Sridhar_Blog_Festivals 2

Festivals (cont.) :

15. Naraka Chaturdashi :

Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated to mark the end of Narakasura named daithya. It is celebrated on Ashwija Krishna Chaturdashi.

Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated every year by performing puja of the Goddess Kali who had killed the demon named Narakasura. That’s why the day is known as Narak-Chaturdashi. People offer puja in order to eliminate their laziness and wickedness from their life as well as bring real light into their life.

It is also considered that the day is getting celebrated as Hindu God Lord Krishna got victory over the demon Narakasura.

People wake up early in the morning, apply aromatic oil throughout their body before bathing. Then they wear new clothes after bathing, offer puja and enjoy delicious breakfast with their relatives and friends. They lit oil diyas everywhere and enjoy some fire crackers in the evening with their family.

Legend story of Narak Chaturdashi :

Narakasura is a daithya born to Bhoodevi and Varahadevaru.   He was the king of Pragjyotisha Nagar (now in Assam).  He had occupied that King’s position after overthrowing danava king Ghatakasura.

Narakasura in association with Murasura, had brought control of the entire world under his belt.  He went to Swargaloka and attacked Devendra, who had to flew out of Indraloka.  He stole 16100 women (gopikaa stree, who are originally sons of Agni, born as ladies just to marry to Krishna) and had kept them in his Jail.  All gods approached  Srihari with the leadership of Indra, who assured them to put an end to Narakasura.  But Narakasura had a boon that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhoodevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Sathyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka.

Then a fierce fight went on with Krishna and Narakasura.  Satyabhama also joined in fighting with the daithya. Krishna also killed Narakasura with his Sudarshana Chakra and freed all the 16100 women who were imprisoned by the daithya.   Bhoodevi then sang hymns in praise of Krishna and begged him to take Naraka’s son Bhagdatta under his protection.  Krishna placed Bhagadatta (Narakasura’s son Bhagadatta had fought for Kauravaas in Kurukshetra War)  on the throne and then freed all of Naraka’s prisoners. The devathaas showered Krishna with flowers from the heavens.  Before  dying, the Asura requested a boon that his death anniversary should be celebrated by all people on earth. This day is celebrated as ‘Naraka Chaturdashi’ – the first day of Diwali.

Why oil bath to be taken on Naraka Chaturdashi day?

It is said Lord Krishna had an oil bath to rid himself off the blood spattered on his body when Naraka was killed. The tradition is followed and people offer prayers on the previous day of the Naraka Chaturdashi to the vessel in which water is being heated for having bath. Hindus light fireworks, which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day.

Srikrishna paramathma has given a blessings on Narakasura that those who does the tailabhyanjana on this Day, i.e., Ashwayuja Bahula Chaturdashi will have putra, poutra, aishwarya and everything.  This is called as “Naraka Chaturdashi”, further they will not fear of “Naraka”.  Abhyanga Snana is a full body massage and ritual bathing on the Narak Chaturdasi day during Diwali. In some regions, Abhyang Snana is performed before sunrise.

Before doing Abhyanga Snaana – first have “Enne shaastra” from sumangali strees.  Then do have normal snaana.


According to one of the ancient history of the past, there was a king, Ranti Deva. He was very spiritual and clever man. He was always involved himself in the religious works and services of mankind. One day, death of God, Yama, had came to him to get the soul of king. The king asked Yama that I never did bad work and sin all over my life. Why you came to get me to hell, Yama answered that a long ago you had returned a hungry priest from your door. That’s why I am here to get you to the hell.

The king prayed to the Yama to get one year life more. Yama granted him one year life more, and then king met with the saints and told his story to them. They suggested him to keep fast at Narak Chaturdashi and offer food to the priests as well as say sorry to them for your past mistake. In this way you can get relief from your past sin.

Form that day, Narak Chaturdashi is celebrated to become free from all the sins as well as keep away self from going to the hell.


16. Laxmi pooja :

Goddess Lakshmi is movable and never stays at a single place for long, there are always attempts to make Her fixed or prolong Her stay at one place by worshipping Her during a fixed Lagna. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Lakshmi during fixed Lagna would make Her stable or at least prolong Her stay at one place.

As per legends, Goddess Lakshmi came out of the milky ocean on the day of Dhantrayodashi and chose Lord Vishnu as Her husband on the day of Diwali. Hence Diwali Amavasya is considered the most appropriate day to appease the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.

