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Chaturmasya
Chaturmasya (; Pali: ''Catumāsa''), also rendered Chāturmāsa, is a holy period of four months, beginning on Shayani Ekadashi (June-July) and ending on Prabodhini Ekadashi (October-November) in Hinduism. This period also coincides with the monsoon season in India. Chaturmasya is reserved for penance, austerities, fasting, bathing in holy rivers and religious observances for all. Devotees resolve to observe some form of vow, be it of silence or abstaining from a favourite food item, or having only a single meal a day. Etymology Chaturmasya literally means "four months", derived from the Sanskrit ''chatur'' (चतुर्), "four", and ''māsa'' (मासः), "month". Hinduism Literature Chaturmasya begins on the eleventh day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashadha or Devashayani Ekadashi. This is celebrated as the day that the deity Vishnu enters a yogic sleep ('' yoga nidra'') on his serpent, Shesha, for a period of four months and wakes up on Prabodhini Ekadashi. This is ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chaturmas
Chaturmasya (; Pali: ''Catumāsa''), also rendered Chāturmāsa, is a holy period of four months, beginning on Shayani Ekadashi (June-July) and ending on Prabodhini Ekadashi (October-November) in Hinduism. This period also coincides with the monsoon season in India. Chaturmasya is reserved for penance, austerities, fasting, bathing in holy rivers and religious observances for all. Devotees resolve to observe some form of vow, be it of silence or abstaining from a favourite food item, or having only a single meal a day. Etymology Chaturmasya literally means "four months", derived from the Sanskrit ''chatur'' (चतुर्), "four", and ''māsa'' (मासः), "month". Hinduism Literature Chaturmasya begins on the eleventh day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashadha or Devashayani Ekadashi. This is celebrated as the day that the deity Vishnu enters a yogic sleep ('' yoga nidra'') on his serpent, Shesha, for a period of four months and wakes up on Prabodhini Ekadashi. Thi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shayani Ekadashi
Shayani Ekadashi (), also known by various other names, is the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight ( Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadha (June - July). This occasion is holy to Vaishnavas, the followers of the Hindu preserver deity, Vishnu, as it is regarded to be the day the deity's sleep commences. Significance On this day images of Vishnu and Lakshmi are worshipped, the night is spent singing prayers, and devotees fast and take vows on this day, to be observed during the entire chaturmasya, the holy four-month period of rainy season. These may include, giving up a food item or fasting on every Ekadashi day. It is believed that Vishnu falls asleep in Kshira Sagara - the cosmic ocean of milk - on Shesha, the cosmic serpent.Fasts and Festivals of India' (2002) By Manish Verma. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. . ''p.33'' Vishnu finally awakens from his slumber four months later on '' Prabodhini Ekadashi'' - eleventh day of bright fortnight in the Hin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prabodhini Ekadashi
Prabodhini Ekadashi (), also known as Deva Uttana Ekadashi (), is the 11th lunar day (''ekadashi'') in the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Kartika. It marks the end of the four-month period of Chaturmasya, when the god Vishnu is believed to be asleep. It is believed that Vishnu sleeps on the day of Shayani Ekadashi, and wakes on this day. The end of Chaturmasya, when marriages are prohibited, signifies the beginning of the Hindu wedding season. Prabodhini Ekadashi is followed by Kartika Purnima, which day is celebrated as Deva Deepavali, the Deepavali of the ''devas''. The symbolic union of Vishnu and Lakshmi or Tulasi Vivaha is also celebrated on this day. Nomenclature The occasion is known by various names such as Prabodhini Ekadashi (awakening eleventh), Vishnu Prabodhini (awakening of Vishnu), Hari Prabodhini, Deva Prabodhini Ekadashi, Uttana Ekadashi, and Deothan. This day is known as ''Thulo Ekadashi'' ("Biggest of the ''Ekadashi''s") in N ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
King Bali
Mahabali (IAST: Mahābalī), also known as Bali, Indrasenan, or Māveli, is a daitya king featured in Hinduism. He is the grandson of Prahlada, and a descendant of the sage Kashyapa. There are many versions of his legend in ancient texts such as the ''Shatapatha Brahmana'', ''Ramayana'', ''Mahabharata'', and several ''Puranas''. According to Hindu literature, he was blessed to be one of the Chiranjivi, a group of seven immortals, by the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and reigns in the Sutaloka. It is believed that Mahabali will become the King of Svarga (heaven) in the next ''yuga''. In Kerala, Mahabali is considered to be the noblest and most prosperous ruler, who transformed his kingdom into a heavenly place. His legend is a major part of the annual festival Onam in the state of Kerala, and it is celebrated in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh as Balipratipada, Balipadyami, Balipādyami, or Bali pādva (the third day of Diwali, Deepavali and first day of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima () is a religious festival dedicated to offering respect to all the spiritual and academic gurus. It is celebrated as a festival in India, Nepal and Bhutan by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. This festival is traditionally observed to honour one's chosen spiritual teachers or leaders. It is observed on the full moon day (''Purnima'') in the month of '' Ashadha'' (June–July) according to the Hindu Calendar.Articlpoornima.html "Guru Poornima (Vyas Puja)" As on 22 July 2013 on www.Sanatan.org It is also known as Vyasa Purnima, for it marks the birthday of Veda Vyasa, the sage who authored the Mahabharata and compiled the Vedas. Etymology The word guru is derived from the Sanskrit root words, ''gu'' and ''ru''. G''u'' means "darkness" or "ignorance", and ''ru'' means "dispeller." Therefore, a guru is the dispeller of darkness or ignorance. Observances Hinduism The celebration of Guru Purnima is marked by spiritual activities and may include a ritualistic event, ' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vijayadashami
