Spiritual Calendar: August, 2015

1st August, 2015: The Month of Shravan Begins

Worshipping Shiva in Shravan

3rd August, 2015:

Lord Shiva

The first Monday of Shravan is dear to all gods, especially Shiva. On every Monday of this month, devotees throng to Shiva temples throughout India to worship the sacred Shivalingam.

Kanwarias

Kanwarias in the month of Shravan: Soon enough many devotees of Lord Shiva shall carry kanwarias to Haridwar/ Gopeshwar in the sacred Lord Shiva's month of Shravan. A kanwar is a decorative bamboo pole carried on the shoulder with covered pots of water balanced at both ends.

3rd August, 2015: At the Holy Feet of revered Santosh Behanji (1923-2004) 

Santosh Bahenji

The waters of Jhelum abound with love tales of Laila Majnu and Shiri Farhad. Born in a Sikh family of these 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. 

'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.She left for Gaulok on 3rd August 2004.

3rd August,2015: Sankashti Chaturthi Vrata

 Lord Ganesha

According to the Hindu Calendar, a lunar month has two fortnights. The Chaturthi or fourth day that arrives in Krishna Paksha or the dark fortnight is known as Sankashti Chaturthi.

Devotees of Lord Ganesha keep fast from sunrise to moonrise on Sankashti Chaturthi. Sankashti means deliverance during troubled times. Lord Ganesha, the Supreme Lord of intelligence, symbolizes the remover of all obstacles. Hence it is believed that one can get rid of all obstacles by observing this fast.

The fast is supposed to be strict and only fruit, roots and vegetable products are to be consumed. The staple Indian diet on Sankashti Chaturthi includes sabudana khichadi, potato and peanuts. Devotees break the fast at night after sighting of the moon.

10th August,2015: Kamada Ekadashi Vrata

Lord Vishnu

 The story of Kamika Ekadashi from the Brahma Vaivarta Purana is as follows: Saintly king Yudhishthira requested Lord Krishna to narrate glories of the ekadashi which occurs during the dark fortnight of the Shravan Month (July-August).Krishna said that once Narada Muni asked Lord Brahma the name of this ekadashi,the deity who was to be worshipped, the process to be followed and its merits.Lord Brahma happily agreed because just hearing about the Kamika Ekadashi is equivalent to performing a horse sacrifice.

One who worships Lord Vishnu attains greater merit than bathing in the Ganges,having darshan of Lord Kedarnath in the Himalayas,bathing at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse, donating earth in charity, taking a dip in the Kali Gandaki River or Godavari River on full moon. Observing Kamika Ekadashi bestows the same merit as donating a milk-cow and her calf along with their fodder. Oh Narada, Lord Krishna Himself confirmed that the one who fasts on Kamidka Ekadashi is more blessed than a person studying the spiritual texts and does not have to suffer future births.

Lord Krishna affirmed that this sacred day nullifies the sin of killing a brahman or an unborn child in the womb and transports one to Vaikuntha, where Lord Vishnu forever dwells.

11th August, 2015: 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.

All Mondays of Shravan are dear to the gods, especially Shiva. On every Monday of this month, devotees throng to Shiva temples throughout India to worship the sacred Shivalingam.

Aug 14, 2015: Hariyali Amavasya

Phool Bangla of Shri Banke Bihariji

Hariyali Amavasya is a monsoon festival celebrated on amavasya in the Shravan month in North India. Lord Shiva is worshipped on this day for wealth, prosperity and a good harvest.Grand fairs are held in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Hariyali Amavasya is celebrated with enthused fervour in Dwarkadhish temple of Mathura, Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan and other temples of Lord Krishna and Shiva.

This day culminates the Phool Bangla Utsav in Banke Bihari Temple of Vrindavan, during which a house of flowers is made daily in the evening. Great importance is give to the green colour in this festival since it reflects the greenery of nature after the first showers of monsoon.

15th August, 2015: Independence Day

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

17th August, 2015: Hariyali Teej

Saint Usha Bahenji's Yugal Sarkar on a Jhulan

The first of the three main Teej festivals is observed on the third day of the shukla paksha of Shravan. Vrindavan is certainly worth a visit on this day as Shri Banke Bihariji is posited on a jhoola sinhasan, religious hymns are chanted and lilas of Radha-Krishna are narrated. Saint Ushaji's Thakurji is already resplendent on a swing from 5 to 6 pm for the entire month of Shravan.

