Guru Purnima, also known as Vyasa Purnima, is celebrated by the Hindus and the Buddhists. On this auspicious day the Buddhists honour Lord Buddha who had given his first sermon at Sarnath. The Hindus, however, mark the importance of this day by honouring the wise sage Vyasa as per the ancient Hindu traditions. The significance of Guru Purnima lies in the belief that the study of the scriptures commenced on this day.
Guru Purnima Celebration
Vyas Purnima is celebrated with great fanfare and devotion at various places, including the temple of Satya Sai Baba in Shirdi. The story of the life of Sage Ved Vyasa, along with famous quotes from the religious scriptures, is narrated in various cultural gatherings, where devotees and disciples gather to pay homage to the great life. This famous sage - Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Hindu epic poetry Mahabharata and the Puranas. He is believed to be the original guru of the Hindu Dharma or religion.
Songs, Quotes, Wishes and messages to the loved one in the form of Guru Purnima greeting cards, the more prevalent e-cards nowadays, and SMS and phone calls, float around. The disciples offer their gurus garlands as a mark of respect and also bestow lavish gifts keeping in mind the purity and sincerity of the “guru-shishya parampara” or the teacher-disciple relationship.
The Guru is Brahma
The Guru is Vishnu The Guru is Shiva
My Salutations to such a Guru, who is the Supreme God
Those who do not have a guru, you can recite the following verse for Lord Shiva or Guru Dakshinamoorti, i.e., Lord Shiva as he is considered as the Guru of the whole universe.
Gayatri Jayanti is dedicated to Goddess Gayatri who is worshipped as Veda Mata or the mother of Vedas, Dev Mata and Vishwa Mata. A holy transcript says that Goddess Gayatri is considered as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Vedas. Her four heads represents the four Vedas and fifth one represents the almighty and the Goddess Gayatri is seated on lotus. Goddess Gayatri, who is regarded as the Mother of all Vedas has ten hands and five heads. The ten hands of Goddess Gayatri have the Lord Vishnu symbols. Gayatri Mata is believed to be second consort of Lord Brahma.
The appearing of Goddess Gayatri on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshta month marks the celebration of Gayatri Jayanti in the form of knowledge. It's religious importance lies in the fact that Sage Vishwamitra first uttered the Gayatri Mantra on the Gayatri Jayanti dayand the knowledge was shared by Sage Vishwamitra to the world and thus it helped in removing ignorance.
Gayatri Jayantiis celebrated in respect of Aadi-shakti Gayatri. It is believed that whole Universe is originated by Goddess Gayatri. Special prayers, satsangs, bhajans and pujas are organised in honour of Maa Gayatri. Gayatri mantra is chanted in high spirits on this day of Gayatri Mantra.
Gayatri Mantra:
Om bhur bhuvah svah
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Dhiyo yo na prachodayaat.
Such is the importance and significance of Gayatri mantra that if one chants the Gayatri mantra then no other mantras are needed to be chanted because this mantra is highly sacred.
To achieve best results from the Gayatri mantra, a person needs to recite it thrice a day, preferably in the morning, afternoon and evening. Chanting the Gayatri mantra continously would help the chanter in facing the miseries and hardships of life.
Gayatri jayanti day is also celebrated as the day of Ganga Avataran or Ganga Dussehra.
History and Significance of the Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri Mantra is referred in the Rig Veda, written in Sanskrit about 2500 to 3500 years ago, and the Gayatri mantra was chanted for many centuries before that. Gayatri Mantra is chanted, meditated and sung around the world with reverence and love. As a gift from Sage Vishwamitra to all humanity, it is said that this sacred prayer travels through the entire universe from the heart of the person chanting the mantra, appealing for peace and divine wisdom for all.
Gayatri Mantra says "May the divine light of the Supreme Being illuminate our intellect, to lead us along a path of righteousness". According to the Vedas, "Chanting Gayatri Mantra purifies the chanter and listening to the Gayatri Mantra purifies the listener. The Gayatri Mantra touches not only the mind but also the soul and is considered as one of the most powerful ways to touching God. The word Gayatri is derived from the words: gaya, meaning “vital energies” and trâyate, meaning “preserves, protects, gives deliverance, grants liberation”. Thus the two words "Gayatri Mantra" might be translated as “a prayer of praise that awakens the vital energies and gives liberation and deliverance from ignorance”.