Vijayadashami (), more commonly known as Dassahra in Hindi, and also known as Dashāhra or Dashain in Bhojpuri, Maithili and Nepali, is a major Hindu festival celebrated every year at the end of Durga Puja and Navaratri, Navarahtri. It is observed on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin, the seventh in the Hindu Calendar, Hindu lunisolar calendar. The festival typically falls in the Gregorian calendar months of September and October, more specifically between 27 September and 26 October. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) of the Ashvayuja month. Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of India and Nepal. In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, commemorating goddess Durga's victory against Mahishasura to restore and protect ''dharma''. In the northern, central, and western states, it marks the end of Ramlila and com ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Durga Puja
Durga Puja (ISO 15919, ISO: , ), also known as Durgotsava or Shaaradotsava, is an annual festival originating in the Indian subcontinent which pays homage to the Hinduism, Hindu goddess Durga, and is also celebrated because of Durga's victory over Mahishasura. It is the biggest festival of Bengali Hindus and the Indian state of West Bengal. Durga Puja in Kolkata, Durga Puja as celebrated in Kolkata, West Bengal's capital city, was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO in December 2021. In addition to West Bengal, Hindu Bengalis are native to Bangladesh and Indian state of Tripura, Barak Valley, Assam (Barak Valley), Jharkhand and Kosi-Seemanchal, Bihar (Kosi-Seemanchal); Therefore, Durga Puja is performed with great devotion in these places as well. The festival is observed in the Indian calendar in the month of Ashwin, Ashvin, which corresponds to September–October in the Gregorian calendar. Durga Puja is ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Navaratri
Navaratri () is an annual Hindu festival observed in honor of the goddess Durga, an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess. It spans over nine nights, first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar), and again in the month of Ashvin (September–October). It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Hindu Indian cultural sphere. Theoretically, there are four seasonal ''Navaratris''. However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navaratri. There are 2 Gupta Navaratris or "Secret Navaratris" as well, one starting on the Shukla Paksha Pratipada of the Magha Month (Magha Gupta Navaratri) and another starting in the Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Ashadha Month. Etymology and nomenclature The word ''Navarātram'' means "a period of nine nights" in Sanskrit, ''nava'' meaning "nine" and ''ratri'' meaning "night". Dates and celebrations In the eastern and northeastern states of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi (ISO: ), also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi () or Vinayaka Chavithi () or Vinayagar Chaturthi (), is a Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Hindu deity Ganesh. The festival is marked with the installation of Ganesha's ''murtis'' (devotional representations of a deity) privately in homes and publicly on elaborate pandals (temporary stages). Observances include chanting of Vedic hymns and Hindu texts, such as prayers and ''vrata'' (fasting). Offerings and '' prasada'' from the daily prayers, that are distributed from the pandal to the community, include sweets such as '' modak'' as it is believed to be a favourite of Ganesha. The festival ends on the tenth day after start, when the ''murti'' is carried in a public procession with music and group chanting, then immersed in a nearby body of water such as a river or sea, called ''visarjana'' on the day of Ananta Chaturdashi. In Mumbai alone, around 150,000 murtis are immersed annually. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan Quote: m Hindi ''rakśābandhan'' held on the full moon of the month of Savan, when sisters tie a talisman (rakhi q.v.) on the arm of their brothers and receive small gifts of money from them. is a popular and traditionally Hindus, Hindu annual rite or ceremony that is central to a festival of the same name celebrated in South Asia. It is also celebrated in other parts of the world significantly influenced by Hindu culture. On this day, sisters of all ages tie a talisman or amulet called the ''rakhi'' around the wrists of their brothers. The sisters symbolically protect the brothers, receive a gift in return, and traditionally invest the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care. Raksha Bandhan is observed on the last day of the Hindu calendar, Hindu lunar calendar month of Shraavana, Shravana, which typically falls in August. The expression "Raksha Bandhan" (Sanskrit, literally "the bond of protection, obligation, or care") is now ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Onam
Onam () is an annual harvest and Hindus, Hindu cultural festival celebrated mostly by the people of Kerala. A major annual event for Malayalis, Keralites, it is the official festival of the state and includes a spectrum of cultural events. Hindu mythology Onam commemorates the return of the generous daitya king Mahabali after he was banished to the netherworld by Vamana (the fifth avatar of Hindu deity Vishnu). According to the Hindu mythology, Hindu legends, after Indra (the king of the Deva (Hinduism), devas) is defeated by Mahabali (the king of the asuras), the devas ultimately seek refuge in Vishnu, who agrees to restore Indra to power. To do so, Vishnu incarnates as a dwarf priest called Vamana. Mahabali (himself a devotee of Vishnu) conducts Yajna, ritual prayers, one of which is attended by Vamana, who requests only three feet (steps) of land to build a Vedi (altar), fire-altar. Mahabali agrees, despite being told about Vamana's divine nature by the sage Shukra. Vamana ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami (), also known simply as Krishnashtami, Janmashtami, or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. In certain Hindu texts, such as the '' Gita Govinda'', Krishna has been identified as supreme God and the source of all avatars. Krishna's birth is celebrated and observed on the eighth day ( Ashtami) of the dark fortnight ( Krishna Paksha) in Shravana Masa (according to the amanta tradition). According to the purnimanta tradition), Krishna's birth is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in Bhadrapada Masa. This overlaps with August or September of the Gregorian calendar. It is an important festival, particularly in the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism. The celebratory customs associated with Janmashtami include a celebration festival, reading and recitation of religious texts, dance and enactments of the life of Krishna according to the ''Bh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
