Govardhan: a tradition kept alive

Govardhan pooja is a tradition not known to many especially in metro cities. The day after Diwali is mostly considered as an additional holiday. But not for us, for our family Diwali is a three day celebration.

My maternal family is extraordinarily large, considering today’s norms.  It’s a pack of 6 brothers and their two sisters, their spouses, their kids, their wives and then their kids. It’s in all four generations together. The eldest one my nana  and nani being 92 years old and the youngest being 10 months old. Each year on the night of Diwali, after doing pooja at their respective units everyone gathers at one person’s house (which keeps rotating from one family to another.) and then begins the two days  of complete fun and frolic.

The next day of Diwali is celebrated as Govardhan Pooja. “ Govardhan “ as the name suggests  is the worship of  gowardhan parvat.The preparation for the pooja begins by 4 pm. The fresh cowdung is called for and the govardhan is made.

In the late evening , everyone gathers for the pooja.  As prasad in the evening annakoot ( mix vegetable) poori , and kadi rice are made.The pooja is precided by my 92 years old Nana. Everyone comes in pair, with kids and offers the prasad of annakoot to the govardhan. Once its done. Nanaji tells the story of the Govardhan and why is it celebrated. This is done so that the younger generation knows about the relevance of the  festival.

The parikrama of govardhan is done. Previously only themale member of the hpuse were the part of the parikrama but later my Nana insisted that woman of the family should also be the part of the parikrama

As they do that parikraam in a circle the place is filled with fun, laughter and the chants of “ govardhan maharaj ki jai, Poonchi ke lota ki jai”. After almost the seven rounds the younger ones touch the feet of the elders. The aarti is done and everyone settles down for the dinner, which is nothing but the Prasad of annakot, poori , kadi and rice and a sweetdish.

I would like to end my article with a few lines by my uncle.

रात को पूरा परिवार गोवर्धन पूजा में सम्मिलित हुआ। गोवर्धन पूजा बृज का महत्वपूर्ण त्यौहार है। बृजवासी इस दिन भगवान् कृष्ण के साथ ही गोवर्धन पर्वत की पूजा करते हैं। यह प्रकृति और प्रर्यावरण के प्रति हमारे तादात्म्य का प्रतीक है।गोबर के बने गोवर्धन, गायों और गवालों की पूजा फिर उसकी परिकम्मा (परिक्रमा) सबने की। 

उसके बाद अन्नकूट, कढ़ी-चावल का प्रसाद सबने पाया।

Written by

Ms Shruti Chabra

Deepjyoti

There is a mention of the word “deep daan” in hindu classics. Literally it means lighting of lamp in front of deity. Specially in the month of Kaartik it is very important to light a lamp.It is considered as a powerful remedy for pacification of a planet in astrology. Also it is a tradition in Hindu’s regarding lighting a lamp before deity. It is considered very auspicious to light a lamp at the time of sandhya(twilight). During the days of special pooja a lamp is maintained continuously for certain number of days known as “Akhand jyoti” meaning unbroken light. Light is considered as a symbol of auspiciousness, prosperity and abundance in the Hinduism. Even in Feng-shui the use of light is considered very important to harness the positive effects of nature. Where as the darkness represent ignorance and inauspiciousness. Also the darkness is abode of ghosts and spirits. The wick in the oil lamp is a symbol of ego and the oil represents negative feelings. It is believe that unless ego,desires and negative feelings remove,the soul can not get rid off the bondage of rebirth. This burning of lamp is a symbolic representation of getting rid of desires and ego. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher planes. So, next time friends, never miss an opportunity to light a lamp in front of your ishta devta to ward off the evils generated due to paap-karmas of past birth.

Naag Devta

The “Panchmi tithi” of lunar calendar in the month of shravana shukla paksha is celebrated as “Naag-panchmai” in India. On this day people pray to snake god. As per legend the snakes also consumed the “Amrit”, the divine nector and attained immortality. They are the children of Sage Kashyapa and Kadru. The kingdom of snakes is “Paatal Lokam”.According to hindu mythology there are 9 snake which are worshipped. They are as follows
1) Vasuki(The snake who participated in the great churning of ocean)
2) Takshak(The powerful snake who killed King Parikshit)
3) Sesha (On which Lord Vishnu resides in vaikunth)
4) Ananta (the great devotee of Lord Vishnu)
5) Kailya (who was killed by lord Krishna and attain the moksham)
6) Padmanabha (the guardian snake)
7) Kambala (the powerful descend of snake kingdom)
8) Dhartarashtra(the powerful descend of snake kingdom)
9) Shankhapala(the powerful descend of snake kingdom)

The pooja is done to avoid snakes bites and get rid of their curse from previous birth. In a horoscope if there is a presence of Kaal-Sarpa Yoga, then this day is very important for that native because this dosha is caused by the Rahu and Ketu which are considered as head and tail of snake respectively. In certain cases these planets single handedly creates havoc in the horoscope by forming “sarpa dosham”. There are many methods to perform the pooja on this day. People keep fast.on this day. Generally a pot of milk is kept near the ant hill as an offering. On this day digging of ground is strictly prohibited.

