1st November, 2016: Annakoot or Sri Goverdhan Puja
Lord Krishna Lifting Mount Goverdhan
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).
1st November, 2016: Vishwakaram Puja
Vishwakarma Puja
It is customary for craftsmen to
worship their tools in Vishwakarma's name, the Hindu presiding deity of all
craftsmen and architects.
1st November, 2016: Bhai Dooj
It is a ceremony performed by Hindus
on the second day after Diwali. Sisters celebrate the loving adulation for
their brothers by putting an auspicious tilak of vermilion or sandalwood paste
on their foreheads. They perform an aarti to their brothers, honouring them for
protective care and pray for their well-being. Brothers load sisters with
lavish gifts and bless their younger sisters, pledging protective support.
1st
November, 2016:
Yama
Dwitheya Snan
Yamaraj with His Sister Yami
Tradition has it that the older
sister takes her brother by the hand and the two bathe together in the Yamuna.
Yamuna is the twin sister of Yamaraj, the god of death, and it is said that she
intervenes on behalf of brothers and sisters to protect them from the
depredations of her brother.
Custom has it that after bathing the
brother and sister go to the Yamuna-Yamaraj temple and offer prayers.
Afterwards, the sister marks her brother’s forehead with tilak, symbolizing her
wishes for his long life. Then they exchange sweets and gifts and the brother
usually offers a sari or some other piece of clothing to his sister.
Yama, the God os Death
Bhai Dooj or Beej is called Yama
Dwitheya as it's believed that on this day, Yama, the God of death and the
custodian of Naraka, visits his sister Yami. She puts the auspicious mark on
his forehead, praying for his well being. It is an implicit belief that anyone
who receives a tilak from his sister on this day will never be flung into hell.
3rd
November, 2016: Vinayak Chaturthi Vrata
Lord Ganesha
Each
lunar month in Hindu calendar has two Chaturthi Tithis which belong to Lord
Ganesha according to Hindu scriptures. The Chaturthi after Amavasya or new moon
and during Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and the one after
Purnimasi or full moon and during Krishna Paksha is known as Sankashti Chaturthi.
The
most significant Vinayaka Chaturthi falls in the month of Bhadrapada and is
known as Ganesha Chaturthi. Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated by Hindus all over
the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha.
4th
November, 2016: Chhath Puja
Devotees Offer Salutations to the Setting Sun
Offering reverence to the solar
deity, Chhath is the only festival in the world where devotees offer
salutations to the setting sun; when the setting sun as opposed to its rising
is celebrated for its glory as the cycle of birth starts with death.
The word Chhath denotes number six
in Hindi and begins on the sixth day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik
(October-November.) It is a festival celebrated by Biharis on the sixth day
after Diwali; a 4 day long celebration accompanied by rituals or Suryashashthi.
The festivities comprise of fasting, folklores, hymns on the celestial Ganges
or any fresh water body. Chhat Maiya is celebrated on the banks of the Ganges
in Patna and Yamuna in Delhi with thousands of hands offering ‘Arghya’ to the
sun thus making it an ethereal sight.
4th
November, 2016: Nahay khay
5th
November, 2016: Lohanda and Kharna
6th
November, 2016: Sandhya Argh
7th
November, 2016: Suryodaya Argh
8th
November, 2016: Gopashtami
Govinda, the Cowherd
An important festival it is
dedicated to Lord Krishna and is observed on the eighth day of the waxing phase
of the moon in the month of Kartik (October – November). Gopashtami celebrates
Krishna's becoming an independent cowherd. Gau Puja or worship of cows, is
undertaken in many regions of India.
