Archive for the ‘Puja Process’ Category

Prabhum prananatham vibhum vishvanatham, Jagannathanatham sadanandabhajamh
Bhavadbhavyabhuteshvaram bhutanatham, shivamshankaram shambhumishanamide

Gale rundamalam tanau sarpajalam, mahakalakalam ganeshadhipalamh
Jatajutabhangottarangairvishalam shivam, shankaram shambhumishanamide

Mudamakaram mandanam mandayantam, mahamandala bhasmabhushhadharamtam
Anadihyaparam mahamohaharam, shivam shankaram shambhumishanamide

Vatadho nivasam mahattattahasam, mahapapanasham sadasuprakashamh
Girishamganesham sureshammahesham, shivamshankaram shambhumishanamide

Girindratmajasangrahitardhadeham, Girau sansthitam sarvada sannageham
Parabrahmabrahmadibhirvandhyamanam, shivam shankaram shambhumishanamide

Kapalam trishulam karabhyam dadhanam,padambhojanamraya kamam dadanam
Balivardayanam suranam pradhanam, shivam shankaram shambhumishanamide

Sharachchandragatram gunananda patram, trinetram pavitram dhaneshasya mitram
Aparnakalatram charitram vichitram, shivam shankaram shambhumishanamide

Haramsarpaharam chitabhuviharam, bhavamvedasaram sadanirvikaram
Smashaanevadantam manojamdahantam, shivamshankaram shambhumishanamide

Stavam yah prabhate narah shulapane, patheth stotraratnam vhaprapyaratnam
Sputram sudhyanam sumitram kalatram, vichitrai samaradya moksham prayati

tags: shivashtakam online siva, shiva, sivasktakam, astakam, ashtakam, lord shiva, puja, shivashtakam

SRI GANESHA CHATURDHI PUJA PROCESS IN ENGLISH ;

Simple Method :

“Vakratunndd mahaakaay Suryakottisamaprabhaa,

NirvighnaN kuru me dev sarvakaaryesshu sarvadaa.”

Meaning: O Lord Ganesha of large body, curved trunk, with the brilliance of a million suns, please make all my work free of obstacles always.

Ganpati Puja Process :

Puja must be commenced only after performing ablutions .

Begin by reciting “Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah”

Follow this by repeating “Aum” thrice. Now take a sip of holy water and invoke the god to purify you by repeating Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah thrice and wash hands Now the puja can begin.

Sprinkle the ganesha idol with rice grains and flowers and chant Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Asanam Samarpayami

Next wash the feet of the idol with rice and sandal water and chant ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Padyam Samarpayami’

Next wash the hands of the idol with sandal water mixed with rice and flowers and chant ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Samarpayami’

Next offer the idol water to drink , thrice , while chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Achmaneeyam Samarpayami ‘

Next the idol has to be bathed with milk, curd, ghee. Honey and sugar. Chant ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Panchamrita Snanam Samarpayami’ .

After this make holy water offering. All the five offerings are to be made separately chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Payah Snanam Samarpayami ‘ when offering milk.

‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Dadhi Snanam Samarpayami‘ when offering curd.

‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Ghrut Snanam Samarpayami‘ when offering ghee.

‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Madhu Snanam Samarpayami’ when offering honey.

‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Sharkara Snanam Samarpayami’ when offering sugar.

Now offer holy water to the idol and then wipe it clean with a piece of cloth while chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Uttaraposhnam Samarpayami’.

Now all the necessary ablutions have been completed.

The puja will proceed by making various offerings to lord ganesha Offer raiment to the idol in the form of two threads chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Vastropvastram Samarpayami’.

When offering white thread repeat ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Yagyopveetam Samarpayami’.

Now red sandal powder paste is applied to the brow of the idol while chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Gandham samarpayami’.

Offer rice and chant, ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Akshtam Samarpayami’.

Garland the idol, shower flowers and chant, ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Puspam Samarpayami’.

Offer Durva grass chanting, ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Durvan Kuran Samarpayami’.

Leaves offering chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Bilvapatram Samarpayami’.

NOW OFFER FLOWERS TO IDOL AND CHANT - GANESHA ASHTOTTARA SATANAMAVALI

LORD GANESHA STUTHI , GANESHA PANCHA RATNA STOTRAM

Burned perfume offering to be made while chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Dhoopam Agrapyami’.

Perform the aarti of the idol with a ghee lamp chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Deepam Darshyami’.

Give sweets to the lord, chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Naivedyam Samaryami’.

Offer water to the idol ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Achmaneeyam Samarpayami’.

