Goddess Maheshwari

Goddess Maheshwari is one among the seven mother goddesses or Sapta Matrikas. Goddess Maheshwari takes Her name from Lord Shiva (Maheshwara) and She is believed to have born from the body of Lord Shiva. She is armed with similar weapons to Shiva and has numerous other symbols and characteristics of Shiva.

Goddess Maheswari is usually depicted as having four arms two arms are in Varada Mudra (granting wishes) and one is in Abhaya Mudra (protection). Two arms are depicted as holding the Sula (lance) and Akshamala or Damaru.

The vehicle or Vahana of Goddess Maheswari is a bull.

In some very rare images, Goddess Maheshwari is depicted as having five faces.

Sometimes she is shown as having three eyes and wears a crescent moon. She is also sometimes depicted as having six hands and carries Sutra, Damaru, Sula, Ghanta and two hands are in the Varada Mudra and the Abhaya Mudra.

Annapurna Vrat – Fasting Dedicated to Goddess Annapoorna

Annapurna Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, the Hindu Goddess of food and nourishment. This vrat is observed during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month (November – December) as per traditional North Indian calendar. It begins on the fifth day of the Krishna paksha of Margashirsh month and is observed for 17 days.

Annapurna Vrata includes fasting, not eating non-vegetarian food and offering prayers and performing puja for Goddess Annapoorna. It is not a strict fasting and usually devotees eat a single meal while observing the fast. Those observing the Vrata read the Annapurna Vrat Katha.

Some people observe the fast only the Annapurna Jayanti during the Margashirsh Purnima.

Annapurna Vrat is also observed for several weeks and months by devotees. It is performed for peace and prosperity.

Annapurna puja is also observed in eastern parts of India especially in Bengal in the Chaitra month (Marh – April).

Download Bhagavad Gita in Malayalam in PDF format for free

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita in Malayalam in PDF format for free is in verse form and there is no commentary or translation to pure Malayalam used today. Please note that this is not in the paragraph format with explanations and meanings. It is Bhagavad Geeta in verse format as found in the Mahabharata.

You can download Bhagavad Gita in Malayalam in PDF format here.

Bangalore – Sabarimala 2009 – 2010 Trains – Indian Railway Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple Spiritual Tour Package

Indian Railways has launched a special spiritual tour package to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala from Bangalore. The package includes two-way reserved second-class train tickets to Kottayam Railway Station and road transport from Kottayam to Pampa, a visit to Erumely and dormitory accommodation at Sannidanam near the temple.

The four-day pilgrimage to Sabarimala from Bangalore will cost Rs 1,950 for an adult and Rs 1,550 for a child less than 11 years old. The cost does not include the cost of food and transport from Pampa and Nilakal and back.

Tour Dates:
From Bangalore at 21:45 Hrs by 6526 Kanyakumari Express

November 2009 – November 29 and November 30
December 2009 – December 1 to December 10; December 12 to 17; December 21 and December 29
January 2010 – January 3 to January 9.

The Tour

Day 1 - Departure from Bangalore by Train No. 6526 at 21:45 Hrs. Overnight journey

Day 2 - Morning 11:25 Hrs arrival at Kottayam Railway Station. Pick up from station and transfer by road to Pamba. Fresh up enroute and later visit Erumely. 16:30 Hrs Arrival at Pamba. Nilakkal to Pamba by Govt bus on own expense. Proceed to Sabarimala (Sannidanam). Overnight stay.

Day 3 - 04:00 Hrs Morning Abhishekham
07:00 Hrs Depart to Pamba
1000 Hrs Arrival at Pamba
Pamba to Nilakkal by Govt Bus by own means.
11:00 Hrs Departure from Nilakkal.
16:00 Hrs drop at Kottayam Railway Station.
16.25 Hrs Departure to Bangalore by Train No. 6525

You can find more details about the Tour and book tickets online here at the official Railway Tourism Website.

