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Showing posts from March 7, 2015


Hanuman and Shani – The story of why worshipping Hanuman will help in Shani Dosha or Sade Sati

There is a popular belief that worshiping Hindu God Hanuman will help in removing the hardships caused by Shani Bhagavan or Saturn. People worship Hanuman on Saturdays to remove the malefic influence of Sani in their horoscope. As per Hindu Astrology, bad positioning of Shani results in a difficult period in life. There is an interesting story regarding why worshipping Hanuman will help in overcoming Shani Dosha or Sade Sati. Ravan, the demon-king in Ramayana, had defeated all the Devas and had brought all the grahas (planets in astrology) under control. He kept all the grahas (planets) suppressed beneath his leg. Ravana was also a great astrologer. When his eldest son, Indrajit, was about to be born he forcefully kept all the grahas in the most favorable astrological position. The Demigods (Devas) were worried that if Ravana’s son was born in a favorable astrological position, he will be invincible. So the Devas asked all the grahas (planets) to move from the favorable

Sarbasammat Ekadashi in Odisha

Sarbasammat Ekadasi is observed on the 11 th day (Ekadashi) during the waxing phase of moon (Shukla Paksha or bright phase) in Phalgun month (February – March). Sarbasammat Ekadashi 2024 date is March 20. The day of great significance in Lord Vishnu and Lord Jagannath Temples in Orissa. As the Ekadasi falls on a Thursday it is considered highly auspicious. Special prayers and rituals are held in Jagannath Temples. Fasting on the day and keeping vigil at night is performed by many Hindu devotees. The day after Sarbasammat Ekadashi is the Phalgun Shukla Paksha Dwadashi and it is considered auspicious by many. The Ekadasi during Phalgun Shukla Paksha is popularly known as Amalaki Ekadasi.

Goddess Ambika

Goddess Ambika is one of manifestations of Mother Goddess Shakti. She is the divine homemaker. As Goddess Ambika, she runs the family. When Mother Goddess appeared as Goddess Parvati, she found Shiva, Her husband, to be out of the family ways. He continued to be a hermit – immersed in meditation, not bothered about the materialistic world – even after marriage. This carefree attitude of Shiva angered Goddess Parvati. But then she realized that Shiva could not be changed through anger. To make him a family man she had to run the household. Goddess Parvati then became Goddess Ambika – Goddess of household, of marriage, motherhood and family. As Goddess Ambika, she brought order in society. There was peace in universe. She was able to mollify Shiva. It must be noted that is a term used in later Vedic texts. Thus she is popular from the Vedic period. Ambika is depicted as being seated on a lion. She has three eyes and is adorned with various ornaments. Out of her four hands,