Offer fruit, ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Phalam Samarpayami’

Offer betel nut, betel leaf, clove and cardamom and chant ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Tamboolam Samarpayami’.

Offer perfume and chant ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Itram Samarpayami’

Offer coins and chant ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Dakshinam Samarpayami’

Now offer sandal rice, flower, and durva all mixed in water and chant “Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Vishesh Argyam Samarpayami”

Now genuflect before the idol while chanting, Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah I bow before you.

Finally to bring the puja to a close circle the idol in a clockwise direction while chanting Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Pradakshinam Samarpayami once.

ANOTHER METHOD  – SRI MAHA GANAPATHI POOJA PROCESS

SIDDHI VINAAYAKA PUJA

1 AT THE REGULAR ALTAR

Om Sarvebhyo Gurubhyo namah
Om Sarvebhyo Devebhyo namah
Om Sarvebhyo Braahmanebhyo namah

Praarambha kaaryam nirvigna-masthu, Shubham shobhanamasthu,
Ishta devathaa kuladevathaa suprasannaa varadaa bhavathu.

(offer flowers, kumkum, agarbhatthi)

AT THE SIDDI VINAAYAKA ALTAR

2 ACHAMANAA:

Take the take and leave the water on 3rd Mantra

Om Keshavaaya swaahaa,
Om Naaraayaanaya swaahaa,
Om Maadhavaya Swaahaa,
Om Govindaaya namah,
Om Vishnave namah,
Om Madhusoodanaaya namah,
Om Tivikramaaya namah,
Om Vaamanaaya namah,
Om Sridharaaya namah,
Om Hrishikeshaaya namah,
Om Padmanaabhaya namah,
Om Damodaraaya namah,
Om Sankarshanaaya namah,
Om Vasudevaaya namah,
Om Pradyumnaaya namah,
Om Anirudhdhaaya namah,
Om Purushothamaaya namah,
Om Adhokshajaaya namah,
Om Naarasimhaaya namah,
Om Achyuthaaya namah,
Om Janaardanaaya namah,
Om Upendraaya namah,
Om Haraye namah,
Om Shri Krishnaaya namah

Om pranavasya parabhrahma rishih paramaatmaa devathaa daivi gaayathri chandah, praanaayaame viniyogah. Om bhuh, Om bhuvah, Om swahah, Om maahah, Om janah, Om tapah, Om satyam, Om tatsaithur-varenyam bhargo-devasya dhimahi, dhiyo-yonah prachodayaath
Om apojyothi rasomritam, brahma bhur- bhuva-swarom

3 SAMKALPAH

Om Srimaan Maha-Ganaa-dhipathaye namah,
Om Sri Gurubhyo namah,
Om Sri Saraswathyey namah,
Om Ishta devathaa-bhyo namah,
Om Kula-devathaa-bhyo namah,
Om Sthana-devathaa-bhyo namah,
Om Grama-devathaa-bhyo namah,
Om maathaa pitrubhyaam namah,

Shukl-aambara-dharam devam, shashi-varnam chatur-bhujam
Prasanna-vadanam dhyayeth, sarva vignopa-shaanthaye

Sarva-mangala maangalye, Shive sarva-artha saadhike
Sharanye tryambake devi, Naaraayani namosthuthe

Shaalivaahana shake vartamaane vyavaaharike Dhaatu naama samvatsare uttaraa/dakshina-ayane amuka rithua, amuka maase, krishna pakshe, chaturthyaam tithau, yevam guna-visheshena vishishtaayaam shubha punya thithau mama aathmana shruthi-smrithi-puraanoktha phala-praapyartham, mama sa-kutumbhasya kshema stherya Ayur-arogya, mama upaaththa durithakshaya dwaara, Sri Parameshwara preethyartham, angikrita Sri Siddhi Vinaayakam uddhishya Samkashti vratham karishye.

Idam phalam mayaa-deva staapitam purata-stava, tena may safalaa-vaaptir-bhaveth janmani-janmani. (keep fruits in front of the Lord)

7 DEEPA STHAPANA

Athah devasya vaama bhaaghe, deepa sthaapanam karishye.
Agni-naagni samidhythe kavir-grahapathir-yuvaa, havyavaat juvaasyah (light the lamps)

8 BHOOMI PRARTHANA

Mahidyau prathveechana imam yajnam mimikshataam, piprataanno bhareemabhih

9 DHAANYA RAASHI

Om aushadhaya samvadanthe somena saharaajna,
yasmai krineti braahmanastham raajan paarayaamasi (Touch the grains/rice/wheet)

