~ Hindu Festivals ~

[MysteRy]

Shiva Aarti

Reciting Lord Shiva Aarti on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri is believed to invoke divine blessings of Lord Shiva. This aarti is sung in the praise of the Lord and is recited by Shiv bhakts (devotees) around the world. If daily recited at the time of puja, the aarti is said to provide you the special blessings of the Lord and help you liberate yourself from all the sins. It is also believed that this aarti makes the Lord happy and in return, He fills your live with happiness and prosperity. For better understanding of this aarti, we are providing English translation, along with the Hindi verses Aarti.

Lord Shiva Aarti

Jai Shiv Onkara Har Shiv Onkara,
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Arddhagni Dhara.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - Glory to you, O Shiva! Glory to you, O Omkaara! May Brahma, Vishnu and the assembly of other gods, including the great Lord Shiva, relieve me of my afflictions!

Ekanan Chaturanan Panchanan Rajai,
Hansanan Garudasan Vrishvahan Sajai.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - Being the Absolute, True being, Consciousness and Bliss, you play the roles of all the three Gods - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. As Vishnu, you have but one face, as Brahma four and as Shiva five. They gladden the sight of all who behold them. As Brahma you prefer the back of the swan for your seat, as Vishnu you like to ensconce yourself on the back of Garuda (A large mythological eagle - like bird believed to be the vehicle of Lord Vishnu) and as Shiva you make the sacred bull your conveyance; all these stand ready. O Great Lord, pray rid me of my afflictions!

Do Bhuj Char Chaturbhuj Das Bhuj Te Sohai,
Tinon Roop Nirakhta Tribhuvan Jan Mohai.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - As Brahma, you possess two arms, as Vishnu four and as Shiva (Dashabaahu) ten, all of which look matchlessly lovely. No sooner do the inhabitants of the three spheres behold you than they are all enchanted. O great Lord Omkaara, pray rid me of my afflictions.

Akshaymala Vanmala Mundmala Dhari,
Chadan Mrigmad Sohai Bhale Shashi Dhari.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - You are, O great Lord Omkaara, wearing a garland of Rudraaksha, another of forest flowers the third of skulls; your forehead, glistening in the moonlight which it holds, is smeared with sandal-paste and musk. Pray rid me of my afflictions.

Shvetambar Pitambar Baghambar Ange,
Sankadik Brahmadik Bhootadik Sange.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - O great Lord Omkaara, your body is attired in white and yellow silken clothes and in tiger skin, while in your company are troops of goblins, gods like Brahma and divine seers like Sanaka. Pray rid me of my afflictions.

Kar Men Shreshth Kamandalu Chakra Trishooldharta,
Jagkarta Jagharta Jag Palankarta.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - O great Lord Omkaara, you hold akamandalu (the mendicants water-jar) in one of your hands and in another a trident; you bring joy to all, destroy all distress and sustain the whole world. May you rid me of all my afflictions!

Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Janat Aviveka,
Pranvakshar Ke Madhye Yah Tinon Eka.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - The ignorant (unwise and stupid) know Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as three individual gods, but they are all indistinguishably fused into a single mystic syllable ‘OM’. Pray rid me of my afflictions.

Trigun Shiv Ki Aarti Jo Koi Nar Gave,
Kahat Shivanand Swami Manvanchhit Phal Pave.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - Says Swami Shivananda, “He who recites this Aarti to the Lord of the three gunas-sattva, rajas and tamas - attains fulfillment of his heart’s desire”. O great Lord Omkaara, may you rid me of my afflictions.

[MysteRy]

Maha Shivaratri Bhajans

Mahashivaratri is an auspicious occasion for Hindus. It is the festival when Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity (the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu), is worshipped with immense devotion. The ceremonious occasion, which honors Lord Shiva, falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. The celebrations begin in the morning and continue all through the night, as the devotees observe fast and remain awake. Bhajans are sung in the praise of the Almighty, on Mahashivratri.

Maha Shivratri Bhajans

Arunaachala Shiva Sai Shankara

Arunaachala Shiva Sai Shankara
Nacho Hey Nataraaj
Bhasma Bhooshana Naagaabharana Nacho Hey Shiva Raaj
Thaandava Priya Kara, Natana Nateshwara, Nacho Hey Nataraaj
Nacho Hey Nataraaj
Dama Dama Dama Dama Damaroo Bajaavo
Jhana Jhana Jhana Jhana Paayaliyaa
Dhimiki Dhimiki Dhimi, Dhimiki Dhimiki Dhimi,
Nacho Hey Nataraaj
Nacho Hey Nataraaj

Bhola Naathha Hare Jagadeesha

Bhola Naathha Hare Jagadeesha
Shaileshwara Hara Uma Mahesha
Bhola Naathha Hare Jagadeesha
Bhava Bhaya Haari Hey Tripuraari
Shiva Gangaadhara Sai Muraari
Bhola Naath Bhola Naath
Sai Naath Sai Naath

