Hindu Blog

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most colorful and widely celebrated festivals in India. Large number of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi poojas at home. Here is an explanation on how to perform Ganesha puja at home as mentioned in Hindu scriptures.
Ganesha puja on the Chaturthi day is usually performed at noon but nowadays people perform it when all the family members are present.

Requirements A Clay image of Lord Ganesha.Red flowersDruva Grass bladesModak (jaggery filled sweet)CoconutRed chandan (Sandalwood paste)Incense and agarbathisThe Puja First clean the house and take a bath.A Clay image of Lord Ganesha is installed in a raised platform.Pray to Lord Ganesh and you can recite mantras or bhajans dedicated to Lord Ganesha.Next step is to invoke Ganesha into the image. This is known as pran-prathishta. The Pran Prathista mantra in Sanskrit to be invoked is found in the Rig Veda and is part of Ganesh Suktha. ganananh tva ganapatim havamahe kavim kavinam - upamash…

Bail Pola festival is dedicated to the cows and ox and is observed mainly in Maharashtra and surrounding regions on the Shravan Amavasi (no moon day in Sawan month). Bail Pola 2017 date is August 21. Farmers pay respect to bullocks and cows on the day as cattle is their main source of livelihood. Bail in Marathi means 'Bull.'

Note - the Festival is also observed on Bhadrapad Purnima in some regions in Maharashtra.

The ritual is also known as Vrishabha Pujan.
The day before Bail Pola Amavasi, the rope tied on the ox is removed and turmeric paste and oil is applied to the body of cow, , ox and bullocks.
On the Bail Pola day, cattle are bathed and special food prepared like Puran Poli, Kichadi and Bajari are provided to them.



The animals are also adorned with various ornaments and clothes. Their horns are given a fresh coat of paint.

The bull is also worshipped on the day and villagers in large numbers gather to pay their respect. The animals are taken around the village in proc…

In Kali Yuga, wealth is everything for many people. So Goddess Lakshmi is widely worshipped, as she is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. But Goddess Lakshmi is Chanchala – volatile and unstable. She does not reside in a place for long period. If we want to have constant blessings of the Goddess then we need to worship her along with Narayana.

Worship Lakshmi Narayana not Lakshmi Alone.

Narayana, Lord Vishnu, is the embodiment of virtues. Wealth without values is like being on a boat with a hole in the middle of sea. Virtues, values ad inner goodness is what keeps our lifeboat steady in the rough sea of life.

Lakshmi feels lonely when Narayana is not around and is sure to leave and go in search of her consort.

But if a person follows Dharma, then Narayana is always present with him. He himself has told in the Bhagavad Gita that he takes numerous avatars to protect those that follow the Dharma.

The problem of Kali Yuga is that we try to imprison Goddess Lakshmi forcibly through …

Tithi in Hindu Calendar, Today, on Saturday, August 19, 2017 – Krishna Paksha Dwadasi and Trayodasi Tithi or the twelfth and thirteenth day during the waning phase of moon inHindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Dwadasi Tithi or the twelfth day during the waning phase of moon till 5:47 AM on August 19. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Trayodasi Tithi or the thirteenth day during the waning phase of moon till 3:33 AM on August 20.All time based on India Standard Time.
How is August 19, 2017, as per Hindu Panchang? – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day. Nakshatra – Punarvasu or Punirtham Nakshatra till 7:01 PM on August 19. Then onward it is Pushya or Poosam or Pooyam Nakshatram till 5:42 PM on August 20.
In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and south Rajasthan), Punarvasu or Punirtham Nakshatra till 7:09 PM on August 19. Then onward it is Pushya or Poosam or Pooyam Nakshatram till 5:23 PM on August 20.
Rashi or Moon Sign – Mi…