--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from June 21, 2014


Gayatri Navratri

Gayatri Navratri, or Maa Shakambari Devi Navratri, is observed during the Ashada or Ashara Month (June – July). In 2024, Gayatri Navratri festival begins on July 6 and ends on July 15. This Navratri is popularly known as Gupt Navratri or Ashada Navratri. The nine-days are dedicated to the worship of the various forms of Goddess Shakti. Ashada Navratri is mainly dedicated to the worship of Goddess Varahi, one of the Sapta Matrikas (Seven Mothers). This Navratri festival is more popular in  North India  and in certain parts of Andhra Pradesh. Goddess Gayatri is also worshipped during this Navratri. But she is not worshipped during the Sharan Navratri (September/October). Ashada Navratri is celebrated as Guhya Navratri in Himachal Pradesh.  The nine-day festival of Ashada Navratri is of importance at the  Kanaka   Durga   Temple  in  Vijayawada  and in the  Bhadrakali   Temple  in  Warangal . The festival here is known as the Shakambari Navratri.

Five Jagannath Murtis (Idols) Worshipped in Puri Jagannath Temple

In the Puri Jagannath Temple there are five Jagannath Murtis (or idols) that are worshipped. The main murti is found in the Ratnavedi in the main sanctum sanctorum at Puri Jagannath temple. There are four other Murti worshipped in the Jagannath temple. Two of the murtis are found in the inner compound of the main temple and two are found in the outer compound. All the four murtis have a story, history and religious reason for being in the temple. Patitapaban Jagannath – This murti is found in the entrance – Simhadwar – of the temple. This murti is for all those people who cannot enter the main temple due to various reasons. Tirtheswar of Puri – This murti is found in the western part of the main temple. The temple is known as Charidham Mandir or Rameswar Mandir. The murti here is the representation of murtis worshipped at Badrinath, Rameshwar and Dwaraka. Worshipping the four together is equal to visiting the four dhams. Neelamadhab – This murti is located in th