Gayatri Mantra in englishmeans that "We meditate on the glory of the Creator; Who has created the Universe; Who is worthy of Worship; Who is the embodiment of Knowledge and Light; Who is the remover of Sin and Ignorance; May He open our hearts and enlighten our Intellect. This mantra when uttered properly create specific vibrations and powers of righteous wisdom. In the Hindu mythology, many sages gained spiritual powers with years of meditation chanting the Gayatri Mantra.
Nirjala Ekadashi is the most important and sacred Ekadashi among all the twenty four Ekadashis that comes in a year. Nirjala means without water and Nirjala Ekadashi fasting is observed without any food or water. As this fasting is Nirjala Ekadashi Vratam, it is the toughest among all Ekadashi's of the year due to a strict fasting rules. Nirjala Ekadashi and also all the Ekadashi's are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. While observing Nirjala Ekadashi fast, Vishnu devotees do not take food as well as water the whole day and the fast is only over the next day after ekadashi.
Nirjala Ekadashi Fast 2018
As this Nirjala Ekadashi fast is highly sacred, it is recommended to all the devotees that those who are not able to observe fast on all twenty four Ekadashi's of the year should definitely observe this single day of Nirjala Ekadashi fasting. It is a strong belief and is said that fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi gives all the benefits of twenty four Ekadashi fasting of the year.
Nirjala Ekadashi/Bhima/Pandava Ekadashi
Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Pandava Ekadashi or Bhimseni or Bhima Ekadashi because of the legend associated with Pandavas and particularly Bhim. Bhimsen, the second brother among Pandava's could not control having food and thus was not able observe the strict Ekadashi fasting. All Pandava's Yudhishthir, Arjuna, Nakul and Shahdeva, along with their wife Draupadi and mother Kunti except Bhim observed all Ekadashi fasting of the year. Due to this, Bhima, got upset and thought that he was disrespecting Lord Vishnu. Bhima then went to met Sage Maharishi Vyasa for his advises and getting answers to his problem. Then Vyasa rishi suggested Bhima to observe the single Nirjala Ekadasi fasting and thus it acted as the compensation for not observing all Ekadashi's of the year. Thus, Nirjala Ekadashi also came to known as Bhimseni Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi.
Nirjala Ekadashi Importance/Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi
It is a strong belief that those who fast on this day of Nirjala Ekadashi are received by messengers from Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu, after death, and not by Yama, the god of death. It is also believed that Lord Vishnu transformed himself into Ekadashi to make all the humanity get rid of their sins.Observing this fast is equal to going to pilgrimage. The sins of this life and the previous one are considered burned by observing this fast. Nirjala Ekadasi fast helps in getting longevity, happiness, salvation, wealth, and prosperity with the blessings of Lord Vishnu. It is recommended not to fast on this day of Nirjala Ekadashi for those who are undergoing treatments or medications, if one can observe they can have fruits and milk, tea but not any form of atta or wheat and salt. It is a known fact that one should not eat rice on any ekadashi day including Nirjala Ekadasi.
Nirjala Ekadashi fasting falls on Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month particularly in month of May or June. Nirjala Ekadashi falls just after the Ganga Dussehra (which is the appearance or coming up of Maa Ganga on earth on this day). It is also possible that Ganga Dussehra and Nirjala Ekadashi might occur on the same day.
Rules of Ekadashi/Nirjala Ekadashi Fasting
Ekadashi fasting is over on next day of Ekadashi fast after sunrise. It is necessary to observe breaking of Ekadashi fast often known as Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise. Not observing Parana within Dwadashi is not seen good. Parana or breaking the ekadashi fast should not be done during Hari Vasara. If Hari Vasara period gets over, then only one should break the Nirjala Ekadashi fast. Hari Vasara is the period of first one fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi. Pratahkal is regarded as the most preferred time to break the fast.One should also avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna and if it's not possible to break ekadashi fasting during Pratahkal then it should be done after Madhyahna.
Things you can Do on Nirjala Ekadasi
Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu early in the morning and also the whole day.
Listen to Bhagavad Purana or chanting bhajans dedicated to Lord Vishnu
Light a diya in front of Lord Vishnu and offer Tulsi leaves and flowers.
Observe a waterless fast for the whole day. If not able to fast the whole day without water, then one can take fruits and tea, milk, water but should not eat salt and "atta" or wheat.
Prepare Panchamrita, a mixture of five foods: milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar and offer to Lord Vishnu.
Donate food grains, clothes, fruits, milk, umbrellas, hand-fans, matakas filled with water, to Brahmins.
Next morning, after bath, donate food, fruits, sherbet, water, milk, clothes etc. and then break fast by drinking water.