Darshana Do Shiva Shankara Deva

Darshana Do Shiva Shankara Deva
Darshana Do Sai Shankara Deva... (Darshana Do…)
Gaja Charmaambara Hey Pralayankara
Hey Pralayankara, Hey Abhayankara... (Gaja Charmaamnara…)
Hey Tripuraari Trinetra Dhaari
Parvathi Ramana Paataka Harana
Hey Bhuvaneshwara Dayaa Karo

Brahma Murari Sadaa Poojitha

Brahma Murari Sadaa Poojitha
Namah Shivaaya Namah Shivaaya
Bilvaacharana Priya Bhavaani Shankara
Namah Shivaaya Namah Shivaaya
Mruthyunjaya Mahadeva Maheshwara
Namah Shivaaya Namah Shivaaya
Bhasmo Dhulitha Thejo Vigraha
Namah Shivaaya Namaha Shivaaya
Lingodbhavakara Sai Maheshwara
Namah Shivaaya Namah Shivaaya
Namah Shivaaya, Namah Shivaaya
Om Namah Shivaaya, Shivaaya Nama Om

Dama Dama Damaru Damuru Naathha Shiva

Dhimika Dhimika Dhimi Gauri Naathha Shiva
Dama Dama Damaru Damuru Naathha Shiva
Natana Manohara Nataraja Shiva
Hara Hara Bhum Bhum Bhola Naathha Shiva
Shambho Shankara Viswanatha Shiva
Shivaya Namah Shiva Sai Naathha Shiva (low & high)

Jaago Jaago Shankara

Jaago Jaago Sayeeshwara
Jaago Jaago Jaago Shankara
Halahal Dhar Hey Parmesha
Hey Tripuraari Jai Partheesha
Ganga Dhara Shankara
Shiva Gauri Vara Shankara
Hara Ganga Dhara Shankara
Sathya Sayeeshwara Shankara

[MysteRy]

Makar Sankranti History

Makar Sankranthi, or Sankranti is a popular Indian festival. It is celebrated in many parts of the country and also in some other parts of the world with great zeal and enthusiasm. It is a harvest festival which is basically celebrated in the Hindu communities. In Indian, the states of Bihar, Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu celebrate the festival with great fervor and gusto.In Tamil Nadu the festival is known as Pongal, in Assam as Bhogali Bihu, in Punjab, as Lohiri, in Gujarat and Rajasthan, as Uttararayan. Outside India, the festival is given due importance in the countries like Nepal where it is celebrated as Maghe Sakrati or Maghi, in Thailand where it is named as Songkran and in Myanmar where it is called Thingyan.

The festival of Makar Sankranti marks the day when the sun begins its northward journey and enters the sign of Makar (the Capricorn) from the Tropic of Cancer. It is like the movement of sun from Dakshinayana (south) to Uttarayana (north) hemisphere. It is the one of the few chosen Indian Hindu festivals which has a fixed date. This day falls on the 14th of January every year according to the Hindu Solar Calendar. The festival is considered to be a day from where onwards all the auspicious ritualistic ceremonies can be solemnized in any Hindu family. This is thus considered as the holy phase of transition.

Shankranti means transmigration of Sun from one zodiac in Indian astrology to the other. As per Hindu customary beliefs, there are 12 such Sankrantis in all. But the festival is celebrated only on the occasion of Makara Sankaranti i.e. the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius ('Dhanu' Rashi ) to Capricorn('Makara' Rasi). In this case, the zodiacs are measured sidereally, and not tropically, in order to account the Earth's precession. That is why the festival falls about 21 days after the tropical winter solstice which lies between December 20 and 23rd. Here the sun marks the starting of Uttarayana, which means northern progress of Sun.

Makar Sankranti holds special significance as on this day the solar calendar measures the day and night to be of equal durations on this day. From this day onwards, the days become longer and warmer. It is the day when people of northern hemisphere, the northward path of the sun marks the period when the sun is getting closer to them. The importance of the day was signified by the Aryans who started celebrating this day as an auspicious day for festivities. The reason behind this may be the fact that it marked the onset of harvest season. Even in the epic of Mahabharata, an episode mentions how people in that era also considered the day as auspicious. Bhishma Pitamah even after being wounded in the Mahabharata war lingered on till Uttarayan set in, so that he can attain heavenly abode in auspiciuous times. It is said that death on this day to brings Moksha or salvation to the deceased.

[MysteRy]

Makar Sankranti Date

Makar Sankranti is considered to be one of the most auspicious festivals for the Hindus. It is celebrated in various parts of the country with extreme zeal and fervor. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is known Uttararayan while in Northern part of the country; it is known as Sankranti, in Tamil Nadu, it is known as Pongal. Apart from India, it is also celebrated in Nepal, Malaysia and Thailand. It is celebrated with great devotion, fervor and gaiety as the harvest festival of the state at many places in the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the few chosen Indian festivals which are celebrated on the same date every year i.e. on 14th January.

