Navratri 2012 Dates
September 18, 2011
When is Navaratri in 2012 – Well 2012 Navratri date falls on Tuesday, 16th October and will continue till Thursday, 25th October for 9 days.
Navratri(नवरात्रि) is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated throughout nine nights. The word ‘Navaratri’ means nine nights in Hindi. This festival is dedicated to the veneration of Goddess Durga, the deity of power according to Hindu mythology. During this period different forms of Devi Durga are worshiped. The festival commences on the first day of the month of ‘Ashwin’, during the bright fortnight. The 10th day after Navaratri is celebrated as ‘Dussera’.
Legend of Navratri
Navratri is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura. According to Hindu mythology, the demon having obtained divine power from Lord Shiva, killed and disrupted the lives of innocent people. He even defeated the gods and forcibly took possession of their heavenly abode. All the Gods together appealed to Lord Shiva, the Lord of creation who created Devi Durga. She is the divine female warrior with 10 hands to bear 10 different arms obtained from the gods. Durga fought with the demon continuously for 9 nights and finally beheaded him. The nine nights of battle therefore came to be known as Navaratri.
Celebration and rituals of Navratri
On the 1st day of Navratri, Devi Durga is worshiped as a child. The incarnation of Durga as a young woman Parvati is worshiped on the 2nd day. The 3rd day is dedicated to the adoration of Kali, the destructive form of Durga. The 4th 5th and 6th days are dedicated for venerating Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth. Saraswati, the Goddess of learning is worshiped on the 7th and 8th days of the festival. On the final day of Navaratri, 9 girls who are yet to attain their puberty are worshiped by the devotees. The 9 girls represent the nine Goddess Durga’s forms, the Devi Shakti. Cultural events are organized to celebrate this festival. In Gujarat, men and women dress up in traditional attire and participate in Garba dance which is an integral part of Navaratri celebrations.
Significance of Navaratri
Navaratri is celebrated at the beginning of autumn as this period is considered an important junction of climatic and solar influences. It is considered as an auspicious period for worshiping Goddess Durga, the Divine Mother who removes all obstacles from her children’s lives and bestows them with eternal happiness and affluence.
Top 10 Bollywood Navratri, Dandiya and Garba Songs
Below is the list of top 10 Bollywood songs that are generally played on Navaratri and Dandiya festival -
- Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje – Movie: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam – Released in 1999 and sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy, Vinod Rathod & Karsan Sargathia
- Main to Bhool Chali Babul ka Desh – Movie: Saraswati Chandra – Released in 1968 and sung by Lata Mangeshkar
- Hey Naam Re Sabse Bada Tera Naam – Movie: Suhaag – Released in 1979 and sung by Mohammed Rafi & Asha Bhosle
- Disco dandia – Movie: Love Love Love – Released in 1989 and sung by Vijay Benedict & Alisha Chinoy
- Radha kaise na jale – Movie: Lagaan – Released in 2001 and sung by Asha Bhosle & Udit Narayan
- Main To Aarti Utaroon Re – Movie: Jai Santoshi Maa – Released in 1975 and sung by Usha Mangeshkar
- Ghoonghat Main Chand Hoga – Movie: Khoobsurat – Released in 1999 and sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy & Kumar Sanu
- Oh Re Gori – Movie: Aap Mujhe Acche Lagne Lage – Released in 2002 and sung by Udit Narayan & Pamela Jain
- Dum Dum Danke Pe Chot Padi – Movie: Ghulam-E-Musthafa – Released in 1998 and sung by Alka Yagnik & Udit Narayan
- Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi – Falguni Pathak(Album)
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Upanayanam – Upanayanam Meaning
September 16, 2011
Upanayanam, the ceremony of Sacred Thread happens to be an element of the ‘Sixteen samskaras’ of Hinduism as explained in the Holy Scripture Vedas. It is believed that a Brahmin boy is bestowed with a spiritual life on the occasion of his second birth during Upanayanam or yajnopavitam(यज्ञोपवीतम्). Generally the ceremony is performed before the boy turns 16.
Upanayanam Meaning
Though Upanayanam symbolizes the caste system of Hinduism but it is also the occasion that teaches a young boy to lead a pious life and initiate his educational as well as spiritual journey. Indeed the ceremony beholds the real essence of the age-old traditions and beliefs.