10 KALASHA STHAAPANA

Om aa kalasheshu dhaavathi pavitre parishichyathe, ukthair-yajneshu vardhathe (keep kalasha on top of rice pile)

Om imam me Gange Yamune Saraswathi shuthudri-sthomam sachatha parishnya, asiknya marud-vradhe, vitastha-yaarjireye shrunuhyaa sushomaya (fill kalasha with water)

Om gandha-dwaaraam dhura-darshaam nitya pushpam karishinim, Ishwarim sarva bhutaanaam taami hopa-hvaye-shriyam (sprinkle in/apply gandha to, kalasha)

Om yaa phalineeryaa aphalaa apushpaa-yaascha pushpaani, brahaspathi prasothaasthaano manchatwam hasah (put beetle nut in kalasha)

Om sahiratnaani daashushu-suvaathi savitaa bhagah, tambhaagam chitra mimahe(put jewels/washed coin in kalasha)

Om hiranya-rupah hiranya sandrig-paanna paatsyedu hiranya varnah, hiranya-yaathari-payoner-nishadyaa hiranyadaa-dadatthyan-namasmaiy (put gold/dakshina in kalasha)

Om kaandaath-kaandaath-parohanthi parushah parushya pari evano dhurve pratanu sahasrena shatena-cha (put dhurva/karika )

Om ashwatthevo nishadanam parnivo vasathishkrita, go-bhaaja itkila sad yatsa navadha poorusham (put five leaves in kalasha)

Om yuvaasu vaasah pariveeth aagathsa ushreyaan bhavathi jaayamaanah, tam dhi-raasa kavaya unnayanthi swaddhyo swaddhyo manasaa devayanthah.(tie cloth for kalasha)

Om poornadarvi paraapatha supoornaa punaraapatha, vasneva vikrinaava hra-isha-moorjam shatakrito (copper plate and ashtadala with kumkum)

Iti kalasham pratishtapayami (Sakala poojarthe akshataaan samarpayaami – SPAS)

12 KALASHA PUJANA

(continue with second kalasha )

Kalashasya mukhe Vishnuh, kante Rudrah samaasritah
Moole tatra sthito Brahma, madhye Maatraganaah smratah
Kukshaatu Saagaraah sarve, sapta dweepa Vasundhara
Rigvedatho Yajurvedah Samavedo-hyatharvanah
Angeischa salathah sarve, kalashaanthu samaashritaah
Atra Gaayathri, Saavithri shaanthi pushtikari thathaa
Aayanthu deva pujartham-abhishekaartha siddhaye
Om sitaa-site sarite yatra samgadhe tatr-aaplutaaso divam-utpatanthi
Ye vai-tanvam visrajanti dhiraaste janaso amritatwam bhajante

Kalashah Prarthana:

Sree Raama Raama Raamethi
Rame Raame Manorame |
Sahasra Naama Thatthulyam
Raama Naama Varaanane ||

Sri Raghavam Dasaradhatmajama Prameyam
Seehapatim Raghuvarnvayaratna Deeepam |
Aajanubhahumaravidha Dhallayataatkshayam
Ramam nisacharavinasakaram Navami ||

Aapadaamapa Harthaaram
Daatharam Sarva Sampadaam |
Lokaabhiraamam Sree Raamam
Bhuyo Bhuyo Namaamyaham ||

Sri Rama Navami, an important festival especially among the Vaishnava sect of the Hindus. Ramanavami celebrates the birth of Rama or Ramachandra. Sri Rama Navami usually falls on Chaitra sudda Navami. On the ninth day of the first fortnight of Chaitra the birth of Rama is commemorated.

Lord Sri Rama is the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu out of the ten jayanties viz., Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parusurama, Rama, Krishna, Budda and Kalki. It is to be noted that out of these ten jayanties, three of them falls during Chaitra maasam.

Sri Ramavathar explains guidelines that need to be followed by each and every person in this world. During this Avathaar, Sriman Narayanan incarnates as the son for great king, Dasarathan. But in spite of being born to a great king, throughout this Avathaar, he led his life as an ordinary person.

According to ancient texts, Sri Rama was born to King Dasarada and Kausalya on the Chaitra sudda Navami in Karkataka lagna with Punarvasu fourth pada. This day is being celebrated as Sri Rama Navami. It is the most auspicious day for everyone. According to Valmiki, Sri Rama was born well before BC 2055. As per Indian Standard Time, he was born in Vyvaswata manvantaram Panchama Tretayugam, forth part i.e. Thirty thousand years equivalent Vilambali year Chaitra sudda Navami, Wednesday. 

