Tulasi Vivah on Uthana Dwadasi

This festival comes on Shukla Paksha Dwadasi, in the month of Karthik. This happens to be the last day of chatur maasa . On Uthana Dwadasi day Lord Vishnu is supposed to get up from sleep. It is said that a year in a humans life is one day to the gods. On Uthana Dwadasi day Lord Vishnu is stirring from his sleep. There are some stories connected to this too.

How to perform Tulasi Vishnu Vivaha

• On this day, Saligrama puja is important and Tulasi puja. In most houses Saligrama puja is performed and brahmin couples are given festival food and Tulasi Vivah is performed in the evening. After food, this couple are given thamboola and a minimum of blouse piece if not sari and shalya is presented along with Kheer Dana.
• For the evening naividya, 4/5 different kind of laddus and sweets are made, and also a flavored milk boiled well with sugar saffron and cardomom added. Koshambari is also made.

• An arathi is prepared as follows. On a plain silver or pithal plate draw a rangoli design with honey using a matchstick or a new toothpick. Over this sprinkle some Gasagase (poppey seeds) all over and then gently tap out the extra gasgase. You will now have a beautiful decoration on the plate. Over this arrange 5 amlas and wicks soaked in ghee over the amlas. 
• For the Amlas in the Arati, make a dough with Haldi posder and water. Prepare equal sized balls and over this place the Amla and the wick soaked in oil. This will help balance the Amlas and prevent them from rolling over.
• Decorate the frontyard of the house with mango leaves and rangoli. 
• Decorate the tulasi vrindavan - draw rangoli in front of the vrindavan. If there no place in the back yard for this , one may keep the pot or a small vrindvan with a tulasi plant near the god, for the puja.
• In the Tulasi vrindavan a small branch of amla is kept, a few amlas have also to be in the branches. Keep a small idol of Krishna in the Vrindavan, next to the plant and perform puja. Light as many lamps as possible. 
• You will need to get ready the naividya, the arathi, sweet smelling flowers, a pair small garlands. 
• Decorate the tulasi and put a few abharana( jewels, like we would decorate a bride). Sing songs and stotras to Tulasi and Krishna and Lakshmi, nd perform the puja.
• After the puja and before the various arathis, offer to the Lord and Tulsi, a sari and blouse and pair of dhotis offer haldhi kumkum and on to plate do the offer Mangala Dravya for Tulasi, then the naividya and the arathis. Puja is to performed with haldhi kumkum etc as we perform Lakshmi puja.

Prayers for Tulasi Pooja

Tulasi Praathane namah tulasi kalyaaNi namo vishhnu priye shubhe |namo moksha pradaayike devi namaH sampatpradaayike ||

Tulasige Namaskara
Yanmule sarva thirthani yanmadye sarva devatha |yadagre sarva vedashcha Tulasi thvam namam mayham ||

Tulasi Dyana
dyayescha tulasim devim shyamam kamala lochanamprasannam panmakalhara varabhaya chaturbhujakiritahara keyura kundaladi vibushitamdhavalankusha samyuktam nishedushim

Tulasi Ashhtottara Shatanamavali 

Click here for Tulasi Ashtottara Shatanamavali in English and Kannada 

The second half of Ashwija maasa and Kartic maasa are the darkest months of the year. Before the times of kerosene lamps and electric lights, it would have been very difficult to sight a village. When lamps are lit and kept in front of the houses in the evenings and early mornings the travellers could easily sight the village.

Amlas are given importance, as the coming months are cold with fog, which will cause cold etc. Amlas are an excellent source of Vitamin C, a preventive for winter ailments in the olden days.

In places where a Amla tree is present, it is worshipped and revered. It is said that every house must have an Amla tree, a parijatha flower tree and a tulasi plant. Some even say that a house without a tulasi plant, is equal to cemetery.

Growing a tulasi plant is not at all difficult only it needs to be watered every day.The plant has also be planted in a fairly big pot or brindhvan, so the plant will space for the roots to spread.

Any plant for that matter is like child. take care of it and it will grow well. The plant also needs to kept in sunny place. In summer when it is very hot, it can be watered twice or shifted to a shade.

Do grow a tulasi plant where ever you are.

How to perform Lakshmi Puja at home during Diwali?

Lakshmi Puja is an important ritual during Diwali or Deepavali.  The ritual varies from region to region. But here is a simple guide to perform Lakshmi Puja during Diwali. In 2013, Diwali Lakshmi Puja is on November 3.

First and foremost step is to clean the house. Through the puja we are inviting Goddess Lakshmi to our house and she likes everything to be neat and clean. In some communities, even the broom is worshipped on the Lakshmi Puja day. This symbolically represents the need for cleanliness. 

Three forms of Shakti – Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Durga –Lord Ganesh and Lord Kubera are worshipped on the day. No puja is performed without paying customary tributes to Lord Ganesha. Lord Kubera, represents wealth, and he is the treasurer of Gods. In homes, usually the locker or safe in which gold and cash is kept symbolically represents the seat of Kubera. 

