1st
October, 2016: Sharadiya Navratris Start
Goddess Durga
In
Hindu mythology Durga is Shakti, the divine feminine energy. The Goddess’s
triump over Mahishasur, the buffalo demon symbolizes the victory of good over
evil. These nine days are solely devoted to propitiation of the Mother Goddess
or Shakti Incarnate.
4th
October, 2016: Angaraki Ganesh Chaturthi Vrata
Lord Ganesha
According
to Hindu scriptures Chaturthi Tithi(s) belongs to Lord Ganesha. The Chaturthi
after Amavasya or new moon during Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi.
When it falls on a Tuesday it is known as Angaraki Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ganesha,
the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon is beheld as the most auspicious God of
new beginnings and widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and
good fortune. Devotees of Lord Ganesha, who intend to observe a fast on Ganesha
Chaturthi, wake up early in the morning and take a bath. After wearing
laundered clothes, they head towards the nearest temple or perform a small puja
at home, to offer prayers to the deity.
When
people fast on Ganesh Chaturthi, they either opt for the nirjal vrat (a
stringent, waterless fast) or phalahar vrat (a diet). Devotees are allowed to
have sweets including til ke ladoo, gajak and rewari along with tea and coffee.
In order to concentrate, devotees chant mantras invoking Lord Ganesha and sing
bhajans in his praise. It is believed that if one observes a fast on Ganesha
Chaturthi with sincerity, he is blessed with health, wealth and prosperity.
9th
October, 2016:Shri Durga Ashtami
Maa Durga
Durgashtami,
is the eighth day of Durga Navratris. Goddess Bhadrakali, the powerful form of
the mother goddess, incarnated on Ashvin Krishna Ashtami along with the yogini
ganas to annihilate demon Mahishasur. Durga means indefatigable in Sanskrit.
On
the 8th day of this colourful festival, yagna or religious sacrifice and homa
or fire rituals are performed. Pure ghee, kheer and sesame seeds are offered to
Goddess Durga. Many people in north India celebrate the 8th day as ashtami when
nine young girls representing the Navdurge are fed with halwa, puri and kale
chane.
10th
October, 2016: Shri Durga Navami
Mahishasur Mardini
On
Mahanavami, the Mother Goddess became Mahishasura Mardhini by slaying demon
Mahishasura.
Ayudha Puja
The
ninth day is also celebrated as Ayudha Puja. After the slaying of Mahishasura
by Goddess Durga there was no need of Her weapons and they were thus kept aside
and worshipped.
Goddess Saraswati
11th
October, 2016: Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra
Lord Rama Kills Ravana
On
this day in the Treta Yuga, Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu,
killed the demon king,Ravana who had abducted Sita. Ramayana, a great epic,
records how Rama, his brother Lakshman, Hanuman and their troops of monkeys
battled to rescue Sita from Ravana's Lanka.
Shri Rama Invokes the Blessings of Goddess Durga
Shri Rama
had performed Chandi Homa and invoked the blessings of goddess Durga. She
blessed Rama with knowledge of the secret means of killing Ravana.
Effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran & Meghnath Being Burnt
On
Dussehra, effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and son Meghnath are
erected and burnt with joyous abandon at sunset, marking the victory of good
over evil.This event gets rid of a household's ten vices represented by ten
heads of Ravana namely,lust, anger, delusion, greed, arrogance, jealousy, mind,
intellect, will and ego.
On
Vijayadashami, Arjuna took back his weapons which he had hidden in a Vani tree
so that he could live in disguise during the promised exile.It is said that one
who begins his learning to work on Vijayadashami will be a grand success as
Arjuna was in the war of Kurukshetra.
As
Dusshera is considered to be a festive occasion, special cuisine is made on the
day. Since in most of the Hindu communities, people keep a fast and eat only
one meal a day at sunset. Also the diet is strictly vegetarian. Even onion and
garlic are not allowed as they are not considered a part of the ‘Satvik food’.
12th
October, 2016:Papankusha Ekadashi
Madhusudana
Fasting on Ekadashi
(comes twice a month). One should not consume any grains or meat on this day.
