Spiritual Calendar: April, 2017

2^nd April, 2017: Shri Yamuna Jayanti

Shri Yamuna Maharani

 Yamuna Jayanti is dedicated to the Yamuna River and it is also known as Yamuna Chhath, observed mainly in Mathura. It is observed on the sixth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Chaitra (March – April). Special pujas are offered on the banks of the Yamuna River on this particular day. On Yamuna Jayanti, Yamuna ji is believed to have appeared on earth in the form of a river.

Invariably people visit banks of the Yamuna River and do puja. Taking a sip of water, they chant” Yamuna Maiya Ki Jai.” Shri Yamuna is known to fulfil all our desires not of this material world but for attaining Lord Krishna She grants fruition when we long to attend to Krishna's needs, sight His lilas and relish His rasa or religious rapture ,making us reach the heights of elation and ecstasy.

4^th April, 2017:Shri Durga Ashtami

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.

5^th April, 2017: 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, gau 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.

7^th April,2017: Shri Kamada Ekadashi Vrat

 Lord Vishnu

This 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.

8^th April,2017: Shani Pradosh Vrat 

Lord Shiva

 It is an auspicious fast dedicated to Lord Shiva. It 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 and fasting are the main rituals of Pradosham. When the Pradosh Vrat falls on Saturday it is known as Shani Pradosh Vrata.

 

9^th April, 2017: 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.

Shri Surdas wrote about the most beautiful childhood lilas or playfull dalliances of Lord Krishna. He is one of the astachhap kavis of the Pushti Marg Sampradaya.

The bhajan sites of Surdas are Sur Kuti and Sur Samadhi which lie within the periphery of Vallabhacharyaji's Baithak.

Shri Nathji being a svarupa or living presence of Lord Krishna was clearly perceptible for the poet. The padas sung in praise of Nathji are compiled in the text 'Sur Sagar'. Through his poetic creations, Surdasji enhanced the beauty of worship, giving bhakti a new more intimate direction. Remaining a Krishna devotee, he did not lose sight of the Lord's romantic nuances and was therefore able to bring both religious and aesthetic truths to his compositions.

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.

10^th April, 2017: Chaitra Purnima

Full Moon on 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.

11^th April, 2017: Hanuman Jayanti

Baby Hanumana, a Great Hanuman Devotee

 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.

13^th April, 2017: Baisakhi

Celebrating Baisakhi

The Baisakhi 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.

14^th April, 2017: Sankashti Chaturthi

 Lord Ganesha

 Sankashti Chaturthi also known as Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This day is celebrated in every Lunar month or Hindu calendar month on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (dark lunar phase or the waning phase). On this day, the devotees observe strict fast. They break the fast at night after having darshan/auspicious sight of the moon preceded by prayers to Lord Ganesha.

Sankashti means deliverance during troubled times, hence observing this fast is believed to reduce your problems as Lord Ganesha symbolizes the remover of all obstacles and supreme lord of intelligence.

Before moonlight the Ganapati Atharvashesha is recited to summon the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Each lunar month in Hindu calendar has two Chaturthi Tithis which belong to Lord Ganesha. The Chaturthi after Amavasya or new moon during Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and the one after Puranmasi or full moon during Krishna Paksha is known as Sankashti Chaturthi.

22^nd April, 2017: Shri Vallabhacharya Jayanti

Shri Vallabhacharya

 Shri Vallabhacharya is one of the five main Acharyas of the Hindu Religion. (The other four being Shankaracharya, Shri Ramanujacharya, Shri Madhavacharya and Shri Nimbarkacharya.) He propagated the philosophy of Shudhadvaita and founded the Pushtimarg, a sect of the Hindi religion around 1500 AD.

Lord Krishna appeared as Shri Nathji in front of him and ordered him to propagate the pushti kind of devotion among the chosen ones and bring them back in their original state to Golok-dham.Shri Nathji assured him that with brahamasambandha, (relationship with God) whichever soul gains entry into the Pushti Marg, its impurities will refrain from obstructing the soul's relation with the Divine and the soul will be eligible to pursue His bhakti.

22^nd April, 2017: Varuthini Ekadashi

 Lord Krishna Talks about Varuthini Ekadashi to Yudhishtira

 Varuthini Ekadashi Is observed on the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha or waning phase of the moon in Chaitra/Vaisakha month. It is believed that observing Varuthini Ekadasi makes a person fortunate, prosperous, expiates his sins and helps him in attaining moksha. The greatness of fasting on this Ekadasi was narrated to Yudhishtira (the eldest of the Pandavas) by Lord Krishna and is mentioned in the Bhavishyottara Purana.

 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.