Important Items Needed For Lakshmi Puja

Kalash

Mango leaves

Idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi

Milk, curd, honey, ghee

Puffed rice

Usual puja Sweets

Coriander seeds

Cumin seeds

And other daily puja items

Lakshmi Puja Process

• First decide on a place to perform the puja.
• Spread a clean cloth and create a bed of rice.
• A Kalash (pot) is placed on the bed of rice.
• Fill about 75% of the Kalash with water.
• Put a betel nut, flower, a clean coin, and some rice in the Kalash.
• Now arrange mango leaves around the opening of the Kalash.
• Place a Thaali (a small plain plate) on the Kalash.
• On the Thaali, draw a lotus with turmeric powder and place the idol or small photograph of Goddess Lakshmi.
• Place some coins on the Thaali.
• On the right of Kalash, place the idol of Lord Ganesha.
• If you need, you can also place the idols of Saraswathi and your favorite deities.
• Create a peaceful and calm atmosphere. The best way is to close the eyes and meditate on ‘om.’
• Take some water and sprinkle on all puja items to purify them.
• Do puja with haldi, kumkum and flowers on the Kalash.
• Light a lamp.
• Now take some flower and rice in the hands and close the eyes and meditate on Goddess Lakshmi. You are now invoking Goddess Lakshmi. If you know mantras, recite them. Otherwise just simply meditate on Goddess Lakshmi. Here is a simple Sanskrit mantra dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.

Namosthesthu Maha Maye,
Shree padee, sura poojithe,
Shanka, Chakra, Gadha hasthe,
Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

• Now sprinkle the flowers and rice on the idol of Goddess Lakshmi.
• Take out the idol of Goddess Lakshmi and place it on a Thaali. Clean the idol with water, then with milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar. Then clean the idol again with water.
• Place the idol back on the Kalash.
• Now offer garlands made of marigolds or leaves of bel tree, sandalwood paste, kumkum and other daily puja items including lighting incense and agarbhatis.
• Now make offerings of coconut, fruits, sweets, betel nuts and betel leaves.
• Next make offerings of Batasha sweets, puffed rice, coriander and cumin seeds.
• Lastly, perform a silent Arati for Goddess Lakshmi. And meditate on Goddess Lakshmi.
• Take some of the ‘prasad’ (that will stay for long period of time) and place it at the place where ornaments and cash is usually kept.
• Business people also worship the account books on this day along with Goddess Lakshmi. 

This is only a guideline. You can show flexibility in the puja process. Some of the items needed might not be readily available. But you can keep the house and surrounding clean. Finally, if you can’t perform the puja, wherever you are simply mediate on Goddess Lakshmi.

How to perform Saraswati Puja during Navaratri?

Saraswati Puja is an important part of the Navaratri festival, especially in South India. Saraswati Puja is observed at different times in different parts of India. The last three days of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Saraswati Puja is also observed in Gujarat during the same period but in a different manner. Below is a step by step guide to how Saraswathi Puja is observed in South India.

In Karnataka, Saraswathi Puja is observed on the Saptami (Oct 10, 2013). The last day of Navratri, which is also the Mahanavami day, is  also observed as Ayudha Puja and Saraswati Puja. Books and tools are placed in the puja room or in front of the idol or painting of Goddess Saraswati on the previous day evening. The books and tools are not touched untill the Mahanavami day and they are removed from the pooja on the Vijayadashami day. On Vijayadashami, you can open the books are read a few pages - this is the day of Vidya Arambha. 

Vijaya Dashami day is considered auspicious for initiating the children into writing and reading, which is called Vidyarambham. Tens of thousands of children are initiated into the world of letters on this day in Kerala.

Requirements

• Image or idol of Goddess Saraswati
• A white cloth (vastram)
• Flowers – louts, lilies or jasmine.
• Mango leaves or other decorations
• Turmeric
• Kumkum
• Rice
• Bananas
• Locally available Fruits

If you are preparing prasada or neivedya – then the ingredients of what you wish to cook. Usually, people make Vade, Payasam using split peas or green gram or simple jaggery sweet.

Getting Ready

• If you are already doing Navratri Puja, then you can use the same decorations etc.
• If you are only doing Saraswati Puja, then get your house cleaned.
• Keep all the books arranged.
• Clean all the tools.
• Keep the computer and laptop clean.
• Everything must be ready by the evening of the 8^th day of Navratri.

On the Saptami day (or Mahanavami for some, ninth day of Navratri), books and tools that are kept for Saraswati puja should not be touched.

Saraswati Puja

Most people do the Puja on evening of the eighth day of Navratri and on the Mahanavami day the books and tools are not touched.

• If you are already doing Navratri Puja, then you can place the idol of Goddess Saraswati in front of your Navratri Bombe display. If not, then you can place the idol in prominence in the puja area.
• Decorate the image or idol of Goddess Saraswati using flowers, garlands etc.
• A white cloth is used to cover the idol of the Goddess. If you are using an image you can skip the white cloth or place it on tray near the image.
• Pray to Lord Ganesha first by chanting a simple prayer.
• You can light the lamp.
• Next venerate Goddess Saraswati with flowers, agarbhatis, incense and chanting any shloka dedicated to Goddess.
• Now that you have invoked the Goddess, you can keep books and other objects that you wish to keep for puja before the idol.
• Sprinkle some flowers on the books and objects.
• You can also apply a small dot of turmeric paste and kumkuma on books and objects; but turmeric stains are hard to remove so do it carefully.
• After this you can place some flowers and akshata (uncooked rice with turmeric) on the deity.
• You can offer the prasada or neivedya that you have made.
• You can chant any shlokas or remain in meditation for sometime.