When Is Makar Sankranti
Sankranti means 'change' and 'Makar' means 'Capricorn', thus Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere. It is when Sun transits from Sagittarius and goes to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana). This event has socio-religious impact on the Indian society. At some places the festival is celebrated merely as a harvest festival, however in many parts of the country, it is considered as an occasion from when all the auspicious Hindu festivals can be solemnized.

For some people it signifies an event wherein the Sun-God seems to remind his devotees a popular saying that 'Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya' which means 'may you go higher and higher, to more and more light and never to darkness. As Sun signifies knowledge, divine spiritual light and wisdom to Hindu community, this festival of Sun God gives a message that the real spirit of life is to get over from the darkness of delusion and begin the search of a more brighter and aware side of our persona. People often relate the festival to auspiciousness, wisdom, and knowledge.

Makar Sankranti 2012
Unlike most of the other Indian Hindu festivals, the date of Makar Sankranti is fixed. It is celebrated on 14th January every year. In 2012, the Makar Sankranti is falling on Saturday. The festival is celebrated throughout the country with different names and different rituals. At some places, it is considered auspicious to fly kites, while at other places eating 'Khichdi' (instant rice-daal mix) is considered fortunate. Til and Rice are said to be the vital ingredients of this festival. In the rice-eating belt of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, most of the festive dishes are rice-centric. A popular fair named Gangasagar Mela, is also organized on this occasion on banks of river Hooghly, near Calcutta. In Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti occasion is considered 'Pedda Panduga' meaning big festival. The entire event lasts for four days, the first day called Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth day, Mukkanuma.

[MysteRy]

Makar Sankranti Customs

Makar Sankranti is an important Hindu festival celebrated with religious fervor in almost all parts of India. The festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of the bountiful harvest season after few months of chilly winter. It falls on January 14, every year, as per the Solar calendar. Both geographic and religious significance are associated with the festival. On the day, Sun begins to travel northwards, by leaving the Tropic of Cancer in order to enter the Tropic of Capricorn (corresponding to the zodiac sign 'Makar' meaning Capricorn). The traditions observed during the festival are different according to different regions of India. Read on to get information about the rituals of Makar Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti Customs & Traditions

In Maharashtra, there is a custom of exchanging sweets made of jaggery, as the first sugarcane crop for the year is harvested during the period.According to a tradition, the Marathis wear black clothes, because they consider the black sesame as auspicious. Til Gul (Sesame-Jaggery sweet) is prepared and exchanged on the day.

Flying kite is one of the popular Makar Sankranti traditions of Maharashtra. Colorful kites, made of different shapes and sizes, are also flown in Gujarat, as a part of the celebrations of Makar Sankranti. This is primarily because, the festival coincides with the International Kite Festival held at Ahmedabad (capital city of Gujarat), on January 14.

Charity forms a significant part of the traditions of Makar Sankranti. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, one can witness people donating Khichdi (rice cooked with lentils) to the poor and needy. People in Andhra Pradesh also indulge themselves in charity of clothes.

Taking a holy dip on the day is considered auspicious and hence, it is a popular custom followed in Uttar Pradesh, where people flock the religious places in the state to take a ceremonious bath in holy River Ganga. It is believed that taking dip in holy rivers provides moksha (salvation) from all the sins done previously.

Makar Sankranti is known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu. There, it is a three-day festival, starting from January 13 until January 15. January 13 is celebrated as Bhogi, followed by Makara Pongal (Sankranti) and then culminated by Mattu Pongal on the next day. Similar tradition is seen in Andhra Pradesh, where the third day of Makar Sankranti is known as 'Kanuma'.

The customs followed in villages of India, on Makar Sankranti, have a unique charm. Varied festivities including singing and dancing mark the celebrations of the harvest festival. Courtyards and swept and sprinkled with a mixture of water and cow dung, while the homes are scrub-cleaned for the festival. People would make Rangoli or Kolam in their courtyard. The villagers extend their gratitude to Mother Nature for a good crop.

[MysteRy]

Makar Sankranti Celebrations

Makar Sankranti festival holds special significance in India. It is one of the important Hindu festivals, celebrated with pomp and gaiety across the length and breadth of the country, with different names and of course, by observing different rituals. The festival marks the commencement of Sun's journey to the northern hemisphere, thereby making the days warmer and longer than the nights. In other words, Sankranti marks the culmination of winter season and beginning of harvest or spring season. All over India, Makar Sankranti is observed with great fanfare. The celebrations of Makar Sankranti in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka deserve special mention. Read on to know more about Makar Sankranti celebrations in different parts of India.