Lord
Krishna says that if a person fasts on Ekadashi, “I will burn up all his sins.
Indeed this day is the most meritorious for destroying all kinds of sins.” In
the katha of Papankusha Ekadashi from the Brahma Vaivarta Purana,Yudhishthira
Maharaj says, “ Oh Madhusudana, what is the name of the Ekadashi that comes
during the light fortnight of the month of Ashvina? Please be merciful and
disclose this truth to me."
Lord
Krishna goes on to reveal the glories of the Papankusha Ekadashi which expiates
all sins.
13th
October, 2016: Pradosh Vrata
Lord Shiva
Pradosh
means dusk and this fast is kept for propitiating Lord Shiva. With His
blessings all desires are fulfilled and one attains spiritual enlightenment.
Generally people observe Pradosha Vrata on every trayodashi tithi (13th lunar
day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas) in the evening.
15th October, 2016:
Sharad Poornima
The Rasa Lila
On
Sharad-Poornima, Vrindavan devotees celebrate the divine union of the ascending
soul with the descending God. The miracle of the Raas Lila: that supreme moment
of Krishna’s manifestation as human lover and divine incarnate dancing with the
gopis in the forest of Madhuvana.
Dark-hued Krishna Bathing with Gopis in the Yamuna
Bathing
with the gopis in the flowing waters of the Yamuna on the radiant night of
Sharad Poornima, the autumnal full moon, Krishna enchants us.
Shri Banke Bihar ji
In
celestial Vrindavan the most popular deity Shri Bihari ji is majestically
decked with mormukut, katikachini and vanshi on Raas Poornima. Millions of
devotees from all over Punjab, Delhi, UP and the entire world throng to have
His radiant darshan which is possible only once a year!
16th
October, 2016: Shri Valmiki Jayanti
Maharshi Valmiki
He is celebrated as the poet harbinger in Sanskrit
literature. Maharishi Valmiki is the author of the epic Ramayana, based on the
attribution in the text of the epic itself and is revered as the Adi Kavi or
First Poet because he discovered the first śloka or verse, which set the base
and defined the form to Sanskrit poetry. The Yoga Vasistha is attributed to
him. A religious movement called Valmikism is based on Valmiki's teachings as
presented in the Ramayana and the Yoga Vasistha.
16th
October, 2016: Kartik Snan Begins
Kartik Snan at Har ki Pauri
Kartik Maas, the eighth lunar month of the
traditional Hindu calendar, is considered highly auspicious in North India.
Taking a holy dip in the river Ganges at Prayag and Badarikashrama located in
the Himalayas in Kartik is considered as a means of attaining salvation and is
known as Kartik Snan.
19th
October, 2016: Karva Chauth Vrata
Karwa Chauth
Karwa
Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival wherein married women observe a fast and
worship the karwa filled with water (or make an offering of a karva filled with
sweets). As the name signifies, karwa means an earthen pot with a spout, used
in prayers. Chauth corresponds to the fourth day leading to the name Karwa
Chauth. The event falls on chaturthi tithi after the full moon in the Kartik
month of the Hindu calendar, about nine days before Diwali.
It
is customary for married women to fast the entire day without food or water for
the longevity of their husbands’ lives, well-being and prosperity. A woman who
keeps this vrat or fast is acclaimed as Saubhagyavati (a joyous state of
wifehood). In the evening they listen to the Karva Chauth katha and the fast is
over after moonrise.
19th
October, 2016: Sankashti Chaturthi Vrata
Lord Ganesha
Ganesha,
the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon is beheld as the most auspicious God of
new beginnings and widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity
and good fortune. Devotees of Lord Ganesha, who intend to observe a fast on
Sankashti Chaturthi, wake up early in the morning and take a bath.
After
wearing laundered clothes, they head towards the nearest temple or perform a
small puja at their home,to offer prayers to the deity.