Akshaya Tritiya 2018, Akshaya Tritiya 2018 Date and Time
Akshaya Tritiya also known as Akha Teej is highly auspicious day for Hindus all over the world. Akshaya Tritiya occurs on Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the month of Vaishakha. It is considered very auspicious if Akshaya Tritiya falls on a Wednesday and that day is Rohini Nakshatra day. The word Akshaya means never diminishing. Therefore if anybody performs any Japa, Yajna, Pitra-Tarpan, Dan-Punya on this day, that japa or daan-punya never diminishes and it remains with the person forever.
Akshaya Tritiya 2018 falls on 18th April 2018. Akshaya Tritiya dayis ruled by God Vishnu, the preserver God in the Hindu religion and this day is believed to bring good luck and success. God Vishnu along with Devi Lakshmi are worshipped on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. As per Hindu mythology, Treta Yuga began on this day of Akshaya Tritiya. Akshaya Tritiya and Parashurama Jayanti, the birth anniversary of 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, often falls on the same day but Parashurama Jayanti might come one day before Akshaya Tritiya day as per the starting of Tritiya Tithi.
It is believed that if you buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya date, it brings prosperity and good fortune in the coming years. As it's Akshaya tritiya day, gold bought on this day never diminish and it continues to grow. Therefore, people can be seen buying gold on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
As per astrologers, Askshay Tritiya day is free from all negative effects and it is one among the three days in the year that don't need any Muhurta to perform any auspicious work. Alongwith Askshaya Tritiya day, Yugadi and Vijay Dashami are the other two days when any auspicious work done on these days would give beneficial results.
Akshay Tritiya Dates
Akshaya Tritiya Date 2018 - 18th April 2018 (Wednesday)
Akshaya Tritiya Date 2019 - 7th May 2019 (Tuesday)
Akshaya Tritiya Date 2020 - 26th April 2020 (Sunday)
Akshaya Tritiya Date 2021 - 14th May 2021 (Friday)
Marriage ceremony, house warming ceremony, purchasing of new clothes and jewelry, buying new vehicle or purchasing property, etc. are performed on Akshaya Tritiya day. There are four Yugas as per Hinduism - Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga. Akshaya Tritiya is the day when Satya Yuga got over and Treta Yuga began. Origin of Akshaya Tritiya is significant in Hinduism.
Many Hindus perform Hawan, take bath in the sacred rivers like Ganga and visit temples and holy places on this day. Hindu people also do Tarpan for their deceased ancestors on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya.
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Delhi - 05:56 to 12:20
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Noida - 05:56 to 12:20
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Pune - 06:19 to 12:34
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Jaipur - 06:04 to 12:26
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Chennai - 05:58 to 12:08
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Mumbai - 06:22 to 12:37
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Kolkata - 05:17 to 11:36
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Gurgaon - 05:57 to 12:21
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Hyderabad - 06:01 to 12:15
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Bengaluru - 06:09 to 12:19
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Ahmedabad - 06:20 to 12:39
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat for Chandigarh - 05:56 to 12:22
Baisakhi festival is celebrated on April 14. Gurdwaras all across India and also world are decorated with lights on the occassion of Baisakhi. Satsangs and kirtans are organised all over and people offer Prayers and Ardas for a happy life.
Significance of Baisakhi Baisakhi festival, also known as Vaisakhi or Vasakhi, is a religious celebration in Sikhism. Baisakhi is celebrated on April 14 every year as per Nanakshahi calendar and the Mool Nanakshahi Calendar. It comes on the first day of Vaisakh month (April-May) as per Nanakshahi calendar. Thus Baisakhi is also popularly known as Vaisakhi. Baisakhi marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year and the traditional solar New Year for Hindus. The day of Vaisakhi marks the birth of the Khalsa way of living and formation of the Khalsa Panth under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The festival of Baisakhi is celebrated by both Hindus and Sikhs.
Baisakhi festival holds a great significance for the Sikh community as the Tenth Guru founded the Khalsa Community on this holy day. Nagar Kirtans and processions are organised in which Guru Granth Sahib hymns are being told, where large number of people take part.
Vaisakhi marks the beginning of the new spring year and the end of the harvest of rabi crop. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana thank God for the harvest and pray for prosperity in the coming years. People wake up early on this day and take a dip in the holy rivers.