Makar Sankranti Festival Celebrations

In Maharashtra
On Makar Sankranti, people in Maharashtra enjoy their first sugarcane harvest for the year. They would reap the sugarcane convert it into fresh jaggery. In fact, sweets made of jaggery are distributed during the festival, as a part of the traditions of Makar Sankranti. People exchange Til Gul (Sesame-Jaggery sweet) that is specialty of the festival. Kite flying is one of the highlights of the merrymaking, in the Marathi state. Women would wear new clothes and accessorize themselves with new bangles, to take part in the celebrations.

In Andhra Pradesh
Makar Sankranti is a three-day festival in Andhra Pradesh. Celebrated on January 14 every year, Sankranti is preceded by Bhogi, when people follow the tradition of burning unwanted matter. Kanuma is celebrated on January 15, wherein people would worship cow. According to the legends, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill to protect the people of Gokulam on Kanuma. Kanuma is dedicated to cows, bulls and other animals. On Makar Sankranti day, people would prepare Pongali (similar to Pongal in Tamil Nadu), a dish prepared by using the recent rice harvest. The dish is offered to Sankranti Lakshmi first, and then consumed by the devotees.

In Karnataka
People in Karnataka wear colorful dresses and visit their friends and relatives, on the festive occasion of Makar Sankranti. There is a popular tradition of exchanging pieces of sugarcane that has been harvested fresh, on Makar Sankranti. In addition to this, people exchange a mixture of fried sesame seeds, molasses, pieces of dry coconuts, fried gram and peanuts as a part of the good old tradition. On Makar Sanskranti, animals are also honored. Domestic cows and bulls are given a lavish bath, while their horns are painted with bright colors and decorated with garland, as a part of the celebrations.

Gujarat
Makarsankranti is a two-day festival in Gujarat. It is celebrated with great fanfare. Kite flying is one of the important traditions of Makar Sankranti in the coastal state. On the day, the sky is dotted with colorful kites of various shapes and sizes. The International Kite Festival held at Ahmedabad on January 14 coincides with the festival. There is a custom of giving gifts to relatives, on the festival. Pundits consider the day auspicious and hence, grant scholarships for their disciples to pursue further studies in various disciplines, such as astrology and philosophy.

In Uttar Pradesh
People residing in Uttar Pradesh celebrate Makar Sankranti with religious fervor. As per the traditions, they take a ritual bath in the holy River Ganga. Thereafter, they would worship their favorite good, seeking a good harvest year after year. Donating Khichdi (a cooked mixture of rice and lentils) on Makar Sankranti is considered auspicious, and hence, a popular tradition followed in the northern state. A big fair is organized at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, as a part of the celebrations of Makar Sankranti. This fair is known as Magha Mela. Places of pilgrimage including Haridwar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh are flocked by devotees on Makar Sankranti and go there to take a holy dip in the river.

[MysteRy]

Naga Panchami

It is on the fifth day of the bright half of the Shravan that Naga Panchami, or the festival of snakes, is celebrated in India. Snake worship, no doubt, owes its origin to man's natural fear of these reptiles. However, in Hindu culture, they own a prominent place. Hindu mythologies are filled with stories and fables about snakes, the most important being the Sheshnaga of Lord Vishnu (it is on this snake that Lord Vishnu reclines while sleeping in the sea). Thus, it is quite understandable that a festival called Naga Panchami is observed in India, in the honor of snakes, every year.

Naga Panchami is one of the most ancient fasts in India and also finds mention in the Puranas. It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk, on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their families. As per a legend, on the day of Naga Panchami, ploughing a field is forbidden.

There are a number of legends associated with Naga pancahmi. One has it that on this day, while tilling his land, a farmer accidentally killed some young serpents. The mother of these serpents took revenge by biting and killing the farmer and his family, except one daughter, who happened to be praying to the Nagas. This act of devotion resulted in the revival of the farmer and the rest of his family. Since then, Nag Panchami has been celebrated in India. It is believed that in reward for worship, snakes will never bite any member of the family.

There is yet another legend related to the festival. It goes that young Lord Krishna was playing with the other cowboys near river Yamuna, when the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. Below the tree, a terrible snake Kaliya used to live in the river. Suddenly Krishna fell from the tree into the water. The terrible snake came up with anger, but Krishna started jumping on its head. Finally, Kaliya said sorry to Lord Krishna and He forgave the snake and let it go free. Since then, on Nag Panchami day, the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated.

In India, snakes are so revered that temples have also been erected in their honor. There is a particularly famous one in Mysore, at a place called Subramania (Sheshnaga). The Naga culture was fairly widespread in India before the Aryan invasion, and continues to be an important segment of worship in certain areas. After the invasion, the Indo-Aryans incorporated the worship of snakes into Hinduism. The thousand-headed Ananta is Vishnu's couch and also holds up the earth, while snakes play an ornamental role in the case of Shiva. Naga panchami is another form of honoring the snakes.

Naga Panchami 2012: 24 July.

