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

The Divine 52 Places

As per classics there are 52 shaktipeeth present across India and neighboring countries. It is believe that pujas performed during “Vishesh Kaal” (special period) is considered very auspicious. They are as follows-

1. Goddess Hinglaj located in Pakistan.
2. Goddess Jwalamukhi(in Kangra Himachal Pradesh)
3. Goddess Sugandha (in Bangladesh)
4. Godess Kamakhya (in Assam )
5. Goddess Vrindavana (in UP)
6. Goddess Mahamaya(in Kashmir)
7. Goddess Lalita (in Alahabad ,UP).
8 Goddess Jayanti (in Bangladesh)
9. Goddess Phullara (in W Bengal)
10.Goddess Mahshmardini (in Pakistan)
11.Goddess Avanti (In Ujjain, MP)
12.Goddess Prabhas (Somnath, Gujrat)
13.Goddess Brahmri (Nasik, Maharashtra)
14.Goddess Vishweshwari (AndhraPradesh)
15.Goddess Gandakichandi (in Nepal)
16 Goddess Narayani(Tamil Nadu)
17.Goddess Gayatri(Ajmer, Rajasthan)
18 Goddess Tripurasundri (Tripura)
19 Goddess Mahadevi (Janakpur)
20 Goddess Jai Durga ()
21.Goddess. Trisnota (Jalpaiguri,in West Bengal)
22 Goddess Sarvani (Tamlinadu)
23 Goddess Kalika (In West Bengal)
24 Goddess Savitri (Kurukshetra, Haryana)
25 Goddess Narmada (in MP)
26 Goddess . Kalighat (Kolkotta)
27 Goddess Ratnavali(W Bengal)
28 Goddess VishwaLakshmi (varanasi, UP)
29.Goddess Ambika(Bharatpur, Rajasthan).
30.Goddess Girija( Orissa.)
31 Goddess Shri Sunadari(Andhra Pradesh).
32 Goddess Dakshinayani(In Tibet)
33 Goddess Bhawani(in Bangladesh)
34.Goddess Shivani (Chitrakoot, UP)
35.Goddess Nandini (In Bengal)
36.Goddess Jashoreswari (In Bangladesh)
37 Goddess Devagarbha (W Bengal)
38 Goddess Mangalchandika (W Bengal)
39 Goddess Kapalini(W Bengal)
40 Goddess Kalmadhava (in MP)
41 Goddess Mahashira (In Nepal)
42 Goddess Yogadaya (W Bengal)
43 Goddess Bahula (W Bengal)
44 Goddess Mahalaxmi (Indo-Bangla Border)
45 Goddess Vimla (Orissa)
46.Goddess Aparna (in Bangladesh)
47.Goddess Danteshwari(chattisgarh)
48 Goddess Mahishamardini (W Bengal)
49 Goddess Indrakshi(Srilanka)
50 Goddess Tripurmalini (Punjab)
51.Goddess Jai Durga(Bihar)
52.Goddess Varahi

However the above list varies a little bit according to different classics. But one should never miss an opportunity when you are in a town where a shaktipeeth is situated.

Naaryan Naarayan!

There was a Brahmin whose name was Ajaamil. He was learned man. But due to bad company he get surrounded by bad people all the time. He lost all his divine powers as well as knowledge acquired by him. Now he became an evil person who always engaged in stealing money and spending it on drinking wine. He married to a maid. Later he had a son whose name was “ Naraayan”. The childhood of a boy had a deep impact on Ajaamil. Most of his time was spent on his son. As the time passes Ajaamil fell seriously ill. It was even difficult for him to move an inch from his bed. He could easily felt the approaching death. But the impact of his son on his memory was so deep that kept calling his name all the day. This repeated calls to son started working as a magic because the word “Naarayan” means “Lord Vishnu”. He regain all his lost knowledge. He was remorseful for his sin committed during young age. When “Yam Dut”, the messengers of “God of Death” came to took him to Yamlok, Lord Vishnu himself came to rescue to Ajaamil in divine form. In this way Ajaamil finally reaches the “Baikunth Dhaam”, the abode of Lord Vishnu after the death.