When
people fast on Sankashti Chaturthi, they either opt for the nirjal vrat (a
stringent, waterless fast) or phalahar vrat (a diet). Devotees are allowed to
have sweets including til ke ladoo , gajak and rewari along with tea and
coffee. In order to concentrate, the devotees chant mantras invoking Lord
Ganesha and sing bhajans in his praise. It is believed that if one observes a
fast on Sankashti Chaturthi with sincerity, he is blessed with health, wealth
and prosperity.
22nd
October, Ahoi Ashtami Vrata
Goddess Ahoi
Celebrated
in autumn on Ashtami (eighth day of a lunar fortnight), Ahoi Ashtami is a
festival before Diwali when women pray for their children. The ritual is
usually celebrated in the Karthik month (October-November)of the Hindu
calendar.
Very
similar to Karva Chauth, although not overly popular, the Ahoi Ashtami is a
fast specifically observed by mothers for the well-being of their sons.It is
performed mostly by people living in Northern India when pure water is offered
to stars in the evening by mothers praying for the long life of their
sons.Families having children do worship goddess Hoi and seek her blessings for
a fruitful Diwali which is just a week away.
26th
October, 2016: Rama Ekadashi
The Braham Vaivarta Purana
It is
observed on the eleventh day in Krishna Paksha of the Kartik month according to
the North Indian calendar.
An
account of the legend and the significance of Rama Ekadasi is given in the
Brahmavaivarta Purana.
In a
conversation held between dark-hued Krishna and Yudhistira, Lord Krishna
details the story of prince Shobhana who attained salvation in his next life by
keeping the fast of Ramaa Ekadasi.Shobhana ruled a kingdom on Mount
Mandarachala and his wife Chandrabhaga finally enjoys marital bliss with him.
28th
October, 2016: Pradosh Vrata
Lord Shiva
Pradosh
means dusk and this fast is kept on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight for
propitiating Lord Shiva. With his blessings all desires are fulfilled and one
attains spiritual enlightenment. It is said that on this day all gods and
goddesses assemble at Mount Kailash to worship Lord Shiva.
28th
October, 2016: Dhanteras/Dhanwantari
Jayanti
Goddess Lakshmi Riding Uluka, the Owl
Dhanteras
ushers in Diwali, India’s festival of lights. Marking the first day of the five
day Diwali festivities; it is a harbinger of good fortune. Dhanteras falls on
the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of
Kartik (October/November). Dhan in Dhanteras stands for wealth and teras means
the thirteenth.
On
Dhanteras Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune relies on Uluka
the owl to carry Her wherever she disperses her material and spiritual riches
on this day in particular.
Dhanwantari, Physician of the gods
Also
known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanwantari Triodashi It is celebrated in honour of
Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Dhanteras
is celebrated with joyous abandon all over India and is particularly
significant for the business community for whom it is customary to purchase
precious metals on this day.
29th
October, 2016: Naraka Chaturdashi/ Chhoti Diwali
The day
before Diwali, is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdasi with fewer
lights being lit and less bursting of crackers.
Naraka Chaturdashi
Naraka
Chaturdasi: Satyabhama was infuriated by Narakasura's malice towards women and
Krishna granted her a boon to fight the demon, He rescued the imprisoned women
plus recover Goddess Aditi's earrings. After the demon was slain, Lord Krishna
married all the sixteen thousand women to spare them disgrace.
29th
October, 2016: Roop Chaturdashi
Ineffably Beautiful Krishna
A
person’s visual appearance is enhanced by worshipping Lord Krishna on this
day.A saint used to live in a place called Hiranyagarbha. Once he tried to
invoke the Lord by praying to Him. He performed austerities but faced a lot of
problems.
Hence the
saint was distressed. The saint asked Narad Muni why he had to face so many
problems despite worshipping the Lord. Narad Muni told him that he had prayed
in an inappropriate manner.
Narad
Muni suggested that the saint keep a fast on Chaturdashi in the Kartik Krishna
Paksha and worship Lord Krishna on this day. Narada assured the saint that he
would become beautiful and healthy if he did so. The saint followed all
principles of the fast and became healthy. Thus Narak Chaturdashi came to be
known as Roop Chaturdashi.