[MysteRy]

Naga Panchami Story

Human beings soon after stabilizing from nomadic venture started the ritual of worshipping the nature and everything that was helpful to them in one or another way. It helped them construct a system that was derived from the beliefs in social organizations, local cults and deities. Humans thus started exploring nature and started sorting a culture to abide by. Things like sun, river, mountain and snake have been thought of as important element of simultaneous existence since then. Snake worship has also been a part of the culture of India ever since then. Nag Panchami is one of the most important festivals in India celebrated to commemorate the existence of the snake god.

Celebrated on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar, this festival falls in the month of July /August according to the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated in various parts of the country amongst the community where it has been prevalent for long. The grandest celebrations can be seen in the southern India and in the states of Bengal and Maharashtra. The festival has religious significance too. It is believed that Snakes have been the savior of human race from the wrath of demons and also, that the earth is balanced on the head of on Shesh Naag. There are also several legends and stories associated with the festival, one of the most important one is given below.

Stories & Legends Of Nag Panchami
It is said that long before Aryans arrived in India, a clan named Nagaas lived in India. It was a highly developed clan. It is said that the snake-worship amongst the Nagas, was extremely popular and it can be proved according to the evidences derived from the Indus Valley civilization of 3000 B.C. After the Naga culture gradually got incorporated into Hinduism, the Indo-Aryans also gradually accepted many of the snake deities as their God too. The prominent Cobra snakes mentioned in the Puranas that are to be worshipped are Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padma, Kanwal, Karkotak, Kalia, Aswatar, Takshak, Sankhpal, Dhritarashtra and Pingal. However, some of the historians claim that they were not snakes but Naaga Kings of various kingdoms which were worshipped as Gods.

It is also a popular belief amongst people in Hindu religion that thousand-headed Shesh Nag who symbolizes Eternity holds the entire spherical earth on it head. Also, that it is the resting couch of Lord Vishnu, one of three most important gods of Hindu religion. In Jainism and Buddhism snake is regarded as sacred creature with divine qualities. It is because some ancient texts say that a Cobra snake saved the life of Buddha and the Jain Muni Parshwanath.

Stories of snakes association with Hindu gods also enhance the stature of these reptiles in Hindu culture. A popular legend says that the elder brother of Lord Krishna, Balram was the incarnation of Seshnag on earth. Snake is also given due importance because it is considered to be the ornament of Lord Shiva around his neck. The celebration of Nag Panchami in the month of Shrawan (considered as the month of Lord Shiva in Hindu religion) also explains the deep association of Shiva and commemoration of snake as his companion.

It is believed that even the ancient architecture exhibit the evidence of the importance of snakes in the Indian culture. On the caves of Ajanta, the images of the rituals of snake worship have been found. Even Indian literature is full of stories of the virtue of snake. The famous author Kautilya, in his "Arthashastra" has given detailed description of the cobra snakes. It is said that it was also the wide belief of people in ancient India that if they worship snake, they won't cause harm to them and their family. So, there is no one specific legend to why the Naga Panchami started in India, it is being for too long due to the religious significance and social importance of this unique reptile.

[MysteRy]

Naga Panchami Rituals

Naga Panchami is one of the prominent Hindu festivals of India. It falls on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to July-August as per the Gregorian calendar. Historical records suggest that the worship of snakes was wide-spread even before the Aryan civilization, when the Naga culture was incorporated into Hinduism. It is believed that the culture of worshipping a number of snake deities was begun by the Indo-Aryans. According to a popular legend, snakes take shelter in gardens and homes, whenever their holes are flooded with rainwater.

Since snakes pose a great threat to humankind due to their venom, they are worshipped by the Hindus, on Nag Panchami. The festival was initially observed to worship the forces of Mother Nature, later on a day to honor God's ferocious creation - snakes. Snakes are worshipped on Nag Panchami, with immense devotion. The devotees visit temples dedicated to snakes, to offer prayers. Since it is celebrated with religious fervor, a number of customs are related to the festivals. Go through the following lines to know more about Naga Panchami rituals.

Nag Panchami Customs & Traditions
The temples dedicated snakes (sarpa) are flocked by devotees, who carry milk and turmeric powder as offerings for the deity. In fact, in some part of the country, Nag Panchami is called 'snake day'. In some regions, live cobras are given a ceremonious bath in milk and offered rice, because it is believed that by treating them properly, one could get immunity from their bites. Women also take part in the celebrations. They would get up early in the morning, take bath and head to the nearest Snake temple, carrying pots of milk and flowers to the deity. According to the legends, if a snake drinks milk, then it is a symbol of good luck.

