Archive for the ‘Festival Special’ Category

Shivaratri Pooja has been given tremendous significance in Hindu mythology. It is said that ritual worship of Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri day pleases Lord Shiva the most. Devotees further believe that by pleasing Lord Shankara on the auspicious Shivaratri day, a person is absolved of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or salvation.

Shiva Purana further says that performing abhisheka of Shiva Linga with six different dravyas including milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water while chanting Sri Rudram, Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases Lord Shiva the most. According to the mythology, each of these dravya used in the abhisheka blesses a unique quality:

Milk   - For the blessing of purity and piousness.
Yogurt   – For prosperity and progeny.
Honey   _ For sweet speech.
Ghee - For victory.
Sugar  – For happiness.
Water  – For purity.

Besides, worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri is also considered to be extremely beneficial for women. While, married women pray to Shiva for the well being of their husbands and sons, unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

Performing Maha Shivaratri Pooja :

On Mahashiv Ratri devotees wake up early and take early bath,then wear fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the nearest Shiva temple. As a tradition, devotees observe a fast on a Shivaratri day. Some do not consume even a drop of water. They keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc., whilst the chanting of the Mantra Om Namah Shivaya continues. Offerings of bael leaves are made to the Lingam. Bael leaves are very sacred as, it is said, Lakshmi resides in them.

After this, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga to cool the hot-tempered deity. Ber or jujube fruit is also offered to Lord Shiva, as it is symbolic of longevity and gratification of desires. Some devotees also offer the auspicious betel leaves to Lord Shiva marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures. Garlanding of Linga with flowers and garlands is also a part of the ritual Shivaratri Puja. Devotees also burn incense sticks as is said to yield wealth. Many also light lamps to symbolize attainment of knowledge. It is said that by offering water, hugging the Linga, lighting the diya and incense and ringing the temple bells, devotees call into focus all their senses, making them acutely aware of themselves and the universe to which they belong.

Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, such as the Lingashtakam, Shiva Manasa Puja, Shiva Mahimna Stotra of Pushpadanta, Shivashtaka, bhilvashtakam are sung with great fervour and devotion. People repeat the Panchakshara Mantra, Om Namah Shivaya. He who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims flock to the places where there are Shiva temples.

Following the method prescribed in Shiva Purana, priests perform ritual puja of Shiva Linga every three hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival. During this pooja, chants of Om Namah Shivaya and sounds of bells reverberate in the temple. Following the bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water that helps in the purification of the soul a vermilion paste is applied on the Linga as it represents virtue. Devotees stay awake and spent the night in Shiva temples by chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and singing hymns and verses in praise of Lord Shankar. Devotees observing vrat on Shivaratri break it only the next morning by partaking prasad offered to Lord Shiva.

MAHASHIVRATRI VRAT

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Navratri, the festival of nights, lasts for 9 days with three days each devoted to worship of Ma Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Ma Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. During the nine days of Navratari, feasting and fasting take precedence over all normal daily activities amongst the Hindus. Evenings give rise to the religious dances in order to worhip Goddess Durga Maa.

1st – 3rd day of Navratri
On the first day of the Navaratras, a small bed of mud is prepared in the puja room of the house and barley seeds are sown on it. On the tenth day, the shoots are about 3 – 5 inches in length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out and given to devotees as a blessing from god. These initial days are dedicated to Durga Maa, the Goddess of power and energy. Her various manifestations, Kumari, Parvati and Kali are all worshipped during these days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman.

4th – 6th day of Navratri
During these days, Lakshmi Maa, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped. On the fifth day which is known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all literature available in the house, light a lamp or ‘diya’ to invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.

7th – 8th day of Navratri
These final days belong to Saraswati Maa who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual knowledge. This in turn will free us from all earthly bondage. But on the 8th day of this colourful festival, yagna (holy fire) is performed. Ghee (clarified butter), kheer (rice pudding) and sesame seeds form the holy offering to Goddess Durga Maa.

Mahanavami
The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country

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Devi Siddhiratri

Ensconced upon a lotus, most commonly, with 4 arms, and is the possessor of 26 different wishes to grant her bhakts. Siddhiratri’s famous pilgrim centre, is located in Nanda Parvat in the Himalayas.

Daily Schedule

Maa Durga should be worshiped with PANCHOPCHAR (Fragrances, Flowers, Inceses, Diayas and Rice) or Shodshopchar.

Worshipping Maa Durga’s incarnation as Siddhidaatri

Maa Durga’s incarnation as Siddhidaatri is worshiped on Ninth day of Navratri. Its Meditation and Mantras are as follows:
Siddhgandharvayakshadhairyesurairamarairpi
Sevyamana sada bhuyaat siddhidha siddhidayani

Mantra: Om Siddhidatrai Namah

Durga Shaptashati Recitation:

Same way as the first day’s resolution Durga Shaptashati’s recitation should be done; process is same as explained earlier.

