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Showing posts from December 25, 2015


Goddess Kajala – About Kajala Devi

Goddess Kajala is one of the names of Vindhyavasini Devi who is worshipped in the famous Vindyavaini Temple in Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. It is said that she appeared on the earth during the Kajali night and hence her name Kajala Devi. The famous Kajari Teej is observed on the day. As per Vindhyanchal Mahima, this is the original home of Mother Goddess Adi Shakti. She as  Yoga Maya  appears in all animate and inanimate. She protects those that follow Dharma and she annihilates those that follow Adharma. This form of Mother Goddess is worshipped only at Vindhyanchal region in Uttar Pradesh. Kajali Geet that is sung here is a favorite of the Goddess. The main festival dedicated to her is observed on Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Dwitiya and Tritiya Tithi – the second and third day during the waxing phase of moon in Bhadra month. Special musical nights and all night jagran are observed in the Vindyavaini Temple in Mirzapur on the day.

Bodgeshwar Jatra Festival at Mapusa in Goa

Bodgeshwar Jatra Festival at Mapusa is observed in Paush month. It is the annual jatra and festival at the Mapusa Bodgeshwar Temple in Goa. This annual yatra which also includes a small fair attracts hundreds of devotees. Bodgeshwar Jatra Festival 2025 date is from January 11 to January 13. Bodgeshwar is also known as Kanakeshwar Baba or Bongini. He is a wish fulfilling deity. The shrine and its premises are beautifully decorated during the period with flowers, lamps and lights. Unique rituals which are held only during special location are performed on the day. Bodgeshwar Jatra Festival is observed from Paush Shukla Paksha Trayodashi tithi to Purnima tithi or the thirteenth day to full moon day in Paush month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Goa.

Sharana Mela at Kudala Sangama in January – Basava Kranti Day

Sharana Mela is observed at Koodala Sangama every year from January 11 to January 15. It coincides with the Basava Kranti day which is observed annually on Makar Sankranti day. More than one hundred thousand people participate in the annual congregation. Basavanna, or Basaveswara, founder and first saint of Lingayath sect left his body through icchamarana (death at will by yogic way) and became one with that absolute reality at Kudala Sangama. Basavanna is believed to have merged with the Supreme Truth on Makar Sankranti day. People offer prayers and recite Vachanas on the day. Satsang, prayer meetings and philosophical discussion take place during the period.

Shri Jagatguru Anandmurti Janmotsav at Ratnagiri - Jagatguru Anandmurti Birth Anniversary Celebrations

Shri Jagat Guru Anandmurti Janmotsav is observed in Margashirsh month. It is the birth anniversary celebrations of Jagadguru Anandmurti. The main festival and programs are organized at the Anandmurti Temple located here. Shri Jagat Guru Anandmurti Janmotsav 2024 date is December 25. Followers of Anandmurti Maharaj organize various spiritual programs on the day. Charity, satsang and various prayer meetings are organized. Shri Jagat Guru Anandmurti Janmotsav is annually observed on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Dasami Tithi or the tenth day during the waning phase of moon in Margashirsh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Shantadurga Chamundeshwari Kudtari Mahamaya Jatra Festival at Ghudo-Avedem in Goa

Shantadurga Chamundeshwari Kudtari Mahamaya Jatra festival at Ghudo-Avedem is observed in Paush month. It is the annual jatra and festival at the Shantadurga Chamundeshwari Temple at Ghudo-Avedem in Quepem in Goa. This annual yatra which also includes a small fair attracts hundreds of devotees. Shantadurga Chamundeshwari Kudtari Mahamaya Jatra utsav 2025 date is from January 11 to January 13. The shrine and its premises are beautifully decorated during the period with flowers, lamps and lights. Unique rituals which are held only during special location are performed on the day. Ghudo-Avedem Shantadurga Chamundeshwari Kudtari Mahamaya Jatra is observed from Paush Shukla Paksha Trayodashi tithi to Purnima tithi or the thirteenth day to full moon day in Paush month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Goa.

Cawra Cawry Puja Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi – Cowra Cowrie Ceremony

Cawra Cawry puja and ritual is a unique ceremony dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and is observed during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Phalgun (February), Vaishakh (April), Ashwin (October) and Margashirsh (December). The ritual is observed on Sundays and Thursdays in the above months. It must be noted that Thursday is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi in many regions and special rituals are observed on the day in certain months. Cowrie, or Cawry, shells are used in the worship of Goddess Lakshmi during the ceremony. During the puja Goddess Lakshmi is invoked on a copper plate and the plate is placed on a three-legged brass utensil. Cawra Cawry puja is performed for the welfare and prosperity of the family.

Goddess Sunanda

Goddess Sunanda is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. She is believed to have appeared from the body part of Sati that fell on earth after the famous episode of Shiva carrying the body of Sati around the universe and Vishnu cutting it with his Sudharshana Chakra to save the world from annihilation. Goddess Sunanda appeared where the nose of Goddess Sati fell on earth. The Shaktipeetah associated with Goddess Sunanda is located in Bangladesh. Lord Shiva resides in the form of Triambak with Goddess Sunanda.

Humnabad Veerabhadra Yatra – Jatra and Festival at Veerabhadreshwara Temple

Humnabad Veerabhadra yatra is annually held in Paush month. This is the most important fair and festival at Veerabhadreshwara Temple in Humnabad town in Bidar District, Karnataka. Hundreds of people participate in the annual jatra. Humnabad Veerabhadra Yatra 2025 date is January 15. Veerabhadra Temple here attracts devotees even from distant places. The shrine is dedicated to Veerabhadra, also known as Veerabhadra Swamy, who is one of the Shiva Ganas. The annual festival is noted for various unique rituals which are closely linked to agrarian economy of the region. Humnabad Veerabhadra Yatra is observed on Paush Krishna Paksha Dwitiya Tithi or the second day during the waning phase of moon in Paush month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Discourse on Arudhra Darshan by Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal

Arudhra Darshan, also known as Ardra festival, is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Shiva in Tamil Calendar and it celebrates ‘the cosmic dance’ of Lord Shiva as Nataraja. Here is a wonderful discourse on Arudhra Darshan by Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal (who is also known as Paramacharya, Mahaswami or Maha Periyavar). The discourse is in Tamil.

Supreme State Arises On The Death Of The Ego – Ramana Maharshi

Ramana Maharshi points out that a person can achieve supreme state only after the death of the ego. If during this quest of one’s own Self, the mind turns outwards, due to attachment to sense objects, the seeker should turn it inwards again by merging the world in the Self. Just as waves, foam, etc., are only the ocean, and as the dream-world is only the seer of the dream, and nothing else, so the whole world is only myself and nothing else.’ This view is the merging of the world in the Self. If during the quest of one’s own Self the mind turns outwards on account of its attachment to objects of perception, the seeker should turn it inwards again. He should bring the mind back again and again and re-engage it in the quest. There must be a resolve to become aware of the truth of oneself by means of the question, ‘Who is he that has this attachment to objects of perception?’ The aspirant for deliverance must be full of enthusiasm, with his mind in the sattvic mood. He s