Shiva Chaturdashi in Shravan Month is of great importance in North India . It is also referred as the Shivratri in Shravan month. Shiva Chaturdashi 2026 date is August 11. On the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi day (14th day during the waning phase of moon) in Sawan month millions of people visit Shiva shrines in  North India  to perform special Gangajal Abhishekam. On the day people offer Gangajal, bilva leaves, honey and milk. Shivling in the temples are continuously bathed in Gangajal.  Kanwarias in large numbers carry Gangajal (holy water from  Ganges ) to Shiva shrines and to bathe Shivling in their home. Special pujas are held in famous temples like Kashi Vishwanath, Ujjain Mahakaleshwar, Deoghar Badrinath Dham and other Shiva temples in North India . Shiva Chaturdashi in a month is also referred as Masa Shivratri.

Gahininath Yatra is annually held in the Shravan Amavasya day in Aurangabad in Maharashtra . Gahininath Gad is the place where the Samadhi of Gahininath Gahininath Maharaj is located and it is in Beed district. Gahininath Yatra 2026 date is September 11. Gahininath Maharaj was a nath yogi and a disciple of Gorakhnath. Nivritti elder brother of Sant Dnyaneshwar was a disciple of Gahininath Maharaj. It is said that Gahininath Maharaj used to live in caves in present day Maharashtra . Nivrutti Maharaj met the pious saint in a cave and he attained self realization. The annual yatra to the Samadhi of the saint attracts thousands of devotees. Gahininath Yatra is annually held on Shravan Amavasya, or no moon day in Shravan month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar in Maharashtra . 

Goddess Khokhi Devi, also known as Khokimata, is a regional deity primarily venerated in Varanasi, a city renowned for its spiritual and cultural significance in India. She is considered a manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti, the divine feminine energy and a central figure in Hinduism. Etymology and Significance The name Khokhi is derived from the word "khokh," which means "to cough" in the local dialect. This directly links the deity to her role in providing relief from ailments such as colds and coughs. Mythological Origins The worship of Khokhi Devi is deeply rooted in the belief that deities adapt and manifest in various forms to address the specific needs and crises faced by their devotees. It is thought that Khokimata emerged during a significant epidemic, when respiratory illnesses were rampant. As a compassionate and protective mother, Shakti incarnated as Khokhi Devi to safeguard her children and offer them a cure from their suffering. Worship...

A clay pot is broken during cremation ritual in Hinduism. The pot is taken around the dead who is kept on a pyre and the pot is broken. There is a deep symbolism in breaking of pot. The pot is filled with water and the person who is the chief mourner or one who lights the pyre takes the pot around the dead. The pot is kept on the left shoulder of the person and he stands facing south and throws the pot backwards, so that it breaks into pieces. The breaking of the pot is symbolically considered as the breaking of existing relationship between the deceased and the chief mourner – one who lights the pyre. Such rituals are meant for family and relatives to realize that the body is only a mere vehicle and the soul has dropped the body and begun the journey to the destination. The water and the pot are also symbol of life. Breaking them is once again suggesting the end of this life and the beginning of another for the deceased. 

Manikarnika Ghat is one of the most popular ghats in Varanasi . This all important ghat in Kashi is famous as a cremation site. Taking holy bath or snan here on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is considered highly meritorious. Manikarnika Ghat Snan in Kartik month in 2025 is on November 4. The bath in the Manikarnika Ghat is taken during the last quarter of night. Thousands of devotees arrive during the auspicious period. Manikarnika Ghat Snan in Varanasi in Kartik Month is observed on the Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi day – fourteenth day during the waxing phase of moon in Kartik Month.

Dhopeshwar Nath Mandir, located at Bareilly near Uttar Pradesh, is dedicated to Shiva. The temple also has murtis of several Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The main Shivling is 12 cm in height. The sanctum sanctorum of Dhopeshwar Nath Mandir has murtis of Kartik, Ganesha, Parvati and Nandi. The huge entrance wooden door with images of twelve Jyotirlinga is a main attraction. The temple complex has a pond known as Dhopa Sarovar. The water in the pond has medicinal properties and cures skin ailments. Vaishno Devi Gufa, Murtis of Ram Parivar, Ganesha, Lakshmi Narayan, Surya, Nav Durga, Vishnu, Brahma and Mahesh are located in the temple complex. Another huge attraction is the 21-feet murti of Hanuman. There is another 21-feet murti of the Ardhanarishwara form of Shiva. Vaishno Devi Gufa in the temple complex is similar to the famous Vaishnodevi Mata Shrine near Jammu . There is also another cave shrine dedicated to Adi Kumari. Thakurdwara Temple in the complex...

 In Hinduism, the concept of karma is deeply intertwined with the idea that one's actions (good or bad) directly influence their future. Praying for good karma is essentially a request for guidance, blessings, and positive actions that result in beneficial outcomes both in this life and in future lives. In addition to prayers, offering puja (ritualistic worship), reciting mantras, and living righteously are all ways to cultivate good karma. Below is an expanded guide on how to pray for good karma, including simple prayers, puja steps, and the ideal deities to worship. Key Deities for Good Karma Lord Ganesha : Known as the remover of obstacles, Ganesha is invoked at the beginning of any prayer or important venture. Goddess Saraswati : The goddess of wisdom, learning, and purity, she helps devotees cultivate wisdom and good actions. Lord Shiva : The destroyer of ignorance and ego, Shiva is often prayed to for the purification of the soul. Lord Vishnu : The preserver and protector, V...

Kedara Vratham is dedicated to Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is observed on the Diwali day mainly in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Kedara Vratham 2025 date is October 20. Legend has it that Goddess Gauri (Parvati) observed the Kedara Vratham and she finally merged with Shiva. Thus Shiva and Parvati together became Ardhanarishwara. Today the Vratham is performed for happy and peaceful life by couples. Unmarried women perform it for a good husband. The number 21 is given importance in the Vratham as it is believed that Goddess Parvati had performed the Vratham for 21 days. 21 fruit, 21 betel leaves etc are used in the Puja. The puja is of great importance in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. 

Amar Das Baba Punyatithi is annually held in Bhadrapad month at Risod in Washim District in Maharashtra . Amar Das Baba Punyatithi 2025 date is August 24. This is the death anniversary of Sant Amar Das Baba. Amardas Baba was a pious saint in the great Bhakti tradition. He was noted for his spiritual teachings and philanthropic activities. Amardas Baba Mandir is located at Risod in Washim District. Satsang and Jatra are held on the occasion of the Punyatithi. Amar Das Baba Punyatithi is annually held on Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Pratipada or the first day during the waxing phase of moon in Bhadrapad month as per traditional Marathi calendar in Maharashtra .

Sant Sena Maharaj was an ardent devotee of Lord Vitthal and Rukmini. His punyatithi or death anniversary is annually held in the Shravan month. Sant Sena Maharaj Punyatithi 2026 date is September 8. Sri Sena Nhavi – popularly known as Sant Sena Maharaj – was a barber by occupation. It is said that he was immersed in the worship of Lord Vitthal that one day he had acquired the wrath of a local king. To pacify the king and rescue Sri Sena Nhavi it is said that Lord Vitthal himself appeared. The great Lord appearing as a barber to rescue his devotee impressed Sant Sena Maharaj who then became a Bhakti saint in the tradition of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj. Sant Sena Maharaj Punyatithi is annually held on the Shravan Krishna Paksha Dwadasi – the 12 th day during waning phase of moon as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra . Short Biography Sant Sena Maharaj , also known as Sri Sena Nhavi , was a 14th-century Bhakti saint and po...