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Showing posts from December 7, 2015


Bhasma Aarti Dedicated to Shiva in Ujjain Mahakal Temple

Bhasma Aarti, sacred ash ceremony, is the early morning ritual at the famous Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh. It is performed daily from 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM. This aarti is performed amidst vedic chants, recitation of stotras and sounds of cymbals, conch an damaru . Bhasma is prepared by burning dried cow dung. It is popularly known as Vibhuti. During the Bhasma Aarti no one enters the sanctum sanctorum wearing common clothes. Only males wearing silk clothes are allowed to enter. The devotees are allowed to witness the aarti from the sabhagriha just outside the garbhagriha. Bhasma Aarti is also performed in the afternoon on Shivratri day. Earlier, the ash or bhasma used for the ritual used to be from a freshly cremated body in the nearby crematorium. However, this is no longer followed. Related Shiva and Bhasmasura

Malayalapuzha Temple Timings – Opening and Closing – Pooja and Darshan Time at Malayalapuzha Bhagavathy Temple in Kerala

Malayalapuzha Devi Temple is located at Malayalapuzha in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. This is one of the most popular and powerful Shakti shrine in South Kerala. Malayalapuzha Temple Timings with detail opening and closing time is given below. Please note that the pooja and darshan time will extended or curtailed during important rituals. The shrine will remain closed during Grahan or Eclipse. Malayalapuzha Temple Morning Pooja Timings 4 AM to 12 PM Malayalapuzha Bhagavathy Temple Evening Darshan Timings 4 PM to 8 PM Deeparadhana will be between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM The most important days in a week are Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Special rituals are observed on Tuesday and Friday.

Nagnath Aundha – Story of Origin of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple at Aundh in Maharashtra

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple at Aundh (Aundha in Hingoli District) in Maharashtra is believed to be one among the twelve Jyotirlinga temples. The story of origin of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is associated with Shiva protecting people of the region from Demoness Daruka. The twist in the story is that Demoness Daruka was an ardent devotee of Goddess Parvati . Legend has it that the people in the vicinity of  Nageshvar   Temple  were terrorized by demoness Daruka. People were attacked and killed by Daruka. Merchants could no longer do their business as all their goods were looted by her. People then prayed to Shiva and who appeared along with his Nagas or serpents and chased Demoness Daruka away. Demoness Daruka was an ardent devotee of Goddess Shakti. She prayed to her for help. Goddess Shakti then asked demoness Daruka to make her home in a dense forest nearby and not to harm other living beings. Shiva decided to stay there as Nageshvar and Goddess Parvati appeared as

Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Jatra utsav at Fatorpa in Quepem - Festival at Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Festival

Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Jatra utsav at Fatorpa is observed in Paush month. It is the annual jatra and festival at the Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Temple at Fatorpa in Quepem in Goa. This annual yatra which also includes a small fair attracts hundreds of devotees. Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Jatra utsav 2025 date is from January 4 to January 8. The shrine and its premises are beautifully decorated during the period with flowers, lamps and lights. Unique rituals which are held only during special location are performed on the day. On Paush Shukla Paksha panchami day Shibikotsav is held. On Sashti day or sixth day Rath Ambari is held. On seventh day Fulacha Rath or flower chariot is held. On Ashtami day Vijayarath is held. On ninth day it is the Navami Rath. Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Jatra utsav is observed on Paush Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi to Navami tithi or the fifth to ninth day during the waxing phase of moon in Paush month as per traditional Hindu lunar cal

Azhutha River on the way from Erumeli to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

Azhutha River is a tributary of Pampa River and Ayyappa Devotees who travel from Erumeli to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple has to cross this river in their journey. Once the pilgrim starts the trek from Erumeli, Azhutha is the sixth important spot after Kottapadi, Poongavanam, Perurthodu, Erumunikkara, and Kalaketti. Azhutha River is around two kilometer from Kalaketti. Ayyappa Devotees take bath in the river and collect stones and pebbles from the river. This stones are later deposited on Kalidamkunnu which is on the way to Ayyappa Temple . The belief is that Lord Ayyappa buried the dead body of Demon Mahishi here and placed stones on top of the dead body. Devotees drop stones from Azhutha River in memory of this event. When there is not much water devotees walk across the Azhutha River . But when the River is in full flow it is hard to cross the river and devotees use country boats to cross the river. The Azhutha River is surrounded by thick fo

Shantadurga Jatra utsav at Fatorpa - Shantadurga Fatarpekarin Temple Festival

Shantadurga Jatra utsav at Fatorpa is observed in Paush month. It is the annual jatra and festival at the Shantadurga Fatarpekarin Temple at Fatorpa in Quepem in Goa. This annual yatra which also includes a small fair attracts hundreds of devotees. Shantadurga Jatra utsav 2024 date is from December 31 to January 3, 2025. The shrine and its premises are beautifully decorated during the period with flowers, lamps and lights. Unique rituals which are held only during special location are performed on the day. Shantadurga Jatra utsav at Fatorpa is observed from Paush Shukla Paksha Pratipada tithi to Chaturthi tithi or the first to fourth day during the waxing phase of moon in Paush month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Goa.

Mahamaya Devi Jatra at Netravali near Nune in Sanguem

Mahamaya Devi Jatra at Netravali village is observed in Paush month. It is the annual jatra and festival at the Mahamaya Devi Temple at Netravali near Nune, Sanguem, South Goa. This annual yatra which also includes a small fair attracts hundreds of devotees. Netravali Mahamaya Devi Jatra 2025 date is January 4. The shrine and its premises are beautifully decorated during the period with flowers, lamps and lights. Unique rituals which are held only during special location are performed on the day. Mahamaya Devi Jatra at Netravali is observed on Paush Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing phase of moon in Paush month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Goa.

Veer Jiva Mahale Punyatithi – Vir Jiva Mahale Death Anniversary

Veer Jiva Mahale (1635 - 1710) was the bodyguard of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His death or punyatithi is annually observed in Paush month. Jiva Mahale Punyadin 2025 date is  January 4. A great soldier and unsung hero, Jiva Mahale saved Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by killing Bijapur's general Afzal Khan. Veer Jiva Mahale punyadin is annually observed on Paush Shukla Paksha Panchami Tithi or the fifth day during the waxing phase of moon in Paush month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.