Hindu Blog

Durga Puja is the biggest festival dedicated Mother Durga in Hinduism. The main pujas, festivities, sacrifice and rituals are spread over five days. Durga Puja 2017 date and time is from September 26 to September 30. The Durga Puja traditionally begins on the Mahalaya in Ashwin month, a day when Chandi Stotram is recited as an invitation for Goddess Durga to descend to earth. In 2017, Mahalaya is on September 19 (in Bengali Calendars).
Durga Puja 2017 dates in India as per Bengali Calendar September 19, 2017 - Shubho Mahalaya September 26, 2017 – Maha Sashti September 27, 2017 – Maha Saptami September 28, 2017 – Maha Ashtami or Mahashtami  September 29, 2017 – Mahanabami or Mahanavami  September 30, 2017 – Vijaya Dasami or Vijayadashami Story of Durga Puja in Bengali Tradition In Bengali Tradition, Durga Puja celebrates the arrival of Goddess Durga with her children to earth. She lives along with her husband in the Kailash Mountain and annually she arrives in Ashwin month to pay a vi…

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…