VASANT PANCHAMI

As 'Diwali' – the festival of light – is to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, and 'Navaratri' is to Durga, goddess of power and valor, Vasant Panchami is to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts. This festival is celebrated every year on the 5th day or ‘Panchami’ of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha, which falls during January-February, (see calendar). ‘Vasant’ comes from the word ‘spring’ as this festival heralds the beginning of the spring season.

Birthday of Goddess Saraswati:

It is believed that on this day goddess Saraswati was born. Hindus celebrate Vasant Panchami with great fervor in temples, homes and even schools and colleges. Saraswati’s favorite color white assumes special significance on this day. Statues of the goddess are dressed in white clothes and are worshiped by devotees adorning white garments. Saraswati is offered sweets which are given away as ‘prasad’ to all people attending the ritual worship. There is also a custom of ancestor worship, known as ‘Pitri-Tarpan’ in many parts of India during Vasant Panchami.

The Foundation of Education:

The most significant aspect of Vasant Panchami is that it is also the most auspicious day to begin laying one’s foundations of education – of how to read and write. Pre-school children are given their first lesson in reading and writing on this day. All Hindu educational institutions conduct special prayer for Saraswati on this day. It is also a great day to inaugurate training institutes and new schools – a trend made famous by the renowned Indian educationist Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946), who founded the Banaras Hindu University on Vasant Panchami day in 1916.

A Springtime Celebration:

During Vasant Panchami, the advent of spring is felt in the air as the season undergoes change. New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees with the promise of new life and hope. Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of another big springtime event in the Hindu calendar - Holi, the festival of colors.

Saraswati Mantra: Sanskrit Prayer:

Here is the text of the popular 'pranam mantra' or Sanskrit prayer, Saraswati devotees utter with utmost devotion on this day:

Om Saraswati Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamala Lochaney |

Viswarupey Vishalakshmi, Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey ||

Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobhita, Mukta Haarey |

Vina Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati Bharati Devi Namohastutey ||

Saraswati Vandana: Sanskrit Hymn:

The following hymn is also recited on Vasant Panchami:



Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha|
Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasana||
Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha|Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa||

What is Christmas?

When it comes to discussing the origins of Christmas, many theories have been brought forward claiming one thing or the other about Christmas. The widely-believed theory suggests that Christmas has been with us for over 4,000 years and celebrations similar to that of Christmas took place even before the birth of the Christ child.

Although Christmas is celebrated on December 25 every year, About Christmas it has been said that Jesus was in fact born in the spring. Well, you get it right – there are a lot of contradictory statements associated with the origins of Christmas.
istmas. Christmas is about celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus while coming together with your friends
But this doesn’t really hamper the meaning of Chrand family and bonding with one another. The religious meaning of Christmas, however, has been declining slowly. These days, it’s more of commercialism associated with the holidays. People flocking at Target and Wal-mart stores with shopping carts full of gifts and ornaments are a common sight. Have we become more inclined to the commercial aspect of the holidays? It is important that the tradition of family bonding associated with the Christmas holidays continues forever and the essence of Christmas stays among us.

JAI MAA VAISHNO

Jai Maa Kali Mantra

JAI MAA VAISHNO: CHHATT FESTIVAL

JAI MAA VAISHNO: CHHATT FESTIVAL: "Chhatt is celebrated in Bihar and Jharkhand and where ever people from those regions have migrated to. THE ..."

CHHATT FESTIVAL

Chhatt is celebrated in Bihar and Jharkhand and where ever people from those regions have migrated to.

THE COLOURFUL FESTIVAL:

There are many festivals that are celebrated by the Hindus of Bihar and Jharkhand. The Hindu festival of Chhatt is unique to that region. Chhatt is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and therefore, is also known as Surya Shashti. Chhatt is celebrated as thanks to the Sun for providing the necessities of life on earth, and also for fulfilling particular wishes.

The word Chhatt denotes the number six and thus the festival begins on the sixth day of the Hindu month of Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar, which falls in late October and November.

Beliefs:

It is commonly believed that the wishes of the devotees are always granted. Also, the devotees dread the punishment for any misdeed during Chhatt. Therefore, the city remains safe and experiences peace during this time when even criminals prefer to behave.

The Days Of Festivity:

The festival of Chhatt is marked by celebrations and rituals that last 4 days.

Day 1:

The devotees bathe in the holy river Ganges to wash away their sins. They also clean their homes thoroughly.

Day 2:

The devotees observe a fast for the whole day, which is broken in late evening, after performing the puja (worship ceremony) at home. They offer kheer (rice pudding) and fruit to God and then share it with family and friends.

Day 3:

The day is spent preparing the prasad (offerings) at home. In the evening the devotees go to a riverbank or pond where the prasad is offered to the setting sun. The devotees return home for another colorful celebration. Under a canopy of sugar cane sticks, they place clay elephants containing diyas (earthen lamps), and baskets filled with prasad. Agni(fire god)is worshipped.

Day 4:

On the final day of the festivities the devotees, family and friends go to the riverbank. Prasad is offered to the rising sun. The devotees break their fast and the prasad is shared with all the people around.

