Bipattarini Brata
September 11, 2011
When is Bipattarini Brata 2012 – Well 2012 Bipattarini Puja will be celebrated in the month of June or July.
Bipattarini Brata is a popular folk festival celebrated across West Bengal by both married and unmarried women, especially housewives. On the Saturday and Tuesday that falls between the day of Rathyatra and Ultorath, Bipattarini Brata is executed. ‘Bipattarini’ means ‘the protective mother’ and ‘Brata’ means ‘worship’ in Bengali.
Myth of Bipattarini Puja
There is a popular folklore behind the festival of Bipattarini Brata. Once upon a time, Queen of Vidharv wished to see beef (which is the strictly prohibited meat according to Hindu Shastras) and she asked one of her attendants to bring her some beef clandestinely. The attendant brought some beef and kept it under her bed. Somehow the King got to know about this and the Queen was panic-stricken thinking about the punishments for this sin. She prayed to Goddess Bipattarini and the deity was pleased with her prayers. She saved the queen from the jeopardy and then onwards housewives and maids started worshipping Devi Bipattarini which is known as Bipattarini Brata.
Rituals and celebrations of Bipattarini Brata
Bipattarini Brata has become an integral part of Bengali social customs. Women from both rural and urban parts of the state keep fast on the Tuesday and Saturday scheduled for worshiping Bipattarini Devi. They offer the Goddess 13 different fruits, flowers and sweets, one for each month of the year and the 13th one for the devotee herself. Folklores about the grace of Bipattarini are churned to spread the glory of the deity. Women visit the Bipattarini temples to offer their prayers or arrange the Puja at home. After the pujas, they eat fruits, ‘luchi’ (Bengali term for Phulkas) and sweet semolina. Red threads are tied around the wrist of all family members as a protective measure from all dangers and evils.
Significance of Bipattarini Puja
Celebrating Bipattarini Brata has its own social significance in the hearts of all Bengalis. Women deeply believe that following these rituals piously will eradicate all perils that might affect their family members.
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Jamai Sashti 2012
September 7, 2011
When is 2012 Jamai Sashti – Well, Jamai Sashti 2012 date is Sunday, 27th May.
India, the land of cultural diversity has always been known for its rich customs and traditions that are valued till date in spite of the rapid changes taking place in the modern world. Hindus, especially Bengalis belong to a clan that loves to cherish their relationships by assigning a special festival or set of rituals for each of them. In Bengali, the word ‘Jamai’ means son-in-law and ‘Sashti’ is the 6th day of ‘Shukla Pakkha’ in the Bengali month ‘Jaishtha’. Jamai Sashti(জামাই ষষ্ঠী) is that popular social custom when Bengali son-in-laws spend quality time with his in-laws and receive gifts and treats from their ‘Shoshur Bari’, as they call it in Bengal.
Legend of the Jamai Sashti
There is an old folklore about Jamai Shasthi. Once upon a time there lived a greedy woman in a village. She ate everything edible in the household and blamed the cats for that. Poor cats, who are also considered the child of ‘Ma Sashti’, complained against her to Goddess ‘Sashti’. Later, when the lady gave birth to seven sons and one daughter, ‘Sashti’ stole all of them. Heartbroken the woman went to a jungle and the Goddess felt mercy on her. As the lady worshiped ‘Sashti’ she received her children back. Thereafter elder women pray for their children’s well being to the Goddess on Sashti. On the day of Jamai Sashti, mother-in-laws specially pray and perform rituals for the prosperity of their son-in-laws.
Rituals of Jamai Sashti
On the day of Jamai Sashti, the married daughter and son-in law are invited to his in-laws’ house. Upon arrival, they are greeted by the mother-in-law. She holds a ‘thali’ (plate) in hands with ‘dhan’ (paddy), ‘durba’ (a special breed of grass considered sacred by Bengalis), five different fruits and a ‘diya’ (clay-lamp). Mother-in-law blesses her son-in-law with dhan-durba and offers him the fruits. He touches her feet to show respect. She applies a ‘dahi phonta’ (sacred mark made with curd) on his forehead and ties a yellow thread on his hand.
Celebration of Jamai Shashthi
On Jamai Sasthi, the married daughter and her husband visit the house of in-laws and the union is celebrated with great pomp and show. Lavish arrangements are made to welcome the duo. Clothes, sweets and fruits are presented as gifts to the couple. Sumptuous meals are cooked featuring all traditional delectable Bengali dishes like ‘Chingri macher malaikari’, ‘Rui macher kalia’, Rasogolla, ‘Payesh’, ‘Sandesh’ and many more.
Significance of Jamai Sashti
Jamai Sashti is the festival to celebrate the bond between a man and his in-laws. It brings together the extended family members and creates a jovial atmosphere in the households. Indeed the festival adds some tender expression to the social relationships.
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Bhai Phota 2011 date
September 5, 2011
When is Bhai Phota in 2011 – Well, Bhai Phota 2011 falls on Friday, 28th October.
Bhai Phota(ভাইফোঁটা) is an eminent Hindu festival, celebrated primarily by Bengalis in West Bengal on ‘Bhratri Dwitiya’, which comes two days after Kali Puja. The event is to venerate love and affection between brothers and sisters and cherishes this sweet bond of warmth and care. Siblings eagerly await this festival round the year. Bhai Phota also marks the end of month long festivities that start with Durga puja. It is the last day of Puja vacation in Bengal.
Legend of the Bhai Phonta
Three different legends are associated with the festival of Bhai Phonta, all of them as intriguing as the festival itself is. According to Rig Veda, Yamuna, the twin sister of Yama, the Lord of death once longed to see her brother and he visited Yamuna on the day of Dwitiya. She welcomed him warmly with sweets, lit diyas, applied ’tilak’ (a sacred sign applied on forehead) and served him an opulent meal. Yama was overwhelmed with his sister’s concern and love and he declared that a brother who receives ‘Tilak’ from his sister on the day of ‘Bhratri Dwitiya’ will never have to visit hell. The legend of Lord Krishna entails the event when Krishna visited his loving sister Subhadra after slaying Narakasura and she greeted him with Tilak. Another tale states that when Lord Mahavira accomplished Nirvana, his brother King Nandivardhan suffered utter distress and bereavement. His affectionate sister Sudarshana consoled him with care and compassion. All of these legends portray the eternal bond of love and concern between a brother and sister.
Celebration and rituals of Festival
Bhai Fota is celebrated with great fanfare and enthusiasm in West Bengal and also at other parts of India, though the occasion is called Bhai Dooj outside Bengal. Sisters eagerly wait for their brothers who visit them to take the ‘Phota’ or ‘Tilak’. Sisters keep fast till the rituals are performed. They apply ’tilak’ on their brothers’ foreheads with Sandalwood paste, Ghee and Kajaal and pray for their health, wealth and eternal prosperity. They cook delicious meals to treat their loving brothers and buy gifts for them. Brothers too offer presents to their sisters as a token of love and care.
Significance of Festival
The tender relationship between a brother and sister initiates by sharing the mother’s womb and the festival of Bhai Phota is a fond occasion to commemorate this bond. It strengthens the brother-sister bond further and also unveils the importance of this relationship in our lives.
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Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti 2012
September 4, 2011
When is Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti in 2012 – Well, 2012 Paramahamsa Jayanti falls on Saturday, 18th February.
Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti is the celebration of the auspicious day on which Lord Ramakrishna Paramhansa Dev appeared on earth in his mortal incarnation. Throughout his short lifespan of 50 years, he inflicted deep spiritual influence on countless Bengalis and taught them the first lesson of secularism.
Legend of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa jayanti
Thakur Ramakrishna was born in 1836 at Kamarpukur, a tiny village at almost 70 kilometers distance from City of Kolkata. Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti falls in the month of March every year although the date varies according to the ‘Tithi’ which depends on the planetary position as listed in Hindu almanac ‘Panji’.
Celebration of Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti
Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti is one of the most popular festivals that tie countless devotees of this unrivaled spiritual master in a common bond. Lord Ramakrishna’s disciples unite together at the Ramakrishna temples and Ramkrishna Mission centers to pay homage to their Guru. Ramakrishna Paramhansa Dev is known for his unconventional and lenient religious credence that broke the conformities of corresponding orthodox society. Hence his views and teachings touched the tender chord in people of all religions and castes. In West Bengal, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Jayanti is celebrated with abundance and reverence at Belur Math. The math is decorated with flowers, green mango leaves and incense sticks. Devotional songs are sung and devotees are awarded bites of ‘Bhog Prasad’, sacred food offered to the Lord. Disciples of Ramakrishna also worship their spiritual master at home and offer sweets, fruits and prayers to Him.
Significance of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Jayanti
The philosophy of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna greatly influenced the intellectual clan of Bengal of his times. His followers belonged to all religions and castes and the Guru never showed disgrace or partiality towards any of them. After his demise, his disciple Swami Vivekananda spread his ideas across the world. The simple advices and gospels of Ramakrishna bear huge significance in modern life as well. Hence evidently Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti remains to be a glorious part of Bengali culture and tradition.
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Kojagari Lakshmi Puja
September 3, 2011
When is Kojagari Lakshmi Puja in 2011 – Well, 2011 Kojagari Lakshmi Puja falls on Tuesday, 11th October.
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is performed at most of the Bengali Hindu households in West Bengal. Devi Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped on a full moon day of autumn, more precisely in the month of ‘Ashwin’ according to Bengali calendar. The day is known as ‘Kojagori ‘or ‘Sharad Purnima’.
Legend of the Festival
Hindus believe that on the day of Kojagori purnima, Goddess Lakshmi visits every household asking ‘Kojagori?’ which means ‘Who is awake?’ in Bengali. One, who is found awake throughout the night waiting for the Goddess, receives her blessings and his/her household fills with affluence and prosperity. Hence devotees spend the night sleepless singing, playing or chatting. According to Hindu mythology, Devi Lakshmi was born on Sharad Purnima which is why this auspicious day has been assigned for worshipping her. Kojagari Purnima is also celebrated in Orissa as Kumar Purnima and in Gujrat as Sharad purnima.
Celebration and Rituals of Festival
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is popularly celebrated in West Bengal to offer prayers and devotion to Devi Lakshmi. The Goddess of beauty, wealth and good fortune descends on earth to bestow her devotees with everlasting affluence. Bengalis perform Lakshmi Puja at night although the preparation continues throughout the day. They decorate homes with articulate ‘Alpana’ or ‘Rangoli’ and cook special ‘Bhog’ (various vegetarian dishes to be offered to the Goddess). Offerings for the Devi include Bengali specialties like ‘Narkel Naru’, a sweet prepared from coconut crumbs, ‘Khichuri’, delicious preparation of mixed rice and dal and ‘Payesh’, another delicious Bengali dessert prepared with milk, rice, sugar and dry fruits. Puja is offered after a daylong fast and during the puja, devotional songs are sung and ‘Bratakatha’, stories about Goddess Lakshmi’s munificence are told. Men and women wear traditional Bengali attire ‘Sari’ and ‘Dhoti-kurta’ respectively.
Significance of Festival
Bengalis are known for their festivities and devotion towards Gods and Goddesses. Kojagari Lakshmi Puja comes in between Durga Puja and Kali Puja which further enhances the festive celebrations in the mean time. Clay diyas are lit to rule away all gloom and evil spirits. The festival exemplifies arrival of fortune and happiness to the household.
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