2nd April, 2013: Celebrating Dharam
Bahenji's Birthday
Right from the age of six Dharam Bahenji used to fluently chant the Bhagavad
Gita and at the tender age of eleven wrote the renowned play 'Giridhar
Ki Meera,' a beautiful composition on Meera, the bhakti poet-saint of
Rajasthan.
Saint Dharam Bahenji
Dharam Bahenji (2nd April, 1927 till 25th May, 2001) was a famed saint of
Vrindavan who was born on 2nd April, 1927 and left for Golok (the abode
of Lord Krishna) on 25th May, 2001.
'Giridhar Ki Meera'
She was a teacher in Delhi ( BA , Prabhakar ) but after meeting Saint
Ushaji in 1950, she shifted to Ambala. This was pre-destined because
the arrival of Sakha ji (a siddha from Golok) had become a regular practice
from 1954 onwards.
Saint Usha ji & Sushila Bahenji
Hence the trio of Ushaji-Susheelaji-Dharamji used to relish the lilas or
playfull dalliances of Lord Krishna, as friends.
When Usha ji renounced the world for settling in Vrindavan on 17th November,
1959, Dharam ji joined her job in Delhi. In fact, her divine experiences
with Thakurji reveal that a sort of Vallabhacharya -Tulsidas- Surdas
Bhakti-Yuga was re-enacted in Bobo's era as well. When great devotees
of Krishna are born they generally come together as a parikar or divine
group so that the time on earth is not wasted in worldly affairs but
spent in singing the glories of the Lord. For example we had Bhai Poddarji-Radha
Baba-Sethji of Gorakhpur.
We are having the Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah from
30th March, 2013 to 5th April,2013 at Dharam Kuteer,
Vrindavan. The timings are from 3pm to seven pm.
Budhwa Mangal: 2nd April, 2013
Lord Hanuman
is an auspicious Tuesday dedicated to Lord Hanuman Ji. It is celebrated
on the last Tuesday of the Chaitra Month.
Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, Sri Panki Hanuman Temple, Kanpur
Naya Hanuman Mandir , Aliganj, Lucknow are the most visited temples
on Budhwa Mangal.
A devotee can offer any of the following as bhoga to Lord Hanuman:
Malpuas, Laddus, Sindoor, Chameli ka tel, Flower Garlands with Tulsi Leaves,
Burfees, Pedas
3rd April, 2013: Sheetala Ashtami
Ma Sheetala
Ma Sheetala is worshipped on Sheetala Ashtami. She is the goddess of small pox,
who is always accompanied by Jwarasura. Devotees do not cook food in
the house, they are prohibited to light the stoves. Food is cooked the
before day and eaten on Sheetala Ashtami which is famous in North India.
6th April, 2013: Papmochani Ekadashi
Lord Vishnu
Ekadashi is the Goddess that arose from Lord Vishnu to fight and defeat demon
Mura. When she defeated the demon, Lord Vishnu was pleased.The fast
of Papamochani Ekadashi expiates the sins of devotees. Literally paap
means sin and mochani stands for the remover.
Papamochani Ekadasi is observed on Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ekadashi in the North
Indian Calendar.This is the last of Ekadashi vratas of the Hindu Year.
The legend of Papamochni Ekadasi is mentioned in the Bhavishya Uttara
Purana as a conversation between Lord Krishna and Yudhishtira. Charity
and fasting are important aspects of the vrata.
7th April, 2013: Shiva Pradosh Vrat
Lord Shiva
Pradosh means dusk and this fast is kept for propitiating Lord Shiva. With
his blessings one's desires are fulfilled and one attains spiritual
enlightenment. Generally people observe the Pradosha Vrata on every
trayodashi tithi (13th lunar day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas)
in the evening. Please offer plain water and bel patra to Lord Shiva.
The bel patra or leaf of the wood-apple tree represents the three eyes
of lord Shiva and the three gunas.
10th April, 2013: Chaitra Amavasya
Chaitra Amavasya
Chaitra Amavasya is the No Moon day in the month of Chaitra. On the following
day, the Vaishakh Month begins. Many devotees throng to Sri Banke Bihariji
temple particularly as the New Year and Navratras are about to start.
Chaitra Amavasya is auspicious for Pinda daan and Pitru Tarpan. After
bathing donate crops, cow, gold and clothes, and feed the Brahmans.
By doing so one gets the blessings of one's ancestors.
