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Showing posts from September 14, 2009


Ramnagar Ramlila – A Ramleela Tradition Started in 1830

Ramleela is the theater presentation of the epic Ramayana - the story of Lord Rama as told in 'Ramcharitmanas' by Goswami Tulsidas. Ramlila play is often staged over ten or more successive nights, especially during the Dasara festival period. The Ramlila staging at Ramnagar in Uttar Pradesh is unique as it is held in multiple stages spread over several square kilometers. Various places in Ramnagar town become places in the epic - 'Ayodhya,' 'Janakpuri', 'Panchvati' and 'Lanka' – and sometimes viewers are part of the drama. Ramnagar Ramleela begins on the occasion of 'Anant Chaturdashi' lasts for a month and ends on 'Sharad Purnima' day. Electric lights, microphones and loudspeakers are not used in Ramnagar Ramleela and attract more 20,000 people daily. Ramnagar is around 15 km from Varanasi (Kashi) and the Ramleela here was started in 1830 by then ruler of Kashi Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh and it flourished with th

Yathi Mahalaya or Yati Dwadashi

Yathi Mahalaya is observed during Pitru Paksha on Bhadrapada Bahula Dwadashi is meant for Yathigalu. In 2024, Yathi Mahalaya is on September 29. On this day, Hastodaka will be given to all the Yathigalu who have entered Vrundavana. On this day, Pitru Paksha Shradh is not to be done for other forefathers. (Please note this custom is more famous in South India especially with some Hindu communities in Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh). We have to do Yathi Dwadashi shraddha to get ourselves free from Yathi Runa that is why it is called as ‘Yathi Dwadashi’. These yathigalu having prepared so many shastra granthas, vyaakhyaa, Teeka granthas has helped us a lot in learning ancient granthas. So, we have Runa to them – yathi runa. That is why we have to Yati Mahalaya. This shradha is to be done by Yathiputras only. Who are yathiputraas? – Those who have Grantha/Shastra Runa from the yathigalu are termed as “Yathiputraas.” Yathi Shraddha does not mean that

Indira Ekadasi Vrat Katha – The story of Indira Ekadashi Fasting

Indira Ekadasi is observed during the waning phase of moon in the month of September/October. The Indira Ekadasi Vrat Katha is mentioned in the Brahmavaivarta Purana. The story of this Ekadashi fasting was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna. This Ekadasi falls during the Pitru Paksha Shradh period and therefore observing it is considered apt for redemption of sins of one’s own and that of forefathers. Once there lived a powerful, honest and popular king named Indrasena. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Once Sage Narada visited King Indrasena and mentioned about his visit to the abode of Lord Yama, the Hindu God of death. At the abode of Lord Yama, Sage Narada found the father of King Indrasena. He had not got moksha and was living in the house of Yamraj. The father of Indrasena asked Sage Narada to ask his son to observe Indira Ekadasi so that he will escape from the house of Yama and attain Moksha and reach the feet of Lord Vishnu. Indrasena immediately ag

Teachings from Saubhagya Lakshmi Upanishad

Saubhagya Lakshmi Upanishad is one of the minor Upanishads and is part of the Rig Veda. Here are few teachings from this Upanishad. Identifying the finite with the infinite, The fragments with the Whole, one meditates On the vast Source; thus fulfilment found One becomes immortal. Just as when salt mixes with water, it takes up the form of water, in the same way Samadhi (trance) means the mind merging into the cosmic soul (God). When a living being’s material desires come to an end, and the living being and God march in one direction, that state is called Samadhi (trance). Samadhi is that balanced state of the soul wherein one’s agitations are nullified. Saubhagya Lakshmi Upanishad