Khandoba, also known as Mallar or Malhari Martand Bhairava, is a powerful manifestation of Lord Shiva worshipped in Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka and Telangana. The story of Khandoba marrying Bani or Banu is very popular among devotees of Khandoba. The love affair of Khandoba and Banai, foster daughter of a shepherd, is a subject of a number of folk poems in Maharashtra. It is believed that Banu was one of the seven daughters of Indra. Young Banu once visited the Khandoba Temple in Jejuri and fell in love with Khandoba. She wrote a love letter to him using dark kajal from her eyes. Khandoba too fell for her and became a shepherd and tended the sheep of foster father of Banu. One day Khandoba killed the folk of sheep in his charge. He told a shocked Banu and her father that he will bring back the folk of sheep to life, if Banu married her. Father of Banu agreed. After the marriage, the shepherd made her sit in front of him on his horse. As soon as she did s

Uddhav Shatak, a Hindi devotional poetical work, comprises of one hundred verses (shatak) written by Jagannath Das Ratnakar. It is composed in the Bhramar Geet Parampara genre started by the well known Krishna devotee Suradasa. Uddhava Shatak of Jagannath Das Ratnakar was published in 1931 and is one of the best in the Bhramar Geet genre. Bhramar Geet parampara is a tradition of Hindi poetry wherein a bhramara (bee) is addressed instead of the person really intended, in this case Uddhava. Story Of Uddhav Shatak As per Srimad Bhagavad Purana, after Sri Krishna left his childhood companions and youthful friends in Vrindavana and went to Mathura, the gopis, especially Radha, became despondent. Krishna, realizing the sorrow of all those who had centered their lives on his childhood play, sent his good friend Uddhava to Vrindavana to pacify them. By doing so, Krishna intended to strike two birds with one stone. Uddhava was very proud of his learning of the knowledge texts and

There are numerous types of abhishekam on a Shivling. One of the rarest abhishek is pouring milk mixed with saffron on Shivling. Mixing saffron to milk will give it a yellow color. This abhishek is performed to overcome financial difficulties. There is a belief that such abhishek as the blessing of Shiva and Vishnu. White is the color associated with Shiva. Yellow is the color associated with Vishnu. Thus a devotee gets the blessing of both Shiva and Vishnu by bathing a Shivling using milk mixed with kesar or saffron. Bathing black Shivling in temple or home or sacred place using milk and saffron helps in overcoming all money related troubles. In some regions, saffron is replaced with turmeric powder. In such cases, a person gets the blessing of Shiva and Shakti. Turmeric is associated with Mother Goddess Shakti.

Randhan Chhath is a unique ritual observed in Gujarat in Shravan month (July – August) - the day is dedicated to preparing food for Goddess Shitala. Randhan Chhath 2023 date is September 5 (Shravan Vad 6). Some Gujaratis observe it during Shravan Sud 6 and this is on August 22. It is observed on the sixth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of moon) in Shravan month in Gujarat. The day is meant for preparing food (randhan) for the next day, which is Shitala Satam. This Chhath in Shravan Krishna Paksha is not a ritual but is a preparation day for the next day. No food is cooked on Shitala Satam (the next day), people eat only what is prepared on the Randhan Chhath day. Two Different Dates Randhan Chhath is observed during two different times in Gujarat. In some parts of Gujarat especially that is near to Maharashtra, Shravan Shukla Paksha (Shravan Sud 6 - bright/waxing phase of moon) is preferred. In Saurashtra, Shravan Krishna Paksha (Shravan Vad 6 - dark/waning phase o

Sravana Masam is the fifth month in a traditional Hindu Kannada calendar followed in Karnataka. Kannada Sravana Masam 2023 is from July 18 to September 15. There is an Adhik Shravan month or extra Shravan month in Kannada calendar in 2023. This is from July 18 to August 16, 2023. Nija Shravan month or real Shravan month is from August 17, 2023 to September 15, 2023. Nag Panchami, Varalakshmi Vratam, Ashunya Shayan Vrat, Rig and Yajur Upakarma and Sri Krishna Jayanti. Update -  Shravan Mahina in North India  is from -  July 4 to August 31  (all details about Shravan in North India.) Adhik Shravan Maas - Extra Shravan Month Adhik Sankashti Chaturthi  monthly fasting dedicated to Lord Ganesh in Shravan Month is on August 4 – Moonrise or Chandrodaya is at 8:55 PM – Indian Standard Time. Adhik Shravan Maas Shukla Paksha and  Krishna  Paksha Shravan Mahina 2023 Shukla Paksha (Waxing phase of moon) is from July 18 to August 1.  Shravan Maas 2023 Krishna Paksha (Waning phase of moon) is from

Forgiving and forgetting people who have hurt is one of the hardest things in life. It is easy to say forgive and forget. However, in practical terms it is a near impossibility. But have we ever realized that when we are unable to forgive and forget we are actually helping the people who have hurt us to hurt us more. By remembering and carrying the burden, we are constantly suffering. In this way, we are helping the people who had hurt in the past to hurt us in present and future. This leads to increase in blood pressure (BP), anger, frustration, depression, bad health and we also unknowingly hurt people who love and care for us. So forgive and forget. It is tough. But it is the wisest thing to do. Now some might say I can forgive but not forget. This is just another way of saying ‘I will not forgive.’ Forgive from the heart; dissolve all attitudes of hatred and negativity. Remain humble and let forgiveness enrich our life and of those who love and care for us. w