11th April, 2013: Chaitra Navratris
Ma Durga
The Navratris begin and the new Panchang is read before Sri Banke Bihari
ji in Vrindavan.
As per astrological predictions there are two major solar influences
each year. One is the Dakshinayana period when the Sun crosses the Equator
moving towards the southern hemisphere, heralding the start of winter.
The second is the Uttarayana period when the Sun crosses the Equator
moving towards the northern hemisphere, indicating the onset of summer.
These two periods are cited as the sacred time for worshipping the Mother
Goddess and celebrating Navratras. Ram Navratri is celebrated in the
Chaitra Month, and the Durga Navratri in the first nine days of the
light half of the Ashvin Month.
13th April, 2013: Matsya Jayanti
The Matsya Avatara
The appearance day of the Matsya Avatara of Lord Vishnu is observed on
the third day of the waxing phase of the moon of Chaitra (March –
April). Preserving all life forms in a boat during the deluge, the incarnation
establishes the concept of Manus for each Great Yuga coupled with the
task of recovering the lost Vedas.
There is only one temple in India dedicated to Lord Matsya – Nagalapuram
Veda Narayana Swamy Temple near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. The presiding
deity of the temple is Lord Matsya and the idol has the head and torso
of Lord Vishnu and golden human-like feet.
13th April, 2013: Mesha Sankranti
Mesha Sankranti
Mesha Sankranti is also known as Maha Vishuva Sankranti. According to Vedic
astrology the Sun enters Mesha Rashi or the Aries Zodiac on this day.It
marks the beginning of the New Year in most Hindu Solar Calendars.
13th April, 2013: Vaisakhi
Celebrating Vaisakhi
The Vaisakhi harvest celebration is an occasion of dancing, singing,
music, wearing of festive garments and religious praise in India. The
festival marks the start of the New Year in the Nanakshahi solar calendar
and recognizes the Sikh religious faith.
14th April, 2013: Vinayak Chaturthi Vrata
Lord Ganesha
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, 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.
18th April, 2013: Shri Durgashtami
Goddess Durga
On the 8th day of the navratris, yagna and homa are performed. Pure
ghee, kheer and sesame seeds are offered to Goddess Durga. Many people
in north India celebrated the 8th day as ashtami when nine young girls
symbolizing Navdurge are fed with halwa, puri and kale chane.
In Hindu mythology Durga is Shakti, the divine feminine energy. According
to a legend, Lord Brahma granted a boon to Mahishasur, the buffalo demon.
Armed with infinite power, the asura created havoc in the universe,
and started terrorizing the deities. One fine day he ventured to Swargaloka
to kill Indra. Greatly distressed, Indra and other deities begged Lord
Shiva for help. Lord Shiva along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, released
their energies or shaktis which flashed forth and fused together, bringing
to life a magnificent Goddess resplendent with many arms.
Acclaimed as Durga, she was ravishingly beautiful and deadly. The armed Durga
rode a Lion and fought a fiercely bloody battle with Mahishasur, raging
for nine days and nights. Finally on the tenth day, Durga trampled him
under her foot and Mahishasur was killed. The Goddess’s triumph because
of her innate divinity symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
19th April, 2013: Shri Ram Navami
Lord Rama
We celebrate Ram Navami on the ninth day of the new moon in the month
of Chaitra to mark the birth of Lord Rama and his three brothers, Bharata,
Lakshmana and Shatrughana. In some parts of India devotees also mark
the nine days of Ram Naumi as Nao Ratri (nine nights).
Lord Ram was born at sharp midday on the ninth day of the bright side
of the month of Chaitra. (Whereas Lord Krishna was born at midnight
in the dark side of the month of Bhadrapath – around August of every
year)
Tulsidaas, the great narrator who wrote the Ramayana noted that Lord Vishnu
came to earth for the protection of four living beings: Brahmans, Devis
and devtas, Gao mata (holy cow) and Saints.
Lord Vishnu incarnated as Rama to destroy the demon king, Ravana, so that
brahmans and saints could worship freely again. It was after all the
gods and goddesses together with Mother earth (in the form of a holy
cow) went to Lord Vishnu that he agreed to transcend on earth.
Anand Das Baba, a Great Hanuman Devotee
Sri Ramnaumi Bhandara is also organised at the ashram of Ananddass Baba
who was a great Hanumana devotee and the deities (Lord Ram-Sita &
family) whom he served, wear a new dress on each Sri Ramnaumi. Thereafter,
Sri Ram Kirtan is held in the evening again.
