Unmarried girls perform Mouna Gowri Vrata. This Vrata / vowed religious observance is performed from the first day of the Hindu month of Magh to the first day of Phalgun (for 30 days), i.e, … [Read more...]
Morada Bagina
Bagina is an offering of everything essential and dear to you. It is believed that you will be blessed with all the things that you desire by performing particular vratas/ vowed religious observance … [Read more...]
Vasant Panchami
"Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha … [Read more...]
Rathasapthami
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South … [Read more...]
Panchamrutha Abhishekha
"Panch" means 5 and "Amrutha" means nectar in Sanskrit. Panchamrutha Abhishekha is a Hindu ritual performed at all homes and temples, where the idols are bathed with Milk, Curds, Honey, Sugar and … [Read more...]
Vaikunta Ekadasi
"Shaantaakaaram Bhujanga Shayanam Padmanaabham Suresham Vishvaadhaaram Gagana Sadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhaangam Lakshmiikaantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhidhyaarnagamyam Vande Vishhnum Bhavabhayaharam … [Read more...]
Makara Sankranti
Sankranthi is a harvest festival and “Sankranthi” means movement. It is a celebration of the sun entering from the zodiac sign Dhanur/Sagittarius into Makara/Capricorn. So this Makara Sankranti … [Read more...]
Celebration of Makara Sankranthi in different regions of India
Makara Sankranthi is celebrated in various styles in different regions of India. Andhra Pradesh In Andhra Pradesh this festival is called as “Pedda Panduga” meaning “big festival”. It is … [Read more...]
Christmas
"Jingle bells Jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride on a one horse open sleigh…" This is a Christmas song that everyone loves to hear and sing not only during Christmas season … [Read more...]
Galipata Habba – Indian Kite Festival – Festival of Kites
Gone are the days when we used to see people flying colorful and different shape Galipata/Kites. The Kite wars and making our own customized Kites was great fun. To balance the kite a long … [Read more...]
Gejje Vastra – Vastramala – How to make cotton vastra for God
Gejje Vastra is a string prepared using cotton. This is offered to Gods and Goddesses during festival pooja/ritual after the abhishekha (bathing the idols) as a representation of … [Read more...]
Manthrakshathe
Colored raw rice used during pujas/rituals by Hindus is called Manthrakshathe. Manthrakshathe can be either red colored or yellow colored. This is also used by elders while blessing youngsters. … [Read more...]
Hanuman Jayanthi
"Manojavam Maruthathulya Vegam Jitendriyam Budhdhi Mathaam Varishtam Vaathathmajam Vaanarayutha Mukhyam Srirama Dootham Sharanam Prapadye" The above sthotra/chanting, is part of the Sri … [Read more...]
Aarathi
Items Required: Camphor or Cotton Wicks soaked in Ghee Aarathi Plate Flower Petals and Manthrakshathe (Rice smeared with Ghee and Kumkum or Ghee and Turmeric Powder) Definition: Aarathi is a … [Read more...]
Significance of Diwali festival in different religions
Jainism Diwali is celebrated by Jains with devotion, on this day Lord Mahavira the 24th Thirthankara achieved Nirvana on Amavasya of Ashvina masa in 527 B.C. The Lord left the body and achieved … [Read more...]
Deepavali – Diwali
Deepavali (“avali” means rows and “deepa” means lamp) or Diwali is a festival of lights much loved by one and all. It is the time for sweets, savories, family get-together, new clothes, crackers and … [Read more...]
Kalasha
This is an important arrangement in any of the Hindu rituals/pooja. This occupies a prominent place in the pedestal along with the idols or photographs of gods and goddesses. During marriages the … [Read more...]
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu
Mangala Drowya and Pooje Samaanu means sacred items used on auspicious occasions like marriage rituals, upanayana (sacred thread ceremony), shrimantha (arathi to pregnant women), namakarna (naming … [Read more...]
Dasara Procession in Mysore
Vijayadashami being the last day of the celebrations, a grand Jamboo Savari/procession passes through the streets of the city. The main attraction here is the idol of the goddess Chamundeshwari placed … [Read more...]
Mysore Dasara – Mysuru Dasara Celebrations – Mysuru Dussehra – Mysuru Navratri
Mysore looks its best during the 10-day Dasara celebration where all the major roads in the city, heritage buildings, palaces, historical monuments, ancient temples and shops are … [Read more...]
