Buddha Purnima 2022

Vaishakha month Purnima tithi is celebrated as birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha known as Buddha Purnima which is also known by the names such as Buddha Jayanti, Vesak, Vaishaka and Buddha's Birthday.Siddhartha Gautama who was later known as Gautama Buddha founded Buddhism.

Gautam Buddha as Siddhartha Gautama

Gautam Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama to King Suddhodana and lived life in great luxury. At his birth there were predictions that the prince would become a great monarch one day, he was isolated from the outside world so that he wouldn’t get influenced in living a religious life. Gautam became prince and one day at the age of 29 he decided to see the outside world and soon left off the palace grounds in his chariot. On his way towards the journey, he saw an old man, a sick man, and a corpse. As Siddhartha was kept away and he did not know the miseries of aging, sickness, and death he asked his charioteer to explain about it. Just he was about to reach the Palace, he saw a monk and really liked his peaceful attitude. Thus he decided to go into the world to know exactly how the man could be so calm and composed despite such sufferings all around him. He left the palace and became an ascetic. He reached the peak of of mystical realization but as he was not satisfied, he went out in search of nirvana, the highest level of enlightenment. He sat under a banyan tree and seeked to attain enlightenment. As he attained enlightenment, he preached about it and later founded Buddhism.

Buddha 9th Incarnation of Lord Vishnu

The important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists are Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath of which Bodh Gaya is the most important pilgrimage site related to the life of Gautama Buddha. Gautama Buddha obtained Enlightenment at Bodhagaya and Sarnath is the place where he first taught the Dharma to five monks. The Mahabodhi temple at Bodhgaya is decorated with colorful flags and flowers and special prayers are organized under the Bodhi Tree where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Gautama Buddha obtained Enlightenment on the day of Buddha Purnima.
As per North Indians, Buddha is believed as the 9th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. However, Buddha is never regarded as an Avatar of Vishnu as per South Indian system. Balarama is considered as the 8th incarnation and Krishna as the 9th incarnation of Lord Vishnu as per South Indian system. Most of Vaishnavaites consider Balarama as an incarnation of Vishnu. But Buddhists do not consider Buddha as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Gautama Buddha's birth and death time is unsure. But most historians consider his lifetime between 563-483 B.C. Buddha died at the age of 80 at Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Buddha Purnima Celebrations

On the day of Buddha Purnima, Buddhists visit temples and recite verses in appreciation of Gautam Buddha and listen to monks over Buddha's teachings . A small statue of Buddha as a baby is placed in a basin filled with water and decorated with flowers where people coming in pour water over the statue which symbolizes a new beginning. Devotees offer prayers and wear white clothes and distribute kheer (a legend says that a woman named Sujata had offered Gautama Buddha a bowl of milk porridge on this day). Celebrations take place in Buddhist sites across India, especially at Bodhgaya and Sarnath and Kushinagar where large fairs are organised and Buddha statues are taken out in public procession. And Buddhist regions like Sikkim, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and north Bengal (Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Kurseong). Buddha Purnima is celebrated as Saga Dawa in Sikkim. Monks carries the holy book from Tsuklakhang Palace Monastery as a public procession around town. Blowing of horns, beating of drums, and burning of incense along with dance performances are a few traditions. Dharma wheel symbol also known as dharmachakra is seen on Vesak day or the day of Buddha Purnima. The dharma wheel has eight ribs. Gautam Buddha's great teachings are represented through this wheel.

People provide food to organizations helping the needy and poor, elderly and sick. Caged animals are bought and set free for showing affection and care for all living creatures, as said by Buddha. Pure white clothes are weared mostly. Non-vegetarian food is strictly avoided on this day.

There is also a train named Budhpurnima Express named after Buddha Purnima. The Budhpurnima Express is an express train of East central Railway zone of Indian Railways which operates between Rajgir and Varanasi in India. It runs between major "Buddhist Hubs" such as Rajgir, Nalanda, Patna, Gaya, Varanasi, Sarnath cities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Buddha Purnima is Vesak

It is celebrated as Vesak in South and Southeast Asia, which places greater emphasis on the enlightenment and death of the Buddha. As per Theravada Tripitaka scriptures, Gautama was born c. 563–480 BCE in Lumbini in modern-day Nepal, and raised in the Shakya capital of Kapilavastu ,Nepal. The day to celebrate Vesak as the Buddha's birthday was shaped at the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held at Colombo, Sri Lanka, in May, 1950.

Just one thing to note here is that Vesak is not the same as Vaisakhi festival.