SRI RAMA STORY: 

Sri Rama’s story, Ramayana, has been sung in all the languages and dialects of Bharat. The tradition of writing epics centering round the saga of Rama’s achievements started by Valmiki in Sanskrit and was continued by Tulasidas in Hindi, by Kamban in Tamil, by Ramanujan in Malayalam, by Krittivasa in Bengali and Madhav Kambali in Assamia and in fact, in almost every Bharatiya language. How deeply significant that every group and sect even in distant and far-flung parts of Bharatavarsha should have found a radiant reflection of its own ideals in the form of Sri Rama!

Lord Rama is called Maryaada-Purushottama – the great one who never deviated from the norms set by Dharma. In the eyes of the Hindu, the touchstone of human excellence is Dharma. Devotion to Dharma came first in Rama’s life and considerations of his personal joys and sorrows came last. It was his supreme commitment to putra-dharma that made Rama smilingly depart to the forest for fourteen years at the bidding of his father. He would not budge from the path of Dharma – righteousness – even when his own preceptor, his parents, his brothers and the whole body of his subjects tried to dissuade him. He upheld the supremacy of Dharma in every one of his human relationships and hence became an ideal son, an ideal brother, an ideal husband, an ideal disciple, an ideal friend, an ideal kind and even an ideal foe.

 The story of Rama is not that of a single towering personality dwarfing all others. The other characters like Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata and Hanuman too shine in their own greatness. All of them are so closely interwoven with Sri Rama’s life and achievements that it is High impossible to think of any one without the other. In fact, the most popular picture of Sri Rama, i.e., of Sri Rama Pattabhishekam includes Sita, Hanuman and all his brothers. And in the bringing out of the greatness of all these partners of his life-drama, Rama’s instinctive recognition of their merit and virtues played no mean part. He would always be the first to openly appreciate the unique and noble traits in others’ character. Even for Kaikeyi, who was responsible for his banishment to forest, Rama had only words of kindness. And as for Ravana, the abductor of his wife, Rama’s unstinted praise of his erudition and prowess at once lifts the story of Ramayana to heights unsurpassed in the annals of human history.

Significance:

This festival is celebrated for nine days starting from Chaitra sudda Padyami and ends with Navami day, the Jayanti of Lord Rama. During these nine days, Sri Rama Parayanam is recited and Rama Nama is recited in temples and Sri Rama mandirs. According to ancient texts, Sri Rama Navami is celebrated at noon. This festival is being celebrated in different ways across the country. In Maharastra, the celebrate begin right from the morning 9 AM and proceed till 12 noon. People keep a fast throughout the day, breaking it only at midnight with fruit.

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Sri Rama, a big fair is held on this day. In South India the Sri Ramnavami Utsavam is celebrated for nine days with great fervour and devotion. In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, public gatherings called satsangs are organised to commemorate the birth of Rama. Excerpts from the Ramacharitamanas, extolling the glory of Rama, are recited.

During this day, we clean our house, put the Kolam and place a photo of Sri Ramar Pattabhishekam on top of a wooden plate (Manai). Decorate the photo with various flowers. And now you can perform Archanai for Sri Ramar and after that you can chant some of the slokams from Sri Ramayanam.

Also, you can chant Sri Rama Nama and it is 100% evident that wherever the great Sri Rama Nama is expressed, Hanuman will enjoy that Nama and along with Sri Ramar, he will also bless us with his grace. By chanting the Sri Rama Nama, it is said that bhaktas will get the favour equivalent to that of the favour got by fasting. Not even on this day, even daily we should atleast say the Sri Rama Japa for 108 times (or atleast for 28 times) and we can a lot of positive changes on our life.

Mangalam Kosalandreya Mahaneeya Gunatmane
Chakravati Tanujuya Saarvabhowmaaya Mangalam

In Andhra Pradesh, Sri Rama Kalyanam is celebrated on Navami day. Devotees witness the wedding celebrations of Lord Rama with Sita. According to ancient texts, Sri Rama Vanavasam was done in this State. The Kalyanotsavam is being celebrated with utmost glory and pomp at Sri Bhadrachalam temple. Devotees from various parts of the country will throng the temple to witness the Kalyanotsavam. The Government of Andhra Pradesh will present pearls and wedding dress material to Lord Rama and Sita. In this temple, the festival is celebrated for five days ie., Navami, Dasami, Ekadasi, Dwadasi, and Trayodasi. During these days, devotees chant Sri Rama Nama.

