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Showing posts from February 17, 2016


What is Shobhana Yoga in Hindu Astrology?

Shobhana Yoga is one among the 27 yogas in Hindu astrology. It is calculated by the degrees of moon and sun starting from Ashwini Nakshatra. Shobhana, also known as Shobhan, is a good yoga. The lord of this Yoga is Jupiter (Guru or Brihaspati). Shobhana is the fifth among the 27 yogas. Auspicious events can be held during the period after taking the blessings of Ganesha and Guru or Brihaspati.

Story – How Shatudru River (Sutlej) Got Its Name?

Shatudru is the ancient name of Sutlej River and it is mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. There is an interesting story as to how Shatudru River got its name. Legend has it that a man-eating Rakshasa entered the body of King Saudasa. He then roamed around forest eating human beings. One day he devoured all the 100 sons of Sage Vasishta. Unable to bear the loss of his sons, the sage attempted to kill himself. But all his attempts failed. He then threw himself into Sutlej River which was infested with crocodiles. The Sage hoped that the crocodiles would kill him. But the River divided itself into hundred rivers and followed in hundred directions to save the Sage. As the river divided itself into hundred it came to be known as Shatudru.

Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple Rathotsav – Chariot Festival 2024 at Mahabaleshwar Temple at Gokarna in Karnataka

Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple Rathotsav is observed in Phalgun month. It is the important fair and chariot festival at the Mahabaleshwar Temple at Gokarna in Karnataka. The festival is associated with Shivratri. Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple Rathotsav 2024 date is March 11. The annual festival begins on March 4. The annual fair and festival attracts hundreds of devotees. Numerous rituals are observed during the period. Special pujas and rituals are held on Shivratri day falling on March 8, 2024. On the final day, a lavishly decorated wooden chariot is pulled through the streets on the day. It contains the utsava murti of the Lord Shiva. The chariot is decorated with flowers, leaves, plantain, sugarcane, lamps and lights. Some of the rituals held during the period are Rudra Havan, Sookta Havan, Pavan Havan, Bhootha Bali, Vrishabha Vahana Yantra Seva, Pushpa Rathotsava, Dandabali, Grambali, Choornotsava, Choornabali, Avabhrut, Jalayanotsava, Maha Poornahuti, Ankurarpane, Ankurpr

Shandilya Maharaj Math Annual Festival at Londa

Shandilya Maharaj Math annual festival is observed in Magh month. This varshikotsav or annual festival is observed at the mutt dedicated to the saint at Londa in Belgaum District in Karnataka. The festivities attracts thousands of followers. Shandilya Maharaj Math Annual Festival at Londa in 2025 is on February 21. Thousands of devotees arrive on the day to make offerings to the great guru who spread the teaching of Dharma. Satsangs, prayer meetings, pujas, charity, food donation and other spiritual activities are held on the day. Shandilya Maharaj Math Annual Festival is annually observed on Magh Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi or the eighth day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Karnataka.

Ram Mandir at Bistupur in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

Built in 1919, Ram Mandir at Bistupur is one of oldest temples in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. The huge 2-acre temple campus has temples dedicated to Ram Parivar, Balaji and Radhakrishna. Andhra Bhakta Shree Ram Mandiram Trust maintains the temple. In the Ram Mandir, murti of Bhagavan Sri Ram is flanked by Mata Sita and Lakshman and is placed on an elevated area. Hanuman murti is seen sitting below with folded hands and facing the devotees. Murtis used during temple festivals and rituals can be seen in the sanctum. The temple has subsidiary shrines dedicated to Ganesha, Goddess Durga, Goddess Kali, Hanuman, Mata Sita, Shiva, Balaji, Krishna and Radha. There is also a Navgraha temple in the complex. Friday and Saturday attracts maximum crowd to the temple. The temple observes all the important festivals in a Hindu Temple calendar.