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Sunday, February 5, 2017

Rituals of Maha Shivaratri | Maha Shivaratri puja According to the Shiva Purana

Rituals of Maha Shivaratri

At Maha Shivratri, People keep fast of whole day and night and Kashi Vishwanath temple gets congregated by the young and old devotees from the very early morning. They come to the temple to perform the puja of traditional Shivalingam and hope to get what they have prayed to the god. They take bath in the holy water of the Ganga (Symbol of the purity) early in the morning before sunrise and wear a clean clothe after the sacred bath.




Every worshiper brings a pot full of holy Gange water to the temple to offer the Shivalingam. Women pray to God for her well-being of their husbands and sons, an unmarried woman pray to get their desired husband like Shiva in future; boys pray to get beautiful wife and successful life in future. The temple full of sound of bells and people shouts of “Shankerji ki Jai” or “Mahadevji ki Jai”. Devotees take 5 round of the Shivalingam and pour water on the Shivalingam. Some also pour cow milk on the Shivalingam.

Maha Shivaratri puja According to the Shiva Purana

  • Taking bath in the Gange for purification of soul, mind and body. Bathing of the Shiv Linga with the holy water of Gange, then bathing with milk and honey. God Shiva loves bel patra (three leaves stalked in one) so every rituals added it to the puja.
  • After bathing of the Shiv Linga, vermilion paste applied on it which represents the virtue.
  • Offer fruits, flowers which are given to get long life and satisfaction of desires.
  • Burning enrage yields wealth.
  • The lighting with diya represents achieving more knowledge.
  • Offering betel leaves provide satisfaction full of great pleasures.

Worshipers also apply three horizontal lines of holy ash on their forehead just like the Lord Shiva which represents spiritual knowledge, cleanliness and penance. They wear garland made up of the Rudraksha (seed of Rudraksha tree) while worshiping the Lord Shiva. It is believed that Rudraksha tree was originated from the tears of Lord Shiva. Shivaratri is also considered as the wedding day of the Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati.

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Traditions and Customs of Maha Shivaratri in Haridwar and Varanashi

Traditions and Customs of Maha Shivaratri in Haridwar

Haridwar is known as the land of Yogis. Yogis are the great devotees of the Lord Shiva who celebrate Mahashivaratri with lots of preparations, devotion and enthusiasm every year. Haridwar is very famous place which is also known as way to God. It is popular for the temples and Ghats where thousands of pilgrims and devotees come here every year to celebrate mahashivaratri. They take bath in the holy water of Gange in the early morning to get free from their sins. Devotees of the Lord Shiva get together some days before the festival to the Haridwar in order to take a holy dip in the Har Ki Pauri (a famous Ghat at Gange river bank in Haridwar).


Devotees also visit the Lord Shiva temples at Haridwar and enjoy at Lakshman Jhula and water rafting in the Rishikesh. They also enjoy some adventurous activities like Bungee Jumping, etc. Mahashivaratri Festival is known as “The Grand Night of Shiva” and celebrated by the people of Hindu religion as a religious festival every year at Shree Jabreshwar Mahadev Mandir.

Traditions and Customs of Maha Shivaratri in Varanasi

A variety of traditions and customs associated with the Maha Shivaratri are followed by worshipers of the Lord Shiva from era in Benares. This festival is celebrated in the dark fortnight or in a moonless night. It is also considered that, at the Shivaratri Lord Shiva had performed the Tandava Nritya which is known as the dance of primeval creation, conservation and demolition. Devotees keep strict fast on this day in the respect of Shiva, they eat only fruits and drink milk, some of them do not take even a single drop of water.


At Maha Shivaratri, worship goes on whole day and night. Three hours of ritual puja performed by priests of the temple by bathing Shivalingam with the cow milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and the Gange holy water with the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya” and sound bells together. A large number of devotees take part in jaagran and spend their full night by chanting Shiva mantras and other devotional songs in the honor of Lord Shiva. In the next morning devotees break their fast by taking prasad of the Lord Shiva.