Buddha Purnima in Different Countries

Countries observing Buddha Purnima are India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Singapore, Cambodia, Lao, Myanmar, Thailand, Macau

Buddha Purnima 2022 Date and Time

Buddha Purnima 2022 Date - Monday, May 16, 2022
This is 2584th Birth Anniversary of Gautama Buddha
Purnima Tithi Begins - 12:45 PM on May 15, 2022
Purnima Tithi Ends - 09:43 AM on May 16, 2022

Sita Navami 2022

Sita Navami 2022, Janaki Navami 2022

Sita Navami or Janaki Navami is celebrated as the birth day of Goddess Sita. Women who are married keep a fast on Sita Navami day and pray to Goddess Sita for the long lives of their husbands. Also known as Sita Jayanti or Seeta Jayanthi, Sita Navami is celebrated on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha period of the Vaishakha month. Goddess Sita was born in Pushya Nakshatra on Tuesday. Goddess Sita was married to Lord Rama. Rama was also born on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. Sita Jayanti occurs after one month of Sri Rama Navami in the Hindu calendar. Mata Sita, also known by the name of Janaki, was the adopted daughter of King Janaka of Mithila. Therefore as the father name was Janaka, Maa Sita was known by the name of Janaki and thus this day is also known as Janaki Navami. When King Janaka was ploughing the land to conduct a Yajna he found a baby girl inside a Golden casket. A ploughed land is called Sita thus King Janaka named the baby girl as Sita. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi took birth as Sita in the Treta yug.

Sita is also believed as a rebirth of Vedavati. Vedavati, a beautiful woman, gave up all materialistic things and kept meditating for Lord Vishnu. When King Ravana saw her, he was attracted and tried to violate her. She jumped into a fire to escape from him and before dying cursed him that she would be responsible for his death in her next birth.

Lord Rama and Maa Sita are the ideal couple one can see. Inspite of facing a lot of hardships in their life, both Rama and Sita were very firm and stood by each other. Maa Sita is known for her sincerity, purity, love and devotion towards all whether her husband Rama or her children Lava and Kush or be it her husband's brother Lakshman or else Hanuman. Lord Rama, Maa Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman idols are taken in processions on this day of Sita Navami. Devotees chant ‘Jai Siya Ram’ and other devotional songs all the way. Ramayana is recited in temples and Bhajans are sung dedicated to Ram and Sita. By performing the Sita Jayanti puja rituals and fast, it is believed that one will be blessed with a happy and contended married life. Wish to all - Happy Janaki Navami or Happy Sita Navami.

Hymn dedicated to Maa Sita

जनकसुता जग जननि जानकी। अतिसय प्रिय करुनानिधान की॥
ताके जुग पद कमल मनावउँ। जासु कृपाँ निरमल मति पावउँ॥

Sita Navami 2022 Muhurat

Sita Navami 2022 Date - Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Sita Navami Madhyahna Muhurat - 10:58 AM to 01:38 PM

Duration - 02 Hours 40 Mins

Sita Navami Madhyahna Moment - 12:18 PM

Navami Tithi Begins - 06:32 PM on May 09, 2022

Navami Tithi Ends - 07:24 PM on May 10, 2022

Ram Navami 2022 Date - Sunday, April 10, 2022

Ganga Saptami 2022

Ganga Saptami 2022, Ganga Jayanti 2022

Ganga is the holiest river worshipped as a Goddess in Hinduism. The river we all love is referred as Ganga Maiya or Mother/ Goddess Ganga by millions of people. Ganga Saptami, also called by the names of Ganga Jayanti or Ganga Pujan, is an auspicious day which celebrates the rebirth of Goddess Ganga on Earth. Ganga Saptami is observed on the Saptami (7th day) of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) during the month of ‘Vaishakha’ or Baisakh.

Ganga Saptami Significance and Legend

Religious scriptures like ‘Padma Purana,’ ‘Brahma Purana’ and ‘Narada Purana.’mentions the significance of Ganga Saptami. Goddess Ganga first descended to the Earth on Ganga Dussehra day as per Hindu scriptures. Lord Shiva took Ganga (which was about to enter Earth) in His hairs to break Ganga's descent so that Ganga could not sweep away the whole Earth. Afterwards, Lord Shiva released Ganga so that she can wash away the sins of the cursed souls of Bhagiratha's ancestors. As Ganga was on her way to Bhagiratha's kingdom, her mighty flow destroyed sage Jahnu's Ashram. Sage Jahnu got angered and he drank up all of Ganga's water. After this, Bhagiratha and the Gods prayed to Rishi Jahnu to release Ganga. Jahnu released Ganga from his ear after he was pleased with Bhagiratha's and Gods prayers. On Vaishakha Shukla Paksha saptami day, Jahnu Rishi released Ganga from his ear. That is why this day of Ganga Saptami is also known as Jahnu Saptami. Ganga came to be known as Jahnavi, the daughter of Rishi Jahnu. Taking bath in Ganga river or pouring a few drops of Ganga water in your bucket and bathing on Ganga Saptami day is considered highly auspicious. People worship Goddess Ganga and take bath in Ganges on Ganga Saptami day. It is believed that bathing in the water of Ganga on this day washes a person's sins. In Hinduism, when a person is dead, his remains like bones and ashes are immersed in the holy Ganga river as it is believed that it will give salvation or 'moksha' to the dead person.

