Maha Shivaratri: Celebrating the Night of Shiva

Date of Celebration in 2024: March 8th (Friday)

Why We Celebrate: Maha Shivaratri, also known as the “Great Night of Shiva,” is a major Hindu festival celebrated annually to honor Lord Shiva, one of the supreme deities in Hinduism. It holds several significances:

  • Marriage of Shiva and Parvati: Many believe Maha Shivaratri marks the celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvati, symbolizing the union of the masculine and feminine energies.
  • Overcoming Darkness: The festival signifies the triumph of light over darkness, both literally (occurring on the darkest night of the lunisolar month) and metaphorically, representing the victory of good over evil and ignorance.
  • Seeking Blessings: Devotees observe Maha Shivaratri by offering prayers and seeking blessings for spiritual growth, liberation, and fulfillment.

Top Quotes:

  • “On this auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri, may the blessings of Lord Shiva shower upon you and your loved ones. May you find peace, happiness, and prosperity in life.”
  • “May the observance of Maha Shivaratri ignite the inner light of wisdom within you and guide you on the path of righteousness and self-realization.”
  • “Om Namah Shivaya” (a sacred mantra chanted during Maha Shivaratri, meaning “I bow to the eternal Shiva”)

How to Celebrate:

  • Fasting: Devotees often observe a day-long fast, consuming only water or fruits.
  • Puja (Worship): Devotees offer prayers and perform puja (worship rituals) to Lord Shiva, typically involving offerings of bel leaves, milk, and flowers.
  • Jagran (Staying Awake): Many devotees stay awake throughout the night, chanting mantras, singing hymns, and meditating.
  • Temple Visits: Devotees visit Shiva temples to participate in rituals, seek blessings, and experience the festive atmosphere.

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Dhanteras 2023: Seek Blessings Of Goddess Lakshmi On This Dhanteras     

The 13th lunar day of the Krishna Paksha of the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar is called Dhanteras. In Hindi, “Dhan” means wealth, and “teras” means thirteenth. So, this day is celebrated as the day of wealth, prosperity, and happiness. Also, it marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festival that concludes on “Bhai Dooj”.

by Shalini Agrawal

Why We Celebrate Dhanteras?

Mythology relates Dhanteras to the churning of the cosmic ocean (Sagar Manthan) by Gods and Devils. All worldly things were emerging from Sagar Manthan and on this day, Goddess Lakshmi emerged to bless the world with wealth and prosperity. From that day, “Dhanteras” is celebrated to get the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.

Another story relates Dhanteras to the birth of Lord Dhanvantari, the God of Ayurveda and health. Dhanvantari blesses devotees of health and well-being. People also worship Lord Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, on Dhanteras. It is believed that celebrating Dhanteras brings wealth and prosperity.

How To Celebrate Dhanteras?

Dhanteras is celebrated by shopping for gold and silver ornaments and worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari at their homes and offices. People buy new clothes, vehicles, properties, and other assets on this day and believe that buying goods will please Goddess Lakshmi and bring wealth and prosperity to their lives.

For Lakshmi Puja, people light earthen lamps in their homes, especially on their doors. It is to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi. Also, they offer sweets to the goddess and seek her blessings. Since it is the beginning of Diwali, the festival of light, people light their homes with decorative lights.

Auspicious Time Of Lakshmi Puja On Dhanteras In Read the rest

Send Best Wishes Of Happy Maha Shivratri 2021

Maha Shivratri is celebrated across the globe according to Hindu traditions. Devotees fast observe a day-long fast and perform puja all night during Nishita Kaal to worship Lord Shiva, the god of destruction. Also, they give best wishes of Maha Shivratri through phone calls and social media messages and pictures.

Importance of Maha Shivratri

It is the biggest night of Lord Shiva worshipped as the marriage of Lord Shiva with Devi Parvati. Also, it is the day when the Linga from the deity first appeared. Today is the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi Tithi) of Krishna Paksha of Phalguna month according to Purnimant calendar but it is Magha according to Amavasyant calendar.

Devotees of Lord Shiva go to Shivalayas to offer all the things that Lord Shiva likes. They offer bel patra, dhatoora, bel fruit, and bhang to Mahadev. Also, they bath the deity with fresh water, gangajal, milk, dahi, and desi-ghee. Sandal wood powder is also applied to the deity for sweet fragrance.

Happy Maha Shivratri wishes and quotes

• Maha Shivratri is a day when you awaken your inner consciousness to discover the purpose of your being. Feel the presence of the Supreme Power inside and outside.

• Here’s extending my warm greetings to you on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri.