Shivaratri Pooja has remarkable significance in the Hinduism. According to the Shiva Purana, Shiva worship has merits means a sincere worship give up more blessings than others.
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Maha Shivratri Festival Special Recipes and Drinks Thandai(Bhang) Prasadam

Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the 6th night of the dark Phalgun (February- March) every year. On the auspicious day, devotees observe fast and keep vigil all night. Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the ′Tandava′. On the Maha Shivratri festival, people observe a stringent fast, when they would not consume anything other than the diet formulated especially for the occasion.On this day people make Thandai, a special drink made with bhang (cannabis), almonds, and milk, is essentially prepared on this day. The devotees, especially the ascetics, drink this cannabis drink and offer their prayers to the almighty and seek his blessings.Here is Some information about Maha Shivratri Festival Special Recipes and Drinks Thandai(Bhang) Prasadam.

Maha Shivratri Special Recipe Shivratri Raita

Ingredients
1 cup: Fresh thick curd
1 no: Sweet potato, boiled, chopped
1 no: Potato, boiled, chopped
1 no: Cucumber, chopped
4-5 no: Waterchestnuts (singhara), boiled, peeled & chopped
1 tbsp: Coriander finely chopped
1 no: small Green Chili, finely chopped
1 tbsp: Roasted peanuts, whole
1/2 tsp: Cumin seed, powder
1/2 tsp: Cumin seeds, whole
1 tsp: Oil
Sugar to taste
Salt to taste

Method
Beat curd in a deep salad bowl.
Add cumin powder, salt, sugar, chili and mix well.
Add all prepared vegetables, peanuts and mix to blend well.
Chill well till required.

Before Servin
Heat oil in a small crucible, or tempering spoon.
Add cumin seeds; allow spluttering.
Pour sizzling tempering over raitha.
Garnish with chopped coriander.

Maha Shivratri Special Rcipe Mewa ki Kheer

Ingredients
Milk : 1 litre
Makhana - 30-40 grams
Cashew - 20-25g nuts (Chop cashew into smaller pieces 5-6)
Raisins - 4 tablespoons
Almonds - 20-25 almonds, (chop almonds and into smaller pieces)
Chironji - 1 table spoon
Sugar - ½ cup (100 grams)
Cardamom - 1 tea spoon

Method
Put warm milk in a heavy bottomed pot.
Let the milk boil.
Keep stirring every 2-3 minutes after adding sugar.
Please cook for half an hour on a low flame.
Now add all the nuts and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Add cardamom powder.
Take out Mewa ki Kheer in a bowl, and serve.

Maha Shivratri Special Drinks Prasadam Thandai(Bhang)

Ingredients
Cold whole milk:  3 cupsSugar :  1.5 cup
Poppy seeds (Khuskhus) : 1 tbsp
Almonds :  15 nos
Saffron (Kesar) :  12 strands
Aniseed (Saunf) :  1 tbsp
Melon seeds (Char magaz) : 2 tbsp
Peppercorns (Kali mirch whole) : 8
Cardamom powder (Elaichi) : 1 tsp
Rose water :  1 tsp
Water :  3 cups


Method
Soak almonds, melon seeds, aniseed, poppy seeds and peppercorns in half of the water for couple of hours.
Finely grind all the soaked ingredients, using little water.
Tie this paste in a muslin cloth and extract the juices as much as possible.
The extract is then mixed with milk, remaining water, sugar, saffron, cardamom powder and rose water.
Mix well few times.
Serve chilled.

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Maha Shivratri Celebration in Lord Shiva JyotirlingaTemples

According to hindu Gujarati calendar , Maha Shivratri is celebrated every year on the 12th night or 14th day of the Maagha or phalgun month and according to Georgian calendar it comes in February-March month . The festival isdedicated to Lord Shiva.Maha Shivratri is the grand night festival of Lord shiva.The Hindu rises early in the morning and bathes in sacred rivers like Ganges and worship lord Shiva with Hindu traditions. Abhisheka of God Shiv is done with cold water, milk and Panchamrita, also offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves. A special drink called bhang or Thandai specially drink during the holi and Maha shivaratri, mixed in with spices, milk, cannabis flowers and sugar. 

