Spiritual Calendar, August 2012

1st August, 2012: Satyanarayan Vrata

Satyanarayan Puja

 Satyanarayana is a very compassionate form of Sri Hari and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Performing Satyanarayana vrata and puja is believed to usher in prosperity and is performed after marriages, important ceremonies, achievements, purchase of property or a house and so on.

2nd August, 2012: Rakhi on Shravan Purnima

Lord Krishna Saves Draupadi's Honour

Rakhi is a very famous festival for brothers and sisters. At  Vrindavan, the one-month long sawan stuti of Lord Shiva and jhulan utsav of Thakurji that started on Guru-Poornima comes to an end.

According to the Hindu Calendar Rakhi falls on  Shravan Purnima (full moon day) which corresponds to July-August as per the English Calendar.

Krishna and Draupadi: An incident concerning Krishna and Draupadi from the epic Mahabharata is centred on this festival. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, had torn a strip off her silken sari and tied it around Krishna index finger to stop the flow of blood. Krishna was so touched that he promised to repay the debt and did so during the Vastra Haran of Draupadi. In the assembly of King Dhritarashtra when Yudhishthir lost her in gambling, Krishna indefinitely extended her saree, to save her pride.

The legend of Lord Yama and his sister Yamuna: Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Yama, the Lord of death and Yamuna his sister. Yamuna tied a rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. Yama was so moved that he declared that whoever got a rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection would become immortal.

3rd August, 2012: At the holy feet of revered Santosh Behenji ( 1923-2004) who left for Gaulok on 3rd August 2004

 Santosh Bahenji

The waters of Jhelum abound with love tales of Laila Majnu and Shiri Farhad. Born in a Sikh family of those environs of Kashmir and impressed by Gandhi's principles, Santosh Bahenji, daughter of an affluent father, got Shaligramji ( Lord Vishnu's form ) from a sage when she was very young. Longing for Krishna In 1942, she came to the holy site of Vrindavan at the tender age of 19 and met great saints like Sri Sri Maharaj ji, Manohar ji, Bobo ji & Sushila Bahenji who influenced her life. Sarla Bahenji was her constant companion. The book 'Sri Krishna Anuragini Santosh Bahenji' was published in 2005 and showcases her experiences with Shri Bihariji, Vrindavan, Yamunja ji, the Yugal Sarkar of Saint Ushaji and the parikar in Vrindavan.

4th August, 2012: Kajli Teej

  Goddess Teej

The annual Kajli Teej festival is celebrated in Bundi located at a distance of about 40 kms from the city of Kota. The festival falls on the third day of Bhadra (July-August) and is dedicated to Goddess Teej.

Kajli Teej Festival of Bundi begins with a procession of the Goddess, which is taken in an artistically decorated golden palanquin from the scenic Naval Sagar to the Azad Park. On the way, it passes through a number of main bazaars, escorted by elephants, camels, bands, performing artists and brightly dressed people. Although the main Kajli Teej takes place for just two days, the celebration continues till Janmashtami (birth anniversary of Lord Krishna). This festival holds special significance for married couples, as it marks a time for them, to replenish the ties of dedication and loyalty. Special sweetmeats and swing rides add to the enjoyment of the festival. The evenings are spent in watching cultural programs that are especially organized for the Kajli Teej Festival.

5th August, 2012: Ganesh Chaturthi Vrata

 Ganesha, the Most Auspicious God

Devotees of Lord Ganesha, who want to keep 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 their home, to offer prayers to the deity.

They either opt for the nirjal vrat (a stringent, waterless fast) or phalahar vrat (a diet). 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 Ganesha Chaturthi with sincerity, he is blessed with health, wealth and prosperity.

7th August, 2011: Hal Chhath

Lord Balram or Haldhar

This is the appearance day of Lord Balarama, the first expansion of the dark-hued Krishna. Devotees offer special prayers to Balarama, the icon of duty, honesty and simplicity to receive spiritual strength from Him.He incarnated on the full moon day of Shravana.

Balaram, Balarama and Sankarsana are some of Lord Baldev's other names. Balaram had incarnated as Lakshman in the Treta Yuga which came before Dwapar.

He is considered the incarnation of Sheshnaag, the thousand-headed snake on whom Lord Vishnu sleeps throughout periods of dissolution of the world.Because he was drawn from Devaki's to Rohini's womb, He is known as Lord Sankarsana. It is a common belief that he bestows riches on this materialistic world.