Tags: srirama navami, nawami, navmi, sreerama, shri ram, shrirama, shree raama, shreerama, ramanavami, special significance of sri rama navami, lord rama pics, walpapers,

Lord Ganesha is the God of knowledge. Lord Ganesha is worshipped before the beginning of all actions including any new rituals, before starting any work to remove the obstacles and protect the devotees in the performance of all their activities. The name “Vigneshwara”  is known to remove the hardest of all obstacles [Vigna] and allow success to his dieties. There are several days in the month according to the Phase of the moon or star position which are important for each of the Deity we worship.

Sankata Hara Ganesha Stotram  and  Ganesha 108 Names Ashotarams

Sankashta Chaturdhi Day :

Chathurthi is very important for Sri Ganesha. SankataHara Chaturdhi (Sankashti Chaturthi) is worshipped on the Fourth day after New Moon every month (Chavithi Thidi) and is auspicious for special pooja and Havan [Homam] for Sri Ganesha. If Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Tuesday, it is known as Angaraki Chaturthi or Angaraka Chaturthi. Angaraki is the other name of Mangal or Kuja or Chevaai or Bhauma (planet Mars).

Devotees fast for a whole day and break their fast at night after Worshipping Lord Ganesh and Moon and having Darshan of Lord Moon. This vow is observed to get rid of problems in life.

Sankasta Pooja :

• On Sankasta Day, Wake Early Morning & Have Head Bath.
• Clean the House and Pooja place, Idol. 
• Decorate Lord Ganesh with available flowers.
• Read Sankata Hara Ganesha Stotram and Ganesha Ashotaram.
• Offer Milk or Fruits to Lord Ganesh
• If Possible Fast till evening, pooja is performed.

Ganesha/Sankasta Pooja Process :

At Night before the Moon Rises Decorate Lord Ganesha with Flowers. If Available offer Durva ( Doorva - grass (creeper)) with 3 or 5 nodes. Lord Ganesha will be pleased to grant one’s heartfelt desires. You can also offer Hybiscus flower Garland or even Doorva (Grass) in the middle along with flowers. It depends on your availability & convinience.

Begin by reciting “Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah”

Follow this by repeating “Aum” thrice. Now take a sip of holy water and invoke the god to purify you by repeating Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah thrice and wash hands Now the puja can begin.

Sprinkle the ganesha idol with rice grains & flowers and chant – Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Asanam Samarpayami

Next wash the feet of the idol with rice and sandal water and chant ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Padyam Samarpayami’

Next offer the idol water to drink , thrice , while chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Achmaneeyam Samarpayami ‘

Next the idol has to be bathed with milk, curd, ghee. Honey and sugar. Chant ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Panchamrita Snanam Samarpayami’ .

After this make holy water offering. All the five offerings are to be made separately chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Payah Snanam Samarpayami ‘ when offering milk.

‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Dadhi Snanam Samarpayami‘ when offering curd.

‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Ghrut Snanam Samarpayami‘ when offering ghee.

‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Madhu Snanam Samarpayami’ when offering honey.

‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Sharkara Snanam Samarpayami’ when offering sugar.

Now offer holy water to the idol and then wipe it clean with a piece of cloth while chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Uttaraposhnam Samarpayami’.

Now all the necessary ablutions have been completed.

The puja will proceed by making various offerings to lord ganesha Offer raiment to the idol in the form of two threads chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Vastropvastram Samarpayami’.

When offering white thread repeat ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Yagyopveetam Samarpayami’.

Now red sandal powder paste is applied to the brow of the idol while chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Gandham samarpayami’.

Offer rice and chant, ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Akshtam Samarpayami’.

Garland the idol, shower flowers and chant, ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Puspam Samarpayami’.

Offer Durva grass chanting, ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Durvan Kuran Samarpayami’.

Leaves offering chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Bilvapatram Samarpayami’.

Burned perfume offering to be made while chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Dhoopam Agrapyami’.

Perform the aarti of the idol with a ghee lamp chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Deepam Darshyami’.

Give sweets to the lord, chanting ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Naivedyam Samaryami’.

Offer water to the idol ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Achmaneeyam Samarpayami’.

Offer fruit, ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Phalam Samarpayami’

Offer betel nut, betel leaf, clove and cardamom and chant ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Tamboolam Samarpayami’.

Offer coins and chant ‘Aum Shri Ganeshya Namah Dakshinam Samarpayami’

Chant “Om Ganeshaya namaha” 108 times. Recite Ganesha Ashtothara (108 names of Lord Ganesh) and Sankata Hara Sthothram and bow before Lord. If one cannot recite 108 names he/she can read Sankashta Nashana Sthothram.

Offer coconuts, banana, flowers to the Lord. Sri Ganesha accepts prayers with offerings of all types of flowers, leaves, grass and all fruits and foods. However Thulasi is offered only on Ganesha Chathurthi day.