Legend of Upanayanam
Upanayanam(उपनयनम्) is the sacred vedic ritual particularly scheduled for Brahmins and no other castes. According to ‘Charturveda’, the adolescent Brahmin boys, after the ceremony of Upanayanam, used to stay in their Guru’s house serving him and leading a life of abstinence and asceticism. Certain religious restrictions and rituals become the part of his everyday life after receiving Upanayanam. The Sacred thread provided to the boy signifies three Devis (Gayatri, Sabitri and Saraswati). Another surmise suggests that the three threads symbolize three debts of a man’s life which are the debts towards the teacher, the sages and the ancestors or parents.
Rituals and Celebrations of Upanayanam
The ceremony of Upanayanam continues throughout three days. ‘Homn’, the sacred Hindu ritual of fire sacrificing is arranged; pure Ghee is poured in the holy fire to satiate the God Agni. “Sabitri Homn” and “Samabartan Homn” are two integral parts of the Upanayanam rituals. The boy becomes a ‘Brahmachari’ after shaving his hair and wearing new clothes. He lives with his ‘Acharya’ or teacher for three days. During these days he does not see the face of any person who is not a Brahmin. He begs for food and eats scanty as a symbol of performing ‘Brahmacharya’. He learns ‘Gayatri Mantra’ and is bestowed with the sacred thread that is called ‘yagnapabit’. He is supposed to wear this thread all through his life. In modern times, like anything else, the rituals of Upanayanam have been shortened noticeably. But parents of the boy invite their relatives to celebrate this auspicious occasion and arrange for gala feasts.
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Gita Jayanti 2011 Date
September 15, 2011
When is Gita Jayanti 2011 in 2011 ? Well, 2011 Gita Jayanti date is Tuesday, 6th December.
Gita Jayanti is a religious festival of Hindus which is celebrated to commemorate the birth day of ‘Srimad Bhagwat Gita’, the sacred scripture containing invaluable advises of Lord Krishna that he proffered to Arjuna, the third Pandava in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Geeta Jayanthi is held on ‘Ekadashi’ (the eleventh day) during the bright half of month ‘Margashirsha’ (November- December).
Legend of Gita Jayanti
The resplendent legend of Gita Jayanti is associated with the epical Kurukshetra War that took place between the two brotherhoods- Kaurava and Pandava. After several endeavors to reconcile the differences, the war of Kurukshetra took place, which was the fateful fracas between close relatives of the same blood. Watching his loving Grandsire Vishma and Guru Dronacharya as opponents, Arjuna’s heart melted down in pain and concern. He was unable to compose himself and fight for the right cause. This ensued in a long conversation between Arjuna and his mentor and charioteer Lord Krishna. This is when the Lord offered his priceless teachings to Arjuna and lifted up his spirit to accomplish his responsibility as a warrior. Thus ‘Srimad Bhagwat Gita’ was composed which holds the ultimate non-secretarial philosophy of Hindu religion.
Celebration of Gita Jayanti
Geeta Jayanthi is celebrated with great reverence and enthusiasm by Hindus in India and across the world. During the event, all the 700 cantos of the religious book Gita are chanted all through the day. Devotees keep fast and do not touch rice or lentils on this auspicious occasion. Cultural events are organized across the country where sages and saints deliver religious speeches. The Gita Jayanti Team celebrates this occasion along with other Hindu organizations in Malaysia with much fanfare and show.
Hindus (who are also known as the followers of Snatana Dharma) venerate Gita as their celestial Mother who teaches them the way to reconnect with God Almighty and lead a life of fulfillment and sacredness.
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Buddha Purnima 2012 Date
September 14, 2011
When is Buddha Purnima in 2012? Well, Buddha Jayanti in 2012 date falls on Sunday, 6th May in India though the dates may vary for other countries.
Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is the most revered festival of the Buddhists. The word Purnima means a full moon day. It is observed as the birth anniversary of Lord Gautam Buddha, the originator of Buddhism. This day generally falls on a full moon day in the month of April or May.