Shodash Upchaar Pooja

Hindus generally believe in “sakaar pooja” which means they need some form to pray god. For example, we all know that air is present everywhere, but still we need fan to feel it. To worship god , there are certain rules and procedure. It is believe that the 16 step pooja called “ Shodash-upchaar” pooja is the best form to worship the god. The word sodash in Sanskrit means “sixteen”. Following are the important steps in order to worship God-

Step 1 Avahan-welcome of gods
Step 2 Asana-offering of seat
Step 3 Padhya-offering water for washing feet(by sprinkling water)
Step 4 Argya-washing hand(by sprinkling water)
Step 5- Achamany-washing mouth
Step 6 Snan- water is offered for bath
Step 7- Vastram- Clothes are offered to god
Step 8- Yagyapaveet-sacred thread is offer
Step 9- Aabharnam- offer ornaments
Step 10- Gandh-offer sandalwood paste
Step 11- Pushpam-offer flowers
Step 12- Dhoopam- offer dhoop or aggarbati(incense stick)
Step 13- Deepam- lightening of lamp
Step 14- Naivadya-offering food
Step 15- Archana-reciting mantras and prayers
Step 16- Namaskaram- Salutation of god

Chappan Bhog

Just to save his followers from the fury of rain god, Indra, Lord Krishna lifted the Goardhan mountain on his little finger for seven days. He didnt't eat any thing during that period. Since lord Krishna used to have 8 meals a day so after 7 days all the devotees offered 56(7x8) kinds of food to Lord Krishna. Even today, day after diwali is celebrated as 'Goardhan Pooja' and Goardhan mountain is worshipped . During the worship 56 kinds of food is prepared and offered to Lord Krishna. This special food is called "Annakut".The Bhog also needs to be arranged in a definite sequence; Milk  products arranged the closest to Him.  .This is followed by Besan items and then the salty food. At the end illachi is offered.
7 types of cereals
7 types of fruits
7 types of dryfruits
7 vegetables
7 sweets
7 drinks
7 namkeen
7 sauces or pickles

in another variation one offer
16 kinds of namkeen'
20 kinds of sweets
20 kinds of dry fruit

Here  is the list of 56 items which are offered with some variations in north India
1) Saag( Spinach)
2) Dahi (curd)
3) kheer ( sweet rice and milk)
4) Chawal (rice)
5) Rasgulla
6) Rabri
7) Mathi
8) Daal
9) Chutney
10) Kadi
11) Malpuda
12) murabba
13) Shakkarpaara
14) Ghewar
15) Chila
16) Jalebi
17) Papad
18) Dalia
19) Laddoo
20) Ghee
21) honey
22) Mohanbhog
23) Mathha
24) Lassi
25) Butter
26) Malai
27) Moong Dal Ka Halwa
28) Khichadi
29) Pakode
30) Brinjal
31) Lauki
32) Coconut chutney
33) Poori
34) Kachori
35) Roti
36) Badam Milk
37) Coconut water
38) Mango
39) Banana
40) Shkanjvi
41) Grapes
42) Apple
43) Plum
44) Cashew nuts
45) Almonds
46) Raisins
47) Pistachios
48) Channa
49) Tikki
50) Sweet Rice
51) Bhujia
52) Pudina Chutney
53) Saunf
54) Paan
55) Supaari
56) Illaichi

Nav Bhakti

The word 'Bhakti' means devotion towards god.According to hindu classics there are 9 forms of bhakti called "Navdha Bhakti". These 9 forms are as follows-
1) Shravan- listening the glory of Lord.is called "shravan"
2) Kirtan- singing bahajans called "Kirtan"
3) Smaran-remebering the god through mantras and japam called "smaran"
4) Pada Sewa-worship of lord's feet is called "Paad Sewa"
5) Archana-offering to god is called "archana"
6) Vandana-bowing before Lord and paying obeisance is called "vandana"
7) Dasya bhakti-when a devotee always consider himself as lord's servant
8) Sakhya-devotee considere god as his friend
9) Samarpan-is a complete surrender.

The Story of Garlic

During the war between demons and gods for the divine nectar, one of the demon manage to steal the pot of nectar(amrit). At this crunch time when gods were on the verge of defeat, Lord Vishnu appeared and killed that demon with his divine weapon "Sudrashan Chakra" which cuts his head . But that demon had drank nector and by the time he was killed the nectar had reached till his throat. As the blood drops from his body fell on his ground , at the same place a strange plant grew up, which was a garlic plant. This plant acquired two strange properties. Due to effect of nectar , garlic has a lot of medicinal value and it is considered as very good from health's point of view. On the other hand , due to demonic influence , it has a very negative effect on our psychological health and thought process. This is the reason the use of garlic is prohibited during pooja ceremony due to its negative effect(Taamsik energy) on contrary to pooja which has positive effect(saatwik energy). Still it is believe that a person who ate garlic/onion in previous 6 months before his death does not get salvation!!

Shubh Navraatris

Navraatri means 9 nights. This is an auspicious period which is celebrated twice in a year i.e. in the month of Chaitra and in the month of Ashwin as per hindu calendar. This period is devoted to ‘Shakti-Pooja”. During the first 3 days of pooja is dedicated to Goddess “Mahakaali”. The next 3 days dedicated to Goddess “Mahalakshmi” and the last 3 days are dedicated to “Goddess Mahasaraswati”. This auspicious period coincides with the change of season. Fasting observe during these days is beneficial from physical aspect as well as spiritual aspect of life. During these 9 days Goddess Durga is worshipped in nine different forms which are as follows
1) Goddess Shailputri
2) Goddess Brahmacharini
3) Goddess Chandra Ghanta
4) Goddess Kushmanda
5) Goddess Skandmata
6) Goddess Katyayni
7) Goddess Kaalraatri
8) Goddess Mahagauri
9) Goddess Sidhidaatri

“Kalash(pot) Sthapna” is very important in the morning of first navratri.A metal pot filled with water and coconut at top of it is placed along with mango leaves(in odd numbers). It is a symbolic representation of Goddess. This process has to be performed strictly according to muhurat. As per ritual one should sow barley grains in a separate pot.After the completion of fast on ashtami tithi, it is important to worship small girl child which is symbolic to Goddess Durga. Recitation of Durga-Saptashati is considered as highly auspicious during navraatri