Modhakam is a sweet of special offered as prasadam and perform Arathi also. Sing Jay Dev jay Dev Lord Ganesha Bhjanan and Pooja will be finished.

During the fasting period, Sabudana kitchadi fruits /curds with Beaten rice are permitted.  In the night After Moon Rise enjoy dinner with your family.

Sankata Hara Ganesha Stotram  and  Ganesha 108 Names Ashotarams

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Maha Shivaratri comes in Phalgun (February-March). Shivratri means “the night of Shiva”. The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva. Shiva was married to Parvati on this day.

People observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees do not even take 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.

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.

MahaShivRatri Vrat :

“Om Namah Shivaya”

In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of arrows and discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by King Chitrabhanu.

The story goes as follows….

Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa, was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri.

The Sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king.

The sage asked, “O king! why are you observing a fast today?”

King Chitrabhanu explained why. He had the gift of remembering the incidents of his previous birth.

The king said to the sage: “In my past birth I was a hunter in Varanasi. My name was Suswara. My livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. One day I was roaming the forests in search of animals. I was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home, I climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a bael tree. I had shot a deer that day but I had no time to take it home. I bundled it up and tied it to a branch on the tree. As I was tormented by hunger and thirst, I kept awake throughout the night. I shed profuse tears when I thought of my poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously awaiting my return. To pass away the time that night I engaged myself in plucking the bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground. “The day dawned. I returned home and sold the deer. I bought some food for myself and for my family. I was about to break my fast when a stranger came to me, begging for food. I served him first and then took my food.

“At the time of death, I saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were sent down to conduct my soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. I learnt then for the first time of the great merit I had earned by the unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. They told me that there was a Lingam at the bottom of the tree. The leaves I dropped fell on the Lingam. My tears which I had shed out of pure sorrow for my family fell onto the Lingam and washed it. And I had fasted all day and all night. Thus did I unconsciously worship the Lord. “I lived in the abode of the Lord and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages. I am now reborn as Chitrabhanu.”

tags: mahashivratri puja, shivratri vrat, shivratri katha, mahashivratri, mahasivaratri, maha shivratri, vratrams, shivratri pujas, slokas, shivratri vrat, mahasivaratri vrat,sivarathri katha, stories, free, lord shiva kathas

Janmastami  which is also celebrated as Gokulastami (Krishnastami) is the major annual festival for Vaisnavas. The festival is celebrated on Astami Thidi which takes place in August or early September. Traditionally devotees fast until midnight, until the hour of Lord Krishna’s appearance ( Midnight 12 ) spending the time by performing devotional activities in honour of this most auspicious occasion.

Puja on Janmastami :

Puja is perofrming to Lord krishna with flowers, and recieting 108 names (Sri Krishna Astotharam) or chanting the name of lord Krishna and his leelas. The flowers are offered to Lord with chanting Mantra “Idam Pushpam ” and changing the dieties 108 names OM KESHAVAYA NAMAH, OM NARAYANAYA NAMAH, etc.

Festival Activites Performed on Krishnastami:

• Cooking 108 different delicious food  is being offered to the Lord at midnight. (All the foods and drinks are then served to all the guests ).
• Darshan (viewing) of the Lord in His specially Decorated Murti (statue) form on the flower-laden altar.
• Abhiseka (Bathing) is performing to Lord using fruit juices and milk products.
• Bhajanas (Devotional songs) sung in Traditional Tunes.
• Dramas Re-Enacting the pastimes of Lord Krishna.
• Dance in the Traditional Indian style, sometimes with modern innovations, portraying the Lord’s pastimes.
• Readings from the scriptures, particularly the Lord’s unique birth and Events leading up to and following His arrival.
• Kirtana (Group Chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra) this is a daily affair in temples but on this Special festival day devotees consider to do  more kirtana  of Lord Krishna.
• The Lord who plays a flute and enjoys family and village pastimes with His most intimate and loving devotees. Although, being God, He is Lord of all the worlds.
• His eternal blissful pastimes in His own home, Vrndavana. This is the essential religious sentiment and mood of Janmastami.

Chanting of Krishna Mantra:

“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”

“In this age of Kali, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative for spiritual progress other than the chanting of the holy name, the chanting of the holy name, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.”

Whenever you chant this mantra, always keep its meaning in  mind. Chant this mantra with devotion and faith . While repeating his mantra request the God almighty to take away all your sorrows, pains and failures and give you joy and bliss.  You can chant it anytime, anywhere.