Some people do Saraswati Daana (offering/blessing) to a young girl on the day which includes dress material, betel leaves, betel nuts, bananas, bangles and cosmetics.

The books and tools are removed on the Vijaya Dasami day after prayers and lighting a lamp.

How to Observe Navaratri Vrath?

Navratri Vrat or Navaratri Vratha is an important fast observed by Hindus during Ashwayuja. Navratri 2014 begins on September 25 and ends on October 4. It is believed that those devotees who perform Navratri fasting will find happiness on earth and will receive ‘moksha.’ Legend has it that, how to observe the Navarathri Vratha was once narrated by Goddess Durga to one of her ardent devotee. The Vratha is observed by both men and women and Navratri mantra is repeated during the period.

Navratri Fast

The Navratri fast is observed from the first day to the ninth day of Ashvin month. People take bath in the morning and evening during this period and some even drink water only after the ritual bath in the morning.

Most devotees take only a single meal during the day. Non-vegetarian food is totally avoided. Some people confine to milk and fruits during the nine days. 

Some devotees only observe fast during three days i.e., first fast during any one of the first three days and second fast during any one of the next three and last in any one of final three days.

How to perform the rituals?

A Kalasha is prepared at home and the water is changed daily for nine days. The kalasha is placed on grains on raised platform or in the Puja room. Goddess Durga is worshipped during the first three days, Goddess Lakshmi for the next three days, and Goddess Saraswathi during the last three days. (Some people make clay figures of the Goddesses during the period).

Each day fresh flowers and fruits are offered to the Goddess. Arati is performed and bhajans are recited.

The Mantras and Bhajans to be recited

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) and Sri Lalita Sahasranama are recited during the period. The important Navratri mantra is ‘Aaim hreem kleem chamundayai vichche.’

Some devotees conduct special homas and pujas during the period. 

On the ninth day, all books, pen and whatever implements that a person uses for his/her livelihood is worshipped and is not touched on the day.

On the tenth day, that is the Vijayadashami day in South India, especially in Kerala, young children are initiated into the world of learning. 

There are no hard and fast rules for any fasting in Hindu religion. There is always scope for flexibility. Some people just abstain from non-vegetarian food during the period. Some people just visit temples all the nine days. Some people read Bhagavad Gita or other holy books during the period.

How to perform a simple Ganesha Chaturthi Puja at Home?

Ganesha Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most colorful and widely celebrated festivals in India. Large number of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi poojas at home. Here is an explanation on how to perform Ganesha puja at home as mentioned in Hindu scriptures.

Ganesha puja on the Chaturthi day is usually performed at noon but nowadays people perform it when all the family members are present. 

Requirements

• A Clay image of Lord Ganesha.
• Red flowers
• Druva Grass blades
• Modak (jaggery filled sweet)
• Coconut
• Red chandan (Sandalwood paste)
• Incense and agarbathis

The Puja

• First clean the house and take a bath.
• A Clay image of Lord Ganesha is installed in a raised platform.
• Pray to Lord Ganesh and you can recite mantras or bhajans dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
• Next step is to invoke Ganesha into the image. This is known as pran-prathishta. The Pran Prathista mantra in Sanskrit to be invoked is found in the Rig Veda and is part of Ganesh Suktha.

ganananh tva ganapatim havamahe kavim kavinam - upamashravastamam |
jyeshhtharajam brahmanan.h brahmanaspata A nah shrivnvannutibhih sida sadanam || 
(Rig Veda 2.23.1)

ni shhu sida ganapate ganeshhu tvamahurvipratamam kavinam |
na rite tvat.h kriyate kinchanare mahamarkam maghavan.h chitramarcha || 
(Rig Veda 10.112.9)

We invoke You, O Ganapati of the ganas (Lord Shiva attendants), Who are Brahmana-spati of the brahmas (prayers), the wisest among the wise, Who abound in treasure beyond all measure, the most brilliant one. Do listen to our prayers, come with Your blessings and assurances of protection into our home, and be seated. (Rig Veda 2.23.1)

Sit down among the worshippers, O Ganapati, the best sage among the sages. Without You nothing can be done here or far. Accept with honor, O wealthy One, our great and variegated hymns of praise. (Rig Veda 10.112.9)

• Now Ganesha is installed in the idol and one can perform arati and light the lamps. Some people perform the shhodashopachara, which are 16 forms of paying tribute to Ganesha. (This ritual is usually performed by the priests, you can skip this.)
• Offer 21 blades of Druva Grass.
• Offer 21 modakas
• Offer red flowers
• Apply a tilak using red Sandalwood paste.
• Break the coconut or just keep it along with the idol. You can also keep fried grains. (The food of the rat – the vehicle of Ganesha).
• You can also recite the 108 salutations dedicated to Lord Ganesha or read the Ganesha Upanishad or just simply pray.

The number 21 signifies - the five organs of perception, five organs of action, five vital airs (pranas), five elements, and the mind.

While performing Ganesha Puja at home, you can always be flexible. The strict rituals are meant for Vedic priests. All you need to be careful is to perform the pujas with a clean body and clean mind.