• Shiv Ji Ka Tyohaar Aaya Hai, Anginat Ullas Laya Hai, Har Manokamna Poori Ho Aapki, Bhole Baba Ka Ashish Chhaaya Hai

• Kabhi Na Ho Dukhon Ka Samna, Pag Pag Bholenath Ka Aashirwad Mile, Maha Shivratri Ki Aapko Dheron Shubh Kamnayein. Hara Hara Mahadev

• On the joyous day of Maha Shivratri, here’s praying that we all stay together and cherish every … Read the rest

Ayodhya Mosque Construction Will Start On January 26

The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) trust will start construction of the Ayodhya mosque at the prescribed five-acre plot on January 26. Also, it has planned a plantation drive and raising of the national flag to mark the beginning of the project.

Reason given for plantation drive

IICF said that it wanted to highlight the cause of climate change with plantation drive and give the message that climate change was the biggest threat to humanity. The upcoming mosque includes a green area that will have plants from all geographic regions and varieties from Amazon rainforest to bushfires in Australia to aware people about the challenge of climate change.

It will be a modern design

The IICF unveiled a futuristic design with beautiful mosque featuring a massive glass dome sitting in a picturesque garden. Also, a hospital building is seen just behind the mosque. But IICF also intends constructing an Indo-Islamic cultural research centre, library, museum, publication house and a community kitchen.

The nine trustees of the foundation recently held a meeting to discuss the design and clearances for foreign contribution from Income Tax Department. They also discussed issues related to the new design and decided to apply to the Ayodhya District Board to allow construction of library and other facilities.

Settlement of Ayodhya dispute

Supreme Court in its November 2020 verdict made it clear that the disputed site at Ayodhya belonged to Lord Ram but it also ordered a suitable place be allotted for construction of a mosque.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3izedC9

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Basant Panchami: History, Celebrations And Importance

It is believed that worshipping goddess Saraswati on Basant Panchami brings knowledge. In schools and educational institutions, Mata Saraswati is worshipped is worshipped in the morning and Prasad given to all students and devotees.

Basant Panchami date and celebration

It falls on Magh Shukla Panchami. It is also celebrated as Shri Panchami and Saraswati Puja. It is a very auspicious day for worshipping goddess Saraswati that blesses her devotees of knowledge. It is said that Mother Saraswati blessed all living organisms with voice on this very day.

History of Basant Panchami

Following the orders of Lord Vishnu, Brahmaji created human vagina but wasn’t satisfied with his creation. Taking further orders from Lord Vishnu, he sprinkled water from is kamandalaon the earth and a beautiful woman goddess with four hands appeared on the earth. She was having veena in one hand and garlands and books on other two hands. Her one hand was in vara posture. When she played veena, all the creatures of the world got voice. At this instance, Brahmaji called her goddess Saraswati or the goddess of speech.

Saraswati Puja importance

This day is the devoted to goddess of learning and knowledge. It is important because on this day, people worship goddess Saraswati to get her blessings for knowledge. They want to the goddess to develop good understanding in their children. People associated with the field of art and knowledge worship goddess Saraswati on this day and celebrate Basant Panchami as a day of learning.

Source: https://bit.ly/2RY90GS

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Chandra Grahan 2020: The First Lunar Eclipse On January 10 Would Be A Fractured Eclipse

The first lunar eclipse of 2020 will be on 10th January. It would be a sub-shadow eclipse with a short duration of 4 hours. Lunar eclipse is divided into three broad categories – partial, full and fragmentary or sub-shadow. The sub-shadow lunar eclipse is weaker in comparison to the other two.

Full lunar eclipse: The earth comes between the sun and the moon and blocks the light going to the moon. In other words, it covers the moon with its shadow.

Partial lunar eclipse: Shadow of the earth covers some parts of the moon. The sunlight doesn’t reach the covered parts.

Sub-shadow lunar eclipse: The moon gets covered under its own shadow and for this reason, this lunar eclipse remains weaker in comparison to others.

Lunar eclipse timing in India

The eclipse would start at 10:36 pm on January 10 and reach its midway at 12:40 am and will complete on 2:44 am. The total length of this astronomical event will be a little over 4 hours.

Lunar eclipse in 2020

The first lunar eclipse of 2020 would be on January 10; the second lunar eclipse would happen from June 5 to June 6 and the third lunar eclipse will fall between July 5 to July 6. The fourth and the last lunar eclipse of 2020 will be on 30 November.

None of the 2020 lunar eclipse would be full or partial. And Sutakisn’t applied to fractured eclipse because here the moon isn’t covered with the earth’s shadow.

Source: https://bit.ly/39RsAwE

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