Baraha Dwadashi is observed in Magh Month. The day is of great significance to Vaishnava devotees. Varaha Dwadashi 2024 date is February 21. The day is of importance at Puri Jagannath temple. This ritual is dedicated to the Baraha or Varaha incarnation of Bhagavan Vishnu. Baraha is the boar incarnation of Vishnu and it appeared to rescue Mother Earth and the Vedas. Special pujas are held in temples on the day. Worship and fast of Baraha incarnation helps in solving earthly problems. He is also worshipped for achieving good harvest. Baraha Dwadashi is annually observed on the Magh Shukla Paksha Dwadasi or the 12 th day during the waxing phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu calendar and panjika followed in Orissa.

Maharloka is one of the worlds mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. As per Vayu Purana, the rulers of the Kalpa live in the world. The rulers of the Kalpa are known as Kalpadikaris. A Kalpa is a period of cosmic time – it is around 4,320 million years of human beings. A Kalpa is one day of Brahma. Some scholars are of the view that Kalpadikaris are great saints, who at the end of a Kalpa move to the Maharloka. Ganadevas and Yamas are also residents of the Maharloka. At the end of a Kalpa the three worlds are destroyed – the three worlds are Bhur, Bhuvar and Svar. But Maharloka is not destroyed but the residents of Maharloka move to the next loka above it known as Janarloka.

The Atman (the Real) is deathless. It cannot be destroyed. Death is an experience, not of the Atman, but of the body. The body is subject to change, disease, old age, and death. It has to be cast off like a worn out garment, so that the Atman may assume other embodiments. For death is certain for the born, as is birth for the dead. Thus grieving over death is futile. The enlightened aspirant must realize that his right is to work, and work alone. The fruits, the results of the work, should never be his concern. He whose mind is free from anxiety amid pains, indifferent amid pleasures, loosed from passion, fear and rage, he is called a seer illumined. Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita