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Showing posts from January 16, 2015


Story of Bhima and Pagasooran in Tamil Nadu – Bheemasena and Demon Pagasuran

Story of Bhima, second of the Pandavas, and Pagasooran is a local legend in Tamil Nadu. The story is quite similar to the Bakasura episode in the Mahabharat. Demon Pagasuran had received numerous blessings and he was as strong as Bheemasena. The demon built a fort near Neelimali in Tamil Nadu (near present day Coimbatore ). The demon was a voracious eater and used to trouble the villages in the region for food. Like the infamous Bakasura, the demon demanded a cart load of food daily. If the food was insufficient he killed person that brought the food and also the bulls that pulled the cart. One day Pandavas visited the region and found out about the troubles of the people. Bhima promised to the help the villagers. Next day Bhima carried the food to the demon. Instead of serving it to the demon, Bhima started eating the food. Pagasuran witnessed this arrogance and ran towards Bhima to kill him. Bhima thwarted the attack of the demon. Two of them attacked each oth

Padi Puja at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

Padi Puja is the worship of the holy 18-steps at the world famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. Ayyappa devotees climb the 18 steps, or Pathinettam Padi, to reach the shrine to have the darshan of Lord Ayyappa. The 18 steps are considered as holy as the shrine itself. Its holiness can be gauged from the fact that in 2009 itself the Padi Pooja booking for the year 2021 has been completed. Padi Puja, or the puja of the Pathinettam Padi, is performed in the evening on certain days at the temple.  Thousands of people wait patiently to witness this important puja . Earlier Padi puja was performed once in 12 years. But due to the large number of demands from Ayyappa devotees to conduct the puja, it is now conducted during the monthly puja on the first five days of the Malayalam month. It also performed during other auspicious days. Due to heavy rush of devotees the Padi puja is restricted to very few days during the Mandala Makaravilakku season. Padi

Ambika Devi Fair and Festival at Sangole near Solapur – Ambabai Yatra

Ambika Devi Fair and Festival is annually held in Magh month. The fair is locally known as Ambabai Yatra. Ambika Devi Fair and Festival 2025 date is February 4. The yatra attracts thousands of people to the Ambika Devi temple. Ambika Devi Temple is a major landmark at Sangole Town near Solapur. This is an ancient temple and is dedicated to Mother Goddess Durga. The main ritual includes palki yatra and special Alankara of the Goddess. Ambika Devi Fair and Festival is annually observed on Magh Shukla Paksha Saptami Tithi or the seventh day during the waxing phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .

Nagnath Yatra at Ambap near Kolhapur in Maharashtra

Nagnath Yatra at Ambap is observed annually in Magh month. Nagnath Temple is located at Ambap near Kolhapur . The mandir is around 23 km from Kolhapur . Nagnath Yatra 2025 date is February 3. The annual yatra, festival and fair attracts hundreds of people. The main ritual includes taking the murti of the deity on palkhi. Nagnath Yatra is annually observed on Magh Shukla Paksha Sashti Tithi or the sixth day during the waxing phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .

Chamundeshwari Temple Festival at Andrule near Kudal in Maharashtra

Chamundeshwari Temple Festival is annually held in Magh Month. The festival is known as Chamundeshwari Vadhdivas. Chamundeshwari Temple is located at Andurle near Kudal in Maharashtra . Chamundeshwari Temple Festival 2025 date is February 3. The festival attracts hundreds of people arrive to the Shri Devi Chamundeshwari Mandir. Important rituals and prayers are held on the day. Chamundeshwari Temple Festival is annually observed on Magh Shukla Paksha Sashti Tithi or the sixth day during the waxing phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra . The shrine is located around 14 km east of Kudal.

Tikotekar Maharaj Jayanti at Vijapur

Tikotekar Maharaj Jayanti is annually observed in Magh month. It is the birth anniversary of the divine soul Sant Tikotekar Maharaj. The day is observed mainly at Vijapur Village in Maharashtra . Tikotekar Maharaj Jayanti 2025 date is February 3. Hundreds of people gather on the day to pay respect to the pious. Special pujas, satsangs and prayer meetings are organized on the day. Tikotekar Maharaj Jayanti is annually observed on Magh Shukla Paksha Sashti Tithi or the sixth day during the waxing phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .

On the Architecture of the Shyam Rai Temple in Bishnupur in Bankura District of Bengal

Shyam Rai Temple is one of the most ornate of the Bishnupur Temples in Bankura District of Bengal. Built in 1643, the temple is dedicated to Bhagvan Sri Krishna. It is one of the oldest surviving temples built in the Pancharatna architectural style in Bengal . The Hindu writes about the temple Built entirely of brick, the only building material abundantly available in the region at the time, the Shyam Rai temple stands on a low square plinth with a char chala roof surmounted by ratnas or gems at each corner. While the towers in the corners are square-shaped, the central tower is octagonal in shape and they rest on a sloping roof in ‘Pida’ order. Each of the four sides of the temple greets us with triple multicusped arched gateways, leading to the sanctum around which runs a well paved circumambulatory path. The curved cornice and eaves, derived from the thatched bamboo hut, so characteristic of Bengal , are special features of the temple, as of the others in Bishnupur. This

Magh Masa 2024 in Kannada Calendar – Magha Month in Karnataka in 2024

Magh Masa, or Magha Month, is the eleventh month in a traditional Hindu Kannada calendar and Panchang followed in Karnataka. Magh Masa 2024 starts on February 10, 2024 and ends on March 10. Basant Panchami, Ratha Saptami and Sivaratri are observed in this month. Shiva Pradosham Fasting Dates in Kannada Magh Masa are: Pradosh – February 21 Pradosha – March 8 Sankashtahara Chaturthi Vrata  dedicated to Ganesh in Magh Masa 2024 is on February 28, 2024 – Moonrise or Chandrodaya is at 9:06 PM – Indian Standard Time. Kannada Magha Masa Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha Magha Masam Kannada calendar 2024 Shukla Paksha (Waxing phase of moon) is from February 10 to Feb 24, 2024. Kannada Magh Month 2024 Krishna Paksha (Waning phase of moon) is from February 25 to March 10, 2024. Ekadasi Fasting Dates in Kannada Magh Masa Jaya Ekadashi – February 20 Vijaya Ekadashi – March 6/7 Purnima in Kannada Magh Month  Magh Purnima or Full moon day is on February 24, 2024.  T