If you are reciting according to the Charitras you should worship and do the Hawan. If you want to complete the recitation of Shaptashati in 7 days, then you should do the Hawan on ninth day.

Recitation of Shri Ramcharit manas

Worship in a same way as the eighth day thereafter recites the couplet, “Jo sumirat siddhi hoi gan nayak, kari bar badan…..” And after eighth rest recite from 63rd till 68th couplet from Uttara Kand; also do the hawan with following mantra:
Shri sitaramebhyah Namah swaha

At the end do the Aarti of Shri Ram and Hanuman.

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Devi Mahagauri

Four arms with the fairest complexion of all the Durga Shaktis. Peace and compassion radiate from her being and she is often dressed in a white or green sari. She holds a drum and a trident and is often depicted riding a bull.

Daily ScheduleMaa Durga should be worshiped with PANCHOPCHAR (Fragrances, Flowers, Inceses, Diayas and Rice) or Shodshopchar.

Worshipping Maa Durga’s incarnation as Mahagauri

Maa Durga’s incarnation as Mahagauri is worshiped on Eight day of Navratri. Its Meditation and

Mantras are as follows:

Shvete vrishaye samaroodha shvetambardhara shuchi
Mahagauri shubham dadhaanmahadevprmodadaMantra: Om Mahagauriye Namah 

Durga Shaptashati Recitation:

Same way as the first day’s resolution Durga Shaptashati’s recitation should be done; process is same as explained earlier.

If you are reciting according to the Charitras, then you should recite Uttar Charitra. If you want to complete the recitation of Shaptashati in 7 days, then you should recite 13th Charitra and Moortirahasya etc. on Eighth day.

Recitation of Shri Ramcharit manas

Worship in a same way as the seventh day thereafter recites the couplet, “Jo sumirat siddhi hoi gan nayak, kari bar badan…..” And after seventh rest recite till 10th couplet from Uttara Kand.

At the end do the Aarti of Shri Ram and Hanuman.

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Devi Kaalratri

Black skin with bountiful hair and 4 hands, 2 clutching a cleaver and a torch, while the remaining 2 are in the mudras of “giving” and “protecting”. Her vahana is a faithful donkey. The destroyer of darkness and ignorance, Kaalratri is the seventh form of Nav-Durga meaning scourer of darkness; enemy of darkness. Kaalratri’s famous shrine is in Calcutta, India.

Daily Schedule

Maa Durga should be worshiped with PANCHOPCHAR (Fragrances, Flowers, Inceses, Diayas and Rice) or Shodshopchar.

Worshiping Maa Durga’s incarnation as Kalratri

Maa Durga’s incarnation as Kalratri is worshiped on Seventh day of Navratri. Its Meditation and

Mantras are as follows:
Ekvedi japakarnapura nagna kharsthita
Lamboshthi karnikakarni tailabhyakt shareerini
Vaampaadillsallohalta kashtakbhushna vardhanmoordhdhvaja
Krishna kaalraatrirabhayankari

Mantra: Om Kalratrayai Namah

Durga Shaptashati Recitation:

Same way as the first day’s resolution Durga Shaptashati’s recitation should be done; process is same as explained earlier.

If you are reciting according to the Charitras, then you should recite Madhyam Charitra. If you want to complete the recitation of Shaptashati in 7 days, then you should recite 12th 13th Charitra and Moorti-rahasya etc. on Seventh day.

If you are completing in eight days then you must recite 11th and 12th Charitras on seventh day

Recitation of Shri Ramcharit manas

Worship in a same way as the sixth day thereafter recites the couplet, “Jo sumirat siddhi hoi gan nayak, kari bar badan…..” And after sixth rest recite till 12th couplet from Lanka Kand.

At the end, do the Aarti of Shri Ram and Hanuman.

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Devi Kaatyayani

As mother, Kaatyayani stayed in the Ashram of sage Katyayan for penance, hence she named as Kaatyayani. This 6th Shakti is also astride a lion with 3 eyes and 4 arms. One left hand holds a weapon and the other a lotus. The other 2 hands respectively display defending and granting gestures. Her complexion is golden coloured.

Daily Schedule

Maa Durga should be worshiped with PANCHOPCHAR (Fragrances, Flowers, Inceses, Diayas and Rice) or Shodshopchar.

Worshipping Maa Durga’s incarnation as Katyayini Devi

Maa Durga’s incarnation as Katyayini Devi is worshiped on Sixth day of Navratri. Its Meditation and

Mantras are as follows:
Chandrahasojalkara shardulvarvahna
Katyayinishubham dadha devi daanvaghatini

Mantra: Om Katyayanai Namah

Durga Shaptashati Recitation:

Same way as the first day’s resolution Durga Shaptashati’s recitation should be done; process is same as explained earlier.

If you are reciting according to the Charitras, then you should recite First and Uttar Charitra. If you want to complete the recitation of Shaptashati in 7 days, then you should recite 11th Charitra on sixth day.