It is believed that Lord Krishna was
allowed to herd cows, the wealth of his village, for the first time on this day
by Nanda, as he had been only looking after calves up until then. Mother
Yashoda and Nand Baba are delighted to see their pampered Krishna take on his
responsibilities. Invariably it is a great boon to Dama & Sumangal,
Krishna's sakhas, since they can play spirited antics with the dark god
now.(Shrimad Bhagavat-Canto 10,chapter XI, verse 37) It's in the forest that
Krishna kills Vatsasura, Bakasura, Aghasurr and other demons. Lord Brahama is
fascinated by His childlike, playful activities here and decides to take away
the cows.( chapters 13 to 15 of the 10th Canto, Shrimad Bhagavat)
The festivities are a major event in
Vrindavan, Mathura, Nathdwara and other sites closely related to the cowherd
god. In Nathdwara, cow herders bring hundreds of cows and their calves to the
temples and the cows are beautifully decked for the occasion. Gopa Ashtami was
a festival meant for boys but it is said that Radha dressing up like a boy,
joyously took part in it.Those worshipping the balgopal or child form of Lord
Krishna can offer the special makan-mishri bhog to Him.
9th November, 2016: Akshay Navami
Women Celebrate Akshay Navami in Patna
Also
known as Amala Navami, it is the ninth day of the waxing phase of the moon in
Kartika Month.The popular belief is that the Treta Yuga started on this day. An
important event on Akshay Navmi is the distribution of alms and receiving of
presents. It is observed as Akshay Navami Parikarama Divas in North India.
Goddess Jagadhatri is worshipped on this occasion in West Bengal. Legend has it
that Lord Surya (Sun God) worshipped Goddess Durga on this particular day and
was rewarded properties that he possesses.
The Romantic Dalliance of Shri Radha-Krishna
Millions
throng Vrindavan from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and so on for the joint parikrama
or circumambulation of Mathura-Vrindavan, which takes around 6 hours. The famed
84 kos parikrama of Braj which covers Mathura, Goverdhan, Barsana, Vrindavan
and Gokul, and began on Sharad Poornima is on in full swing and will take a
week to complete. Ashtyaam lilas, showcasing the playful dalliance of Shri
Radha-Krishna from dawn to dusk are being enacted in Vrindavan.
11th November, 2016:
Dev
Prabodhini Ekadashi
Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi
Utthana Ekadasi, or Prabodhini
Ekadashi, is observed during the waxing phase of the moon in the month of
Kartik (October – November). The importance of Dev Prabodhini Ekadasi is
narrated to Sage Narada by Brahma in the Skanda Purana. Observing this Ekadasi,
a fast dedicated to Lord Vishnu, gets rid of the remorse of committed sins and
leads to liberation or moksha.
11th November, 2016: Tulsi Vivah
Goddess Tulsi's Marriage to Shaligramji
Tulsi Vivah or the ceremony of
Tulsi's marriage to Vishnu or Krishna His incarnation, can be performed any
time between Prabodhini Ekadashi to Kartik Poornima. Usually it is performed on
the eleventh or the twelfth lunar day depending on the region. The wedding of
Tulsi marks the end of the monsoons and the beginning of the Hindu wedding
season.
The legend of Tulsi Vivah and its
rites are revealed in the Padma Purana. According to Hindu mythology, the basil
plant was a woman named Vrinda, a synonym of Tulsi. She was married to the
Jalandhar, a demon-king. Due to her pious nature and devotion to Vishnu, her
husband became invincible. Even Shiva, the destroyer, could not defeat
Jalandhar. So He requested Vishnu, the preserver, to find a solution. Vishnu
disguised as Jalandhar violated Vrinda. Her chastity destroyed, Jalandhar was
killed by Shiva.
Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become black
in colour and be separated from his wife. Thus, he was transformed into the
black Shaligram stone and in the Rama Incarnation, his wife Sita was kidnapped
by Ravana and separated from Him. Vrinda then burnt herself on her husband's
funeral pyre due to shame. Vishnu transferred her soul to a plant called Tulsi.
According to a blessing by Vishnu, Vishnu married Tulsi in the form of
Shaligram on Prabodhini Ekadashi. To commemorate this event, the ceremony of
Tulsi Vivah is performed to commemorate this event.
12th November, 2016:
Pradosh Vrata
Pradosham
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.