22nd April, 2013: Kamada Ekadashi Vrata
Lord Vishnu
The ekadashi expiates all sins including Brahma Hathya.The legend of Kamada Ekadasi is
mentioned in the Varaha Purana as a conversation between Lord Krishna
and King Yudhistira.
Once, a Gandharva called Lalita was married to a beautiful woman. After
his marriage, he was unable to do his regular tasks with dedication
because of attraction towards his wife. Pundarika, the King of the Gandharvas,
therefore cursed him to become a cannibal. Gandharva with his wife wandered
to many holy places to get rid of the curse.
While they were passing by a hermitage, they met a Sage and asked for a
remedy to get rid of this curse. That Sage advised them to perform the
religious observances associated with Kamada Ekadashi and that was fasting.
As suggested by the Sage, the Gandharva couple observed the Kamada Ekadasi
fast and got rid of the curse.
23rd April, 2013: Bhaum Pradosh Vrata
Lord Shiva
Pradosh means dusk and this fast is kept for propitiating Lord Shiva. With
his blessings one's desires are fulfilled and one attains spiritual
enlightenment. Generally people observe the Pradosha Vrata on every
trayodashi tithi (13th lunar day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas)
in the evening. Please offer plain water and bel patra to Lord Shiva.
The bel patra or leaf of the wood-apple tree represents the three eyes
of lord Shiva and the three gunas.Pradosh which falls on Tuesday is
knowan as Bhaum Pradosh
24th April, 2013: Shri Mahavir Jayanti
Lord Mahavir
In Jainism, Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is the most important religious holiday.
It celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. On the Gregorian
calendar, the holiday occurs either in March or April.
Lord Mahavir was born on the thirteenth day of the waxing moon of Chaitra.
Chronology places Mahavir's birth in 599 BCE. He was born into royalty
as the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. It is said that when
Trishala finally gave birth to Mahavir, Indra bathed the newborn with
celestial milk, a ritual which marked him as a Tirthankar.
Celebrations: Local statues of Mahavir are given the abhisheka or ceremonial bath.
During the day, Jains are engaged in some charitable act in the name
of Mahavir while others go to temples for meditation and prayers. Typically
lectures are held in temples to preach the path of virtue as defined
by the Jain doctrine. Donations are collected to promote charitable
missions like saving cows from slaughter or feeding the poor.
25th April, 2013: Chaitra Purnima
Chaitra Purnima
Chaitra Purnima is sacred
for taking a dip in holy rivers and doing charity. Chaitra Purnima marks
the end of Chaitra Mahina in North Indian Hindi calendar. Chitragupta
Puja is also celebrated on Chaitra Purnima in some North Indian castes.
25th April, 2013: Shri Hanuman Jayanti
Birth of Hanumana, a Great Devotee of Lord Rama
Hanuman Jayanti Is an important festival of Hindus and celebrates the birth of Lord
Hanuman during the month of Chaitra.Sri Hanuman is worshipped all over
India either alone or together with Lord Rama. Hanuman is an incarnation
of Lord Shiva, and born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. A symbol of
strength and energy, He is the living embodiment of Ram-Nam, a great
devotee and an exceptional celibate. He did what others could not do-crossing
the ocean simply by uttering Ram-Nam, burning the city of Lanka and
bringing the sanjeevini herb for restoring Lakshmana to life again.
On Hanuman Jayanti people read the Hanuman Chalisa, fast and spend the
whole day chanting the name of Ram. The devotees visit temples and apply
a tilak of sindoor to their foreheads from Hanuman's idol as a symbol
of good luck.
28th April, 2013: Shri Ganesh Chaturthi
Vrata
Lord Ganesha
The fast is observed to please Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is called the Vighanharta
and a puja begins with worship of Lord Ganesha.
The Legend of Ganesh Damnak Chaturthi Fast
A tale recounts how the Gods decided to choose their leader between
the brothers-Kartikeya and Ganesh. Whoever took three rounds of the
earth first, would be acclaimed with the position. Kartikeya seated
on a peacock, his vehicle, soon enough set out for the mission. Ganesh
was given a mooshak or rat, which moved swiftly. He made obeisance to
his parents and circumambulating them three times, completed the test
before Kartikeya. He reasoned, "My parents pervade the entire universe
and going around them, is more valuable than going round the earth."
All present were amazed at Ganesha's logic and he was renowned as Ganadhipati
or leader, now famed as Ganapati.
very intresting & informative calender with beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!