Offerings and Leelas of Lord Kirshna:

Sri Krishna Jayanti is celebrated with plenty of sweets like  laddus (yellu oonde), chakli, cheedai, payasam (kheer), and  plenty of milk products especially butter, which was Sri Krishna’s favorite childhood food, are given in offerings. A wide variety of fruits are also offered. The most common sweets made laddus and payasam.

Great indeed are his many Leelas several sages and seers have paid homage to him. Narada, Sri Kulashekara Azhwar, Andal, Tirumangai Azhawar, Nammazhwar have sung glorious verses in praise of Lord Krishna who embodies Shudda Satvam. The Bhagavad Gita coming from the Lord is the absolute truth which has withstood the test of time and has formed the basis and inspiration for many Acharyas and Azhwars.

The life and message of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviours and propounders of Dharma. Born in the dungeons of Kansa who was out to kill him at the very moment of his birth, Sri Krishna’s life is replete with many such mortal dangers which he successfully triumphs over. He was the unchallenged hero of his times both in terms of his bodily prowess and his intellectual brilliance.

Sri Krishna Jayanti, therefore, signifies not merely the birth of a great and Divine Teacher of mankind in some distant past but the lighting of the spark of the Divine Power in every one of us, which spurs us on to play our dynamic part in this world of practical and hard realities with a sense of high spiritual purpose. Krishna represents the total power of attraction (Aakarshna Shakti) like a magnet of infinite rise. Hence Krishna is the source of joy.

May Lord Krishna Bless You all. Happy Janmastami

(Janmastami puja, lord krishna puja, krishna mantra, blessing, lord sri krishna, gopala, krishna astami, festival)

Sankranthi, or Makar Sankranti, is an important harvest festival and it also marks the transition of the sun from Sagittarius to Capricon (Makara Rasi). Sankranti also marks the beginning of Uttarayan – the daytime of Devas as per Hinduism and the next six months are considered highly auspicious. Six human months is considered the daytime of Devas. The main pujas and rituals on Sankranti are dedicated to Lord Surya.

Sankranti Puja

• Cleaning of house.
• Early morning oil bath.
• Decoration of house with mango leaves, flowers and rangoli (kolams).
• Arrange the Puja Room – if possible get an image or picture of God Surya.

There is no elaborate Sankranthi Puja. You can offer flowers and akshata to your favorite deity and prayer as you do normally.

Process of Sankranti Puja 

• The puja is performed when the Sun enters Makara Rasi. Usually it is performed after sunrise. To get the exact time you can look into the Panchanga.
• For Puja you can break a coconut and place it on a tray along with betel leaves and betel nuts.
• Light the lamp. Usually a lamp with two wicks is lit on Makar Sankranti or two lamps.
• Start you prayers by remembering Ganesha. and Next pray to Lord Surya.
• Place some flowers and rice mixed with turmeric powder before the idol of the deity in your puja room.
• Place ‘Pongali’, a dish prepared from the recent rice harvest and distribute the neivedya.

Various types of Sankranti Dhanam are practiced by different communities. Newly married women give Dhanam to married women, married women give Dhanam to other married women, in some regions pumpkin or sugarcane is given as Dhanam.

tags : sankranthi puja, process of sankranthi, sankaranthi vidhanam, free, sankranthi kakshmi

The harvest festival of Pongal has its unique regional significance. The festival of Pongal is celebrated all over India on the same day, but has different names in each region. However, being a harvest festival, bonfires and feasts are the main thing common to all the celebrations of this festival. Almost all the states of India celebrate this festival with varied festivities including singing and dancing. In northern India, the festival is known as Lohri while in Assam it is called Bhogali Bihu, in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar it is known as Sankranti, and in Andhra Pradesh it is celebrated as Bhogi, when each household puts on display its collection of dolls. Following is the state wise regional significance of the Pongal festival.

Pongal in Maharashtra:

In Maharashtra, January 14 is celebrated as a festival of Makar Sankranti and is marked by the flying of kites. The entire sky becomes a showcase of colorful kites of various sizes and shapes. On this day, people exchange homemade delicacies like til and gur laddoos and wish each other the sweetness of speech, throughout the year just the way the gur tastes.

A newly wed woman gives away oil, cotton and sesame seeds to mark the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. This is believed to bestow upon her and her family long life and prosperity. The women wear new clothes, new glass bangles, and relatives are invited to attend the Haldi Kumkum celebration to welcome the new bride into their family.