A major astrological significance of Baisakhi is that it marks the sun’s entry into Mesh Rashi. Thus Baisakhi is also known as Mesha Sankranti. Baisakhi is celebrated as 'Rongali Bihu' in Assam, 'Naba Barsha' in Bengal, ‘Puthandu’ in Tamil Nadu, 'Pooram Vishu' in Kerala and ‘Vaishakha’ in Bihar.
History of Baisakhi
Since there was a huge massacre of the Brahmins and Hindus in 1699 by Aurangzeb, they approached Sikh community's ninth guru, Guru Teg Bahadur for help and protection. After a fierce battle afterwards, in which he and his followers fought bravely, they were still defeated and were asked to convert to Islam. The ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded on the order of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam, this prompted the coronation of the Tenth Guru of Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh. Guru Gobind Singh formed the Khalsa Panth – also known as the Order of the Pure Ones on the same day and made five Sikh warriors who would go on to defend religious freedom.
He asked these five to lay down their lives for Guru and Lord, who later came to be known as Panj Piaras. They were declared 5 founding members of the Khalsa Community and gave them the title of Singh. They were asked to wear 5Ks or emblems all the time - kesh (unshorn hair and beard), kangha (a comb), kara (a steel bracelet), kachcha (cotton undergarment) and kirpan, a sword. The day of Baisakhi is celebrated as the founding day for the Khalsa community, the day on which Guru Gobind Singh invited the people to come forward and get into Sikhism and raise their voice against the Mughal Empire.
All these events took place on March 30, 1699, at the Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara, Anandpur and thus Baisakhi festival is celebrated there with huge pomp and show. Much celebration takes place in Punjab.
The Jallianwala Bagh (1919), where thousands of Indians were massacred on the orders of British empire official Colonel Reginald Dyer, also took place on Baisakhi.
14th April 2018 (Saturday)
14th April 2019 (Sunday)
13th April 2020 (Monday)
14th April 2021 (Wednesday)
14th April 2022 (Thursday)
14th April 2023 (Friday)
13th April 2024 (Saturday)
14th April 2025 (Monday)
Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is located on the Trikuta Parvat - a three-peaked mountain in the state of Jammu and Kashmir where more than 5 million devotees come annually. Goddess Vaishnodevi can be
seen in the form of three natural rock formations or simply called as the 'Pindiyas'- one of Maa Saraswati, one of Maa Lakshmi and the third one of Maa Kali.
Vaishno Devi Story – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Story
Vaishno Devi story starts when Mother Goddess Shakti appeared to kill the asuras or the demons on earth who were in the process of killing innocent people. These demons were spreading Adharma (the
wrong path) everywhere. Maa Vaishno Devi came into light when Mother Goddess Kali, Maa Saraswati and Maa Lakshmi appeared together and 3 of these Devis or Goddesses formed one Goddess which came to be known as Maa Vaishno Devi. So Mata Vaishno Devi is in the form of three pindies (Sacred stones) as physical true forms of three Goddesses and it is beleived that the 3 pindies will be present till the end of Kaliyuga.
She was later born as the daughter of Lord Ratnakar. The parents named her Vaishnavi. Since childhood, Vaishnavi was extremely spiritual and as her soul was of Lakshmi so she wanted to have Sri Hari Vishnu as her consort. Because of her divine presence on earth, every living being became happy. Where Vaishnavi resided, that place became heaven.
During the vanvaas or exile period of Sri Ram, Vaishnavi met Sri Ram. As Sri Ram was the avataar of Sri Hari Vishnu, she decided to go with her. But Sri Ram told her that he was Maryadapurushottam and his wife is Sita. Sri Ram promised Vaishnavi that he will come in the form of Lord Kalki in the age of Kalyug and at that time, she would be merged with him. Sri Ram then asked the divine Goddess Vaishno to stay and setup her abode in Trikuta Hills and spread Dharma. Goddess Vaishno Devi is the Mother Goddess on Earth during this present age of Kali Yuga. Millions of devotees from all over the globe travel to this highly spiritual destination of Hindus - Vaishno Devi.
