraswati, consort of Lord Brahma, is usually associated with the god's vahana. She is also often accompanied by a peacock.

 Lakshmi :    owl.

         The owl represents spiritual wisdom, the blindness associated with seeking worldly rather than spiritual wealth. The owl is also a good avian match for Garuda, since Lakshmi is Vishnu's consort.

Parvati :  lion.

          Parvati is the consort of Lord Shiva, who rides a bull. It is highly interesting that Parvati rides a lion, almost the only animal that can hunt a bull.

Durga :     Tiger.

       It is the fearlessness of the tiger that qualifies it to be the vahana of Durga, the goddess who exists to destroy evil.

Yamuna :   Tortoise 

                                                                      
                                                            Sanctity and purity

 Varuna : crocodile(makaram)
                                                     

      The Sanskrit word for the vahana of Varuna is makara, which is usually translated as crocodile, but is sometimes associated with other aquatic or semi-aquatic animals, such as sharks or hippopotami. In iconic representation, however, the animal is roughly like the goat-fish capricorn, so may more properly be described as a 'sea monster.'

Agni :       The ram
                                                                      
                                                                   
The mere fact that he is a fire god does not entail that he must ride a fire creature.

Vayu :   A thousands horses,antelope
                                                       

                                        Presumably because the antelope can run like the wind.

Lord Yama:     The Water Buffalo
                                                      

                 The water buffalo signifies strength and commitment to the purpose of upholding justice and dharma or righteousness. .

Aditya :        seven horses

           The number seven has great significance in Indian philosophy. There are seven colors in the rainbow, seven seas, seven notes in music, seven chakras (spiritual centers in the subtle body or sukshma sharira) and seven rishis (sapta rishi). 
         The Sun God's seven horses represent the seven sins and his control over the same indicates the Devata's perfect control over the same. It also represents the way we need to control our base emotions so as to climb further and higher in the spiritual realm of our own lives.

Shani :  The Crow
                                     
                  the greatest truoblemaker as well as the greatest wellwisher.