Surya Grahan in India in January 2010 – Surya Grahanam Time – partial Solar Eclipse

A partial solar eclipse, Surya Grahan, will be visible in India on January 15, 2010. According to NASA, the solar eclipse on 2010 January 15 is an Annular Eclipse. In India, it will be visible from 11:25 hrs to 15:15 hrs (Indian Standard Time) on January 26, 2009. The Surya grahanam will be visible in most of Africa, India, Dubai, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and parts of China. As per traditional Hindu calendar, January 15 is an Amavasi Day.

In India, the grahan on January 15, 2010 passes between the southern tip of India and northern Sri Lanka. Both regions lie within the path where maximum annularity lasts for 10 minutes 15 seconds. Maximum grahan will be visible in Trivandrum and other regions in south Kerala, Tirunellveli, Madurai, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam.

The annular solar eclipse will be visible in places around world in the below map provided by NASA

click on the image for a larger view

All Hindu temples remain closed during Surya Grahan and will reopen only after the Grahan is over and after conducting special pujas and rituals. On the day, Hindus also take holy dip in holy rivers like Ganga and also at Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra.

Usually, religious Hindus do not perform any work during Surya Grahan and they purify themselves by taking a bath and chant the Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna and Mahamritunjaya mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva. Ashtakshara mantra is ‘Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.’

Caution: During Surya Grahan, there are also some elements in society who take undue advantage of innocent Hindus in the name of astrology and various doshas on horoscope. Ancient Hindu saints only talk about the physical harm Surya Grahanam can create on human beings. Put the thinking cap and keep out unwanted elements who try to take undue advantage during such occasions. The only aim of such people is money.

Shakambari Navratri 2009 Dates - Goddess Shakambari Devi Navaratri

Shakambari Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shakambhari Mata – who is the bearer of greens or the Goddess who feeds the hungry with vegetables. Shakambari Navratri 2009 is observed for nine days and is from December 25 to December 31. This nine day festival is observed in the Paush month or Pushya Month (December – January) and ends on the Purnima day in the month with Shakambari Jayanti.

Legend has it that Goddess Shakambari is an incarnation of Goddess Durga. She appeared as Shakambari after a dry period of hundred years. She brought forth from her body fruits, flowers, vegetables and herbs to suffice the hunger of the people. This legend is mentioned in Devi Mahatmya.

Shakambari Navratri is an important festival and ritual in many parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

In Karnataka, she is known as Goddess Banashankari and Banada Ashtami is a major event during Shakambari Mata Navratra.

Dhanu Rashi December 2009 – Sagittarius Astrology Predictions

People born under Dhanu Rashi will have a slightly difficult period during December 2009 – mainly finance related. You will be forced to involve unnecessarily in matters that does not concern you. There will be delay in new job opportunities. Students will have a good month. There will be rise in expenditure.

Some professionals might have a strong temptation to quit job and start own business or do freelancing – in this matter it would not be wise to take a harsh decision without doing proper homework. Some of you will be appreciated for an earlier effort. Avoid giving opinions in matters that are not of your concern. Some professionals and business people might have a tight schedule during the first fortnight. Business people will have a stagnant period. Some business people will have the opportunity for expansion related activities.

There will be some serious financial trouble. Some of you will get into legal fight for ancestral property. Financial losses for some. Not a good period to think about investments. Not a good month to think about new purchases for home or vehicle.

Some people might have disputes in the family. There will be strong difference of opinion with a close family member. Those looking to get married will get positive feedbacks. Children will bring happiness and face to some.

There will be some general health related issues in the family.

(This monthly astrological prediction is specifically prepared for this blog by a professional astrologer. The blog only translated it from the regional language into English and we are not astrologers.)

Please note that Astrological predictions should not be your guide in life. Belief in that supreme power plus determination, hard work and trust in your abilities can override any prediction.

Swami Tapovan – Words of Wisdom

What makes an action good or bad is the absence or presence of selfishness. Selfishness makes an action sinful and impure.

If one has no selfish consideration or motive for his action why should he be affected by its success or failure? Why should he be anxious about its outcome?

Leave off all selfish thought that defiles the mind; make the mind still and fix it upon the feet of God; sit in a steady posture as far and as long as possible and worship Him regularly; be like children living in the present worrying little about the past or the future; convince yourself by proper thought it is peace of mind that is the highest pleasure, not even the status of Indra (the king of Demigods).