Ashtavakra

There was a Sage named Uddalaka who was very learned. His disciple , Kahoda was his favorite due to his extreme devotion towards Guru. After some time he decided to marry his only daughter Sujata to Kahoda. As the time progress, she became pregnant. Usually she prefer to sit near her father and her husband while teaching. As a result the unborn child acquired all the knowledge . Once upon a time , Kahoda was reciting some mantras committed some errors. At this time , his unborn child began correcting the mistakes of his father from the womb. This was very insulting experience for Kahoda. He cursed his unborn son to be born as deformed. As a result of curse , when the child was born, his body was deformed at 8 points. Due to this deformity he got his name “Ashta-vakra”. The word “Ashta” means “eight” and the “Vakra” means “bend” in hindi.
After some time his father, Kahoda lost his life when he lost a debate contest in the kingdom of King Janak as per the rules of the contest. Now, ashtavakra got all his education from his grandfather. At the very young age , he got a chance to participate the debate contest in the court of king Janak. During the contest he defeated the best scholar, named Bandi(who was the killer of his father in last debate) in the court. Bandi revealed his original identity as the son of Varun, the god of water. He was so impressed by the intelligence of boy that he bring back Kahoda to life. On seeing his son, Kahoda openly admitted that his son is far more intelligent than himself. Ashtavakra was highly advance in the world of spirituality. His teachings are there in a book ‘Ashtavakra gita” which are so touching that It can change the outlook of any person towards life.

The Auspicious Grass

During my recent visit to Haridwar , my ancestors came in my dream. So I decided to perform tarpan ceremony for them. The pandit asked me to get Kusha grass for it. He told me some of the most hidden and secret method of performing tarpan as well as importance of Kusha.
Kusha also known as Durva is a kind of grass which is very important for all the religious ceremonies. Hindu priests always keep the kusha grass in their houses which they use them for purification ceremonies . During pooja, kusha is used for sitting mat(asan). It is believe that this grass originates from the hairs of Lord Vishnu during the churning of ocean (samundra Manthan). As per another legend, once the pot of nector was placed upon Kusha grass which was guarded by Garuda(the divine eagle). At the same the snakes attacked to pot of nector but the eagle snatched the pot. But few drops of nector fell on Kusha grass. The snakes had only one option to lick the drops fallen on kusha grass. But the blades of grass were too sharp that their tongue were divided into 2 parts. Since then it is believe that the snakes possess twin tongues. Kusha is also used to ward off ill effects of many natural calamities. During eclipses Kusha grass is put on all the food articles to prevent them intoxicated. If a person is suffering from the bad effects of Rahu, then Durva grass is used as a remedy. Last rites and rituals of dead body is performed with the help of Kusha grass to provide solace to departing soul. It is believe that goddess Sita manage to protect herself from Ravana with the help of single blade of kusha grass which was energized with the powerful mantras. Medically it is proved that this grass has a lot of medicinal properties. Also praying Lord Ganesha with Durva is considered as highly auspicious(Note- one should not offer it to goddess Durga). TO know the legend behind it click http://hindustories.blogspot.com/2008/03/21-durvas.html

Shyam Varna

Lord Krishna was an avatar(incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. He is also known as “Shyam varna” means dark complexioned. In some versions of classical text he is also described as having dark blue complexion. There are many legends behind this. Once lord Krishna was playing with his friends near the bank of Yamuna river. All of a sudden the ball fell into the river. Lord Krishna jumped into the river to get back the ball. But in the river there was an abode of a poisonous snake Kalia. Fierce battle took place between them. The snake fires all his deadly poison on Lord Krishna. Due to the poison his complexion changed to deep blue. Another aspect is Lord Vishnu resides in ksheer Sagar(cosmic ocean). So that water turns the complexion of the Lord into deep blue. The deep blue colour is a symbol of infinity and depth. The supreme soul can not be viewed with ordinary vision.

Basant Panchmi

Basant Panchami is celebrated on 5th day of lunar calendar in the month of Magh shukal Paksh. “Basant “ means spring season. It marks the beginning of spring season. This day is dedicated to worship of goddess Saraswati. She is the shakti of Lord Brahma , the creator of universe. She is the deity of knowledge. It rules the speech. It is believe that in day consisting of 8 prahar(division of time), she resides on everyone’s speech at least one of the prahar. The word spoken during that period becomes truth. The vehicle of goddess Saraswati is swan. The swan has ability to distinguish water and milk in a mixture. It denotes the wisdom power. The four hands of goddess represent the 4 vedas. She is holding “veena”(a king of instrument) having 7 strings representing 7 chakras of consciousness. People wear yellow color on this day. This color is a symbol of spirituality. Its a ritual to  prepare yellow sweet rice.This day is auspicious for learning. For the students the following mantra works as tonic-
Saraswati Mahabhage Vidye Kamalalochane !
Vishwaroope Vishaalaakshi Vidyam dehi namostute!!

Hope Goddess bless us with the spiritual knowledge which in necessary for all of us before quitting this world!