Women fast on this day. Married woman fast for their husbands and a happy married life. Unmarried girls fast in order to get a good husband in the future. This festival is known as Hariyali Teej in the eastern part of the country. Nature can be seen flourishing and women enjoying themselves with songs, swings etc.

The Teej in the Shravan month is of great religious importance. According to a legend, Parvati kept fasts during this period to impress Lord Shiva. These fasts helped Parvati in marrying Lord Shiva. It is also believed that on this day, Parvati completed hundred years of Her austerities.

17th August, 2015: Shravan Somwar Vrata

Lord Shiva

 All Mondays of Shravan are dear to the gods, especially Shiva. On every Monday of this month, devotees throng to Shiva temples throughout India to worship the sacred Shivalingam.

18th August, 2015: Vinayak Ganesh Chaturthi Vrata

Lord Ganesha

According to the Hindu Calendar, a lunar month comprises two fortnights. The Chaturthi that comes in the bright fortnight of the month is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi,

Although Vinayaka Chaturthi fasting is done every month but the most significant Vinayaka Chaturthi falls in month of Bhadrapada. Vinayaka Chaturthi during Bhadrapada month is known as Ganesha Chaturthi which is celebrated by Hindus all over the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha.

19th August, 2015:Naag Panchami

Lord Krishna Vanquishes Kalia Naag

Naag Panchami is a festival during which religious Hindus in some parts of India either worship images or live Nagas on the fifth day after Amavasya of the Shravan Month. Traditionally, married young women visit their premarital households to celebrate the festival. A traditional aspect of the celebration involves young women swinging joyously on swings temporarily hung on tree branches, particularly in the villages of India.

According to Puranic mythology, Brahma’s son Kashyapa had four wives. The first wife gave birth to Devas; the second, to Garudas; the third --named Kadroo--, to Nagas; and the fourth, to Daityas. Nāgas were the rulers of Patal-Loka.

Lord Krishna had conquered Naga Kalia and put an end to his evil deeds on Naga Panchami. As per a myth, the Kathmandu Valley used to be a vast lake. When human beings began draining the lake to make space for settlements, the Nagas were enraged. To protect themselves against the wrath of Nagas, people gave the latter certain areas as pilgrimage destinations, thus restoring the harmonious balance of nature.

22nd August, 2015: Goswami Tulsidas Jayanti

Gosain Tulsidas

Gosainji was a dedicated devotee of Lord Rama and the writer of 'Shri Ramcharitmanas,' a great Hindu epic. He was born on Shravan Shukla Saptami of 1498 AD in Rajpur, Chitrakoot district and was a Sarayuparina Brahmin by birth.

Tulsidasji intensely loved his wife Buddhimati and she enlightened him by saying that if he loved Lord Rama half as much as her he would attain eternal bliss. Thereafter Tulsidas became an ascetic. He got a vision of Lord Rama through Hanumanji and began composing the Shri Ramcharitmanas. On Tulsidas Jayanti one must read or hear the Ramcharitmanas, visit shrines of Lord Rama plus Hanumanji, and feed Brahmins.

24th August, 2015: Shravan Somwar Vrata

Lord Shiva

All Mondays of Shravan are dear to the gods, especially Shiva. On every Monday of this month, devotees throng to Shiva temples throughout India to worship the sacred Shivalingam.

26th August,2015:Pavitra Ekadashi Vrata

Putrada Ekadashi

This Ekadasi is specially observed by married couples for getting healthy children. A popular legend mentioned in the Puranas indicates that a King was able to beget a son by observing Putrada Ekadashi. After bathing early in the morning, the idol of Lord Vishnu should be bathed with curd, milk and water. Prayers should be done using roli, chandan, dhoop and deep.

It is also highly commendable to feed poor children and old people on the day.

The significance of Putrada Ekadashi was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna and is found in the Bhavisyotara Purana.

Ekadasi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is observed on the 11th day of the waning and waxing phase of moon in the traditional Hindu calendar.

27th August, 2015: 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.

All Mondays of Shravan are dear to the gods, especially Shiva. On every Monday of this month, devotees throng to Shiva temples throughout India to worship the sacred Shivalingam.

29th August, 2015: Raksha Bandhan

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.