On the day of Amavasya during Diwali festivities, Vrishchika Lagna prevails in morning, Kumbha Lagna during afternoon, Vrishabha Lagna during evening and Simha Lagna during midnight. Hence Vrishabha Lagna is considered the most significant as it overlaps with Pradosh just after sunset.


17. Bali padyami :

According to Hindu mythology, Bali Padyami commemorates the victory of god Vishnu in his dwarf incarnation Vamana, the fifth incarnation of the Dashavatara (ten major incarnations of Vishnu) defeating Bali, and pushing him to the nether world. But Bali was bestowed a boon by Vishnu to return to earth for one day on this day to be honoured and celebrated for his devotion to the Lord and for his noble deeds to his people.

Legend :

According to Hindu mythology, Bali, an Daitya king was well known for his bravery, uprightness and dedication to god Vishnu. He was benevolent and his popularity was only marred by the actions of his kinsmen who involved themselves with depredations against the gods who stood for righteousness and justice. But Bali was also considered as arrogant and vainglorious and the godly people did not like him for this. Bali was also considered invincible since he was a great devotee of Vishnu. The gods, upset by the harassment meted out to them by the asuras, and jealous of the popularity of Bali – sometimes glorified as Mahabali ("the great Bali"), approached Vishnu to help them to get rid of Bali.Vishnu took the form of a dwarf Vamana. Vamana is Vishnu's fifth Avatar (incarnation), out of his ten avatars that he is believed to have assumed to triumph over evil and usher peace, prosperity and happiness in this world. Vamana, the dwarf Brahmin, then approached Bali seeking reverence and alms. Aware of the generous nature of Bali, Vamana appeared before him and sought a gift of three paces of land from the king. Bali readily agreed. The dwarf then assumed his huge universal form (vishwarupa or "all pervading") and placed his first step forward, which occupied the entire universal space. With his second step he occupied the earth, except the space where Bali was standing. Since there was no other space available to put Vamana's third step, Bali readily offered his own head for Vamana to put his third step, fully realising that the person who was asking for such gift was none other than Vishnu himself. Vishnu banished Bali to patalaloka, the nether-world.

Pleased with the generosity of Bali, Vishnu grants him a boon that he could return to earth for one day in a year to be with his people and light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom. It is this day that is celebrated as the Bali Padyami, the annual return of Bali from the netherworld to earth.

18. Uttaana dwaadashi :
(Tulsi habba)

Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (holy basil) to the Hindu god Vishnu or his Avatar Krishna. This ceremony can be performed any time between Prabodhini Ekadashi - the eleventh lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month Kartik to the full moon of the month (Kartik Poornima) but usually it is performed on the eleventh or the twelfth lunar day. The Tulsi wedding signifies the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the Hindu wedding season.

Legend :

According to Hindu scripture, the Tulsi plant was a woman named Vrinda (Brinda, a synonym of Tulsi). She was married to the demon-king Jalandhar, who due to her piety and devotion to Vishnu, became invincible. Even Shiva—the Destroyer in the Hindu Trinity—could not defeat Jalandhar, so he requested Vishnu - the preserver in the Trinity - to find a solution. Vishnu disguised himself as Jalandhar and tricked Vrinda.

Her chastity destroyed, Jalandhar lost his power and was killed by Shiva. Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become black in colour and to be would be separated from his wife, Lakshmi. This was later fulfilled when he was transformed into the black Shaligram stone (actually a fossil), and in his Rama avatar, was separated from his wife Sita, who was kidnapped by the demon-king Ravana. Vrinda then drowned herself in the ocean, and the gods (or Vishnu himself) transferred her soul to a plant, which was henceforth called Tulsi.

As per a blessing by Vishnu to marry Vrinda in her next birth, Vishnu – in form of Shaligram - married Tulsi on Prabodhini Ekadashi. To commemorate this event, the ceremony of Tulsi Vivah is performed.

Another minor legend narrates that Lakshmi slew a demon on this day and remained on earth as the Tulsi plant.


19. Significance of Pradosha :

“Pradosha” refers to the sacred time of sunset on the thirteenth lunar day, or “trayodasi tithi.” Trayodasi occurs twice each lunar month, once in the waxing phase and once in the waning phase of the moon, so Pradosha Puja is performed twice each month in the Temple.

The word “pradosham” itself means the removal of any kind of subtle or energetic impurity. India’s ancient rishis have discovered that these impurities, which are formed due to our actions and attitudes in previous births, are the cause of our suffering and turmoil. By performing certain pujas on Trayodasi, these impurities can be washed away.