Balaram is also famed as Haldhar, the god of the farmers.They devotedly worship the plough, his weapon, before undertaking any task.

9th August, 2012: Kalashtami Vrat

  Kala Bhairava, a Manifestation of Lord Shiva

Kalashtami is an auspicious vrata dedicated to Lord Shiva observed on the ashtami after purnima in the Hindu calendar. Pitru daan and pitru darpan are performed to please the dead souls. It is a fast kept mostly in Maharashtra and other western parts of india.

10th August, 2012, Lord Shri Krishna Janamashtami

 badhai ho, badhai ho, badhai ho sabhi ko bhagwan shri krishna ke janamotsav ki badhai ho !

Celebrations are to be held at Sri Banke Bihari ji Temple, all the temples of Vrindavan, Gokul, Mahavan, Mathura, ISKCON and the world over.

Lord Vishnu Takes Birth as Krishna

The main purpose of the Lord’s incarnation is for the salvation of saints, destruction of evil and installation of righteousness as explained in the 'Bhagwad Gita.' Towards the end of the Dwapar Era, in the Hindu month of Bhadra, Mathura had the great fortune of witnessing Lord Krishna’s birth on Krishan Ashtami. Atrocities were on the rise, religion had become a mere farce and the deities were great pained. King Kansa terrified of his own death had imprisoned Vasudev and Devki, having killed six of their earlier children. The seventh child was to be the Lord Himself.

Shri Radha- Krishna, our Yugal Sarkar at Gaura Colony, Vrindavan

Parampoojaya Susheela Bahinji shall lead the utsav at Gaura-Colony in front of our Yugal Sarkar or Thakurji.The search of the impassioned soul for union with god is centred within earthly Vrindavan. Its enraptured village girls representing Krishna's hungering devotees are passionately drawn to his lyrical softness, innocent pranks, beautiful adornments and serene sensuality which add to his madhurya or sweet love.

Krishna's playful dalliance is nitya or eternal. One aspect of Lord Krishna’s enigmatic persona which distinguishes him from all other deities is his lila or divine play which makes him both human and divine at the same time, and becomes him most of all.Delighting in play he endears himself and brings joy to all his devotees.

11th August, 2012: Nandotsav

at Sri Banke Bihariji and the other temples.

 Thakur Radha Raman ji on Nandotsav

Krishna Janamashtami is followed by a day full of pomp and joyous abandon where Nandotsav or Nanda Mahotsav is observed in various temples all over the country. In the morning after Janamashtami or navami, Bihariji continues to sit in the jagmohan showering his blessing and loving tenderness to all. Priests and devotees distribute sweets, fruits, clothes, toys, utensils and coins as part of the celebrations. Devotional songs congratulating Nand Baba on the birth of Krishna are delightedly sung in unison.Everybody feels that the dark-hued Krishna has been born today and revels with enthused exultation.

 Footprints of Child Krishna

The ladies of the house mark the entrance of their homes with rice paste so as to form small feet of infants. They are always made pointing towards the house which is believed to mark the entry of child Krishna in their abodes and bring prosperity along with happiness.

13th August, 2012: Aja Ekadashi Vrata

 The Truthful King Harishchandra & Taramati

Aja Ekadasi falls on the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada (August – September). As the legend goes once there lived a great King known for his truthfulness and popular as Satya Harishchandra. The King was passing through difficult times and sought shelter of the great Shri Gautam Maharshi.The sage asked the king to keep the fast of Aja Ekadsi with utmost devotion.

King Harishchandra observed the fast of Ananda Ekadasi. Soon after, he got back his wife, son and kingdom which he had lost in the past. Above all, the King ruled the kingdom happily and went back to God.

The legend and significance of Aja Ekadasi is explained in the Brahma Vaivartha Purana. Lord Krishna mentions to Yudhisthira. Observing a fast on this day cleanses all the sins of a person and is very auspicious being a favourite day of Lord Vishnu and His consort Shri Lakshmi.

14th August, 2012: Vatsa Dwadashi Vrata

Lord Vishnu

This vrat is to wish for a son. This fast is performed by the women who have male children. On this day too sprouted beans and grams are offered as oblations. Special importance is attached to the use of split cereals. Whole grains and cow-milk are avoided. On the 12th day of Krishna Paksha besides Bachhwaras this fast of Duas or Bale-Dwadashi or Vatsa Dwadashi is observed

15th August, 2012: Lord Shiva Pradosh fast

(Monthly Shivratri Fast)

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.

