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Showing posts from February 1, 2015


Mangeshi Temple Festival in Goa – Mangeshi Ratha Yatra

Mangeshi Temple Festival is annually organized on the Purnima or full day in Magh month. Dedicated to Shiva, Mangeshi Temple is located in Goa and the festival is known as Rath Yatra. Mangeshi Temple Festival 2024 date is February 24. Mangeshi Temple is a popular shrine in Goa and is known for its unique architecture and paintings. The main event during the annual festival is the Ratha Yatra or the pulling of the chariots.  This annual fair and festival attracts thousands of people to the temple. The deity is given a special deck up and is taken around the streets on a chariot pulled by devotees. Mangeshi Temple Festival is annually observed on Magh Purnima or the full moon day in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra and Goa .

Ghatjai Devi Yatra at Panchgani – Ghatjai Temple Festival at Panchgani in Maharashtra

Ghatjai Devi Yatra is annually observed in Magh month. This yatra or jatra is the annual temple festival at Ghatai Devi Temple at Panchgani in Maharashtra . Ghatjai Devi Yatra 2024 date is March 5. Goddess Ghatjai Devi is the patron goddess of the hilly region of Panchgani. She is worshipped for safety during traveling through the area. Important rituals followed in Mother Goddess Temples in Maharashtra are followed here. Ghatjai Devi Yatra is annually observed on Magh Krishna Paksha Navami Tithi or the ninth day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra .

How to do or observe Pradosham or Pradosh Vrat dedicated to Shiva?

Pradosh Vrat is observed on the 13th day of a fortnight and there are two Pradosham in a Hindu month. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped in the evening during twilight on this day. In some regions, the day is dedicated to Nataraja form of Shiva. The fasting on this day is observed for success, peace and fulfillment of desires. It is said that mere darshan of any of the one form of Shiva removes ignorance. Pradosham is observed when the Trayodashi Tithi is there during the twilight period. This is important. The importance of Pradosha Vrata and how to observe it is narrated in the Skanda Purana. There are two methods of fasting on the day. Some people observe a 24-hour fast which includes not sleeping during night. Another method is fasting from sunrise till sunset and after Shiva puja in the evening the fast is broken. Pradosham is the twilight period just before sunset and after sunset. Pujas and prayers are performed during this period. Many pe