What is more important is devotion not the ritual.

Try to be simple. Concentrate on your prayers not on decoration and other ritualistic details.

How to observe Swarna Gowri Vratha?

Gowri Habba or Swarna Gowri Vratha is dedicated to Goddess Paravati, also known as Gowri. The ‘Vratha’ is mainly observed by married and unmarried women and is mainly performed in Karnataka and other places in South India. An answer to How to do the Gowri Habba or Swarna Gowri Vratha is bit complex as there are numerous regional and community variations in performing the ritual. The festival is also known as Ganesha Gowri or Ganesh Habba as Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the next day.

Performing Gowri Habba

On the Swarna Gowri Vratam day, the house is cleaned thoroughly. After bathing married women and young girls in the family dress up neatly. Some people perform the puja at home; others at the houses of relatives or friends and some opt for the nearby temples.

A small temporary shrine is erected using banana leaves and banana stem. This is decorated with mango leaves, turmeric, tulsi and sandalwood paste. Those who already have a puja cabinet perform the ritual in it or in a separate temporary area.

Next is the installation of the idol of Goddess Parvati or Gowri. There are several methods for this. The indigenous method is to make an idol of Gowri with turmeric. Nowadays, people opt for the ready made idols of Goddess Gowri which is available in market. Some people opt for the family owned Swarna or gold idol of Gowri.

The idol of Gowri, which is decorated neatly with clothes, is placed on a bed of rice or wheat or other cereals. Some people place a Shiva linga and Ganesha idol along with the idol of Parvati. Flowers and green leaves are mainly used to decorate the idols. Some people also opt for a Purna Kumbh. A mirror is placed along with the idol.

A 16-knotted thread is prepared for the puja and some people tie it on their hands. (Perhaps indicating the 16 long years of intense austerities performed by Goddess Parvati to obtain Lord Shiva as husband).

Morada Baagina 

Next is the preparation of special puja plates or thalas with various puja items also known as ‘Gowri Morada bagina.’ The pooja thala or plate consists of turmeric, kum kum, a mirror, bangles, comb, various cereals, coconut, fresh cloth, rice, jaggery, the 16 knot thread, 16 different leaves and fruits. Some people prepare just one pooja thala for Goddess Parvati. Some prepare several ‘bagina’ and distribute among married women. (Please note that the number of items and those used varies from region to region.)

The main puja ceremony involves bathing the idol in milk, ghee, curd, honey and water. Some people only perform the simple Aarti and sing bhajans.

After the pooja, women exchange decorated bamboo plates (mora) filled with nine types of grain (navadhanya), along with Jaggery, bangles, turmeric, a blouse piece, kumkum, betel leaves, fruits and nuts and dakshina/money. This is known as Morada Bagina. Women perform the pooja at their maternal homes as a mark of respect and gratitude to their parents.

Then the prepared bagina is offered to Gowri and people recite the prayers dedicated to Parvati or the special phrases used during the occasion like ‘Savitri, Savitri, Bagina Togo.’ While taking away the bagina repeat the same prayers or say ‘muthaiyde, muthaiyde bagina kodu.’

Gowri Habba Feast

Delicious food is prepared on this day and offered to the goddess. Dishes like Chitranna (colored rice), Payasa (pudding), Kayi Holige (a sweet bread stuffed with coconut mixture), Tovve, Saru /RasamKayi Kadabu, Palya (Vegetable dish), Kosambari (salad) and Ambode or bhajj are prepared and relished together by everyone at home.

Another important custom on the day is the sending of gifts by married women’s parents. Newly married girls also present ‘bagina’ to married elderly women.

It is believed that by performing this puja unmarried girls will get good husbands and married women will have a healthy and peaceful family life.

Visarjana 

The next day, Gowri is given a warm visarjana/ send off by offering Udi (offering all the sacred items like Turmeric, Flowers, Vermilion, Blouse piece, Rice, Betel nuts and leaf, Turmeric root and dry Coconut) and the clay idol is immersed in water along with Lord Ganesha’s idol. In some areas, people immerse the Turmeric idol along with Ganesha. (Gowri Habba is followed by Ganesh Chaturthi).

Gowri habbada mangaladravya

Another specialty of this festival is that the 'tavaru maneyavaru' (the married woman's parents and brothers) send gowri habbada mangaladravya to the married women of their family. Some send money as a substitute for mangaladravya. This good practice remains unchanged and keeps people closer. Newly married women give 16 jothe baagina to sumangalis (married women) and obtain their blessings. One baagina is kept for Gowramma. 


It must be remembered here that all these rituals are man made. It is easy to observe these rituals when you live along with relatives and friends. Today, most people live alone that too in countries alien to such rituals. A simple prayer to Goddess Parvati will be more than enough. Always remember the core concept of Santana Dharma is Brahman – the supreme soul present in all living and non-living - and realization of it is the ultimate aim.

How to observe Krishna Janmashtami?

It is said that the greatest Sri Krishna pooja that a person can do is to read the Bhagavad Gita and contemplate. But many people feel the need to perform a puja when they feel they need to connect with the Supreme Being. A simple puja dedicated to Lord Krishna helps in keeping the mind calm and in concentrating. Some people exclusively perform Sri Krishna pooja during Sri Krishna Jayanti or Janmashtami or Gokulashtami.