The more we wash away these karmic impurities, the more we will experience inner peace, radiant health, and spiritual joy. As the subtle impurities are washed away, our true divine qualities will begin to emerge–qualities like kindness, compassion, honesty, and the desire to give selfless service to others.

It is believed that during Pradosha period all the universal beings and Gods come down to earth and attend the worship.

The importance of observing Pradosha is described in Pradosha Mahatmyam from Shiva Purana and hence Shiva devotees observe Pradosha Pooja with high sanctity. Pradosha indicates the meeting of the Sun and the Moon in a horizontal line during their movement on their Axis.

According to the legend, Lord Shiva is believed to have drunk the Halahala poison during Pradosham. This poison was mixed with the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthan).

Shani Pradosha :

According to Hindu belief, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison on a Saturday and this is called Sani Pradosh or Shani Pradosha.

Sani Pradosham is classified into Uthama Shani Pradhosham, Mathima Sani Pradhosham, and Athama Sani Pradhosham.

Uthama Sani Pradhosha is the Sani Pradhosham that comes during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during the waxing period. Mathima Sani Pradhosham occurs during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during waning period. All other Shani Pradhoshams come under this category Athama Shani Pradhosha.

Maha Pradhosham:

Maha Pradhosha is a yearly rite which falls during February – March (Magha in Sanskrit, Kumbha Masam in Malayalam, and Maasi in Tamil) before Maha Sivarathri. Pradosham is carried out regularly in all Lord Shiva Temples across the country.


During Prodhosha time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the Following is considered fruitful.

Milk Gives Long Life,
Ghee Gives Moksha state,
Curd Gives Good Children,
Honey Give Melodious Voice,
Rice Powder Frees from Debts,
Sugar Cane Juice Gives good health and removes enmity,
Pancha-amrutha Gives Wealth,
Lime Juice Removes fear of Death,
Tender Coconut Gives enjoyment and full satisfaction in life,
Cooked Rice Gives Majestic life,
Sandal Gives Lakshmi’s grace,
Sugar Removes enmity.

20. Makara sankranti :

The movement of the Sun from one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti and as the Sun moves into the Capricorn zodiac known as Makara in Sanskrit, this occasion is named as Makara Sankranti.

This day holds a geographical, historical and religious & astrological significance.

It marks the end of an inauspicious phase which according to the Hindu calendar begins around mid-December. It is believed that any auspicious and sacred ritual can be sanctified in any Hindu family, this day onwards. Scientifically, this day marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared to the nights. In other words, Sankranti marks the termination of winter season and beginning of a new harvest or spring season.
[10/01 18:09] Sridhar Chakrabhavi: This festival signifies the harvest of the season, since sugarcane is predominant in these parts. Ellu Bella, Ellu Unde, bananas, sugarcane, red berries, haldi and kumkum and small gift items useful in everyday lives are often exchanged among women in Karnataka.

According to Mahabharata, Bhishma, who had the power to control his own death, chose to die on the day of Maghe Sakranti. Therefore, it is believed that one who dies on this day might achieve Moksha, a release from rebirth cycle.
[10/01 18:23] Sridhar Chakrabhavi: Makar Sankranti generally marks the beginning of the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh while in South India, in Kerala, one of the most austere and difficult pilgrimages of Shabrimala ends on this auspicious day.

Other parts of the country too, celebrate by taking a dip in the holy rivers flowing through states to cleanse themselves of sins. It is also believed that if you die during Makar Sankranti, you are not reborn but go directly to heaven.


21. Basant Panchmi :

Basant Panchmi is celebrated on the fifth day (Panchami Tithi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month Magh. From this day, Vasant Ritu (the spring season) begins in India. Saraswati Puja is also performed on this day. The celebration takes place when the Panchami Tithi prevails during the first half of the day i.e. the time between sunrise and midday.

If Panchmi Tithi begins after the midday and prevails in the first half of the next day then Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the second day. The celebration can only shift to the next day in one condition i.e. if Panchami TIthi is not prevailing in the first half of the first day at any point of time. Otherwise, in all other cases, the celebration will take place on the first day. That is why, sometimes, Basant Panchami also falls on the Chaturthi Tithi as per Panchang.

On this day, Goddess Rati and Lord Kamdev are worshiped in 16 ways (Shodhashopchar Puja) during the first half of this day i.e. the time between sunrise till mid day.

If husband-wife worship Rati-Kamdev after this Sankalp in 16 ways (Shodashopchar), their married life turns into a blessing from all the possible ways.

22. Saraswati Puja :

On this day, at the above given worship duration, intellectuals (or people related to education, art, etc.) worship Saraswati. The Puja becomes even more powerful when worshipers recite Saraswati Stotra along with the other rituals.