Devotees after halting at (present day) Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Adhkwari, finally are able to reache the holy cave Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. It is believed that Mata Rani stayed in the holy cave of Adhkawari for 9 complete months and this 9 months also signifies the 9 months of preganancy. Lord Hanuman waited for the mother goddess and guarded her outside the cave. Mata Vaishno then wanted to wash herself but as no water could be found there, so she took an arrow and striked it towards the land and water came out from that place. It is same place of present day Ban-Ganga. The river was named Ban-ganga after this. After that, she came to the present day Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and took rest and started meditation. Bhaironnath when came to know about the presence of Mata Vaishno went there but was stopped by Hanuman. After a fierce battle with Goddess Vaishno, Bhairon Nath was killed and beheaded just outside the mouth of the cave. The severed head of Bhairon Nath fell with force on a distant hilltop. Bhairon Nath soon realised and prayed to the Goddess to forgive him. Mata Vaishno Devi then gave mercy to Bhairon and even gave him a boon that every devotee coming to visit the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine would have to visit and have the Darshan of Bhaironath after having the Darshan of the Goddess and only then his/her Vaishno Devi Yatra would be completed. After this, Maa Vaishnavi decided to shed off her human form and took the face of a 3 rock formations and she immersed her self into meditation forever. This is the original Mata Vaishno Devi pindies. Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is the official body taking care of the whole of the yatra and maintaining the Shrine.
How to reach Vaishno Devi
Neareat rail link for Vaishno Devi is from Udhampur to Katra and nearest airport to Vaishno Devi is Jammu Airport.
Mata Vaishno Devi aarti "Jai Ambey Gauri"
Live Aarti at Bhawan Vaishno Devi Darshan
Vaishno Devi Aarti Timings
Vaishno Devi Aarti is held twice a day. The first Maa Vaishno devi aarti is held in the morning and the second Maa Vaishno devi aarti is held in the evening after sunset. The time of the Maa Vaisno Devi aarti changes depending upon the sunrise and sunset time. The aarti of Maa Vaishno Devi takes nearly two hours to complete and the darshan is stopped during that time.
Lord Rama was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya in Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. The birthday of Sri Rama is celebrated on this day with much fanfare and geity. Born at Madhyahna period (middle of Hindu day), Sri Ram's correct time of birth comes between 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM for every Indian city. Madhyahna period exists for six Ghatis (around 2 hours and 24 minutes) is the most auspicious time to perform Rama Navami Puja rituals. Madhyahna's mid-point marks the time when Shri Rama was born and devotees can be seen thronging temples and chanting the name of Rama symbolizing the very moment of Lord Rama's birth. Rama Navami is also spelled as Ram Navami.
People mistakenly think 12 p.m. as the correct time of birth for Lord Rama but as sunrise and sunset timings are different for every city, therefore exact time to celebrate birthday of Lord Rama falls between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Rama Navami celebrations in Ayodhya are a sight to watch for.Devotees come from all over India and outside to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama. In Rama's birthday celebrations, they not only keep on chanting the name of Rama but also take a dip into the holy river Sarayu and keep a fast for Rama Navami. Devotees who do not fast completely don't eat onions and garlic. Satunch devotees read the epic popular scripture, Ramayana. Although Hindu's celebrate the birthday all over India and World, big celebrations for Rama's birth are seen in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and at Ramanathaswamy temple in Ramesvaram in Tamil Nadu.
Thousands of devotees visit Ayodhya, where a big fair is held which continues for two days, and rathyatras, carrying the Dieties of Ram, his brother Laxman, His wife Sita, and His greatest devotee Mahavir Hanuman, are taken in the procession.
Ram Navami is celebrated for 10 days in Andhra Pradesh from the Chaitra Saptami to the Bahula Padyami in the month of March/April. Many people don't know but this is the same day when Lord Rama was married to Sita and the same is re-enacted.
What does Rama means?
The word “Rama” literally means one who is divinely blissful and who gives joy to others, and one in whom the sages rejoice.
What is Navami?
Navami is the ninth day (tithi) of the fortnight (paksha) in the Hindu lunar calendar.
What is Rama Navami?
Ram Navami festival marks the birthday celebrations of Lord Rama, who is believed as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It comes at ninth day of Shukla Paksh (bright half) in the Chaitra month.
What Lord Rama teaches as a Son, Brother, Husband and a King?
As a son
Obey your father’s orders respectfully and lovingly. You must not forget to sacrifice your own comfort for your father’s dignity. As a step-son
Do not fight your mother, step mother or mother-in-law even if She is not kind to you, even when she chooses and favours her own child against you. You must respect her and her wishes. As a brother
Care for your brother and be loyal to him. As a husband
Protect your wife and fight for her protection, purity and dignity. Take prefrence of divine path over a householder path. Householder's role is not ultimate. As a King
Sacrifice everything for your own Countrymen or people. Your own comfort, convenience and pleasure is always the last. Be always willing to put the State, Country or Kingdom ahead.
