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Showing posts from December 5, 2014


Panchadeva Puja in Hindu Religion – Worship of Five Gods

Panchadeva puja is the worship of five gods in Hinduism. The five deities worshipped are Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva, Goddess Durga, and Surya. The worship is also referred as Panchayatana puja. In ancient times, this kind of puja was very popular only in some regions and also among some sects especially the Smarta sect. But today majority of the Hindus knowingly or unknowingly perform Panchadeva Puja. Hindus begin by offering prayers to Ganesha. Morning prayers are dedicated to Surya – the rising sun – which is also referred as the Pratyaksha Brahman or visible God. Then puja is offered to Vishnu, Shiva and Mother Goddess. It must be noted here that in earlier times people who performed the Panchadeva Puja were those who were not aligned with Vaishnava or Shaiva sect.

Dhunda Maharaj Deglurkar Punyatithi at Pandharpur in Maharashtra

Dhunda Maharaj Deglurkar was a saint and exponent of Marathi Kirtan dedicated to Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur in Maharashtra . His Punyatithi or death anniversary is annually observed in Paush Month. Dhunda Maharaj Deglurkar Punyatithi 2025 date is January 18. Dhunda Maharaj Deglurkar was a great singer of the Varkari Kirtan. He spread the glory of Lord Vitthal by sing the poems of Sant Nivruttinath, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sopandev, Muktabai, Sant Eknath, Sant Namdev, and Tukaram Maharaj. Special programs are organized on the day at Pandharpur. Dhunda Maharaj Deglurkar Punyatithi is annually held on Paush Krishna Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waning phase of moon as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .

Janani Devi Yatra at Devsare near Mahabaleshwar - Janani Devi Temple Festival and Jatra

The annual Janani Devi Yatra at Devsare is held in Paush month. The festival or Jatra is dedicated to Goddess Janani Devi and attracts scores of devotees. Janani Devi Yatra 2025 date is January 20. Devsare is located near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra . The fair and festival in honor of Goddess Janani Devi is famous for the annual jatra in which the murti of Goddess is taken out on the day. Janani Devi Yatra is annually held on Paush Krishna Paksha Sashti tithi or the sixth day during the waning phase of moon as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra . 

Balchandra Maharaj Jayanti at Kankavali in Sindhudurg District in Maharashtra

Balchandra Maharaj was a great saint in the Bhakti tradition in Maharashtra . His Jayanti or birth anniversary is annually observed in Paush Month. Bhalchandra Maharaj Jayanti 2025 date is January 20. The day is of great significance at Kankavli in Sindhudurg District in Maharashtra . The day is of importance at the Bhalchandra Maharaj Ashram or Math at Kankavali. Special prayer meeting and philanthropic activities are organized on the day. The palki of the great saint is taken around on the day. Bhalchandra Maharaj Jayanti is annually held on Paush Krishna Paksha Sashti tithi or the sixth day during the waning phase of moon as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .

Katradevi Yatra at Sagve near Rajapur in Maharashtra – Katra Devi Jatra and Festival

The annual Katradevi Yatra at Sagve is held in Paush month. The festival or Jatra is dedicated to Goddess Katra Devi attracts scores of devotees. Katradevi Yatra 2025 date is January 21. Sagve village is located near Rajapur in Ratnagiri District in Maharashtra . Sagwe is located around 30 km west of Rajapur. The fair and festival in honor of Goddess Katra Devi is unique to the region. The murti of Goddess is taken out on the day. Goddess Katra Devi is the kuldevi or family deity of many old families in the region. The temple is decorated with lamps and lights for the occasion. A fair is organized during the period. Katradevi Yatra is annually held on Paush Krishna paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day during the waning phase of moon as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra . 

Yellamma Devi Yatra at Manerajuri near Sangli in Maharashtra

The annual Yellamma Devi Yatra at Manerajuri is held in Paush month. The festival dedicated to Goddess Yellamma Devi attracts more 10,000 devotees. Yellamma Devi Yatra 2025 date is January 21. Manerajuri is located on Sangli – Atpadi Road in Maharashtra . The temple is located around 12 km from Tasgaon. The annual yatra is also noted for a fair. The ritual involves journey to the shrine and palki yatra. Yellamma Devi Yatra is annually held on Paush Krishna paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day during the waning phase of moon as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra . 

Book – Duryodhana – Mahabharata from Duryodhana’s Perspective

Book titled ‘Duryodhana’ is written by V Raghunathan and is published by Harper Collins India . The book attempts look at the incidents in the Mahabharata from the perspective of Duryodhana – the leader of the Kauravas and the main villain in the original. The book is an eclectic mix of imagination and the real Mahabharata. The author uses his freedom to make us believe that there is a different angle to some of the important incidents in the Mahabharata. The Hindu reports  To the question regarding his choice of Duryodhana as a central character, Raghunathan said unlike Karna, Bhima, Yudhishtir and Draupadi, Duryodhana’s point of view has hardly been considered.  “History, they say, is written by victors. I am usually on the side of the underdog. Duryodhana has been painted a darker shade of grey. Karna, for example, is a tragic hero, but Duryodhana is seen only as a villain.”  “Twenty five per cent of the book is a figment of my imagination, I wondered, why not plant d