On this day special Poojas and rituals with chanting of shlokas are conducted in all the Krishna temples. Devotional songs are sung in the praise of Krishna. In places like Mathura (birth lace of Krishna); Dwaraka (Krishna rules this place); Gokula (the place where Krishna  grew up) and Vrindavan (where Krishna spent time with his consort Radha), the festivities are colourful and special. 

In Udupi, Karnataka the festival is celebrated in the Krishna mutt. Devotees fast on this day and offer the pooja to the Lord at midnight and then break the fast by consuming Naivedya (offerings). Variety of delicious savouries are prepared on this day and offered to the Lord along with fruits, coconut, butter (Krishna's favourite as a child), avalakki/poha (flattened rice) and milk. Some of the savouries prepared on this day Tengol, chakkali, Shankarpoli, Kodabale, Karchikayi, Coconut Barfi, Besan Laddoo, Wheat Laddoo, Sev, Avalakki, Chivda, Rava Laddoo, Mysore pak etc.

In Maharashtra, Dahi Handi ritual is carried out with great enthusiasm. An earthern oot filled with curd/yogurt is hung 20 to 30 feet above ground and the group which breaks it by forming a human pyramid wins the contest.

In households, a small cradle made of wood or silver is decorated and the idol of Balakrishna (Baby Krishna) is decorated and worshipped. A special arathi is performed and songs in praise of Lord Krishna is sung. The neighbourhood women and children are invited home and offered KumKum, turmeric powder, flowers, fruits, betel leaf and nuts, and a packet of assorted savouries.

Women sing lullabies and the cradle is slowly swayed by a thread decorated with flowers. Baby boys are dressed as Krishna complete with peacock feather in the hair and flute in the hand. 

Here is how to perform a simple puja dedicated to Lord Krishna:

• Select a calm and quite place.
• Clean the pooja area and then take a bath.
• Place a photograph or idol or picture of Lord Krishna also of Lord Ganesha.
• Keep a lamp ready. Place some flowers and fruits or sweets ready in a plate.
• Pray to Ganesha.
• Meditate for a few minutes to clear the mind of unwanted thoughts.
• Now light the lamp.
• Meditate or pray to Lord Krishna.
• Offer flowers – Tulsi leaves is the best offering made to Krishna. You can light incense or agarbathis. If needed you can ring the bell, while offering flowers.
• Chant the shloka – Om Namo Vasudevaya Namah.
• Now offer fruits or any sweet or usual food prepared for the deity. You can sprinkle some water after making the offering.

You can meditate for a few minutes or read some shlokas or prayers dedicated to Krishna.

After the Krishna Puja remove the fruits and share it as ‘prasad’ with others.

After the puja, find some time to read the Bhagavad Gita and contemplate. One finds ideas and thoughts rushing in while chanting this - which will help you in finding new meaning and direction in your life. Other spiritual books that can be read include Uddhava Gita and Srimad Bhagavad Purana.

Popular Shlokas/ songs:

Achuthashtakam

Madhurashtakam

Krishna Nee Begane Baaro

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya

Sri Krishna taught us to rise above rituals and to perform action. The best offering to Sri Krishna is to perform one’s duty by realizing the human within.

Also Read: The legend of Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami

The legend of Janmashtami

One of India’s most popular festivals - Janmashtami - is celebrated through the years with immense zest and fervour, to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna - the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The legend of this festival basically revolves around the birth of Lord Krishna with the purpose of getting the world rid of evil sources.

It was back in the ‘Dwapara Yuga’ (almost 5000 years ago), when Mathura, which is the birth city of Sri Krishna, was ruled by King Ugrasena. He had a son, Kansa and a daughter Devaki. Kansa, who was selfish and wicked by nature, took over the throne, by imprisoning his father. It was on the day of his sister’s wedding to Vasudeva - one of the highly ranked officials in his army- that a heavenly voice predicted that Devaki’s eighth son will kill him. Scared by this prophecy, Kansa locked up the newlyweds in the prison. He succeeded in killing six newborns of Devaki, as the seventh child was transferred from Devaki’s womb to Rohini’s - Vasudeva’s first wife-and was born as Balarama. But Kansa thought that Devaki had a miscarriage.

Looking at Vasudeva and Devaki’s dilemma, Lord Vishnu appeared before them and promised them that he would come and free people of Mathura from the cruel hands of Kansa. It is said that Lord Krishna was born on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Bhadrapada. Lord Krishna’s birth was followed by an array of miraculous events. Soon after the birth, all the guards and soldiers had fallen into a deep slumber, following which the prison gates opened. Vasudeva- in a sub-conscious state- along with his newborn left for Gokul. It was said to be raining heavily and Vasudeva carried Lord Krishna in a basket above his head, while crossing the river Yamuna. He reached the cowherd chief Nanda’s house in Gokula, where Nanda’s wife Yashoda had delivered a baby girl that night. Vasudeva exchanged the baby and went back to the Mathura jail with the baby girl, and no one got to know about it.

On hearing the birth of the eighth child, Kansa rushed to kill the girl child. As usual, he didn’t give an ear to his sister’s endless pleas to let go of her baby. And just when he was about to bang the child’s head on the wall, the child vanished into thin air and warned Kansa that his assassin is born and is in Gokul. Lord Krishna was raised b

y his foster parents Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul, and later, he killed his evil uncle Kansa. Thereon, Janmashtami is celebrated annually to commemorate the holy deeds of Lord Krishna.

