Hindu Blog

Food offering, known as bhog, prasad, or naivedya, is an essential part of Navratri vrat and festival. The fourth day Navratri bhog is offered to Goddess Kushmanda. The food that is offered on day four of Navratri is malpua.

If malpua is offered, then the person will get relief from diseases and problems in life with the blessing of Maa Kushmanda. Mother also blesses a devotee with strength, fame, and long life.

Malpua is a small pancake made with Khoya and all-purpose flour. It is then fried in oil, dunked in sugar syrup, and garnished with dry fruits and offered to Goddess Kushmanda on the fourth day.

Related Navratri Day 4 Mantra The fourth day of Navratri Dedicated to Goddess Khushmanda

You must have noted that murtis (idols) of Shrinathji and Jagannath having big eyes. Several murtis (pindis) of Mother Goddess Shakti also have eyes that are not proportionate to main idol. So why do idols of certain Hindu Gods have big eyes?

Vedas (especially Upanishads) teach us about self-realization through contemplation. A person realizes that he/she is the supreme truth through wisdom, knowledge and contemplation. But common man was not able to digest this form of worship. He needed a form. Thus Puranas, which were composed several years after the Vedas, gave importance to the concept of murti worship. External worship became more important.

Puranas gave murti or idol form to that Supreme Truth. Murtis came into being depending on the way in which devotees wanted to see God. Thus we have big eyes for certain murtis worshipped in Hindu temples.

Big eyes symbolically represent the all-seeing Supreme Truth. The God with the big eyes sees everything. Nothing escapes the gaze of Go…

Tithi in Hindu Calendar, Today, on Friday, September 22, 2017 – Shukla Paksha Dwitiya Tithi or the second day during the waxing phase of moon inHindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Dwitiya Tithi or the second day during the waxing phase of moon till 10:06 AM on September 22.Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Tritiya Tithi or the third day during the waxing phase of moon till 10:46 AM on September 23.All time based on India Standard Time.
How is September 22, 2017, as per Hindu Panchang? – Good and auspicious time on the entire day. Nakshatra – Hasta or Atham or Hastam Nakshatra till 12:08 AM on September 22. Then onward it is Chitra or Chithirai or Chithira Nakshatram till 1:13 AM on September 23
In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and south Rajasthan), Chitra or Chithirai or Chithira Nakshatram on the entire day on Sept 22 and till 12:38 AM on September 23.
Rashi or Moon Sign – Kanya Rashi till 12:40 PM on September 22. Then onward it is Tula R…

Ayudha Puja is observed on the ninth day of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Ashwin month during Durga Puja and Navratri. In Tamil Nadu, Ayuda Pooja is in Puratasi month and in Kerala it is in the Kanni month. Ayudha Pooja 2017 date is September 29. Literally, Ayudha Puja means the worship of weapons. On the day, books, tools, and objects used for making a living are worshipped and ritual purification is performed. The day is also known as Shastra Puja.
Legend has it that the weapons used by Goddess Durga were worshipped on the day. The day is known as Astra Puja in Bengal and is observed on Durga Ashtami day.

Goddess Durga carries numerous weapons which were given to her by various male deities. Therefore there is a belief that the weapons carried by Durga represent the various forces in Nature – Durga’s energy rests in these weapons. Reason for observing Ayudha Pooja It is believed that after the killing of Mahishasura and other demons, Mother Goddess found that there was no …