On this
day, a person should wake up early and take a bath. He should put some apamarg
leaves in water before taking a bath. A four-faced lamp should be kept in a
platter for worshipping the Lord. Roli, jaggery, gulal and flowers should also
be kept in this platter.
After
worshipping Lord Krishna, lamps should be lit in different corners of the
house. Ganesha and goddess Laxmi must be worshipped with dhoop and lamps. Lamps
are also donated on this day. Fourteen lamps dedicated to Lord Yama are lit in
the southern direction. A devout worshipper is freed from all sins and
problems.
29th
October, 2016: Hanuman Jayanti
Shri Hanuman Mandir, Sarangpur
Hanuman
Jayanthi is celebrated in honour of the birth of Hanuman, the monkey god widely
propitiated throughout India. He was born to Kesari (the Wind God) and Anjani.
Hanuman, the mighty ape that aided Lord Rama in his expedition against evil
forces, is one of the most popular idols in the Hindu pantheon. Believed to be
an avatara of Lord Shiva, Hanuman is worshipped as a symbol of physical
strength, perseverance and devotion.
30th
October, 2016: Diwali / Shri Lakshmi Pujan
Significant Events
related to Diwali
Diwali, the Festival of Lights
Return of
Lord Rama to Ayodhya: Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, with His wife
Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after a 14 year exile, and a war in which
he killed Ravana, the demon king. It is said that the denizens of Ayodhya lit
ghee lamps to light their path in the darkness. Lord Rama journeyed from South
India to His kingdom in the North. He passed through the south earlier; because
of which the festival is celebrated a day before in South India.
Ardhanarishwar Shiva
Austerities of Shakti: According to the Skanda Purana, goddess Shakti
observed 21 days of austerity from ashtami of shukla paksha (eighth day of the
waxing period of moon) to attain half the body of Lord Shiva. This fast is
known as kedhara vrata which is completed on Deepavali when Lord Shiva accepted
Shakti as the left half of His form and appeared as Ardhanarishvara.
Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi
Puja: Lakshmi Puja marks the most important day of Diwali celebrations in North
India. Hindus worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesha, the God of
auspicious beginnings.Hindus leave the windows and doors of their houses open
so that Lakshmi can step in. Rangoli patterns are drawn on the floors and most
popular is the lotus flower because images of Lakshmi show Her either holding a
lotus or sitting on one.There is much feasting and Diwali lamps make it easy
for Lakshmi to find Her way to favoured houses.
The goddess is
worshipped in her dark form as Kali in the Bengali and Oriya areas of India.
Diwali marks the last battle in the Chaturmas when the demons become all
powerful and must be wiped out.
31st October, 2016 Annakoot / Shri
Goverdhan Pooja
Lord Krishna’s lifting of Goverdhan Mount for seven days at a stretch
before Diwali inaugurates the ethos of shringara bhakti. Dark-hued Krishna
admonishes the people of Vraja and tells them not to become a prey to
ritualistic Vedic worship of Indra Pujan but instead engage in a more humanistic
dharma of love by worshipping Goverdhan.
Annakoot
Soon
after the prayers and aarti were done as per customary norms, 56 sumptuous
delicacies were ceremoniously raised as bhoga (offerings of food) before the
deity (Mount Goverdhan). After the Lord relished the feast, it was the
Vrajwasis turn to approach the mount of food and savour prasad. Now, the Lord
asked them to take a round of the mount, which measures 21kms or 14 kos.'
Krishna
granted a boon that from now onwards Goverdhan was no more a mount but His
svarupa or living presence and any person who takes a parikrama or
circumambulation of Sri Girirajji will be certainly blessed with the fulfilment
of all his desires. Ever since, the parikrama of Sri Girirajji is undertaken by
millions of devotees almost daily, not just the annual one on Annakoot or the
monthly circumambulation on every Poornima (the night or day of full moon).
1 comment:
Information about the month was very imp.for this month of festivals.Thanks a lot.
Post a Comment