The festival is celebrated throughout the length and breadth of the country with utmost enthusiasm. It lasts for two days; where on the day before Janmashtami devotees fast and sing praises to Lord Krishna, which continues till midnight. An idol of baby Krishna is placed in a cradle and worshipped. People continue to sing devotional songs and dance at midnight- which is said to be the time when Lord Krishna was born. It is at this time when, people break their fast. Some of the places where this festival is celebrated in highest spirits are: Mathura, Vrindavan and Dwaraka.

On Janmashtami, the sport- Dahi Handi/Govinda takes place especially in places like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu. This game, which celebrates Krishna`s playful and notorious side, involves young men who form a tower to hit the pot full of curd or buttermilk, which is usually, hung high in the air with the help of a rope. Apart from Dahi Handi, a divine play called Rasa Lila is enacted in the cities of Vrindavan and Mathura to celebrate various parts of Krishna’s life. Besides India, this festival is also celebrated by devotees of Krishna in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. 

Lord Krishna, who generates high respect and admiration from Hindus, is worshipped this day and remembered this day-as a protector, a good friend and a teacher.

Also Read: How to Observe Krishna Janmashtami

Lord Hayagriva

The incarnation of Lord Vishnu with a Horse Head

Hayagriva is an incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu with a horse head. The main purpose of this incarnation of Vishnu was to recover the Vedas, which were stolen by Asuras or Demons. In this incarnation, Vishnu is worshipped in a human body with a horse head. An important temple where the Hayagriva murti is worshipped is the Hayagriva MadhavaTemple at Hajo in Assam. 

In Hindu scriptures there are two important 

legends relating to the incarnation of Hayagriva. The origin of Hayagriva Avatar is dealt in the ‘Shantiparva’ of Mahabharata and the Puranas.

In one legend, Kashyapa Prajapati had a son named Hayagriva which means ‘one with a horse’s head.’ Through intense austerities he pleased Goddess Durga and attained the boon that he will only be killed by another Hayagriva. With this new found strength, Hayagriva started creating mayhem in the world. Devas approached Vishnu to rescue the world and he readily agreed. 

A terrific battle ensued between Vishnu and the demon. But with Goddess Durga boon to his aid, Hayagriva could not be killed. Vishnu left the battlefield to take rest. He went to Vaikunta and started meditating with his head supported by his bow. Devas were worried at Vishnu leaving the battlefield and entering into a long meditation. They looked out for ways to wake him up and finally sort the help of termites to eat away the bow.  While the termites were eating the bow, the string snapped and Vishnu’s head was severed. The entire universe trembled and Devas took refuge in Goddess Durga.

A smiling Goddess Durga – who knew what Vishnu was up to – asked the Devas to attach a head of a horse on Vishnu. Brahma did the auspicious deed and now Vishnu was Hayagriva. He went to the battlefield and fought demon Hayagriva and killed him.

In another legend, Lord Vishnu took the form of a horse and restored the Veda that was stolen from Lord Brahma by the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. As lord Vishnu took the form of a horse, this incarnation is called Hayagriva (the horse-head). After Vishnu created lord Brahma, he taught Brahma the all eternal Vedas. Once lord Brahma had mastered the Vedas, he was filled with pride that he was the only entity that had the knowledge of the all eternal and holy Vedas. 

Lord Vishnu thought otherwise and created demons Madhu and Kaitabha from two water drops on the lotus that he mounts. He then instructed them to steal the Vedas from Lord Brahma and hide it. Thus, Lord Brahma was in a fix that he was not able to save the holy and all eternal Vedas from theft and prayed to Lord Vishnu to do the needy. Lord Vishnu took the form of Hayagriva or Hayavadana and restored the all pervading Veda to safety, thus curbing the pride of Brahma. So the day of upakarma is also celebrated as Hayagriva Jayanthi. As the Vedas were restored on this day, Upakarma is performed on this day to mark a new beginning.

Hayagriva is also the name of an important Buddhist deity. An important temple dedicated to Lord Hayagriva is the HayagrivaMadhava Temple at Hajo in Assam.

Mangala Gowri Puja

How to Observe Mangala Gowri Puja?

Mangala Gowri Puja, or Shravana Mangala Gowri Puja, is an important Vratha observed by married women in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and by some communities in Maharashtra. It is performed for a happy married life and for the long life of the husband. It is observed on Tuesdays in the Shravan month (July – August).  Married women observe Mangala Gowri Puja in the first five years of their marriage. In the 5th year, the girl has to gift her mother a vessel with the mangala dravya. 

The method of performing Mangala Gowri puja varies from region to region. This is just to give an idea about the ritual. You can always be flexible in all Hindu rituals what matters more is devotion. And one should not ponder too much over the correct performance of rituals. Number 16 has special significance in this Pooja.