If you are completing in eight days then you must recite 10th Charitras on sixth day

Recitation of Shri Ramcharitmanas

Worship in a same way as the fifth day thereafter recites the couplet, “Jo sumirat siddhi hoi gan nayak, kari bar badan…..” And after fifth rest recite till 29th couplet from Aranyakand.

At the end do the Aarti of Shri Ram and Hanuman.

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Devi Skandmata

Using a lion as a vehicle she holds her son, SKAND in her lap while displaying 3 eyes and 4 hands; two hands hold lotuses while the other 2 hands respectively display defending and granting gestures. Its said, by the mercy of Skandmata, even the idiot becomes an ocean of knowledge.

Daily Schedule

Maa Durga should be worshiped with PANCHOPCHAR (Fragrances, Flowers, Inceses, Diayas and Rice) or Shodshopchar.

Worshipping Maa Durga’s incarnation as Skandmata

Maa Durga’s incarnation as Skandmata is worshiped on Fifth day of Navratri. Its Meditation and

Mantras are as follows:

Singhasangata nityam padmashrit kardhya
Shubhdastu sada devi skandmata yashasvini

Mantra: Om Skandmatraye Namah

Durga Shaptashati Recitation:

Same way as the first day’s resolution Durga Shaptashati’s recitation should be done; process is same as explained earlier.

If you are reciting according to the Charitras, then you should recite Madhyam Charitra. If you want to complete the recitation of Shaptashati in 7 days, then you should recite 9th and 10th Charitra on fifth day.

If you are completing in eight days then you must recite 8th and 9th Charitras on fifth day

Recitation of Shri Ramcharitmanas

Worship in a same way as the fourth day thereafter recites the couplet, “Jo sumirat siddhi hoi gan nayak, kari bar badan…..” And after fourth rest recite till 236th couplet from Ayodhyakand.

At the end do the Aarti of Shri Ram and Hanuman.

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Devi Kushmanda

The 4th night begins the worship of Kushmanda, possessed of eight arms, holding weapons and a mala or rosary. Her mount is a tiger and she emanates a solar like aura. “Kumbh Bhand” means to see cosmic vivacity in Pindi shape or knowledge of cosmic intri cacies in human race.

Daily ScheduleMaa Durga should be worshiped with PANCHOPCHAR (Fragrances, Flowers, Inceses, Diayas and Rice) or Shodshopchar.

Worshipping Maa Durga’s incarnation as Kushmanda

Maa Durga’s incarnation as Kushmanda is worshiped on Fourth day of Navratri. Its Meditation and Mantras are as follows:

Surasampoornakalasham rudhiraplutmev cha
Dadhana hastpadhyabhyam Kushmandashubhdastu me

Mantra: Om Kushmandyaye Namah

Durga Shaptashati Recitation:

Same way as the first day’s resolution Durga Shaptashati’s recitation should be done; process is same as explained earlier.

If you are reciting according to the Charitras, then you should recite Uttar Charitra. If you want to complete the recitation of Shaptashati in 7 days, then you should recite 5th 6th 7th and 8th Charitra on fourth day.

You are completing in eight days then you must recite 5th 6th and 7th Charitras on fourth day
Recitation of Shri Ramcharitmanas

Worship in a same way as the Third day thereafter recites the couplet, “Jo sumirat siddhi hoi gan nayak, kari bar badan…..” And after third rest recite till 116th couplet from Ayodhyakand.

At the end do the Aarti of Shri Ram and Hanuman.

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Devi Chandraghanta

Worshipped on the 3rd night this Ma Durga Shakti is astride a tiger, displays a golden hue to her skin, possesses ten hands and 3 eyes. Eight of her hands display weapons while the remaining two are respectively in the mudras of gestures of boon giving and stopping harm. Chandra + Ghanta, meaning supreme bliss and knowledge, showering peace and serenity, like cool breeze in a moonlit night. Ma is worshipped in this form in Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) India.

Daily ScheduleMaa Durga should be worshiped with PANCHOPCHAR (Fragrances, Flowers, Inceses, Diayas and Rice) or Shodshopchar. 

Worshipping Maa Durga’s incarnation as Chandraghanta

Maa Durga’s incarnation as Chandraghanta is worshiped on Third day of Navratri. Its meditation and Mantras are as follows:

Pinjapravararudha chandkopastrakairuta
Prasadam tanute maham chndraghanteti vishrushruta

Mantra: Om Chandraghantaye Namah

Durga Shaptashati Recitation:

Same way as the first day’s resolution Durga Shaptashati’s recitation should be done; process is same as explained earlier.

If you are reciting according to the Charitras, then you should recite Madhyam Charitra. If you want to complete the recitation of Shaptashati in 7 or 8 days, then you should recite fourth chapter on third day.

Recitation of Shri Ramcahritmanas

Worship in a same way as the second day thereafter and recite the couplet, “Jo sumirat siddhi hoi gan nayak, kari bar badan…..” And after the second rest, recite till 358th couplet from Baalkand.

At the end, do the Aarti of Shri Ram and Hanuman.

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