This auspicious day is believed to be the day of convergence of divine powers of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. It is believed that on this day the planetary position in universe evokes the spiritual energies very easily. Religious penances are carried out to gain boons through the practice of medication and yoga. People worships lord Shiva whole day and chants "Om Namah Shivay". Some devotees also perform Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra to seek divine blessings of Lord Shiva.


The twelve jyotirlingas in India are very famous and most sacred places of Hindu, some of the holy cities where these twelve Jyotirlinga are situated, the oldest city Varanasi, ujjain, Nasik, Kedarnath and Somanath. Varanasi is considered as the city specially loved by Shiva, and is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage in India. Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal is one of the most important shrines of Lord Shiva hosts one of the biggest gatherings on Maha Shivaratri. Sadhu the Holy men’s of India are the true devotees of the Great Lord Shiva, who are always on their way to travel across all holy places in India of lord Shiva.

Full Information about Lord Shiva's 12 Jyotirlinga Temple Click Here

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Saturday, February 4, 2017

Goddess Khodiyar Jayanti | About Khodiyar Jayanti | Khodiyar Jayanti Pictures

Goddess Jayanti is observed is birth anniversary of Goddess Khodiyar Ma.Khodiyar Jayanti is Observed eighth day known as Ashtami during the waxing phase of moon (Shukla Paksha) in Magh Month According to Gujarati calendar every year.Khodiyar Jayanti mostly celebrated in Gujarat especially celebrated in Goddess Khodiyar ma birth place Rohishala, Rajpara,and Matel Near Bhavnagar.On this day every khodiyar Ma temple decorated full of lighting and flowers.Special Puja arrange in big temples.

Khodiyar Jayanti is large celebration in Khodaldham Kagvad.Khodaldham Kagvad a big temple is recently open for Public.In this temple this festival is grand celebration.Many people take blessing on this day. Maa Khodiyar is very famous for her Kindness. Devotees believe that she is appeared anywhere to help them. There are so many sthaanak (mandir) of Khodiyar. Khodiyar went into a trance (Samadhi) at sanganva villege of lodhika Taluka, district Rajkot. 

History and Legends of Goddess Khodiyar

History says that , it is believe that Mamaniya Gadhav, whowas a scholar and friend of the king, was dishonored by the queen and soldiers as he did not have any children.Mamaniya worshiped to Lord Shiva for a child.One day Lord Shiva appeared before him and took him to the world of Nagas.The Nagas accepted to help him.They asked him to prepared eight crsdled. Mamaniya did as he was told.Soon a snake appeared on each of the cradles.

They took the shape of seven girl child and one male child.Goddess Khodiya Mata is one of the children.She is believed to have performed numberous wonders to help her devotees.She is also the guardian goddess of some Hindu communities in the western part of India and especially in Gujarat.

Popular Khodiyar Temple in India

Khodiyar Ma temple in Matel Near Bhavnagar Gujarat
Khodiyar Ma Samadhi Sthal in Rohishala Gujarat
Galdhara Khodiyar Temple, Aiyavej

Khodiyar Jayanti Pictures




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Thursday, February 2, 2017

Ratha Saptami(Surya Jayanti) Festival Date,Puja timing and Bathing Muhurta of Year 2017 to Year 2021

Ratha Saptami Festival is known as Magha Saptami. Ratha Saptami is observed on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha, or waxing phase of moon, in the Magh Month or January – February in a traditional Hindu lunar calendar.People believe that Lord Surya began his process of giving light to the entire universe on this special day and this day is also known as date of birth of Lord Surya. Ratha Saptami is highly auspicious day and it is considered as auspicious as Surya Grahan for Dan-Punya activities.Here is information about Ratha Saptami or Surya Jayanti Festival Date,Puja timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2017 to Year 2021.