Requirements

• An image or idol of Goddess Gowri (Goddess Parvati) or five pyramid shapes made from turmeric powder.
• Kalasha
• Rice
• Jaggery
• 5 blouse pieces folded in a triangular pyramid shape
• 16 beetel leaves and 16 beetel nuts
• Cotton or flower garland - 16 ಎಳೆಗಳ ಹತ್ತಿ ಹಾರ
• Coconut broken into two halves
• 16 rice thambittu for neivedya and 16 rice thambittu for arathi.  16 cotton wicks are placed into it. Ghee is used as a burning fuel and all the 16 wick of the lamp are lighted.
• Flowers and Locally available fruits 

Preparation for the Puja

House and the puja room or area is cleaned. The shrine area is decorated with rangoli patterns.

House or the puja area is decorated with mango leaf festoons.

All items are kept ready.

The prasada menu or the fruits to be offered is decided.

The Puja

• On a flat wooden platform (maNe), spread a blouse piece.
• Over the blouse piece, rice is dropped in a plate or tray.
• The Kalasha pot half-filled with water is kept on the rice bed. The inside neck of the Kalasha pot is decorated with betel leaves, usually 5 in number.
• In front of the Kalasha, you can place either the silver Gowri or the turmeric Gowri.
• Place a mirror behind the mangala Gowri and 2 blouse pieces on either sides of the mirror folded in a triangular shape.
• A coconut is broken and one half each is placed on the sides of the kalasha on the blouse pieces. Betel nuts and betel leaves (8 in number, 16 total) are placed on either sides of the Kalasha with the cocunut.
• 3 pieces of cloth are folded like pyramid and placed at the back of kalasha.
• A silver glass filled with unhusked wheat and godi is placed on the right of the Kalasha.
• The Kalasha tray can be filled with turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood and other Pooja items.
• If you don't have a silver Gowri, a large piece of jaggery (the four corner one) is kept in front of the kalasha. Now u can place the five pyramid shape made from turmeric powder on the four corners of the jaggery and one in center. You can be flexible here. You can just keep an idol or picture of Goddess Gowri., if there is no jaggery, you need not worry about it.
• Decorate the turmeric pyramid or idol or picture of Goddess Gowri with turmeric, kumkum and flowers.
• Keep a steel spatula smeared with beetel leaf juice ready.

The Puja Begins

• Light the lamps
• Pray to the deity by offering flowers, gejje vastra, gandha/ sandal paste, manthrakshtathe, flowers, and lighting incense.
• Offer fruits or the prasada cooked. 
• Pray or meditate for few minutes – this includes asking for boon to deity during the Mangala Gowri Puja. Special prayer or Shloka is recited called Varava Kode in Kannada. (read below)
• Read or listen to the story associated with Mangala Gowri: Mangala Gowri Vratha and Kathe Audio Link
• While listening to the Vratha Story, light the 16 thambittu arathi. Hold the steel spatula over the lamps to get a black soot. This is collected towards to end of the pooja. Cold ghee is added to this and is applied as kajal.
• Invite women home and offer mangala dravya, rice thambittu and kajal. Pay obeisance to the women, God and the elders in family. By observing the vratha.

Mangala Gowri Shloka or song – Varava Kode in Kannada

A special prayer known as Mangala Gowri Haadu or Varava Kode is recited while performing the Mangala Gowri Vratha and Pooja. During the Shravana Mangala Gowri Puja in Karnataka there is a ritual of asking a boon to Goddess Gowri by women. The prayer or Mantra itself is in the form of asking the boon. The story narrated or listened to during the puja is also known as Mangala Gowri Haadu.

Varava Kode Thayi, Varava Kode

Varava Kode Gowri Varava Kode
Kattida Mangalya Karimani Gaajina Balae
Sthiravagi Iruvantha
Varava Koda
Arishina Kumukuma
Aralu Malligay Davana
Sthiravagi Mudivanta
Varava Koda
Mahadi Maneya Mele
Jodu Thottila Katti
Jogula Haaduvantha Varava Kode
Godana, Bhudana
Griha Dana
Kanya Dana
Maduvantha Varava Kode

Also Read: Mangala Gowri Puja Legend

Mangala Gowri Puja Legend

The various Vrathas that are observed in Hinduism is based on a story. The general idea of the story remains the same but the characters and incidents change from region to region. This Shravana Mangala Gowri Vrata Katha is from Karnataka known as Mangala Gowri Haadu. The shloka or song (prayer) narrated during the puja is also referred as Mangala Gowri Haadu.

Long long ago a boy who was studying under a guru went from house to house seeking alms. This was a tradition then and the Guru and shishya only took what was needed for the day. But strangely this boy refused alms given by the queen of the land and took alms from other women. The king and the queen of the land were staunch Shiva devotees but did not have any children.

The queen and the king discussed this strange incident and the next day, the queen again offered rice to the young boy. But the boy did not accept it. The king came and asked why he was not taking the rice from the queen. The boy said that the king and queen did not have children and it would not be wise to take alms from a couple who is unlucky. The king got angry and said only Lord Shiva can decide who should be lucky and unlucky. The king who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva soon realized that the boy was Shiva in disguise. He then prayed to forgive his arrogance and asked to be blessed with a child. Shiva blessed the couple but said their child will only live for sixteen years.

