Yantra  is a visible form of a personal deity.  Maha Sudarshana Yantra is a popular and important Vaishnava Yantras. The benefits of worshipping Sudarshana Yantra include victory over enemies, protection from various diseases and troubles. A Yantra is also a visual form of mantras. The power of the mantras are captured in it. This Yantra is based on the Sudarshana Chakra weapon of Vishnu. Sudarshana means to receive auspicious. It is worshipped for protection from spirits, enemies and for success. There are eight ways to prepare this Vaishnava Yantra. It is believed that possession of the Yantra and daily worship of it helps in fighting the activities of enemies. Those people who believe that increments and promotion due to them have been stopped by the activities of jealous colleagues is believed to have found better results after worshipping Sudarshana Yantra.

There are numerous doubts regarding Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) and Pregnancy in Hindu religion. There are several Hindus who believe that Surya Grahan can affect pregnant women. Some Hindus are also of the view that eclipses do not have any effect on pregnant women. The ideal decision made by many people during the period is to stay indoors.  There are no clear scientific data that proves that Eclipse affect Pregnant women. Some researches done by Indian scientists on animals prove that eclipses cause damage to offspring of animals. All the researches are inconclusive. As per Hindu Scriptures, nobody should look at the Surya Grahan directly. Most of the other Hindu practices during Grahan are based on regional knowledge and many of them have no scientific backing but still many people follow them. Other dos and don’ts include Do not use knife or other sharp weapons. Do not cut vegetables. Avoid wearing metals especially sari pins, jewelry etc.

The most popular belief is that Lord Shiva first appeared in the form of Shivling or Shivalingam on the night of Mahashivratri. This form is also known as Jyotirlinga or Lingodbhavamurti. This huge column of fire had no beginning or end. It first appeared before Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma who got into an argument in trying to solve Lord Brahma’s question – who am I? Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and Vishnu took the form of a boar to find out the beginning of the huge pillar of fire. Lord flew high up and Lord Vishnu went down searching for the beginning or end of the pillar of fire. But they could not find the beginning or end of it. Finally, they returned back and started meditating to find out what this unexplainable phenomenon was all about. Then they heard the Sound ‘ OM. ’ And Lord Shiva appeared before them and announced that all they see are nothing but forms of the Supreme Entity. When this is understood and practiced a person attains Moksha or libera

Ramnavami Yatra at Satpati village is observed in Chaitra month. It is the annual fair and festival at the Bhagavan Sri Ram Temple at Satpati Village in Palghar Taluka of Thane District in Maharashtra. Various unique pujas and rituals are held on the occasion of the utsav. Ram Navami Yatra 2024 date is April 17. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Ram. For the annual festival, the shrine is decorated with lamps, lights, flowers, leaves and sugarcane for the occasion. The festival and fair attracts hundreds of devotees to the Ram Mandir. Ramnavami Yatra at Satpati is annually observed on Chaitra Shukla Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waxing phase of moon in Chaitra month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Siddharudha Swami was a popular saint in the 20th century in Karnataka. He spread the teachings of Advaita and performed numerous miracles during his lifetime. Siddharudh Swami Jayanti 2024 date is April 17. It is the birth anniversary of the great soul. Many people believe that he was a reincarnation of the 16th century saint-philosopher, Nijaguna Shivayogi. Siddharudh Swami was given the title Advaita Chakravarti, the Emperor of the Advaita Saints. An ascetic of highest order, Siddharudh Swami spread the true message of Advaita to the masses. Siddharudh Swami Jayanti is observed on the ninth day of the waxing phase of moon, or Shukla Paksha Navami, in Chaitra month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Karnataka.

Ram Janmotsav at Akeri is observed in Chaitra month. It is the famous Ramnavami festival at the Rameshwar mandir at Akeri Village in Kudal in Maharashtra. Hundreds of people visit the Lord Ram Temple on the occasion of Ram Navami. In 2024, Ramjanmotsav at Akeri will be observed on April 17, 2024. For the fair and festival, the shrine is decorated with lamps, lights, flowers, leaves and sugarcane for the occasion. Various unique pujas and rituals are held on the occasion of the utsav. The festival and fair attracts hundreds of devotees to the Ram Mandir. Ram Janmotsav at Akeri Village is annually observed on Chaitra Shukla Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waxing phase of moon in Chaitra month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Jyotirling Yatra at Kande is observed in Chaitra month. It is the annual fair and festival at the Jyotirling Temple at Kande Village in Shirala Taluka of Sangli District in Maharashtra. Jyotirling Yatra 2024 date is April 16. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva. For the annual festival, the shrine is decorated with lamps, lights, flowers, leaves and sugarcane for the occasion. Various unique pujas and rituals are held on the occasion of the utsav. The festival and fair attracts hundreds of devotees to the Shiva Temple. Jyotirling Yatra at Kande Village is annually observed on Chaitra Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waxing phase of moon in Chaitra month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Mahalakshmi Devi Yatra at Shahunagar is observed in Chaitra month. It is the annual fair and festival at the Mahalakshmi Devi Temple at Jaysingpur of Kolhapur District in Maharashtra. Mahalakshmi Devi Yatra 2024 date is April 16. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. For the annual festival, the shrine is decorated with lamps, lights, flowers, leaves and sugarcane for the occasion. Various unique pujas and rituals are held on the occasion of the utsav. The festival and fair attracts hundreds of devotees to the Goddess Lakshmi Temple. Mahalakshmi Devi Yatra at Shahunagar is annually observed on Chaitra Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waxing phase of moon in Chaitra month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Banjara Utsav is annually observed in Chaitra Month. It is associated with the Banjara community, spread across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Thousands of people participate in this annual gathering of Banjaras. In 2024, Banjara Utsav at Pohragad begins on April 16. The Samadhi of Guru Sevalal Maharaj is located at Pohragad. Sevabhaya or Sevalal Maharaj is the guide and philosopher of the Banjara community. Various activities are held during the utsav. This includes cultural programs, prayer meetings, satsangs, bhandara and charity. A fair is also held on the occasion. Banjara Utsav begins on Chaitra Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waxing phase of moon in chaitra month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Banpuri Naikba Yatra is organized in Chaitra month. It is the annual festival and fair held at Naikba Temple at Banpuri in Patan Taluka of Satara district, Maharashtra. Banpuri Naikba Yatra 2024 date is April 15. Naikba Mandir is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti.  Naikba Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Shakti, is worshipped mainly in Maharashtra. Rituals associated with Goddess Durga are performed during the yatra. The shrine is decorated for the occasion with lamps, lights, leaves, flowers etc for the occasion. Food donation is also held during the period. Naikba Yatra at Banpuri is observed on Chaitra Shukla Paksha Saptami Tithi or the seventh day during the waxing phase of moon Chaitra month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra.

Arkeshwara Temple is located at Gottalu village near Mandya in Karnataka. This 12 th century shrine is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. Legend has it that Avarike plants surrounded the Shivling worshiped in the temple. People started worshiping it and called it Arkeshwara Swamy. The popular story associated with the temple has it that a cow used to shed all its milk at a particular spot while it was left for grazing. The owner of the cow attempted to clear the spot where the cow was shedding all its milk. He accidentally hit the Shivling at the spot and a chunk came out of it. The chunk from the Shivling flew and it pitched twice before rolling and settling in the spot where the Arkeshwara Temple is located. The main sanctum sanctorum houses the Shivling. There are numerous other subsidiary deities in the temple chief among them are the Nagas, Ganesha and Goddess Durga. The temple is a popular center in the region for curing snake bites. Snake bite victims are appli