A life of that kind is the true spiritual life; blessed and blissful it is coveted even by Indra.

Swami Tapovan

Crocodile in Hinduism – Makara as Vahana or Vehicle – Famous incidents involving Crocodiles in Hindu Scriptures

Crocodile or Makara is of great significance in Hinduism and plays an important role in many famous incidents mentioned in Hindu scriptures. The Vehicle or Vahana of Goddess Ganga is a crocodile or Makara and She is believed to travel from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal atop a crocodile. The Hindu rain-god Varuna also rides on Makara. Varuna is also the god of the oceans and seas. The God of Love (Kamadeva) has crocodile as his emblem and Rati his wife carries it with her. Kamadeva and Rati are also depicted riding the Crocodile.

The most popular incident involving a crocodile in Hindu Scriptures is the Gajendra Moksha. Gajendra, a proud elephant, is pulled into the river by a demon in the guise of a crocodile and he tries to escape from it and the struggle continues for several years and finally the elephant prays to Lord Vishnu and the Lord arrives on the scene and rescues the elephant.

Another popular instance of crocodile intervention is in the life of Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankara wanted to become a Sanyasi but his mother was dead against it.

One day, while bathing in the Periyar River near his house in Kaladi in Kerala, a young Shankaracharya was attacked by a crocodile.

His mother was unable to save him and therefore Shankara asked her to give him the permission to renounce the world so that he can be a Sanyasi at the time of his death. Left with no other option, she agreed to it. Shankaracharya recited the mantras of renunciation and immediately, the crocodile left him. After this episode Shankaracharya’s mother gave him the permission to take up Sanyasa.

Another two instances of crocodile in Hindu Scriptures is the incidents involving Lord Hanuman. Once Lord Hanuman was bathing in a lake in the Himalayas and all of a sudden a huge crocodile clasps his legs. With great difficulty he drags the animal out of water. The animal turns itself into a beautiful damsel and proclaims that because of Daksha's curse she became a crocodile and it is Hanuman's contact that revoked the curse.

Similarly, when Hanuman was returning from Lanka his perspiration fell in the mouth of a Nakshtra and she gave birth to Makara Dhwaja.

Grah Pravesh Dates 2010 - Hindu Auspicious Days in 2010 for Moving Into New House

Grah Pravesh, also known as housewarming, is an important ceremony for a devout Hindu. Below are the Grah Pravesh dates for 2010 based on Panchangs and Hindu calendars. The auspicious time for Grih or Gruh Pravesh is also known as Vastu Muhurt or Muhurat. Majority of the Hindus select an auspicious time and date based on Hindu astrology for moving into a new house.

Please note that this article is only meant to give a general idea regarding the available dates for Grah Pravesh in 2010. There will be regional variations and sometimes the entire period in a mentioned day might not be suitable for the housewarming ceremony.

All dates based on Indian Standard Time

January 2010 – there are no auspicious dates for Grah Pravesh as there is a Shukra lop.

February 2010 – no auspicious dates due to Shukra Lop

March 2010 – no auspicious dates for house warming due to Shukra lop

April 2010 – no auspicious dates due to Shukra lop and Adhik Maas.

May 2010 – There are no auspicious dates in the first fortnight due to Adhik Maas. The dates for Grah Pravesh in the second fortnight of May 2010 are May 15, May 19, May 24 and May 29.

June 2010 – The auspicious dates for Grah Pravesh in June 2010 are June 2, June 4, June 9, June 14, June 24, June 26 and June 28.

July 2010 – Grah Pravesh or housewarming dates are July 1, July 2, July 5 and July 9.

August 2010 – Grah Pravesh dates are August 14, August 19, August 25, August 27 and August 30.

September 2010 - Auspicious dates for Grah Pravesh in September 2010 are September 1, September 2 and September 3.

October 2010 – There are no auspicious dates due to Shradh Paksha.

November 2010 – Grah Pravesh dates are November 8, November 12, November 13, November 18, November 22 and November 26.

December 2010 - Grah Pravesh or housewarming dates are December 2, December 11, December 15 and December 27.