Ratha Saptami Festival Date,Puja timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2017

Ratha Saptami Festival Date of Year 2017: February 3 Friday
Bathing Muhurta on Ratha Saptami -05:08 to 06:49
Duration - 1 Hour 40 Mins
Sunrise time for Arghyadan -06:45
Saptami Tithi Begins - 00:42 on 3rd February 2017
Saptami Tithi Ends -22:49 on 3rd February 2017

Ratha Saptami Festival Date,Puja timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2018

Ratha Saptami Festival Date of Year 2018: January 24 Wednesday
Bathing Muhurta on Ratha Saptami = 05:09 to 06:50
Duration - 1 Hour 40 Mins
Sunrise time for Arghyadan - 06:46
Saptami Tithi Begins - 16:40 on 23rd January 2018
Saptami Tithi Ends - 16:16 on 24th January 2018

Ratha Saptami Festival Date,Puja timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2019

Ratha Saptami Festival Date of Year 2019: February 12 Tuesday
Bathing Muhurta on Ratha Saptami - 05:07 to 06:46
Duration - 1 Hour 39 Mins
Sunrise time for Arghyadan - 06:43
Saptami Tithi Begins - 15:20 on 11th February 2019
Saptami Tithi Ends -  15:54 on 12th February 2019

Ratha Saptami Festival Date,Puja timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2020

Ratha Saptami Festival Date of Year 2020: February 1 Saturday
Bathing Muhurta on Ratha Saptami - 05:09 to 06:49
Duration -1 Hour 40 Mins
Sunrise time for Arghyadan - 06:45
Saptami Tithi Begins - 15:51 on 31st January 2020
Saptami Tithi Ends - 18:10 on 1st February 2020


Ratha Saptami Festival Date,Puja timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2021

Ratha Saptami Festival Date of Year 2021: February 19 Friday
Bathing Muhurta on Ratha Saptami = 05:05 to 06:43
Duration - 1 Hour 38 Mins
Sunrise time for Arghyadan - 06:40
Saptami Tithi Begins - 08:17 on 18th February 2021
Saptami Tithi Ends - 10:57 on 19 th February 2021
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Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Bhishma Ashtami Date, timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2017 to Year 2021

Bhishma Ashtami Snan is observed on the Magh Shukla Paksha Ashtami eighth day of the Magh Month as per traditional Hindu Lunar Calendar. Bhishma Ashtami is a Hindu festival dedicated to ‘Bhishma’ of the great Indian epic ‘Mahabharata’.Bhishma Ashtami is observed by Hindus in different parts f the county and abroad.The popular belief is that Bhishma’s soul departed on this day after the Mahabharata war was over. It is observed on the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Magh Month or English month January – February as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar.People also perform Bheeshma Ashtami Tarpan (rituals dedicated to dead) on the day on river banks. It is dedicated to Bhishma and forefathers. Some people observe fast on this day Sunrise to sunset.Here is Bhishma Ashtami Date, timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2017 to Year 2021.


Bhishma Ashtami Date, timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2017

Bhishma Ashtami Date of Year 2017: Saturday 4th February
Ashtami Tithi Begins - 22:49 on 3rd February 2017
Ashtami Tithi Ends - 20:44 on 4th February 2017

Bhishma Ashtami Date, timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2018

Bhishma Ashtami Date of Year 2018: Thursday 25th January
Ashtami Tithi Begins - 16:16 on 24th January 2018
Ashtami Tithi Ends - 15:13 on 25th January 2018

Bhishma Ashtami Date, timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2019

Bhishma Ashtami Date of Year 2019: Wednesday 13th February
Ashtami Tithi Begins -15:54 on 12th February 2019
Ashtami Tithi Ends - 15:46 on 13t February 2019

Bhishma Ashtami Date, timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2020

Bhishma Ashtami Date of Year 2020: Sunday 2nd February
Ashtami Tithi Begins - 18:10 on 1st February 2020
Ashtami Tithi Ends - 20:03 on 2nd February 2020

Bhishma Ashtami Date, timing and Shubh Muhurt of Year 2021

Bhishma Ashtami Date of Year 2021: Saturday 20th February
Ashtami Tithi Begins - 10:57 on 19th February 2021
Ashtami Tithi Ends = 13:31 on 20th February 2021
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