In many parts of Bengal, Mansa (the Queen of Snakes) is worshipped during Naga Panchami. The snake Goddess is worshipped to obtain respite from other snakes. Raw milk and five plantains are offered to the Goddess, by her devotees. Generally, women are the followers of Goddess Manasa. The tradition of worshipping Goddess Manasa is still prevalent in some parts of Bengal. Another tradition associated with the celebration of Nag Panchami is smearing of red sandalwood paste on wooden boards and clay images of snakes. The images would be colored in usually yellow or black. They are personified as idols of snake and worshipped on the festival.

The rituals followed in different parts of India, for Naga Panchami, are unique in their own terms. For instance, in Punjab, one can see a large dough snake being created and then paraded around the villages of the state. The parade is often accompanied by singing and dancing. The virtual snake is buried at the end of the parade, to mark the culmination of the ritual. Coming to Maharashtra, women offer milk, flowers, haldi (turmeric powder) and kumkum to the dangerous snakes that are carried by snake charmers. It is interesting, yet fearsome to see that on Naga Panchami, snake charmers carry pots containing cobras to a central temple, where they are released and worshipped.

[MysteRy]

Naga Panchami Date

Naga Panchami is a popular Hindu festival celebrated in India. It is celebrated in most of the parts of the country. However the celebrations are at its best in Bengal, Maharashtra and Southern part of the country. The tradition of worshipping snake is very long in India, even before the arrival of Aryans in India. The five Nagas that are worshipped on Nag Panchami are Ananta, Vasuki, Taxak, Karkotaka and Pingala. The Pooja of Nag Panchami is done on the similar lines in all the parts of the country. The snake god is offered milk and turmeric on this day and prayed on this day.

According to the Puranic myth, it is said that the origin of Nagas have been directly related to Brahma and that is why they are considered auspicious. It is believed that Brahma’s son Kashyapa had four wives. His first wife is the mother of all Devas, second to Garudas, third to Nagas and fourth to Daityas. The third wife of Kashyapa, who was named Kadroo gave birth to Nagas after whom the Nagas are also known as Kadrooja. They were once the rulers of nether world, the Patal Loka.

The Naga Panchami, which falls on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar (July /August according to the Gregorian calendar), is celebrated in order to commemorate the existence of the Nagas. It is said that the prominent Nagas in the Puranas that are to be worshipped are Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padma, Kanwal, Karkotak, Kalia, Aswatar, Takshak, Sankhpal, Dhritarashtra and Pingal. Though, some historians claim that these were not snakes but Naga Kings of various kingdoms which were worshipped as Gods.

The association of snakes, gods and human in Indian legends have also promoted the widespread believe of the fact that snakes have an eternal attachment with the Hindu religion. It is evident from the Hindu mythologies that how snakes have been associated with Lord Krisha, Shiva and Vishnu in various stages of their existence. The existence of snakes in the ancient Hindu puranas and texts also prove the long association of Human race and the snakes.

On the day of Naga Panchami in Shravan month, followers of Nagas worship Naga Devata (Cobras) with full devotion. They visit ttemples and snake pits and offer prayers to the snakes. Milk and silver jewelry is offered to the Cobras in order to please them and seek their protection from all evils. The devotees also observe a full day fast on this day. Swings are put up in the villages and people enjoy themselves while singing shravan songs.

Naga Panchami 2012: 24 July.

[MysteRy]

Naga Panchami Celebrations

It is on the fifth day of the bright half of the Shravan that Naga Panchami, or the festival of snakes, is celebrated in India. Snake worship, no doubt, owes its origin to man's natural fear of these reptiles. However, in Hindu culture, they own a prominent place. Hindu mythologies are filled with stories and fables about snakes, the most important being the Sheshnaga of Lord Vishnu (it is on this snake that Lord Vishnu reclines while sleeping in the sea). Thus, it is quite understandable that a festival called Naga Panchami is observed in India, in the honor of snakes, every year.

Naga Panchami is one of the most ancient fasts in India and also finds mention in the Puranas. It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk, on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their families. As per a legend, on the day of Naga Panchami, ploughing a field is forbidden.

There are a number of legends associated with Naga pancahmi. One has it that on this day, while tilling his land, a farmer accidentally killed some young serpents. The mother of these serpents took revenge by biting and killing the farmer and his family, except one daughter, who happened to be praying to the Nagas. This act of devotion resulted in the revival of the farmer and the rest of his family. Since then, Nag Panchami has been celebrated in India. It is believed that in reward for worship, snakes will never bite any member of the family.

There is yet another legend related to the festival. It goes that young Lord Krishna was playing with the other cowboys near river Yamuna, when the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. Below the tree, a terrible snake Kaliya used to live in the river. Suddenly Krishna fell from the tree into the water. The terrible snake came up with anger, but Krishna started jumping on its head. Finally, Kaliya said sorry to Lord Krishna and He forgave the snake and let it go free. Since then, on Nag Panchami day, the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated.

