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Showing posts from July 23, 2014


Shiva Chaturdashi in Shravan Month

Shiva Chaturdashi in Shravan Month is of great importance in North India . It is also referred as the Shivratri in Shravan month. Shiva Chaturdashi 2023 date is July 16. On the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi day (14th day during the waning phase of moon) in Sawan month millions of people visit Shiva shrines in  North India  to perform special Gangajal Abhishekam. On the day people offer Gangajal, bilva leaves, honey and milk. Shivling in the temples are continuously bathed in Gangajal.  Kanwarias in large numbers carry Gangajal (holy water from  Ganges ) to Shiva shrines and to bathe Shivling in their home. Special pujas are held in famous temples like Kashi Vishwanath, Ujjain Mahakaleshwar, Deoghar Badrinath Dham and other Shiva temples in North India . Shiva Chaturdashi in a month is also referred as Masa Shivratri.

Gahininath Yatra in Aurangabad – Gahininath Gad in Beed District

Gahininath Yatra is annually held in the Shravan Amavasya day in Aurangabad in Maharashtra . Gahininath Gad is the place where the Samadhi of Gahininath Gahininath Maharaj is located and it is in Beed district. Gahininath Yatra 2023 date is September 15. Gahininath Maharaj was a nath yogi and a disciple of Gorakhnath. Nivritti elder brother of Sant Dnyaneshwar was a disciple of Gahininath Maharaj. It is said that Gahininath Maharaj used to live in caves in present day Maharashtra . Nivrutti Maharaj met the pious saint in a cave and he attained self realization. The annual yatra to the Samadhi of the saint attracts thousands of devotees. Gahininath Yatra is annually held on Shravan Amavasya, or no moon day in Shravan month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar in Maharashtra . 

Goddess Khokhi Devi – Information about Khokimata

Khokhi Devi is a regional deity worshipped mainly in Varanasi . Goddess Khoki Devi is a manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti. People offer worship to Khokimata for early cure from cold and cough. Khokh means to cough. Such deities are formed when there is a great epidemic. The belief is that Mother Goddess Shakti takes a new forms every time when her children are in distress. Goddess Khokhi Devi is mainly worshipped in Benaras or Varanasi . 

Symbolism in Breaking of Pot During Cremation Ritual in Hinduism

A clay pot is broken during cremation ritual in Hinduism. The pot is taken around the dead who is kept on a pyre and the pot is broken. There is a deep symbolism in breaking of pot. The pot is filled with water and the person who is the chief mourner or one who lights the pyre takes the pot around the dead. The pot is kept on the left shoulder of the person and he stands facing south and throws the pot backwards, so that it breaks into pieces. The breaking of the pot is symbolically considered as the breaking of existing relationship between the deceased and the chief mourner – one who lights the pyre. Such rituals are meant for family and relatives to realize that the body is only a mere vehicle and the soul has dropped the body and begun the journey to the destination. The water and the pot are also symbol of life. Breaking them is once again suggesting the end of this life and the beginning of another for the deceased. 

Manikarnika Ghat Snan in Varanasi in Kartik Month

Manikarnika Ghat is one of the most popular ghats in Varanasi . This all important ghat in Kashi is famous as a cremation site. Taking holy bath or snan here on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is considered highly meritorious. Manikarnika Ghat Snan in Kartik month in 2023 is on November 26. The bath in the Manikarnika Ghat is taken during the last quarter of night. Thousands of devotees arrive during the auspicious period. Manikarnika Ghat Snan in Varanasi in Kartik Month is observed on the Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi day – fourteenth day during the waxing phase of moon in Kartik Month.

Dhopeshwar Nath Mandir at Bareilly – Dhopeshwar Nath Shiva Temple in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh

Dhopeshwar Nath Mandir, located at Bareilly near Uttar Pradesh, is dedicated to Shiva. The temple also has murtis of several Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The main Shivling is 12 cm in height. The sanctum sanctorum of Dhopeshwar Nath Mandir has murtis of Kartik, Ganesha, Parvati and Nandi. The huge entrance wooden door with images of twelve Jyotirlinga is a main attraction. The temple complex has a pond known as Dhopa Sarovar. The water in the pond has medicinal properties and cures skin ailments. Vaishno Devi Gufa, Murtis of Ram Parivar, Ganesha, Lakshmi Narayan, Surya, Nav Durga, Vishnu, Brahma and Mahesh are located in the temple complex. Another huge attraction is the 21-feet murti of Hanuman. There is another 21-feet murti of the Ardhanarishwara form of Shiva. Vaishno Devi Gufa in the temple complex is similar to the famous Vaishnodevi Mata Shrine near Jammu . There is also another cave shrine dedicated to Adi Kumari. Thakurdwara Temple in the complex

Kedara Vratham in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka

Kedara Vratham is dedicated to Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is observed on the Diwali day mainly in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Kedara Vratham 2023 date is November 12. Legend has it that Goddess Gauri (Parvati) observed the Kedara Vratham and she finally merged with Shiva. Thus Shiva and Parvati together became Ardhanarishwara. Today the Vratham is performed for happy and peaceful life by couples. Unmarried women perform it for a good husband. The number 21 is given importance in the Vratham as it is believed that Goddess Parvati had performed the Vratham for 21 days. 21 fruit, 21 betel leaves etc are used in the Puja. The puja is of great importance in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.