Sri Panchami :

Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth; also known as “Shri”) and Lord Vishnu are also worshiped together on this day. Some people worship Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati together as well. Usually, businessmen worship Lakshmi. It is considered highly auspicious if businessmen recite Shri Sukta on this day.


23. Ratha saptami :

Ratha Saptami (or Magha Saptami) is a Hindu festival that falls on the seventh day in the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Maagha maasa. It marks the seventh day following the Sun’s northerly movement (Uttarayana) of  starting from Capricorn (Makara).

On the day of Makar Sankranti, Sun enters Capricorn and also starts his journey toward North which is known as Uttrayana. Ratha Saptami is the seventh day of Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month 'Magh'. The journey of sun started from Capricorn for vernal equinox commences from this very day. Vernal equinox in simple terms is the day that has day and night of equal time in spring.

It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha (Chariot) drawn by seven horses, with Aruṇa as the charioteer, towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easterly direction. The symbolic significance of the ratha and the seven horses reigned to it is that it represents the seven colours of the rainbow. The seven horses are also said to represent the seven days of a week starting with Sunday, the day of Sun god Surya. The chariot has 12 wheels, which represents the 12 signs (each of 30 degrees) of the Zodiac (360 degrees) and constituting a full year, named Samvatsara. The Sun’s own house is Leo (Simha) and he moves from one house to the next every month and the total cycle takes 365 days to complete.

It also marks the birth of Surya and hence celebrated as Surya Jayanti (the Sun-god’s birthday).

Ratha Saptami is symbolic of the change of season to spring and the start of the harvesting season. It also marks the gradual increase in temperature across South India and awaits the arrival of spring,

For most Indian farmers, it is an auspicious beginning of the New Year.

Benefits of Ratha Saptami Pooja :

Rathasapthami begins in households with a purification bath (bathing is also done in a river or sea) by holding seven Ekka leaves on their head while bathing.

Worshipping to Lord Surya with pure mind and full devotion makes the God to shower his blessings on his devotees. Pooja during Ratha Saptami makes the man to find  victory over external or internal (jealousy, weaknesses, anger) enemies.

Legend story :

Ratha Saptami also marks the birth of Surya to sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi and hence celebrated as Surya Jayanti (the Sun-god’s birthday). A legend is narrated by the Kamboj empire’s King Yashovarma, a noble king who had no heir to rule his kingdom. On his special prayers to God, he was blessed with a son. The king’s vows did not end with this, as his son was terminally ill. A saint who visited the king advised that his son should perform the Ratha Saptami pooja (worship) with reverence to rid of his past sins. Once the King’s son performed this, his health was restored and he ruled his kingdom well.

It is also said that sage Bhisma breathed his last breath fourth day after the Rathasaptahmi day on ekaadashi


24. Mahaa shivaratri :

Shivaratri, marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Maagha maasa, Krishna Paksha Trayodashi or Chaturdashi. Of the twelve Shivaratris in the year, the Maha Shivarathri is the most holy.

The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael leaves to Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-vigil (jagaran). All through the day, devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya", the sacred mantra of Shiva. Penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's highest good steadily and swiftly. On this day, the planetary positions in the Northern hemisphere act as potent catalysts to help a person raise his or her spiritual energy more easily. The benefits of powerful ancient Sanskrit mantras such as Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra increase greatly on this night.

Legend of Samudra manthan :

Shiva saved the world from the disastrous effects of a poison that emerged as a by product of the churning of the sea (Samudra manthan), by consuming the whole of the poison. Shiva could arrest the poison in his throat by his Yogic powers and it didn't go down his throat. His neck turned blue due to the effect of the poison on his throat and henceforth he is also known as Neela Kantha or The Blue Throated.

Lord Shiva's favorite day :

After earth's creation was complete, Parvati asked Lord Shiva which devotees and rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 14th night of the new moon, in the dark fortnight during the month of Phalgun, is his favorite day. Parvati repeated these words to Her friends, from whom the word spread to all creation.

The Story of King Chitrabhanu :

Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa (India), was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king.

The sage asked the king the purpose of his observing the fast. King Chitrabhanu explained that he had a gift of remembering the incidents of his past birth, and in his previous life he had been a hunter on Varanasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. The day before the new moon, while roaming through forests in search of animals, he saw a deer, but before his arrow flew he noticed the deer's family and their sadness at its impending death. So he let it live. He had still not caught anything when night fell, so he climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. His canteen leaked water, so he was both hungry and thirsty. These two torments kept him awake throughout the night, thinking of his poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously awaiting his return. To pass the time, he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.