24^th April, 2017: Soma Pradosh

 Lord Shiva

 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. The Pradosh which falls on a Monday is of special significance and is known as Soma Pradosh

26^th April, 2017: Vaisakh Amavasya

Devotees Bathing in the Ganges

Many devotees bathe in the holy Yamuna, Ganges and other rivers. Several devotees throng to Sri Banke Bihari Temple as Akshay Teej is round the corner.

28^th April, 2017: Parshuram Jayanti

Lord Parshuram

 Lord Parshuram is the sixth avatar of Vishnu and belongs to the Treta yuga. He is the son of Jamadagni, a Brahmin and Renuka, a Kshatriya . He received an axe after doing austere penance to please Shiva, from whom he learnt warfare and other skills. Fighting back the advancing seas, he thus saved the lands of Konkan and Malabar. Parshurama is said to be the first warrior saint. A temple of Parshuram is situated at Akhnoor, 18 km away from Jammu. Every year, in May, a grand fete in the form of a parade, with hundreds of tableaux, throngs through the main city of Jammu to celebrate Parshuram Jayanti.

28^th April, 2017: Akshay Tritiya

Charan Darshan of Shri Banke Bihari in Vrindavan

 The only occasion when Lord Bankey Bihariji gives His charan-darshan once in a year, with millions of people thronging the temple.

Akshyay means something that does not perish and the acts performed on this day become perennial in nature.

Our revered Lord Shri Banke Bihari ji Maharaj is extra generous on this particular day. One can meditate on His lotus feet today for which saint Surdas had sung: 

 

bandaun charan kamal hari raie |

jaki kripa pangu giri langhe, andhe ko sab kachhu darsaie ||

bahiro sune, mook puni bole, rank chale sir chhatra dharaie |

surdas swami karunamaya, bar bar bandaun tehi paie ||

which means:

'By the grace of the lotus feet of Shri Banke Bihariji all impossible things become possible in the world. The lame can cross high mountains, the blind can see everything, the deaf can hear, the dumb can speak and the poor can become rich and move with a chhatra (ceremonial umbrella, generally used in grand processions). The poet says my lord is so kind, full of kindness; I bow to His Lotus Feet! Bow To His Lotus Feet! Again and again. '

29^th April,2017:Jayanti of Shri Manohar Baba

 Shri Manohar Baba

 Revered Baba Manohar Dasji had truly religious qualities like spiritual knowledge (understanding the identity of the self with the ultimate Brahman), asceticism and discernment. He renounced the world like vomit and sought the refuge of Shri Bal Krishan Dasji Maharaj, a great virtuous guru.

By Shri Maharajji's grace, Baba crossed over the toughest of spiritual stages and was resolute in his perennial quest for union with the divine.

In His honour, a monthly kirtan is being held for the past so many years in Gurgaon. Everyone is requested to attend the group singing of devotional songs for Sri Hari.

29^th April, 2017: Shri Vinayak Chaturthi

Lord Ganesha

 The fast is kept to please Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is called Vighanharta and a puja begins with the worship of Lord Ganesha.

Each lunar month in the Hindu calendar has two Chaturthi Tithis which belong to Lord Ganesha as per the Hindu scriptures. The Chaturthi after Amavasya or new moon during Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and the one after Puranmasi or full moon during Krishna Paksha is known as Sankashti Chaturthi. 

30^th April, 2017: Shri Shankaracharya Jayanti

Shri Adi Shankaracharya

 Adi Shankaracharya was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. His teachings are based on the unity of the Atman and Brahman—non-dual Brahman, in which Brahman is viewed as without attributes.

Shri Radha Krishna Kripakataksha Stotra is the most renowned hymn of praise written by Adi Shankracharyaji. He revived the Sanatan Dharma as ritualistic frauds were misguiding innocent people. Shankaracharya ji is known to have written some of the most beautiful commentaries on the 'Bhagavad Gita', the 'Srimad Bhagawatam' and many stotras praising Lord Krishna and goddess Yamuna.

30^th April, 2017: Soordas Jayanti

 

Shri Surdas

Shri Surdas wrote about the most beautiful childhood lilas or playfull dalliances of Lord Krishna. He is one of the astachhap kavis of the Pushti Marg Sampradaya.

The bhajan sites of Surdas are Sur Kuti and Sur Samadhi which lie within the periphery of Vallabhacharyaji's Baithak.

Shri Nathji being a svarupa or living presence of Lord Krishna was clearly perceptible for the poet. The padas sung in praise of Nathji are compiled in the text 'Sur Sagar'. Through his poetic creations, Surdasji enhanced the beauty of worship, giving bhakti a new more intimate direction. Remaining a Krishna devotee, he did not lose sight of the Lord's romantic nuances and was therefore able to bring both religious and aesthetic truths to his compositions.