Legend of Buddha Jayanti
Gautam Buddha or Siddhartha was born in 563 BC to King Suddhodhana, the king of Lumbini in Nepal and his wife Mayadevi. At the age of 16, he married a girl named Yashodhara and after a few years they had a son who was named Rahul. One night he renounced his wife, family and kingdom and went in search of ‘Bodhi’, the celestial knowledge. He wanted to end the human sufferings of old age, sickness and death. One day he sat for meditation under a sacred treed called ‘Bodhi Briksha’ and gained enlightenment at the age of 36. Thereafter he preached extreme penance and austerity to attain Nirvana which became known as Buddhism. Kings like Ashoka became his devotee and preached Buddhism across the world.
Ritual and celebration of Buddha Jayanti
On the day of Buddha Purnima, devout Buddhists assemble before Buddha temples to witness the hoisting of Buddhist flag. Praises and hymns are sung in honor of Lord Buddha, his Dharma or teachings and the Sangha, union of his disciples. Buddhists wear white dresses and spend their day in meditation. Devotees lay offerings of flowers and light candles at the feet of their great teacher. This, in a way symbolizes the brevity of human life.
Significance of Buddha Jayanti
Lord Gautam Buddha is considered to be the 9th incarnation of Brahma, the Lord of all cosmos according to Hindu mythology. Buddha Poornima is celebrated to commemorate the 3 most important events in the life of Lord Buddha, that of his birth in 623 BC, his enlightenment or attainment of wisdom through meditation in 558 BC and his attainment of Nirvana or freedom from the cycles of life and death at the age of 80.
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Kali Puja 2011 Date
September 11, 2011
When will Kali Puja 2011 be celebrated – Well, 2011 Kali Puja date is Wednesday, 26th October.
Kali, the Goddess of darkness, eternal destruction and change is commemorated on the day of Kali Puja. Kali or Kalika is worshiped as the ‘Shakti’, on the night of ‘Karthik Amavasya’ according to Bengali calendar, which falls in the month of October/November, few days after Durga Puja. This particular form of Kali is known as ‘Shyama’ which means ‘Black’ in Sanskrit.
Legend of the Kali Puja
Kali, also known as Kalika was born from the forehead of Goddess Durga when she was enraged with fury against demons that bothered the Gods and made them hide for survival. Kali represents the anger and rage of Goddess Durga and also considered the consort of Lord Shiva. Kalika, the deity started killing the demons in rage and soon she was so engrossed that she started destroying everything at sight. To stop the destruction spree, Lord Shiva threw Himself underneath her feet and she stopped abruptly. The idol of Kali, which is worshipped by Hindus, envisages this particular legend. Kali is also considered Mahashakti, the first incarnation of total ten avatars of Devi Durga. Celebration of Kali Puja(কালীপূজা) came into the glare of publicity after the Kalika MangalKavya was written in seventeenth century.
Celebration of Kali Puja
Mahanisha is celebrated with ostentatious gusto and elaboration in Bengal. Maharaja Krishna Chandra is believed to be the first Hindu king who started Kali Puja in his kingdom with pomp and show. Kali puja is celebrated on the day of ‘Amavasya’, the new moon day of Bengali month ‘Ashwin’. Kali Puja is hosted both at households and on open pavilions (known as Pandals) at every nook and corner of Bengal. Men, women and kids- all get the lenience to light fire crackers on this evening.
Rituals of Kali Puja
Day before Mahanisha, homes are decorated with 14 candles or clay ‘Diya’. On the day of Kali Puja, people bedeck their home with beautiful decorative lights and candles. The puja is performed as per Tantric rituals and chanting mantras. The Goddess is offered Red hibiscus flowers (they are considered the favorite flowers of the deity), sweetmeats, alcohol (known as Karan), meat and fruits. The puja takes place at late night as Kali is the Goddess of darkness. Animal sacrifices used to be a popular practice on Kali Puja which has diminished by now but not extinct yet.
Significance of Kali Puja
Even though Goddess Kali epitomizes the sternest form of ‘Shakti’, the symbol of perpetual command and cosmic power, devotees worship her like the beloved mother. It is believed that Goddess Kali saves mankind from all evil spirits and malevolence. She showers blessings and eternal happiness on her worshipers. Indeed Kali Puja sprinkles grandiose festivity in the lives of Bengalis.
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