Lord Rama's Popular Bhajans
Hare Krishna mahamantra
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे
हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
The Rama Stotra in the Vishnu Sahasranama
You must recite this shloka 3 times as mentioned in the Vishnu sahasranama.
श्री राम राम रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे ।
सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने ॥
Sri Rama Rama Rameti Rame Raame Manorame
Sahasra Nama Tat Tulyam Rama Nama Varanane
Sri Rama Nama Varanane Iti
Sheetla Ashtami comes 6 days after the Holi festival but many people observe the Sheetla Ashtami on the first Monday or Thursday after Holi. Sheetala ashtami is on Friday, March 09 in the year 2018.
Sheetla Mata - Introduction
Sitala devi is considered as one of the avataars of Goddess Parvati. Goddess Sheetala is seated on a donkey and holds neem leaves, broom, soup and a pot. Skanda Purana explains the worshipping of Sheetala Mata. Skanda Purana also mentions about Sheetala Mata Stotra which was written by Lord Shiva and that is also known as ‘Sheetalashtak’.
Some Mothers obey Shitala fast or Vrat for the good health and prosperity of their children.Sheetala Mata wears a red-colored dress, rides a donkey. She has 4 hands which hols a silver broom, small bowl, winnow fan, and river Ganga's jal or water.Famous shrines - Sheetla Mata Mandir in Delhi and Gurgaon, Sheetala Mata temple at Dhanop in Rajasthan are some of the shrines dedicated to Sheetla Mata, to name a few.
Sheetla Ashtami - Famous Festival of Hindus
Shitla Ashtmi is one of the famous festivals of Hindus, also known by the name of Basoda. The food is prepared the previous evening and not taken hot or with any hot items as it had to be 'Sheetal' or 'thanda khana', (the food that is not hot). Sheetla mata's name itself means 'nirmal', or 'cool'. After offering Sheetla Mata, the food or roti that has been made a day before is eaten with cold items like Dahi or curd as a prasad. Hot items are not eaten on this day and water is poured on the idol of Sheetla Mata. People also give food to the hungry and needy persons.House is cleaned on this day.
Shitla Ashtami Celebrations
Celebrated mostly in North India in states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttaranchal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and in some parts of Bihar. Shitla Ashtmi is also celebrated in Nepal.A Sheetla mela or fair is organised every year in the months of march-April (month of Chaitra, Krishna Paksh according to Hindu calendar) for Shitla Ashtami in the village of Seel-Ki-Doongri in Chaksu at Jaipur. The shrine of Sheetla Mata is on the top of this hill Doongri. A fair is also held in Kaga in Jodhpur.Religious music is played and Food, utensils, shoes, clothes and agricultural items are put up on sale in this fair. Also organised is the cattle fair.
The Legend - Sheetla Mata Story
Sheetla Mata - Goddess who cures chicken pox
Significance/Importance of Sheetala Ashtami: Sheetla Mata is well known as the goddess who cures chicken pox. It is believed that Shitala Mata will save from the epidemics. People worship her and make offerings.As per Puranas,Hindu's religious scriptures Sheetla Mata was created by Brahma who promised her that she should carry the seeds of lentils along and will be worshiped on earth. Jvara Asura or the fever demon born from the sweat of Lord Shiva, was made as her companion.
They came to Earth in the rule of King Birat. The king agreed to worship her but said that she will not be treated as the same as Lord Shiva. Upon listening, she got angry the result was small pox in the kingdom. After this, the king promised her that people of earth will worship her on this day of Sheetla Ashtami. People who worship her do not catch epidemic diseases and live a long and healthy life.
Dedicated to the worship of Goddess Sheetala, it is believed that Sheetala Mata controls chickenpox, measles, small pox and related diseases. If you worship the Sheetala Goddess on the day of Sheetla Ashtami, this will prevent the outbreak of epidemic diseases in the family, particularly among children. Sheetla Mata Katha in Hindi is also available.
Sheetala Ashtami Puja Timings
Sheetala Ashtami Puja Muhurat = 06:41 to 18:21
Duration = 11 Hours 40 Mins
Ashtami Tithi Begins from 03:44 AM on 09 Mar 2018 and ends on 06:00 AM on 10 Mar 2018
Sheetla Mata Katha in Hindi, Sheetla Mata Katha Video
Sheetala Mata is a famous Hindu goddess. Since ancient times, Sheetala Mata is highly regarded. Skanda Purana mentions the vehicle of Sheetla Devi as a donkey. Shitala devi holds a kalash, soup, a broom and neem leaves in her hands. Goddess Shitala is believed to be the goddess who cures many diseases like the chicken pox.. These things carried by Mata Sheetla have a symbolic significance.