In India, snakes are so revered that temples have also been erected in their honor. There is a particularly famous one in Mysore, at a place called Subramania (Sheshnaga). The Naga culture was fairly widespread in India before the Aryan invasion, and continues to be an important segment of worship in certain areas. After the invasion, the Indo-Aryans incorporated the worship of snakes into Hinduism. The thousand-headed Ananta is Vishnu's couch and also holds up the earth, while snakes play an ornamental role in the case of Shiva. Naga panchami is another form of honoring the snakes.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Aarti

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm all over India. It is an important festival for the Hindus in the country. The celebrations of this festival in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are well known for their grandeur every where. The devotees of Ganesha observe a whole day fast on this occasion. People gather together for the celebration at some common place like temple or temporarily arranged Pandal to worship their deity. They also sing songs, burst crackers and dance to the tune of traditional drums. Aarti forms an important part of the Ganesh Pooja. Here we have given the lyrics of some of the popular Ganesh aarti, you can use this is the coming Ganesh Chaturthi.

Arti For Ganesha Chaturthi

Jai Ganesha Devaa

Jai ganesha jai ganesha jai ganesha devaa
Maataa jaakii paarvatii, pitaa mahaadevaa
Eka danta dayaavanta, caara bhujaa dhaarii
Maathe sinduura sohai, muuse kii savaari
Jai ganeshaa...

Andhana ko aankha deta
Korhina ko kaayaa
Baanjhana ko putra deta
Nirdhana ko maayaa
Jai ganeshaa...

Paana carhe, phuula carhe
Aura carhe mevaa
Ladduana ko bhoga lage
Santa karen sevaa
Jai ganesha...

Aarti Kare Jai Ganeshji Ki

Jai ganesh ji ki
Aarti karein hum sab ganesh ji ki

App hai swami dhukh harta
Dukhiyon ke palankarta
App hai bhagwan sukh data
Om jai jai sri gadnatha
Hum sab sharan mein hai bhagwan
O shiva gad muskhak vahan

Jai ganesh ji ki
Aarti karein hum sab ganesh ji ki

App to hai gauri nandan
App to hai maan se vandan
App to hai jansukhdayak
Kehti hai duniya Gadnayak
App ki puja ghar ghar mein
Kastnivare pal bhar mein

Jai ganesh ji ki
Aarti karein hum sab ganesh ji ki

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Ganesh Chaturthi Bhajans

Ganesha Chaturthi is an important Hindu festival in the country. It is the day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati is worshipped with immense zeal and enthusiasm. It is believed that Lord Ganesha is present on the earth to shower his devotees with blessings on this auspicious day. This day is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi. It is celebrated to commemorate the auspicious birth of Lord Ganesha. Celebrated in the month of Bhaadrapada, on the fourth day of the waxing moon period, this festival according to the Gregorian calendar falls between 20 August and 15 September. The festivals celebrated for 10 days with extreme grandeur especially in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Devotees of Ganesha gather at a common place in their community and celebrate the occasion with immense gusto. They echo of Ganesh Bhajans makes the entire atmosphere pious. We have given below few of these popular Ganesh Chaturthi Bhajans.

Lord Ganesha Bhajans

Gaja Vadana
Gaja vadana gajaanana gauri thanaya gajaanana jai jai jai gajaanana jai jai jai gajaanana devaadhi deva gajaanana gauri thanaya gajaanana

Gaja vadana shree gananatha ambika thanaya paahi prabhu ..(gaja vadana..) Siddhi vinaayaka kaivalya daatha paashaankusha dhara paahi prabhu namaami nithyam smaraami nithyam deena sharanya paahi prabhu

Ganapathi om jaya ganapathi om gajamukha varada ganapathi om mooshika vaahana gajaanana modakahastha gajaanana paramaniranjana gajaanana paada namaste gajaanana

Gauri ganesh uma ganesh parvathi nandana shree ganesh sharanam ganesh sharanam ganesh shiva nandana ganapathi ganesh

Hey shiva nandana bhava bhaya bhanjana vighna vinaashaka gajaanana gaja vadana gana naatha vishwa vandya shiva shambhu kumaara parvathi tanaya ganeshwara gana naatha shubha daatha pahi prabhu

Jai jai jai gana naayaka jai jai vighna vinaashaka jai shubha mangala daayaka vidhya buddhi pradaayaka gaja vadanaa gauri nandana (2x) gangaadhara shiva shambho nandana

Mangalam Mangalam
Mangalam mangalam ganesham mangalam mangalam - 2
Devaa... Ganpati devaa... Ganpati deva... Ganpati deva...
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 4
Vighna vinashak jan sukh dayak - 2 mangalam ganesham
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 2
Vighna vinashak jan sukh dayak - 2 mangalam ganesham
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 2

Ma ma ga ma ...

(tu hi aadi tu hi hain anth
Deva mahima teri hain anant) - 2
Gajananan bhut ganadhi devitam uma shutam shav vinash kare kam
Mangalam ganesha
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 2
Vighna vinashak jan sukh dayak - 2 mangalam ganesham
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 2

Ni sa ni sa...