The Festivities And The Rituals:

Chhatt is a very joyous and colorful festival. All the people dress up in their best clothes. Devotional folk songs are sung both at home and on the riverbank. Millions of people gather at the banks of river Ganges in Patna (Capital of Bihar) to celebrate Chhatt. The streets are kept spotlessly clean by volunteers, who also decorate all the streets leading to the river.

The prasad includes sweets and fruit kept in small baskets made of bamboo.

The food is strictly vegetarian and it is cooked without salt, onions or garlic. Emphasis on put on maintaining the purity of the food.

Once a family start performing Chhatt Puja, it is continued annually by the following generations. If unable to perform the puja themselves for personal reasons, it is recommended that one should assist some one else who is performing the puja by providing funds or the prasad instead of completely missing the puja.

The Places Of Activity:

The sun temples in Aurangabad and Baragaon near Nalanda, actively celebrate Chhatt. During the festival time it is very crowded. All the devotees go to the banks of the river to offer their prayers to the Sun god.

Over the years people from both Bihar and Jharkhand have moved to other states and even to other countries for education or career. With them they have taken along the festival of Chhatt so it is now celebrated in many other places.

The splendour of Chhatt is some thing to experience and enjoy. There are beautiful folk songs sung for Chhatt. It is a shame that most of them are passed down in families but are not recorded for others to hear and enjoy.

Recently a few well known singers have tried to recreate the folk songs. A few examples can be found in the section 'Chhatt Geet'. Hope you enjoy listening to them and will go out and buy the cd or tape from a reputable dealer.

Dhanteras

About Dhanteras
 Dhanteras falls on the thirteenth day of the month of ashwin. The word "Dhan" means wealth. As such this day of the five-day diwali festival has a great importance for the rich mercantile community of western India. Houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of rangoli designs to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. On this auspicious day women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. Pooja is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- are sung in praise of Goddess Lakshmi.
   <span>D</span>hanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi, and takes place two days before Diwali, in honour of Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu.
   <span>T</span>he legend of Samudramanthan is at the heart of these celebrations. Lord Indra was cursed by sage Durvasa that “The pride of wealth has entered his head and let Lakshmi leave him." On account of Durvasa's curse, Lakshmi left Indra and went away. As Lakshmi is the goddess of power, bravery, enthusiasm and radiance left, Devendra's life became miserable. The demons that were waiting for such an opportunity invaded heaven, defeated Indra. He lost his kingdom and hid out of the sight of the demons.
   <span>A</span> number of years passed. Indra's teacher Brihaspati thought of finding a way out for Indra's troubles. He went with the gods to Brahma, who went to Vishnu, A way was found out of it. The sea of milk was to be churned. It was a very difficult job. Therefore the friendship of the demons and get their assistance was required. Mandara Mountain was a churning rod and Vasuki, the king of the serpents, as a rope.
   <span>W</span>When the sea will be churned ambrosia will be produced. The gods must drink it and become immortal. It will then be possible for gods to defeat the demons. When the sea is churned, Lakshmi who has disappeared will appear again. Her grace will be bestowed.The clever Brihaspati managed to strike a friendship with the demons who agreed in the hope of getting ambrosia and wealth. After initial difficulties posed by the sinking of mount Mandara into the milky sea which was set right by Lord Vishnu who took the form of a tortoise and hoisted it on his back, the churning started.
   <span>F</span>irst, Kalakuta, a dreadful poison was produced which Lord Shiva drank much to the relief of the gods and demons. Due to Vishnu's continued encouragement, gods and demons continued churning the sea. Then a horse by name Uchaishravas, Kalpavriksha had the power to grant what is wished, and Kamdhenu and other celestial articles took shape. When the sea continued to be churned the Apsara were born.
   <span>A</span>fter that in the midst of the waves of the sea of milk, a goddess with heavenly looks came into view. She was standing on a fully blossomed lotus. Wearing a lotus garland in the neck, she was holding a lotus in her hand. She was attractive and was radiantly smiling, she was Lakshmi.
   <span>T</span>he sages began reciting hymns in praise of her. Gandharvas sang. Apsaras danced. The elephants on either side sprinkled sacred holy Ganga water on the goddess and bathed her. Because the elephants sprinkled holy water on her, she acquired the name of Gajalakshmi. Because she was born in the sea of milk, she was called Samudratanya. The king of the sea appeared in his natural form and comforted Lakshmi as a daughter. He presented her with attractive clothes and jewels. He handed to her a garland of lotus flowers. While everybody was looking in surprise, Lakshmi put the garland around the neck of Vishnu. Then she looked at Indra kindly, he acquired an extraordinary radiance.
   <span>T</span>he gods and demons continued to churn the ocean for Amrut or nectar, Finally Dhanavantri emerged carrying a jar of the elixir (ambrosia). Both the asuras and the devas wanted the ambrosia, but finally Vishnu managed to give the immortal nectar to the gods and the asuras where defeated. Thus the churning of the ocean resulted in the immortality of the devas and was the reason for Lakshmi's emergence.
   <span>A</span>nother interesting story about this day is of the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband’s boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs. When Yam, the god of death arrived there in the guise of a serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the prince’s chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away.
   <span>T</span>hus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "YAMADEEPDAAN" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of death.