Worship of Shiva throughout the night, bathing the Shivalinga with panchamrta (milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey), homa, chanting the mulamantra (Aum Nama Shivaya) and praying for forgiveness are the other religious observances. At the end of the vrata one must do parana (break the fast by partaking the offerings).

15th August,2011: Independence Day

Wishing all Indians at home & those living abroad, a very happy independence day.

17th August, 2012:Kashotpatini Amavasya

 Grass Washing Being Done by Priests

Amavasya is the no moon day in Hinduism.Amavasya in the month of bhadrapad is known as Kashotpatini amavasya. On this day kusha or darba grass is produced for all religious activities, shhradh and other functions of the whole year. Kusha is another name of darbha grass. This is a sacrificial grass which, on occasion of offerings made to the gods, is placed upon the ground as a seat for them, having its tips towards the east. Kusha is a compulsory requirement in all religious activities of the Hindus.

17th August, 2012: Sinh Sankranti

 Sinh Sankranti

Sankranti means transition.When the sun transits from one rashi (zodiac sign) to Sinh (Leo) that day is known as Sinh sankranti.Since the sun passes through twelve rashis there is one sankranti every month.

18th August, 2012: The Adhika Masa Begins

 The Adhika Masa Appealing to Lord Krishna

Once, an extra month or  adhika masa appeared in addition to the other twelve months. The other months, naming it “mal,” (an unclean thing) derided this month’s existence.
 
Overwhelmed with sadness, the adhika-masa approached Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha. She said to the Lord, “O Lord, what is my fate! I am an outcast, and the other months call me ‘mal!’ I have no purpose, no qualities — I even have no name!”

Garuda pleaded to Lord Vishnu on her behalf, and feeling pity for the adhika-masa, Lord Vishnu took her to Krishna in Goloka Vrindavan. She was crying pitiably and Krishna was surprised to see someone so sad in Goloka. 

Seeing her pitiable condition, Sri Krishna said, “From now on you will be full of all auspicious qualities. Anyone who blasphemes you will certainly be the best candidate for hell. Materialists who deride you will surely see hell. All the other months such as Magh, Vaisakh, and Kartika, all combined will only match 1/16th of your glories, which will exceed even the month of Kartika. Thus you will bear My name, Purusottama-masa. You will be the most auspicious of months. Anyone who bathes in the Ganga, worships Me, and chants My glories in this month will surely enjoy all happiness and prosperity in their present life and upon leaving their bodies will return to Me in this life.”

Purusottama-masa occurs once every three years. It is beneficial for all spiritual activities, and inauspicious for all material activities. Chanting the holy names, bathing in Ganga, offering a lamp to Krishna, and giving in charity are particularly beneficial in this month.

The concept of Adhika Masa is unique to traditional Hindu lunar calendars. In 2012, there is an Adhik Masa or an extra month from August 18, 2012 to September 16, 2012 as per the North Indian Calendar.

27Th August, 2012:Purshottam Kamala Ekadasi

 Lord Vishnu

is observed during the Adhika Masa. The extra month that is added to Hindu Lunar calendar once in 30 months is also referred as Purushottam Masa in honor of Lord Vishnu. This Ekadasi is also referred as Parama Ekadasi.

All the usual rules observed during Ekadasi fasting are followed on the day.

29th August, 2012:Lord Shiva's Pradosham Fast

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. Generally people observe Pradosha Vrata on every trayodashi tithi (13th lunar day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas) in the evening.

Worship of Shiva throughout the night, bathing the Shivalinga with panchamrta (milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey), homa, japa or chanting of the mulamantra (Aum Nama Shivaya) and praying for forgiveness are the other religious observances. At the end of the vrata one must do parana (break the fast by partaking the offerings).

31st August, 2012:Satyanarayan Vrata

The Satyanarayan Vrata

  is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu. Satyanarayana is a highly compassionate form of Sri Hari Vishnu. Here are the Satyanarayan Vrat dates in 2012. Performing Satyanarayana vrat and puja is believed to usher in prosperity and is performed after marriages, important ceremonies, achievements, purchase of property or a house and so on.