People wake up before sunrise and take a dip in Ganga river on the day of Ganga Saptami. ‘Ganga Aarti’ is performed by the priests along the ‘ghats’ of Ganga and thousands of people gather to witness this majestic devotional ritual. When Maa Ganga's Aarti is over, people hover their hands over the flame to seek purification and blessing. The aarti thali has small diyas and flowers which are later floated down the river. People also do deepdan on Ganga Saptami day. A Ganga devotee must hear or recite Ganga Sahasranam Strotram and ‘Gayatri Mantra’ to seek Maa Ganga's blessings. Devotees offer special prayers at sacred pilgrimage places like "Har ki Paudi" in Haridwar, Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj and Rishikesh in Uttrakhand. Goddess Ganga must be worshipped on Ganga Saptami day by people who are under the influence of ‘Mangal’.

Ganga Saptami 2022 Date Details

Ganga Saptami 2022 Date - Sunday, May 8, 2022
Ganga Saptami Madhyahna Muhurat - 10:58 AM to 01:38 PM
Duration - 02 Hours 39 Mins
Saptami Tithi Begins - 02:56 PM on May 07, 2022
Saptami Tithi Ends - 05:00 PM on May 08, 2022
Ganga Dussehra 2022 Date - Thursday, June 9, 2022

Akshaya Tritiya 2022 Date and Time

Akshaya Tritiya 2022, Akshaya Tritiya 2022 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 2022 falls on 3rd May 2022. Akshaya Tritiya day is 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.

Akshaya Tritiya 2022 Date

Akshaya Tritiya 2022 Date - 3rd May 2022 (Tuesday)

Akshaya Tritiya Puja Muhurat - 05:43 AM to 12:18 PM
Duration - 06 Hours 35 Mins
Tritiya Tithi Begins - 05:18 AM on May 03, 2022
Tritiya Tithi Ends - 07:32 AM on May 04, 2022

Importance of Akshaya Tritiya/Akshaya Tritiya Significance

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.

Parashurama Jayanti 2022

Parashurama is the sixth avataar of Sri Vishnu. Lord Parshuram is the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The legend of Parshuram goes back to the Treta Yuga. Parashu means axe and Rama is Lord Sri Rama in Sanskrit language. Literally the name means Rama-with-the-axe. Parshuram was born to Sage Jamadagni and Renuka.

Parashurama Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Sri Parashurama. Parashurama Jayanti occurs in the month of vaishakha during Shukla Paksha Tritiya. Parashurama was born at Pradosh Kala and that is why Parashurama Jayanti is celebrated on the day when Tritiya prevails during Pradosh Kala in Vaishakha month. Parshuram Bhagwan got his name Parshuram because he used a Parshu (an axe) to kill all the Kshatriyas on earth. Parshuram means the bearer of an axe. Parashurama had taken avataar to wipe out the sinful, destructive and irreligious Kings that did not perform their duties so that Earth's burden can be lessened. People observe this day by taking a bath in holy rivers, visiting nearby Vishnu temples and performing puja. Parashurama Jayanti usually coincides with Akshaya Tritiya. Akshaya Tritiya is considered good to start or do perform anything auspicious. A person should do daan, jup, tup, hom and read holy scriptures on this day of Parshuram Jayanti and Akshaya Tritiya. It is always said that if you do daan with pure faith you gain more fruits and wealth, even if you dont have much wealth to do daan.

Of all the 9 Vishnu's avataar that had taken place, Parashurama is believed to be still living on earth at this time as per Hindu beliefs. That is why Parashurama is not worshipped as compared to Sri Ram and Sri Krishna. Parashurama temple exists at the holy place Pajaka near Udupi, in South India. There are several temples at the western coast of India dedicated to Lord Parashurama.
As per Kalki Purana, Parashurama will be the martial guru of Shri Kalki, the 10th and final Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu's 6th avataar meeting another avatar is not new. Parashurama came to the ceremony of Sita Swayamvar when Lord Rama broke the Shiva's bow and there he met the 7th Avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Parashurama Jayanti Legend

There was a region in central India, Mahishmati Nagri, which was ruled by the demon king Kiratarjuna and his kingdom of the Kshatriyas.

