Hinduism- The Way of Life

Navarathri translates 9 nights. This 9 nights is dedicated to the Mother Goddess with such grandeur, incorporating dedications of songs, music and dance to her. The beginning of Spring and Autumn are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These 2 periods are considered as sacred occasions to worship the Divine Mother. Navarathri is celebrated twice prominently. The first Navarathri is observed in the month of Chaitra/Chitra, which usually falls between March-April also symbolising the start of Spring. This Navarathri is known as Vasantha Navarathri, celebrated during Shukla Paksha (1st fortnight between New Moon Day and Full Moon Day, the period of waxing moon). The commence of this Navarathri also marks the start of New Year as per lunar calendar. This Navarathri is mostly celebrated in North and Western India. The second and most common Navarathri is Sharad Navarathri , also known as Ashwin Navarathri or Maha Navarathri. It is known as Durga Pooja

Mahalaya Paksha- What Should We Do? Mahalaya Paksha in a nutshell Mahalaya Paksha literally means "fortnight of the ancestors". It is a 16 lunar day period wherein Hindus pay homage to their ancestors (Pitru), especially through food offerings. Pitru Paksha is considered by Hindus to be inauspicious, given the death rite performed during the ceremony, known as Shraddha or tarpan. The Mahalaya Paksha begins with the full moon day (Purnima) that occurs immediately after the Ganesh festival and ending with the new moon day known as Sarvapitri Amavasya, Mahalaya Amavasya or simply Mahalaya. The autumnal equinox falls within this period, I.e the Sun transitions from the northern to the southern hemisphere during this period.  What are we supposed to do at home? From the first day of the paksha to the last day that falls on Mahalaya Amavasya try to ensure that the Kamakshi Vilakku is lighted up 24 hours. Before doing so make sure the lamp is cleaned and a fresh wi

Mahalaya Paksha According to ancient Hindu texts, on Mahalaya Amavasya, there is a conjunction of the sun and the moon and that the sun enters the sign Virgo (Kanya). On this day, it is believed that ancestors leave their abode and come down to the world of mortals and occupy the houses of their descendants. Hindus offer oblation of water to the departed on every new-moon day. The prescribed rites are also performed every year on the death anniversary. This is the Sraddha ceremony. The special importance of these observances particularly during Mahalaya is that such ceremonies done during this fortnight have a very special effect. The offerings reach the departed souls immediately and directly, due to a boon from Lord Yama. The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September-October) is known as the Mahalaya Paksha or the fortnight especially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. The last day of this period, the new moon day, is considered as the most important day in

Ashtadravya Maha Ganapathi Homam/Havan Ashtadravya, or Ashtadravyam, are eight sacred pooja items that are offered to Lord Ganesha during the special pooja known as Ashtadravya Mahaganapathi Homam. It is offered to Lord Ganesh to get his blessings – who blesses with wealth, prosperity and long life. The eight sacred things that are part of the Ashtadravya are: Coconuts, Molasses, Sesame Oil, Sugarcane, Lemon, Rice flakes Banana Rice. In some places Ashta Dravya are Dried coconut, puffed rice, jaggery, banana (kadali plantain), honey, sesame, sugarcane and fried paddy of rice. For some communities Ashtadravya are Coconut, Banana, Honey, Sugarcane, Ghee, Modhaka, Jaggery, Puffed rice. This homa is performed on very important ventures such as, purchase of new land, birthdays. house warming or when one is getting married. This homa is also performed on the day of major operations.  The Ashtadravya Ganapathi homa also aids in removing marriage and other obs

Maha Ganapathi Homam/ Havan Lord Ganapathi (also known as Vinayagar/Ganesha) holds the main position among the five main positions among the Gods. The remaining four is held by Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Devi Maa and Surya. Ganapathi homam is the best solution to overcome all the hurdles in life and removal of all obstacles. It provides a soothing effect to the mind as well as the body. Moreover, it also purifies the the atmosphere. Performing Ganapathi homa every once a month gives prosperity, wealth and health. If anyone is running Kethu dasa or Bukthi, or some dosha that is created due to the influence of Kethu in their horoscope it is advisable for that person to perform Ganapathi Homa in order to get relief  ( dosha nivarthana ). Ganapathi homa is usually conducted before any other homas in order to avoid any obstacles during the prayers. In Hinduism, Ganapathi is depicted as the remover of obstacles (Vignahartha); therefore Ganapathi homa is a must before starting anyth

Homam/Havan Homas/Havans are powerful ancient fire rituals that have been performed in India by the Vedic sages for over 5,000 years. Sri Krishna in Bhagavad Gita quotes, "This creation is a yagna." Yagna also means sacrifice and by this He meant that creation is an eternal flow of birth and death. It is a sacrifice where one's death gives birth to another; in other words something has to be sacrificed in for something else to arise. This is how the Vedas (Hindu scriptures) interpret the creation and in the view of the Vedas, the homa is but a miniature model of this universal sacrifice. Moreover, a homa is performed to rejuvenate the body and mind, by the abstraction of the negative energies. It leads to get out of the negative cerebrating and always be positive. Positive mental conceptions magnetize the positive things, positive people and the positive life, as our predominant cerebration always manifests. It additionally avails to be prosperous in life. Homa