A boy, Chandrasekhar, was born to the couple and soon time passed by and the boy became a teenager. The king and the queen remembered the words of Shiva and decided to send young Chandrasekhar, who was fifteen, to Kashi. It is believed that those who die at Kashi will never be born again. Young Chandrasekhar was informed about his fate and without any other option he followed his uncle to Kashi. On the way, the young boy saw several new things. In a garden, they met a lovely princess. The boy and the uncle heard the princess discussing the glory of Mangala Gowri Puja. It was the Shravan month and the girls were performing the Mangala Gowri Vratha. The princess was saying that whoever she marries will live a long life because she performs the Mangala Gowri Puja with pure heart and devotion.

The boy and the uncle moved forward and they met a prince who was sick. He explained to them that he was to marry the princess of the kingdom tomorrow but he was ashamed to go in front of people as he has fallen sick. The prince asked Chandrasekhar to help him out by appearing in the marriage function. Chandrasekhar agreed. Young Chandrasekhar appeared as the groom and the first day of the marriage function passed away smoothly. That night Chandrasekhar was to turn sixteen. He explained about his fate and about the real prince to the princess and decided to leave next morning to Kashi.

But that night the princess saw a snake approaching Chandrasekhar; she grabbed a handful of unbroken grains used to perform Mangala Gowri Puja and threw it on the snake. The snake fell dead. She took the snake and hid it in the Kalash used to perform the Mangala Gowri Puja. Chandrasekhar left the next morning and he left his wedding ring there. The other prince took the place for the day’s wedding ceremony but the princess was not ready to marry him. She said firmly that Chandrasekhar was her husband and she will only sit next to him.

Chandrasekhar reached Kashi and a year passed. He did not die. The strength and devotion with which the young princess performed the Mangala Gowri Puja saved him. While returning back to his kingdom, Chandrasekhar again reached the same spot. He longed to see the young princess even though he believed that she was happily married to the prince.

Chandrasekhar heard that the princess was in the habit of feeding all the people who passed by her kingdom. He went and sat among the people who was partaking the food offered by the princess. Soon the princess appeared. She was closely examining all the people who were eating. She has been doing this from the day Chandrasekhar left; she was sure that one day he will pass by her kingdom.

In no time, the young princess recognized Chandrasekhar. She showed him the wedding ring. The young Chandrasekhar could not control his tears. He said he did not die. The princess said she knew it and explained what happened on the night when he turned sixteen.

Soon they got married and lived happily there after.

Also Read How to Observe Mangala Gowri Puja?

Nagara Panchami Legend

Nagara Panchami festival observed in India during the Shravan month is a classic example of Hinduism’s deep rooted connections with Nature. Local folklore in India is full of stories associated with Nagas or Snakes. 

THE BOND BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS 

In South, the Nag Panchami festival legends revolve around the brother sister relationship. An important ritual in South Indian on the day include rubbing of milk or ghee on the back, spine and navel of brothers by sisters.

An important story or Nag Panchami Katha goes like this. Once a young girl asks her brother to get some Ketaki flower for Naga Puja. Screwpine or Ketaki is used to worship Nagaraja (Snake God). But unfortunately the brother who went in search of Ketaki is bitten by a snake and is killed. The sister then prays and performs Vrata and propitiates Nagaraja and the brother is brought back to life.

There are numerous such stories in local folklore and in most stories the sister resurrects the dead brother. Thus on the Nag Panchami day in some regions the brother visits his married sister and she applies milk or ghee on the back, spine and navel of the brother and she prays for his long life. The rubbing of milk symbolically reminds the umbilical connection.

SAMUDRA MANTHANA

The popular legend associated with the festival is that Shiva drank the poison Halahala to save the universe during the famous incident of Samudra Manthan. When the ocean of milk was churned by the Devatas (Gods) and Rakshasas in hunt for Nectar, the foremost derivative which came out was poison. Upon seeing this fast stretching of this poison into the world, Lord Shiva gulped it down and maintained it at the throat level. Because of this throat colour changed into deep blue and he was named as Neela Kantha.  But a few drops fell on the ground and the snakes are believed to carry it around still. People propitiate the Nagas (Snakes) on the day to avoid snake bites and also as a thanksgiving for not letting the poison spread on earth. It is believed that the Samdura Manthan episode mentioned in the Puranas happened in the Shravan month. 

KRISHNA CONQUERS KALIYA

According to Puranic scriptures, Brahma's son Kashyapa had four wives. The first wife gave birth to Devas; the second to Garudas; the third to Nāgas; 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.

Another legend indicates that Nag Panchami is performed in remembrance of Sri Krishna subduing Kaliya Nag and saving human beings and animals. Kaliya Nag was poisoning the Yamuna River. 

According to the scriptures, Lord Krishna conquered Naga Kāliya and put an end to the evil deeds on this day (Nāga Panchamī). Tradition says that Kathmandu valley used to be a vast lake. When human beings started to drain the lake to make space for settlements, Nagas became enraged. To protect themselves against the wrath of Nagas, people gave the latter certain areas as pilgrimage destinations, thus restoring harmony in nature.

According to other scriptures, a king used his Tantric powers to force Nagas to return to the land and control the rains. The Nagas complied, but in recognition of their power to control the rains, the king established the Naga Panchami festival.

In Jainism and Buddhism too the snake is regarded as sacred and has divine qualities. It is believed that a Cobra snake saved the life of Buddha; another protected Jain Muni Parshwanath.

Read Also: How to Celebrate Nagara Panchami