Goddess Earth was so burdened by the evil deeds of the king, and asked Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu said the he would be born as a son to Renuka and Sage Jamadagni and destroy the Kiratarjuna's kingdom and the Kshatriyas. Vishnu reincarnated as the great warrior Parshurama and defeated the king and the Kshatriyas, restoring peace on earth.
This is a special day for Hindus which holds a lot of religious significance. Devotees fast from the night before to the day of Parshuram Jayanti. People visit temples and worship to Lord Vishnu for his blessings. Donating food to Brahmans is considered very auspicious on this day of Parshurama Jayanti.

Parashurama Jayanti 2022 Muhurat

Parashurama Jayanti 2022 Date - Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Akshaya Tritiya on Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Tritiya Tithi Begins - 05:18 AM on May 03, 2022
Tritiya Tithi Ends - 07:32 AM on May 04, 2022

Parashurama is also known as Rama Jamadagnya , Rama Bhargava and Veerarama in some Hindu texts. Parashurama is worshipped as mool purush, or founder, of the Niyogi Bhumihar Brahmin, Chitpavan, Daivadnya, Mohyal, Tyagi, Anavil and Nambudiri Brahmin communities.

Lakshmi Panchami 2022 Date

Lakshmi Panchami 2022 Date, लक्ष्मी पंचमी

Sri Lakshmi Panchami is celebrated on the Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in month of Chaitra. This is the first week of Hindu New Year. Lakshmi Panchami which is also known by the name of Shri Panchami and Shri Vrata is the day which is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, is worshipped on this auspicious day and worshipping Mata Lakshmi at the start of Hindu New Year is considered very auspicious. Goddess Lakshmi is also known by the name of "Shri" or "Sri".

As per Vedas, Chaitra Shukla Panchami is related to Kalpadi Tithi, i.e. starrting of a Kalpa. There are 7 kalpadi days in a year which also includes Gudi Padwa/Ugadi and Akshaya Tritiya. Check Out the Lakshmi Panchami date for the current year.

Lakshmi Panchami 2022 Date - 5th April, Tuesday

Panchami Tithi Begins - 03:45 PM on Apr 05, 2022
Panchami Tithi Ends - 06:01 PM on Apr 06, 2022

How Goddess Lakshmi helps her devotee?

As per Shastras, worshipping Goddess Lakshmi removes poverty from a person’s life. As Goddess of wealth and money, Goddess Laxmi blesses all her devotees with wealth and prosperity. People who faces problems in jobs, service or business can pray to Maa Lakshmi for elimination of these problems. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi on this day eliminates poverty and helps in gaining wealth and prosperity. Kanakdhara Stotra, Laxmi Stotram, Laxmi Suktam and Lakshmi Mantra's can be recited on this day. You must also pray to Sri Vishnu Bhagwan along with Maa Lakshmi for your prayers to get answer sooner.

How to worship Goddess Lakshmi on Lakshmi Panchmi day / How to do Fast on Lakshmi Panchami

You must clean your home and throw away the things you do not need prior to Lakshmi Panchami fast. Then on the day of Lakshmi Panchami wake up early in the morning and after taking a bath, either go in a nearby temple or worship and pray Goddess Lakshmi in your home temple. You must also worship Mata Lakshmi in your office/Shop/Showroom/Factory.

Lord Ganesha must be worshipped before worshipping Maa Lakshmi. Give offerings to Lord Ganesha before offering to Goddess Lakshmi, as Ganesha is regarded as the Devta who is worshipped first or known by the name of "pratham pujya. for any auspicious works. It is to be noted that Lord Ganesha and Mata Lakshmi must be worshipped with complete faith and devotion.

First chant Ganesh Mantra and then Goddess Laxmi’s mantras. If you have an idol of Maa Lakshmi, you can pour Panchamrit over it. Apply Sandalwood, offer flowers, rice, durva, red thread, supari, coconut and any other fruits. Please remember that if you do not have any of the offerings, it does not matter only what matters is you must have that "bhav" for praying Mata Lakshmi. Offer food and dakshina to a nearby Brahman and Brahmani.

If you are fasting on Sri Lakshmi Panchami day, prefer to eat only fruits, tea, milk etc. and not any "roti-subzi" till your fast is over. If you are married, prefer to do perform puja with your better half.

Types of Wealth a person gets after Worshipping Maa Lakshmi

Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on Lakshmi Panchami bestows sixteen types of wealth on the worshipper which includes fame, knowledge, courage, victory, child boon, valour, gold, grains, happiness, well being and satisfaction, bliss, intelligence, beauty, higher goals, morality and health. To attain prosperity, Lakshmi Panchami day is observed as Shri Panchami in South India, people in Western India, especially in Maharashtra and Goa also worship Maa Lakshmi on this pious day.

Note:There is totally another day of Shri Panchami or Vasant Panchami that is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and fine arts.

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