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Showing posts from October 9, 2013


Durga Puja and Prostitutes – Why Mud from Sex Workers Homes is collected During Durga Puja?

Goddess Durga Murti (idol) made during Durga Puja is incomplete without the soil from the house of a sex worker. The belief is that the soil should be begged for and received from a prostitute’s hand as a gift or blessing. The soil is then used in the preparation of Goddess Durga Murti which is worshipped during Durga Puja. But why mud from sex workers homes is collected during Durga Puja? The mud is collected because those people who visit the prostitutes for sex leave their purity and virtue outside the door thus making the soil in front of the home of a prostitute virtuous. The soil is known as ‘punya mati’ and the place where a prostitute resides is known as ‘nishiddho pallis’ in Bengali meaning forbidden territories. The mud is collected by the person who makes the idol a month earlier before the Durga Puja festivities begin. The belief is that Goddess Durga would be displeased if those who worship Her do not take the blessings of the prostitutes. This custom

Mesha Rasi Yantra – Yantra for Prayers and Worship for Mesha Rashi

Mesha Rashi people might face difficulties due to the bad position of Mangal Grah. The solution to it is the worship of a Shanti Yantra associated with the Rasi. Yantra suggested for Mesha Rashi born people is the Mangal Yantra. Daily prayers should be offered to it. Due to the bad influence of Mangal, Mesha Rashi people might face small accidents, heart ailments, poison related problems and might get bitten by venomous animals or reptiles. The solution suggested in astrology is the worship of Mangal Yantra. A Mesha Rashi born person can worship the Yantra at home or in any place the person resides.

Katyayani Devi - Goddess Katyayani Mata

Katyayani Devi is one of the popular forms of Goddess Durga and she is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri in many regions. She got the name Katyayani as she was born in the Katya clan as the daughter of Sage Katya. A popular Vrata known as Sri Katyayani Vrat is observed by women to get ideal husbands in the month of Margshirsha. She is one of the nine Durgas or Nav Durgas worshipped during Navaratri. Details about Katyayani Devi are found in the Matsya Purana, Agni Purana and Vamana Purana. Katyayani Devi was a popular deity during the period of Hindu God Krishna. She was worshipped by Gopis and Gopas in Gokula. An image of Sri Katyayani Devi used to be made using the clay and mud from the Yamuna River and was worshipped for a month. This was known as Katyayani Vrata. At the end of the month, the idol is immersed in Yamuna. Such a Vrata is performed in Tamil culture known as Margali Nombu in Margazhi month. Katyayani Devi is depicted as having four