Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from August, 2023

Hartalika Teej: The Story Behind the Holy Fast

The legend of Hartalika Teej originates from a story told by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati about her previous incarnation as Shailputri.  Shailputri, the daughter of King Himalayaraj, performed intense penance and austerity for 12 years to please Lord Shiva, followed by another 64 years of devotion.  Worried for his daughter's future, Himalayaraj lied to Shailputri when the sage Narada Muni visited, telling her that Narada had brought a marriage proposal from Lord Vishnu. Himalayaraj promised Narada that Shailputri would marry Lord Vishnu, and Vishnu agreed to the marriage. Upon hearing of her father's promise, Shailputri was distraught and left home with her friend to live in a cave and continue her penance to Lord Shiva. Pleased by her devotion, Lord Shiva promised to marry Shailputri. The next day, Shailputri and her friend fasted for Lord Shiva on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya day during the Bhadrapada month. Thinking his daughter was kidnapped, Himalayaraj searched everywhere...

Hartalika Teej 2023: Significance, Pooja Muhurat, How to Fast, Do's and Don'ts

The lively festival of Hartalika Teej is almost here! Celebrated on the third day of the Bhadrapada month per the Hindu calendar, this much-awaited event falls on 18th September 2023 . Hartalika Teej is named after the legend associated with it. The word "Hartalika" is a combination of the words " harat " and " aalika ", which mean "abduction" and "female friend" respectively. According to the legend, Goddess Parvati's friend abducted her and took her to the forest to prevent her father from marrying her to Lord Vishnu against her wishes. Hartalika Teej is an important Hindu festival cherished especially by women across India. The day honors Parvati’s devotion to Lord Shiva and is considered highly auspicious for married women. The festivities center around fasting, prayer rituals, dressing up in finery, and getting together with loved ones. Women wake up before dawn, bathe, dress in vibrant clothes, and apply mehndi on their ...

What is time as per the Hindu concept, Why it is named Kaal? What is pralaya?

In Hinduism, time is not linear, but cyclical. This means that it is constantly repeating itself, with each cycle lasting billions of years. There are four main stages in each cycle: creation, preservation, destruction, and recreation. Creation (Srishti) is the first stage, when the universe is created from the void. This is a time of great potential and excitement, as new worlds and beings are brought into existence. Preservation (Sthithi) is the second stage, when the universe is maintained in its current state. This is a time of stability and order, as the laws of nature are in effect and the world continues to function. Destruction (Laya) is the third stage, when the universe is destroyed. This is a time of chaos and upheaval, as the world is torn apart and all life is extinguished. Recreation is the fourth and final stage, when the universe is recreated. This is a time of hope and renewal, as the cycle begins again with the creation of a new world. Following a brief interval, ...

Krishna Janmashtami 2023 - Puja Vidhi, Muhurat, Significance and more

The Hindu festival of Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on Thursday, September 6, 2023 . This important holiday marks the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered deities in the Hindu faith According to Hindu legend, Krishna was born in the city of Mathura to Devaki and Vasudeva. His birth was foretold to defeat the evil King Kansa. To protect the infant Krishna, Vasudeva took him to the village of Gokul where he was raised. Krishna grew up to be a mischievous yet wise child who later became a skilled warrior. He defeated Kansa and restored peace. On Janmashtami, Hindus commemorate Krishna's birth through puja rituals, singing devotional songs, enacting scenes from Krishna's life, and preparing special festival foods. The puja vidhi involves creating a shrine decorated with flowers, offering prayers and hymns to Krishna, and distributing prasad. In some areas, temporary mandals or shrines are built to house images of Krishna. Puja Muhurat & Parana time 5250 t...

Lalahi Chhath 2023: The History, Rituals, and Significance of the Festival

Lalahi Chhath is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh. It is a special day for married women, who pray for the long life and prosperity of their children. The festival is also celebrated by unmarried women, who pray for a good husband. Lalahi Chhath is also known as Hal Chhath (Birth of Lord Balaram) . When is Lalahi Chhath 2023? Lalahi Chhath 2023 will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. The festival begins on the evening of September 4 with the nahay khay ritual, in which women take a bath and then eat a special meal. The next day, on September 5, women fast and pray for the well-being of their families. In the evening, they offer prayers to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, the goddess of childbirth. What is the significance of Lalahi Chhath? Lalahi Chhath is a festival of fertility and abundance. It is believed that the prayers offered on this day are especially powerful and that they can help to ensure the lo...

Narayan Bali Puja: A Ritual to Help the Souls of Those Who Have Died Unnatural Deaths

In Hinduism, the practice of performing rituals after the death of a family member is deeply ingrained. One such crucial ritual is Narayan Bali Pooja, which is performed under specific circumstances, such as unnatural or accidental deaths, when rituals have not been offered to ancestors, or when Pitru Dosh is indicated in one's horoscope. The procedure for these rituals is extensively described in ancient texts like Garuda Purana and Dharma Sindhu, providing guidance for various scenarios. This article will delve into the significance of Narayan Bali Pooja as a remedy for such situations and explore the concept of Abhichaar Shanti Yog. What is Narayan Bali Puja? Narayan Bali Puja is a Hindu ritual that is performed to help the souls of those who have died unnatural deaths. It is a way of freeing these souls from the cycle of reincarnation and helping them to achieve moksha or liberation. The puja is typically performed by a priest, who will chant mantras and offer prayers to Lor...