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Showing posts from January 14, 2019


Butter Idol At Brajeshwari Devi Temple - Kangra - Himachal Pradesh During Makar Sankranti Festival

During Makar Sankranti Festival, the Brajeshwari Devi Temple in Kangra in Himachal Pradesh is famous for clarified butter murti (Idol) of Goddess Brajeshwari Devi. The murti is made by the priests from 1500 kilograms of clarified butter. The murti is installed on Makar Sankranti and is completely made using butter donated by devotees. Legend has it that when Goddess Brajeshwari Devi was injured during her battle against demons, she was cured by celestial beings using clarified butter. The butter murti is removed from the pedestal after the seven day festival and is distributed as Prasad among devotees. It is believed that the butter has medicinal properties and it cures skin ailments and joint pains. 

How To Do Sankranti Puja? – Makar Sankranti Pooja Procedure

Sankranthi, or Makar Sankranti, is an important harvest festival and it also marks the transition of the sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn (Makara Rasi). Sankranti also marks the beginning of Uttarayan – the daytime of Devas as per Hinduism and the next six months are considered highly auspicious. Six human months is considered the daytime of Devas. The main pujas and rituals on Sankranti are dedicated to Lord Surya. Here is a brief look at on how to do Sankranti Puja in the South Indian way. Sankranti Puja Cleaning of house. Early morning oil bath. Decoration of house with mango leaves, flowers and rangoli (kolams). Arrange the Puja Room - if possible get an image or picture of God Surya. For a simple Sankranti Puja, you can offer flowers and akshata to your favorite deity and prayer as you do normally. If you opt for a traditional puja read the following procedure - Things needed for Makar Sankranti Pooja Lamp Coconut Betel leaves Betel nuts Flowers Water

Uttarayani Mela and Festival at Bageshwar in Uttarakhand

Uttarayani Mela and Festival held at Bageshwar in Uttarakhand during Makar Sankranti is one of the largest fair in the Kumaun region. The fair is organized for a week during the second week of January. In 2025, the Uttarayani Mela and Festival is on January 14. Important pujas and rituals are held on this day. The rituals on the day are dedicated to Surya, the sun god. Thousands of people attend the fair. The most important aspect of the festival is the trade that takes place during the period. Numerous rare produce from the high mountains like furs, yak tails, musk, borak, dry fruits, fresh fruits etc are traded by Bhotiyas and other hill people. Animals like ponies, goats and sheep are also traded during the fair.