The patient of the smallpox removes clothing in anxiety. Soup is aired to the patient, the boils burst from the broom. Neem leaves do not allow the blisters to rot. The patient feels the need for the cold water, and that is why a vase is important, held by mata Shitala. Chicken pox stains are eradicated from the donkey's lid. Sheetla Mata has been shown to be seated on a donkey in any of idols in temples.
Shitala Mata is accompanied by Jwarasur, the fever demon, goddess of cholera, gods of skin and blood related diseases and other gods and goddesses of 64 diseases. Sheetla Mata's vase has soft, healthy and germicidal water.
In Skanda Purana, Sheetla Mata's worship is beautifully mentioned in the Sheetla Ashtakam. It is believed that this Sheetla Ashtakam stotra was composed by Lord Shankar for the benefit of people. Sheetla Ashtakam praises Mata Shitala and also inspires devotees to worship her.
शीतला माता एक प्रसिद्ध हिन्दू देवी हैं। इनका प्राचीनकाल से ही बहुत अधिक
माहात्म्य रहा है। स्कंद पुराण में शीतला देवी का वाहन गर्दभ बताया गया है।
ये हाथों में कलश, सूप, मार्जन (झाडू) तथा नीम के पत्ते धारण करती हैं।
इन्हें चेचक आदि कई रोगों की देवी बताया गया है। इन बातों का प्रतीकात्मक
महत्व होता है। चेचक का रोगी व्यग्रता में वस्त्र उतार देता है। सूप से
रोगी को हवा की जाती है, झाडू से चेचक के फोड़े फट जाते हैं। नीम के पत्ते
फोडों को सड़ने नहीं देते। रोगी को ठंडा जल प्रिय होता है अत: कलश का महत्व
है। गर्दभ की लीद के लेपन से चेचक के दाग मिट जाते हैं। शीतला-मंदिरों में
प्राय: माता शीतला को गर्दभ पर ही आसीन दिखाया गया है। शीतला माता के संग
ज्वरासुर- ज्वर का दैत्य, ओलै चंडी बीबी - हैजे की देवी, चौंसठ रोग,
घेंटुकर्ण- त्वचा-रोग के देवता एवं रक्तवती - रक्त संक्रमण की देवी होते
हैं। इनके कलश में दाल के दानों के रूप में विषाणु या शीतल स्वास्थ्यवर्धक
एवं रोगाणु नाशक जल होता है।स्कन्द पुराण में इनकी अर्चना का स्तोत्र
शीतलाष्टक के रूप में प्राप्त होता है। ऐसा माना जाता है कि इस स्तोत्र की
रचना भगवान शंकर ने लोकहित में की थी। शीतलाष्टक शीतला देवी की महिमा गान
करता है, साथ ही उनकी उपासना के लिए भक्तों को प्रेरित भी करता है।
Sheetla Mata Mantra
शास्त्रों में भगवती शीतला की वंदना के लिए यह मंत्र बताया गया है:
अर्थ है दिगम्बरा, गर्दभ वाहन पर विराजित, शूप, झाड़ू और नीम के पत्तों से सजी-संवरी और हाथों में जल कलश धारण करने वाली माता को प्रणाम हैं।
Sheetla Shasti Vrat katha (शीतला षष्ठी व्रत कथा)
शीतला माता महात्मय (Sheetla Mata Mahatmya)
चैत्र कृष्ण षष्ठी तिथि का व्रत शीतला माता के नाम से किया जाता है। इस व्रत का पालन आमतर पर महिलाएं करती हैं। शीतला माता के व्रत का महात्मय है कि जो भी व्रत रखकर इनकी पूजा करता है वह दैहिक और दैविक ताप से मुक्त हो जाता है। यह व्रत पुत्र प्रदान करने वाला एवं सभाग्य देने वाला है। पुत्री की इच्छा रखने वाली महिलाओं के लिए यह व्रत उत्तम कहा गया है।