Pongal in Gujarat:

In Gujarat, Pongal day is celebrated as Makar Sankranti. Here, kite-flying is a major event for this day. Traditionally celebrated on the 13th or 14th January, it is a day when every family can be seen outdoors ‘cutting’ each other’s kites. Kites of myriad hues, shapes and sizes decorate the skies from dawn to dusk during this festival. The vast panorama of the sky dotted with thousand of kites becomes a wonderful sight to see.

The International Kite Festival is held at the capital city Ahmedabad on January 14 to coincide with the festival of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. The people of Gujarat celebrate Uttarayan with a lot of enthusiasm and all business comes to a grinding halt for 3 to 4 days. It is also a celebration to mark the end of winter. The excitement does not end with nightfall, which is the time for illuminated box kites, often in a series strung on one line, to be launched into the sky. Known as “tukals”, these add a touch of splendor to the dark sky.

Pongal in Uttar Pradesh:

In Uttar Pradesh, the day of Pongal is celebrated as Makar Sankranti. Here, taking a ritual bath in the river is considered mandatory on this day. According to a popular belief in the hills of Uttar Pradesh, a person who does not take a bath on this auspicious day will be born as a donkey in his next birth. Apart from this ritual bathing, donating khichri (a cooked mixture of rice and lentils) is also one of the important aspects of the Makar Sankranti celebration in Uttar Pradesh.

To mark the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a big mela or fair is also organized at the Triveni Sangam in Allahabad. As the mela is held in the beginning of the month of Magha, this fair is named as Magha Mela. Apart from Triveni, ritual bathing is also organized at places like Haridwar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh. Many kite-flying competitions are also held in various localities to mark the occasion.

Pongal in Andhra Pradesh:

In Andhra Pradesh, Pongal celebrations start a month in advance. Bhogi is the day preceding Sankranti and Kanumu is the day after. On Bhogi day, in the early morning, a bonfire is lit up with waste before the traditional special bath. Pongali (rice pudding with milk) is an important item during this festival. Special dishes, like ariselu (sweet rice cakes), are prepared. On Kanumu day animals are decorated and races are held, sometimes the banned cockfights, bullfights and ram fights are included. Sun, Mahabali (a mythological Dravidian king) and Godadevi (Goddess Goda) are worshiped during this harvest festival.

Pongal in Karnataka:

In Karnataka, the festival is called ‘Sankranti’, and cows and bullocks are gaily decorated and fed ‘Pongal’- a sweet preparation of rice. Special prayers are offered in the temples and houses. In the evening, the cattle are led out in procession to the beat of drums and music. In the night a bonfire is lit and the animals are made to jump over the fire.

Makar Sankranti is marked by men, women and children wearing colorful clothing; visiting near and dear ones; and exchanging pieces of sugarcane, a mixture of fried til, molasses, pieces of dry coconut, peanuts and fried gram. The significance of this exchange is that sweetness should prevail in all the dealings.

In Karnataka, an interesting tradition is followed. After the pujas, white sesame (ellu) mixed with pieces of jaggery, peanuts, dry coconut and sugar blocks (shakkare achchu) are exchanged. At Gavi Gangadhareshwara (Siva) temple in Bangalore’s Gavipuram, a rare phenomenon is witnessed in the evening. The Sun’s rays pass through the horns of the Nandi briefly to fall on the Lingam in the sanctum. It is an architectural marvel.

Pongal in Tamil Nadu:

Pongal in Tamil Nadu is celebrated to mark the withdrawal of the southeast monsoons as well as the reaping of the harvest. Pongal is strictly a rural festival. The Sun is worshiped for its rays are responsible for life on earth. It is the biggest harvest festival, spread over four days. The name of the festival is derived from Pongal, a rice pudding made from freshly harvested rice, milk and jaggery.

The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is a day for the family. Surya Pongal, the second day, is dedicated to the worship of Surya, the Sun God. The third day, Mattupongal is for worship of the cattle. In Chennai (Madras), a rath yatra procession is taken out from the Kandaswamy Temple. In Madurai, Tanjore and Tiruchirrapalli, where Pongal is known as Jellikattu, bundles of money are tied to the horns of bulls and villagers try and wrest the bundles from them. Community meals are made from the freshly gathered harvest and enjoyed by the entire village.

Pongal in Kerala:

In Kerala, on Makar Sankranti evening, at the hill shrine of Sabarimala, lakhs of pilgrims witness a star-like celestial light of incredible splendor appearing on the horizon. Known as Makara Jyothi, this miracle occurs at the time of the evening Deeparadhana. Pilgrims consider it a great moment of fulfillment. Lord Ayyappa is adorned with special jewels known as Thiruvaabharanam. Legend has it that these jewels were donated to the Lord by the erstwhile Pandalam Maharaja, considered the foster father of the Lord.