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Showing posts from August 11, 2010


Garuda and Naga – Why Garuda and Nagas (Snakes) are enemies?

Garuda, the divine eagle, is the vehicle, or Vahana , of Hindu God Vishnu. Nagas or Snakes are his permanent enemies. There is an interesting story in the Purana that explains why Garuda and snakes are enemies. Sage Kashyapa had two wives named Kadru and Vinita. Kadru gave birth to thousand snakes who are considered to be the ancestors of the Snakes on earth. Vinita gave birth to the powerful Garuda. Once Kadru and Vinita put a bet on the color of the tail of the horse Uchaishravas – a seven-headed flying horse that was obtained during the churning of ocean or Samudra Manthan. Kadru claimed the color was black and Vinita claimed it was white. The stake was whoever lost the bet will serve the other. Kadru cheated by asking her sons, the Nagas, to hang on to the tail of Uchaishravas. Thus the white tail of the divine horse turned black as the nagas hung on to them. Vinita and Garuda were thus forced to serve Kadru. They were treated badly by Kadru and her sons.

Choth Kajali Vrat

Choth Kajali Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Hindu God Shiva and is observed by some communities in Gujarat . Choth Kajali Vrat 2024 date is August 23. It is observed on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha or waning phase of moon in Shravan month in Gujarat . For some communities, this is a continuation of the Phool Kajali Vrat which is observed on the previous day. The vrat is observed for a happy and prosperous life. A unique ritual that is performed on the day is the stripping of paddy. The grains are stripped and collected on the day. A complete fast is observed on the day. Some people take a meal at night or consume dry coconut. Please note that in Shravan month there are numerous vrats dedicated to Goddess Parvati and all of them are performed for a happy and prosperous married life. Related Shravan Month In Gujarat