13th
November, 2016: Vaikunth Chaturdashi
Vaikunth, the Abode of Lord Vishnu
Vaikunth Chaturdashi is observed on
the fourteenth day of the Shukla Paksha of the Kartik Month. This festival is
dedicated to Maha Vishnu who did puja of Lord Shiva on this day. As per legend
Vishnu visited the holy city of Varanasi for worshipping Shiva. Lord Vishnu
wanted to offer 1000 flowers to Shiva. To test the religious devotion of
Vishnu, Shiva hid one flower. Finally Vishnu realized that one flower was
missing and offered His lotus eye to Shiva.
Shiva Presents the Sudarshan Chakra to Vishnu
Shiva was very pleased with Vishnu's
unflinching devotion and presented Him the sudarshan chakra or divine disc.
Vaikunth Chaturdashi is celebrated with great fervour in Vaishnava Temples and
devotees offer 1000 flowers to Vishnu during the puja. Vishnu Sahasranama,
Vishnu Ashtottram, Vishnu Stuti and Vishnu Purana are religously recited on
this particular day.
14th
November,2016: Kartik Purnima
Kartik Poornima Also Known as Deva Diwali
Kartik Poornima is celebrated on the
full moon of Kartik (November–December) and the month long Kartik Snan is over.
It is also known as Tripuri Poornima or Tripurari Poornima. It is sometimes
called Deva-Diwali - the festival of lights of the gods and coincides with Guru
Nanak Jayanti
Matsya Avatar
Kartik poornima is the birthday of
Matsya, god Vishnu's fish-incarnation (avatar). It is also the birthday of
Vrinda, personification of the Tulsi plant and of Kartikeya, the god of war and
son of Shiva.
Shri Radha-Krishna
This day is particularly dear to Radha, the beloved of
Krishna for it is believed that Krishna and Radha danced rasa and Krishna
worshipped Radha on this day.
14th
November, 2016: Guru Nanak Jayanti
Guru Nanak (1469-1539 C.E.) was the founder of the
religion of Sikhism and the first of the Sikh Gurus. His birth is
celebrated worldwide on the day of Kartik Purnima as per the Hindu lunar
calendar.
17th
November, 2016: Sankashti Ganesh 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.
25th
November, 2016: Utpanna Ekadashi
Shri Ranganatha on Utpanna Ekadashi
lso known as
Utpatti Ekadasi. It is observed on the eleventh day in the first half of the
month of Margasirsha and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Puranas reveal that
once the gods and their king Indra were driven out of swarga by demon Mura.The
devas took refuge in Lord Vishnu and pleaded that He restore their lost
kingdom. Lord Vishnu asked the devas to assemble at Chandravati to fight Demon
Mura. The Lord easily defeated the demon army but could not defeat Mura.
After a while Lord Vishnu decided to rest in a cave at
Badrikasrama and slept. Mura arrived to annihilate Lord Vishnu. All of a
sudden,from the Lord's transcendental form emerged as a goddess with eight
arms, brandishing several weapons. She battled and killed Mura. When Lord
Vishnu woke up He blessed her, stating that she was His energy. Since she had
appeared on the 11th day of a lunar fortnight, she was named Ekadasi. Vishnu
affirmed that those who worship Him and observe Ekadasi Vrat, their sins will be
expiated and they will attain salvation. Lord Krishna advises his devotees to
start their Ekadasi Upvas on Utpanna Ekadashi and break it on Dwadashi.
26th
November, 2016: Shani Pradosh Vrata
Pradosham
It is
an auspicious fast dedicated to Lord Shiva and is observed on the thirteenth
day of every fortnight (Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu
calendar. Shivalinga puja at the time of pradosha time and fasting are the main
rituals of Pradosham.
In
all Pradosha vratas, Shani Pradosha which falls on a Saturday and Soma
Pradosham on a Monday are important days
29th
November, 2016: Margashirsh Amavasya
Margashirsh Amavasya
According to
Hindu mythology, Amavasya is a name given to the New Moon or no moon’s night.
Amavasya has great importance in Hindu mythology. It is said that if you
offer Shraddha rituals to your ancestors on this day, it gives them peace.
Some Kundali
Dosh Puja (pacifying the negative effects of planets) are also performed on
this day.
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