(tu hi shakti tu hi vidhan
Deva tu hi ved puran) - 2
Gajananan bhut ganadhi devitam uma shutam shav vinash kare kam
Mangalam ganesha
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 2
Vighna vinashak jan sukh dayak - 2 mangalam ganesham
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 6

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Ganesh Chaturthi Date

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to honor Lord Ganesha. The festival falls in the Hindu month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). This corresponds to the month of August - September, according to the Gregorian calendar. It is believed Lord Ganesha, the Hindu elephant-deity, should be worshipped first. By doing so, all the obstacles are banished, whenever one commences something fresh and new. Therefore, people head towards Lord Ganesha temple to worship the deity, whenever they are about to undertake any new thing, say a project, business or education.

Ganesh Chaturthi commemorates the God, who is known by as many as 108 different names some of the popular names of Lord Ganesha are 'Gajanana' (Elephant faced deity), 'Ganapati' (Lord of All Ganas), 'Vinayak' (Lord of all). The festival is also called Vinayaka Chaturthi. It is believed that on the day, Lord Ganesha bestows his presence on earth to bless his devotees. The festival is celebrated with great fanfare and religious observance. People celebrated the birthday of Lord Ganesha (Ganesha Chaturthi) by dedicating the entire day to the worship of the deity.

Artistically sculpted oversized idols of Lord Ganesha are made out of clay, mud or Plaster of Paris especially for Vinayaka Chaturthi, few months prior to the festival. Huge puja pandals (canopy) are raised to offer prayers. The idol is taken out on a procession during the day, amidst a long congregation of devotees. The devotees dance to the tune of traditional drums and sing Lord Ganesha, while they take their deity on the procession. This may take almost a couple of hours, because the idol is taken to almost every street of the city, where the puja pandal is set up.

The idol of Lord Ganesha is installed at the pandal in the evening, when prayers are offered by the devotees. Bhajans are sung either by a professional troupe of musicians or by the devotees themselves. The puja culminates by an extensive aarti and feasting. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm across different parts of the country. It is one of the very important festivals in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh. Ganesh Chaturthi is the biggest festival for the Konkanis in Goa. People observe fast for the entire day and break it only after offering puja to the deity, in the evening.

Ganesh Chaturthi In 2012
In 2012, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on 19 September.

Ganesh Chaturthi Dates
2013 - Monday, 9th September
2014 - Friday, 29th August
2015 - Thursday, 17th September

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Ganesh Chaturthi Decorations

Ganesh Chaturthi is an important festival in the India. It is celebrated with extreme zeal and passion amongst the Hindus in the country. The objective of this festive celebration is to commemorate the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. This celebration was a homely affair before the year 1893 when Lokmanya Tilak made it a community festival to promote the interactions between brahmin and non-brahmin community in Maharashtra. Now, the community celebrations of this festival in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are well known for their exceptional grandeur throughout the country

The festive celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi festival goes on for ten days. It starts in the month of Bhaadrapada, on the fourth day of the waxing moon period, this festival according to the Gregorian calendar falls between 20 August and 15 September The final day of the celebration witnesses' extreme enthusiasm. The devotees of Ganesha observe a whole day fast and take out a long procession of the Lord throughout the city. During these ten days, all the devotees gather in the community Pandals for the celebration every day. The Pooja, celebrations and feasts are arranged at the Pandal for the entire ten days. People of various communities share a common platform to celebrate this festival. These Pandals are beautifully decorated and does look no less than a grand film set.

The concept of community celebrations has given way to huge grandeur in the celebrations. On this occasion, the community pandals are arranged where the ten days Pooja is carried on. This Pandal is like a temporary abode for the deity. This is also the common place for feasts and celebrations for the devotees. The Pooja is carried on in this Pandal in a very interesting way. Half the Pandal is decorated for the Pooja and half of it is arranged for sitting arrangements, get-togethers, feasting and celebrations of the devotees. The making of Pandals for the Pooja begins day before the actual Pooja starts.

The making of Pandal is also a complex and lengthy phenomenon. It is an intricate affair of arranging a beautiful and temporary shelter for ten days celebrations. The entire cost of arrangement of the Pandals is met by community donations. Making of the Pooja Pandals follows pre-decided plans that use bamboo poles, wooden planks and clothes. The use of colorful clothes and fresh flowers for ambiences enhance the beauty of the Pandal. The decorations of the Pandal are done in accordance with space available and the expected gathering.

It has now become a fashion to set Pooja Pandals through community contribution in every colony and street especially in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The trend of designer Pandals with complex lightings and intricate patterns are also in extreme demands on this occasion. Decorated by lights, flowers and several such items, the modern Pandals give a grand look. The Pandals all over the city give a mesmerizing look to the city as well as extreme enthusiasm and grandeur to the festival.