Nirjala Ekadasi 2012 Date
November 13, 2011
When is Nirjala Ekadasi 2012 – Well, Nirjala Ekadasi 2012 Date falls on Thursday, 31st of May.
Nirjala Ekadasi, the fast kept to obtain the spiritual outcome of all 24 fasting days throughout the day, is considered one of the most auspicious religious observances in Hinduism. The word ‘Nirjala’ means no water and ‘Ekadasi’ is the eleventh day after a full moon or no moon day. Generally the fast of Nirjala Ekadasi is performed on the 11 day of the bright half of month Jyestha. Devotees fast throughout the day and do not even consume a drop of water.
Legend of Nirjala Ekadasi
According to Hindu epic Mahabharata, one day Saint Vyasa went to visit Pandavas and the ‘Madhyam Pandav’ Bhima, who was also a food enthusiast, stated that all his brothers, wife Draupadi and mother Kunti observed fast on 24 Ekadasis throughout the year and request him to do the same. But he was unable to perform the ritual owing to excruciating hunger pangs. Saint Vyasa suggested him to observe Nirjala Ekadasi, which will fetch him the holy fruits of keeping yearlong Ekadasi fasts. Bhima abided by his words and performed Nirjala Ekadasi. Next morning he became unconscious and was offered water of River Ganges along with holy basil leaves to break the fast. This is why the occasion is also known as Pandava Ekadasi or Bhimseni ekadasi.
Rituals and celebrations of Nirjala Ekadasi
On the sacred day of Nirjala Ekadasi, countless religious masses keep strict fast throughout the day and offer prayers to their God. ‘Jagran’, a get-together where devotees congregate to offer prayers to God Almighty and sing devotional songs, chant mantras and hymns is arranged at temples and homes in various parts of Northern India. After a nightlong observance, fasts are broken next morning by drinking water, tulsi leaves, fruits and sweets. Clothes, milk, sweetmeats are fruits are donated for charity to acquire ‘Punya’.
Significance of Nirjala Ekadasi
Hindus perform various sacred rituals on the day of Nirjala Ekadasi as a token of religious beliefs. Indeed the fast holds enormous religious significance to spiritually inclined Indian populace.
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Hanuman Jayanti 2012 Date
November 13, 2011
When is Hanuman Jayanti 2012 – Well, Hanuman Jayanti 2012 Date falls on Friday, 6th of April, Chaitra Shukla Paksha’s Poornima.
Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman, also known as Bajrangbali, is considered as the greatest devotee of Lord Rama according to Hindu mythology. It is celebrated on the fourth full moon day in the month of Chaitra (15th of March to 15th April). Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with much zeal and enthusiasm across India.
Legend of Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman (हनुमान्) is the son of Lord Pavana, the God of Wind. The legend goes that in his childhood, he assumed that the sun was a delicious fruit and tried to swallow it. Foreseeing danger Indra, the King of the Gods struck Hanuman with his thunderbolt and wounded him. In anger Lord Pavana went away with Hanuman to the nether region endangering the existence of all humans and gods. At length Brahma, the Lord of all cosmos appealed to Pavan to return to earth. To appease him, all the gods conferred great boons on Hanuman making him immortal and more powerful than any other being. Thus Hanuman is the embodiment of the powers of all gods.
Celebration and Ritual of Hanuman Jayanti
On the day of Hanuman Jayanti, people flock to temples and apply vermilion on the idol of Hanuman. They offer betel leaves to the Lord and observe fast. Then the worshipping of Lord Hanuman is performed and people apply vermilion on their forehead as a mark of devotion to Hanuman. Religious foods, coconut and flowers are distributed among people. Many devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa which is a devotional song based on the accomplishments of Lord Hanuman.
Significance of Hanuman Jayanti
Lord Hanuman is the ardent devotee of Lord Rama. He is upheld as the model for human devotion to God. He is a celibate and is known by many names like Bajrang Bali, Pavan Putra, Mahavir and Maruti. Hanuman symbolizes strength and power and unparalleled selfless service and devotion to the almighty. He is an epitome of bachelorhood and Brahmacharya.
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Kartavirya Arjuna Jayanti Date 2011
October 16, 2011
When is Karthaveerya Jayanti in 2011 – Karthaveerya Arjuna Jayanthi 2011 falls on 1st of November.
Note: Some websites claim that Karthaveerya Jayanti will be celebrated on 3rd of November. Kindly check the local news to confirm the same.
Karthaveerya is also known as Karthaveerya Arjuna Jayanthi named after the king of Hehaya, according to Hindu mythology. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, the destroyer as described in Hinduism. This festival is celebrated in honor of the birth anniversary of Karthaveerya Arjuna(कार्तवीर्य अर्जुन) which falls in the month of Kartika (mid October to mid November).
