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Showing posts from July 16, 2010


Raksha Panchami 2024 date in Odisha

Raksha Panchami is dedicated to Batuk Bhairav, incarnation of Lord Shiva and also Ganesha. Raksha Panchami 2024 date is August 24. The festival is mainly dedicated to the protection of wildlife and plants and is observed on the fifth day during the Krishna paksha or waning phase of moon in Bhadrapad month. The ritual is mainly followed in some regions in Orissa. The festival is observed on the fifth day after Raksha Bandhan ritual. What do do on Raksha Panchami? On the Raksha Panchami day, paintings of Batuk Bhairav or Bhairab, Ganesh and Mahadev (Shiva) are drawn on doors of houses. Some people draw the picture of Nandi the vehicle of Lord Shiva on the back door. A prayer (invocation) to Lord Shiva is written on palm leaf and is hung on the top of the door. Along with the palm leaf, kusha grass and a small packet of rice also hung on the door. At night there is a ritual of making small offerings to wild animals and snakes.

Vittal Navratri – Shri Vithal Navratra

Vittal Navratri is observed in the Ashada month by some Hindu communities in Maharashtra . The Navratri coincides with the Pandarpur Yatra and Ashadi Ekadasi. Vittal Navratri 2024 begins on July 16. The annual Pandharpur Yatra and Ashadi Ekadashi are on July 17. Hindu God Vitthal is an incarnation of Lord Krishna and is worshipped mainly in Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka. The most famous temple dedicated to Lord Vithala is located at Pandharpur. The Bhakti cult associated with Vithal which was pioneered by Sant Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram Maharaj is responsible for numerous social changes in Maharashtra . The Navratri coincides with the Pandarpur Yatra which begins from Dehu and Alandi in Pune District, fifteen days before the Ashadi Ekadasi. Prayers and satsangs are held during the period. A major highlight during the period is the singing of bhajans. You may also like to read Story of Hindu God Vitthal