Dates of important upcoming festivals and fasting associated with Hinduism in January 2021 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchang used in India. The festivals, Vrats and ritual days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). January 2 – Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat – moonrise at 9:10 PM January 6 – Kalashtami January 6 – Rukmini Ashtami January 9 – Ekadashi Fasting – Safala Ekadashi January 10 – Swarup Dwadashi January 10 – Pradosh Vrat January 11 – Shiv Chaturdashi Vrat January 12 – Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as per Gregorian Calendar January 12 – Margazhi Moolam – Hanumantha – Anjaneya Jayanti in Tamil Nadu January 13 – Amavasya January 13 – Lohri – Bhogi Pongal – Dhanurmasam ends - Makara Vilakku in Kerala January 14 – Paush month begins in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and Goa January 14 – Pongal – Makar Sankranti  – Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana – Makara Vilakku in Kerala January 14 – Makaram Month begins in Kera

One of the most famous incidents in Mahabharata is Arjuna and Duryodhana seeking help of Krishna in Mahabharata war. There are numerous versions of this story with the same end result. As part of the preparations of the Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata, both Pandavas and the Kauravas started asking the kings of various countries to send their army to help them. Duryodhana himself went to Dwarka to invite Krishna. Arjuna from the Pandavas went to Dwarka to invite Krishna. Duryodhana first reached Dwaraka and he was informed that Sri Krishna was sleeping. So he entered the room of Krishna and found two chairs one near the head of Krishna and another near his feet. Duryodhana sat down on the chair near the head of Krishna. Soon, Arjuna reached Dwaraka and he was directed to the room of Krishna. He entered the room and stood humbly near Krishna’s feet. For a true devotee, the feet of the Lord are auspicious and holy. Soon Krishna opened his eyes and saw Arjuna s

Amrutheshwari Temple located at Kota in Udupi is unique and there is a miracle happening inside the temple premises. At three places inside the Amriteshwari temple, Shivlings keep appearing from earth. One can see new Shivlings growing inside the temple. History Of Amriteshwari Temple Shivlings The history of the Shivling in Amriteshwari temple happened in Treta Yuga and is associated with Kharasura, a relative of Ravana, and his wife, Kumbhamukhi. The couple were an ardent devotees of Shiva. Kumbhamukhi once heard about the cruelty committed by Surpanakha towards Athiprabha, widow of Ekamukhi Rishi. Supanakha fell in love with son of Athiprabha but her advances were rejected by the son. An insulted Surpanakha killed the son. Kumbhamukhi, a woman who followed Dharma, went to apologize for the heinous crime committed by Surpanakha. Athiprabha who was wailing did not recognize Kumbhamukhi approaching her and thought her to be Surpanakha returning back and cursed her to be childle

A steady income, clean water, and food, a small but neat place to live are part of the essential and we all should work hard for the essential. Then be content with what we have. Not working hard for the essential, finding reason and excuse in philosophy is nothing but laziness. Rejoice in the way things are but only after attaining the necessary. The philosopher who said to rejoice in the way things are did not mean to live in filth and without working or by cheating. What he meant was not to be greedy – not to run madly after possessions. Some people have this uncanny knack of distorting philosophy and religious teachings for their own purpose. People who are lazy, afraid of failure, not ready to work hard or be committed or be dedicated or disciplined or experiment distort philosophy and find refuge in them. Every living being in the universe works hard for the essential. It is only human beings who have an issue with working. We are either lazy or we use unscrupulous methods

Puthur Durga Devi Temple is located at Puthiyangadi near Elathur in Kozhikode district, Kerala. The main festival in the temple is observed with Kodiyettam on Karthika Nakshatra day in Meenam month. The festival concludes on Pooram Nakshatram. The temple is located atop a small hill. It is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala. The deity worshipped in the temple is Mahishasuramardini. The murti worshipped in the shrine is 6 feet tall including the base (peedam). The deity faces east. The Upa Devatas in the temple are Ayyappa along with Prabha and Sree Krishna. The shrine existed long before 15 th century AD. It is said that when Vasco da Gama landed in Kozhikode he kneeled down and prayed before the deity thinking it was a shrine of Virgin Mary.

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, 29 December 2020 – Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi Tithi or the fourteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi Tithi or the fourteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 7:28 AM on December 29. Then onward it is Purnima Tithi or the full moon day till 8:32 AM on December 30. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on December 29, 2020 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Mrigasira or Makayiram Nakshatra till 5:37 PM on December 29. Then onward it is Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathira Nakshatra till 7:02 PM on December 30. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Mrigasira or