कथा के अनुसार एक साहूकार था जिसके सात पुत्र थे। साहूकार ने समय के अनुसार सातों पुत्रों की शादी कर दी परंतु कई वर्ष बीत जाने के बाद भी सातो पुत्रों में से किसी के घर संतान का जन्म नहीं हुआ। पुत्र वधूओं की सूनी गोद को देखकर साहूकार की पत्नी बहुत दु:खी रहती थी। एक दिन एक वृद्ध स्त्री साहूकार के घर से गुजर रही थी और साहूकार की पत्नी को दु:खी देखकर उसने दु:ख का कारण पूछा। साहूकार की पत्नी ने उस वृद्ध स्त्री को अपने मन की बात बताई। इस पर उस वृद्ध स्त्री ने कहा कि आप अपने सातों पुत्र वधूओं के साथ मिलकर शीतला माता का व्रत और पूजन कीजिए, इससे माता शीतला प्रसन्न हो जाएंगी और आपकी सातों पुत्र वधूओं की गोद हरी हो जाएगी।
साहूकार की पत्नी तब चैत्र मास की कृष्ण पक्ष की षष्ठी तिथि (Chaitra Krishna Shasti tithi) को अपनी सातों बहूओं के साथ मिलकर उस वृद्धा के बताये विधान के अनुसार माता शीतला का व्रत किया। माता शीतला की कृपा से सातों बहूएं गर्भवती हुई और समय आने पर सभी के सुन्दर पुत्र हुए। समय का चक्र चलता रहा और चैत्र कृष्ण षष्ठी तिथि आई लेकिन किसी को माता शीतला के व्रत का ध्यान नहीं आया। इस दिन सास और बहूओं ने गर्म पानी से स्नान किया और गरमा गरम भोजन किया। माता शीतला इससे कुपित हो गईं और साहूकार की पत्नी के स्वप्न में आकर बोलीं कि तुमने मेरे व्रत का पालन नहीं किया है इसलिए तुम्हारे पति का स्वर्गवास हो गया है। स्वप्न देखकर साहूकार की पत्नी पागल हो गयी और भटकते भटकते घने वन में चली गईं।
वन में साहूकार की पत्नी ने देखा कि जिस वृद्धा ने उसे शीतला माता का व्रत करने के लिए कहा था वह अग्नि में जल रही है। उसे देखकर साहूकार की पत्नी चौंक पड़ी और उसे एहसास हो गया कि यह शीतला माता है। अपनी भूल के लिए वह माता से विनती करने लगी, माता ने तब उसे कहा कि तुम मेरे शरीर पर दही का लेपन करो इससे तुम्हारे Šৠपर जो दैविक ताप है वह समाप्त हो जाएगा। साहूकार की पत्नी ने तब शीतला माता के शरीर पर दही का लेपन किया इससे उसका पागलपन ठीक हो गया व साहूकार के प्राण भी लट आये।
शीतला माता व्रत विधि (Sheetla Mata Vrat Vidhi)
कथा में माता शीतला के व्रत की विधि का जैसा उल्लेख आया है उसके अनुसार अनुसार शीतला षष्ठी के दिन स्नान ध्यान करके शीतला माता की पूजा करनी चाहिए (Sheetla Shasti)। इस दिन कोई भी गरम चीज़ सेवन नहीं करना चाहिए। शीतला माता के व्रत के दिन ठंढ़े पानी से स्नान करना चाहिए। ठंढ़ा ठंढ़ा भोजन करना चाहिए। उत्तर भारत के कई हिस्सों में इसे बसयरा (Basyorra) भी कहते हैं। इसे बसयरा इसलिए कहा जाता है क्योंकि इस दिन लोग रात में बना बासी खाना पूरे दिन खाते हैं। शीतला षष्ठी के दिन लोग चुल्हा नहीं जलाते हैं बल्कि चुल्हे की पूजा करते हैं। इस दिन भगवान को भी रात में बना बासी खाना प्रसाद रूप में अर्पण किया जाता है। इस तिथि को घर के दरबाजे, खिड़कियों एवं चुल्हे को दही, चावल और बेसन से बनी हुई बड़ी मिलाकर भेंट किया जाता है।
इस तिथि को व्रत करने से जहां तन मन शीतल रहता है वहीं चेचक से आप मुक्त रहते हैं। शीतला षष्ठी (Sheetla Sasti) के दिन देश के कई भागो में मिट्टी पानी का खेल उसी प्रकार खेला जाता है जैसे होली में रंगों से।
Vyas Purnima is celebrated with great fanfare and devotion at various places, including the temple of Satya Sai Baba in Shirdi. The story of the life of Sage Ved Vyasa, along with famous quotes from the religious scriptures, is narrated in various cultural gatherings, where devotees and disciples gather to pay homage to the great life. This famous sage - Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Hindu epic poetry Mahabharata and the Puranas. He is believed to be the original guru of the Hindu Dharma or religion.
The Guru is Shiva