Legend of Karthaveerya
Sudarshan Chakra, the powerful weapon of Lord Vishnu was born as King Karthaveera Arjun, as per age-old beliefs. Karthaveera Arjuna was born with 1000 arms; so he was seen as the symbol of great strength and power. He was one of the greatest warriors in Hindu legends. According to the myth, he punished Ravana, the demon king in Ramayana who came to battle against him. Once, the king and his soldiers, during a hunting trip, stopped to take rest at the hermitage of Sage Jamadagni. The sage offered them a sumptuous banquet produced by his divine cow Kamdhenu. Coming to know about the cow, Karthaveerya wanted to possess it by any means and he ordered his soldiers to take away the cow. When Parashurama, the youngest son of Jamadagni came to know of this, he went to kill Karthaveerya and bring back the holy cow. He was a great warrior accomplished in all sorts of weaponry and Karthaveerya took 1000 different weapons in his 1000 hands and attacked Parashurama. Parashurama, being more skilled in artillery, destroyed all his weapons and cut off his 1000 arms with his axe and finally beheaded him and ended his reign of terror.
Celebration and ritual of Karthaveerya
Karthaveerya Arjun is considered as the emblem of great supremacy. He is worshiped because it is believed that he will remove all obstacles in his devotees’ lives. It is an auspicious festival for the Hindus and is done along with worship of Lord Vishnu. On this day incantations are recited and strict fast is observed which symbolizes the invocation to Power.
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Govardhan Puja 2011 Date
October 12, 2011
When is Govardhan Puja in 2011 – Govardhan Puja 2011 Date happens to fall on 27 October, 2011.
Govardhan Puja is also known as Annakut; the word means a heap of grains. It is celebrated to pay reverence to Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Lord Narayana who has been described as the creator of the universe in Hindu mythology. Govardhan Puja is performed on the last day of the festival Diwali which is on the new moon day of the month of November according to Hindu lunar calendar.
Legend of Govardhan Puja
Govardhan is a hill situated at Gokul, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. According to legends, the people of Gokul worshipped Lord Indra, the King of Gods as well as the God of Rains for good harvest as they believed that it was through the grace of Indra they get rains. But Krishna asked them to offer prayers to Mount Goverdhan instead of Lord Indra and explained that it was Govardhan who brought forth the rains for their harvest. The people did accordingly and as a result Indra in his fury sent heavy rains to punish the people of Gokul. Then Krishna came forward and lifted the mountain on his little finger and the entire village took shelter underneath it. Lord Indra was thus humiliated by Krishna, who was Narayan himself, and humbled before him.
Celebration of Govardhan Puja
On this auspicious day of Goverdhan Puja, people observe Annakut which is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Govardhan. They prepare as many as 108 dishes which are offered to Lord Krishna as Bhog or religious food offering. They also make a rice or grain offering in the shape of a mountain to the spirit of Mount Govardhan. In many temples dedicated to Lord Krishna, the deities of Krishna are bathed with milk and afterwards decked with flowers, garlands and ornaments. Lord Krishna is then worshiped and prayers are offered in his name. Devotees sing Bhajans or hymns and after the worship, the Bhog is distributed among people.
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Ambedkar Jayanti Date
October 12, 2011
When is Ambedkar Jayanti Celebrated – Ambedkar Jayanti Date falls on 14th April every year.
Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb. He was born on 14th April in 1891. B. R. Ambedkar is the architect of modern Indian constitution and he is called ‘Father of Indian Constitution’. Babasaheb was not only the political leader and jurist, but he was an anthropologist, philosopher and a revolutionist. Every year Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated on 14th April which is also a National holiday in all states of Indian subcontinent.
Significance of Ambedkar Jayanti
Dr. Ambedkar was born in an underprivileged ‘Mahar’ family which used to be considered untouchable according to the much-hyped Indian caste system practiced in most rural and some urban parts of the country. He had to succumb with numerous social discrimination throughout his life. He surmounted all socio-economic barriers to become the first so-called ‘Outcast’ to obtain a college degree, very first time in Indian history. He studied law and political science and attended Columbia University. He bagged law and several doctorate degrees and practiced law for a few years. He advocated for the social rights of low castes in India and wrote revolutionary articles in journals and political papers. He became the Chairperson of the ‘Constitution Drafting Committee’ of independent India.
Ambedkar prepared the draft of Indian constitution which offered lawful security to Indian citizens in terms of various individual civil rights which included liberty of religions and eradication of discrimination and unaccountability. He proposed for comprehensive socio-economic rights of Indian women which received complete support from the Assembly. Hence the reservation system was formed ensuring jobs for scheduled caste and tribe members and women at various government sectors.
Celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti
Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated with much enthusiasm and fanfare across India, especially in Maharashtra, the birth state of this great soul. On his birthday many political as well as ‘Dalit’ (low caste) organizations arrange for special cultural events and rallies. ‘Dalit melas’ are held across the country. Memorial speeches are delivered at functions held in state capitals. Prayers are offered to Babasaheb and devotional songs are sung.
Indeed Ambedkar Jayanti is an event that commemorates the real freedom of rural India which was tied in the shackles of detrimental caste and discrimination system.
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