The next day he returned home and bought some food for himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast a stranger came to him, begging for food. He served the food first to stranger and only ate afterward.

At the time of his death, he saw two messengers of Lord Shiva, sent to conduct his soul to the abode of Shiva. He learnt then for the first time of the great merit he had earned by unconscious worship of Shiva during the night of Maha Shivaratri. The messengers told him that there had been a Lingam (a symbol for the worship of Shiva) at the bottom of the tree. The leaves he dropped from the Bael tree had fallen into the shape of a Lingam, in imitation of Shiva's ritual worship. The water from his leaky canteen had washed the Lingam (also a ritual action), and he had fasted all day and all night. Thus, he unconsciously had worshiped Lord Shiva. At the conclusion of the tale the King said that he had lived in the abode of the Shiva and enjoyed divine bliss for a long time before being reborn as Chitrabhanu.

This story is narrated in the Garuda Purana.


25. Chandamaana Yugadi :

The name Yugadi or Ugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words yuga (age) and ādi (beginning): "the beginning of a new age". Yugadi specifically refers to the start of the age we are living in now, the Kali Yuga. The Kali Yuga began when Lord Krishna left the world. Maharshi Vedavyasa describes this event with the words "Yesmin Krishno divamvyataha, Tasmat eeva pratipannam Kaliyugam". Kali Yuga began on February 17 or 18, at midnight, in 3102 BC.

This calendar reckons dates based on the Shalivahana era  (Shalivahana Shaka), which begins its count from the supposed date of the founding of the Empire by the legendary hero Shalivahana. The Satavahana king Shalivahana (also identified as Gautamiputra Satakarni) is credited with the initiation of this era known as Shalivahana. The Salivahana era begins its count of years from the year corresponding to 78 BC of the Gregorian calendar. Thus, the year 2000 CE corresponds to the year 1922 of the Salivahana Era.

Ugadi marks the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar with a change in the moon's orbit. It is a day when mantras are chanted and predictions made for the new year. Traditionally, the panchangasravanam or listening to the yearly calendar was done at the temples or at the Town square.

Yugadi falls on "Chaitra Shudhdha Paadyami" or the first day of the bright half of the Indian month of Chaitra.

Symbolic eating of a dish with six tastes :

Bevu-Bella (ಬೇವು-ಬೆಲ್ಲ)  in symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of different experiences (sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust, surprise), which should be accepted together  through the year and eating of a specific tastes.

Each ingredient denotes the six tastes of life:

Sadness – Neem Buds/Flowers for its bitterness.

Happiness – Jaggery and ripe banana pieces for sweetness.

Anger – Green Chilli/Pepper for its hot taste.

Fear – Salt for saltiness.

Disgust – Tamarind Juice for its sourness.

Surprise – Unripened Mango for its tang.


26. Ramanavami :

One of the research point that we are celebrating RAMANAVAMI when Sun is in Pisces, even sun is exhaulted (in aries ) in Sri rama's horoscope.

Let's elaborate Maharishi Valmiki have mentioned the following important parameter :

a) Sun is exalted. Now we know that the Sun gets exalted status in ARIES.

b) Moon in Punarvasu nakshatra and in Cancer rashi and lagna.

c) Tithi is Naumi (ninth) shukla paksha.

Mathematically speaking the exaltation of Sun, in Aries, is from 0’ to 30’. Since tithi mathematically means (moon – sun)/ 12, and ninth tithi falls between 96’ to 108’, we can straight away say that even if the sun is at 00’ Aries, moon has to be between 96’ to 108’ to satisfy the tithi criteria ( range of each tithi is 12’). It is important to note that the Sun cannot be at any degree less than 00’ (as then it will not be in Aries), as it will not be exalted then. Punarvasu nakshatra extends from 80’00” up to 93’20”.


This means that if one is computing the birth chart of the Shri Ram, one of the above three criteria will NOT be met. In case you keep Sun in Aries, and have ninth tithi, Moon would have crossed Punarvasu. In case you place Moon in Punarvasu, mathematically you are not going to get ninth tithi. If you want to keep Moon in Punarvasu and retain ninth tithi, Sun has to be shifted back further and it recedes from Aries to Pisces. And in Pieces, Sun is not exalted. This, put mathematically, would mean the horoscope cannot be made.

One must also understand that this is the reason why we are celebrating RAMANAVAMI when Sun is in Pisces, as we cannot get all the above three variables in place .