Ratha Saptami is dedicated to Lord Surya or Hindu Sun God and is observed on the Magh Shukla Saptami (seventh day during Waxing phase of moon in Magh month). The popular belief is that Lord Surya rode a chariot tied with seven horses to annihilate demons Mandeha. This is the popular story associated with Ratha Saptami and this Katha is listened to by people on the day. Some stories suggest that Mandeha a group of demons tried to overpower Surya. But he was able to kill them with his light. It is believed that Surya rode the chariot and annihilated the demons on Magh Shukla Saptami day. (Please note that there are numerous version to the above story and one story suggest that the demons try to block Surya daily but he fights them and moves forward with the strength of ‘argya’ performed early morning by humans on earth.) Another popular story indicates that Vishwakarma – the divine architect – had built the Chariot of Surya on the day. This story suggests that the

On the Ratha Saptami day, a kolam or figure of Chariot Surya with 7 horses is drawn in front of the house, or in the puja area, early morning and pooja is offered to Bhagavan Suryanarayana. The mantra that is chanted on the day is Gayatri mantra, Surya Ashtottara Shatanamavali, Aditya Hridayam etc. Below is a collection of mantras to be chanted on Ratha Saptami. You can chant anyone mantra 108 times. श्री सूर्य मंत्र  आ कृष्णेन् रजसा वर्तमानो निवेशयत्र अमतं मर्त्य च। हिरणययेन सविता रथेना देवो याति भुवनानि पश्यन॥ सूर्य अर्घ्य मंत्र ॐ ऐही सूर्यदेव सहस्त्रांशो तेजो राशि जगत्पते। अनुकम्पय मां भक्त्या गृहणार्ध्य दिवाकर: ॥ ॐ सूर्याय नम:, ॐ आदित्याय नम:, ॐ नमो भास्कराय नम:। अर्घ्य समर्पयामि॥ सूर्य गायत्री मंत्र ॐ आदित्याय विद्महे मार्तण्डाय धीमहि तन्न सूर्य: प्रचोदयात्। सूर्य उपासना मंत्र ॐ जपाकुसुम संकाशं काश्यपेयं महाद्युतिम्। तमो रि सर्वपषपघ्नं सूर्यमषवषह्याम्यहम्॥ सूर्य बीज मंत्र ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं स: सूर्याय नम:। सूर्य जाप मंत्र ॐ सूर्याय नम:। ॐ भास्क

Sri Khodiyar Mataji Jayanti is observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) during the waxing phase of moon (Shukla Paksha) in Magh Month. Goddess Khodiyar Mata Jayanti 2024 date is February 17. She is worshipped mainly in western parts of India , especially in Gujarat . It is popularly believed that this Hindu Goddess appeared on the Magh Shukla Ashtami day. The popular belief is that Mamaniya Gadhvi, who was a scholar and friend of king, was humiliated by the queen and soldiers as he did not have any children. Mamaniya prayed to Lord Shiva for a child. One day Lord Shiva appeared before him and took him to the world of Nagas (Snakes). The Nagas agreed to help him. They asked him to prepare eight cradles and wait. Mamaniya did as he was told. Soon a snake appeared on each of the cradle. They took the form of babies. Thus the man had seven girl child and one male child. Goddess Khodiyar Mata is one of the children. She is believed to have performed numerous miracles to help

Agneyastra is the arrow of Agni in Hinduism. Agni guards the southeast side holding Agneyastra mounted on Ram (adult sheep). The arrow is widely mentioned in the epics and puranas. All the important warriors in the Ramayana and Mahabharata possessed Agneyastra. When Agneyastra is shot, it emits flames, which is inextinguishable through normal methods. It is used against an entire army or against individuals. In the Ramayana, Lakshmana countered Ravana’s Agneyastra using clutch of fluid and feminine arrows. As per Mahabharata, Agni received the Agneyastra from Bharadwaja. Drona was blessed with the arrow. Agni astra is a fire producing missile related to cosmic natural principle of fire. It is referred to in the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and in Puranas. The epics describe this weapon as an arrow that, being infused with divine power, would shower fire and cause unbeatable heat. The counter missile (astra) for this is recognized to be varuna astra (Varuna is the presiding deit

Kalyavan was the son of Garga Rishi and the story of his death is associated with Bhagavan Sri Krishna. He was a Yavana (Greek) as Garga Rishi had married a Yavana princess. Garga Rishi was once insulted by Yadavas and he then wished for a son who would be powerful enough to defeat the Yadavas. After his birth, Kalyavan propitiated Shiva through intense penance and gained the boon that he will not be killed by a person born in the Yadava clan. Kalayavan then attacked the Yadavas and defeated them. Sri Krishna and Balarama knew that they will not be able to kill Kalyavan as they had to respect the boon given by Shiva. So to kill Kalyavan, Sri Krishna acts as if he is running away from Kalyavan. The ignorant king chases Sri Krishna who enters the cave in which King Muchukunda was sleeping. Story of King Muchukunda King Muchukunda ruled the earth during the Krita Yuga. He helped the Devas in the in the battle against Asuras. Then Kartik, son of Shiva, took over as th

Queen Damayanti was the wife of King Nala. She is renowned for her chastity and noble thoughts. It is mentioned in the Mahabharata that Damayanthi was able to annihilate a womanizer through her chastity. King Nala lost a game of dice and both he and Damayanti are banished to spend twelve years in the forest. Nala only had a single piece of cloth on this body. In the forest, once he attempted to catch a few birds with golden wings and lost his only garment. King Nala and Damayanti were sleeping under a tree and they covered their body with what Damayanti had worn. Nala was worried about Damayanti in the dense forest and he knew she would not willingly leave him. Therefore, he decided to abandon Damayanti thinking that upon not seeing him she will return to her father. When Damayanti woke up Nala was not to be seen. While searching for her husband, she came across a tiger. She panicked and started running, with the tiger back on her trail. Soon a hunter rescued her. H