The Significance Of Apara Ekadashi

‘Ekadashi’ in Sanskrit means “eleven”. Therefore, the eleventh day of every month in the Hindu calendar is referred to as Ekadashi. Every Hindu month is split into Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) and Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight), which is why Ekadashi falls twice in every month; thus making it 24 Ekadashis every year. These Ekadashis are of very high importance for Hindus. Out of all the 24, it is Apara Ekadashi, falling in the second half of the Jeshtha month, that holds the greatest significance. The word ‘apar’ in Hindi implies “limitless”, thus it is believed that one who fasts on this day achieves limitless benefits. Apart from unlimited benefits, one who fasts on this day is also freed of all his sins and attains moksha. This is why this Ekadashi is considered highly auspicious by Hindus across the globe. Apara Ekadashi is known by various names like Achala Ekadashi, Badhrakali Ekadashi, Vaishaka Vadi Ekadashi, and Jalkrida Ekadashi across different states of India.

Legends associated with Apara Ekadashi

During the Treta Yug, there was a king named Bali who was highly victorious in all his battles. Due to his immense success and power, he started turning arrogant. His arrogance soared to such great heights that he forced Lord Indra to abandon Heaven. Lord Indra approached Lord Vishnu, pleading for help, who then took the avatar of Lord Vamana and disguised himself as a Brahmin to confront King Bali. He requested King Bali for three paces of land. Upon consent, Lord Vamana enlarged his feet to gigantic proportions and took all of the Heaven, Earth, and Netherworld under his feet. King Bali realized his mistake and asked for forgiveness.

Another legend depicts the time when King Yudhishtira had lost all his titles and riches in a game, and was facing grave humiliation. He then sought guidance from Lord Krishna who asked him to observe fast on Apara Ekadashi so that he would be blessed with profound fame and riches, along with being freed from his past misdoings and attaining moksha. Since then, the Apara Ekadashi fast is being observed by Hindus who believe in Karma and reincarnation of souls.

Rituals of Apara Ekadashi

People observe fast during Apara Ekadashi – some abstain from grains and beans, while others consume only milk and fruits. Then there are others who observe total fasting wherein they consume neither food nor water for the entire day. Devotees offer Puja or Yagna, and pray to Lord Vishnu on this day. The fast is broken the next day after sunrise.

As per Hindu scriptures, it is said that observing fast on this sacred day is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy River Ganga during the auspicious month of Kartik. It is also equivalent to the holy actions of donating cows. Therefore, Apara Ekadashi fast is the path of removing darkness of one’s sins from his life. Falling on 22^nd of May this year, it is recommended that you too observe this fast to attain fame, wealth, success, and moksha. However, if fasting is not your cup of tea, another alternative is worshipping Lord Vishnu by performing a Satyanarayan Katha with the assistance of MakeMyPuja Pandits, as Satyanarayan is also one great form of Lord Vishnu.

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What Is The Significance Of Ekadashi Fast

In Sanskrit, the word ‘Ekadashi’ refers to the number 11. This is why the 11^th day of every month in the Hindu calendar is referred to as Ekadashi. Because the Hindu months are split into Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha, meaning the bright fortnight and dark fortnight respectively, Ekadashi falls twice in every Hindu month. This makes one Hindu year having 24 Ekadashis in all. These Ekadashis are of utmost importance for the Hindus, especially those who believe in and worship Lord Vishnu. They consider this day as auspicious and observe fast.

Why do people observe fast on Ekadashi?

As per Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu had created a demon known as ‘Paap Purush’ when the world was being manifested, to personify all types of sins. He was created to punish all those who would avert from the path of virtue and justice to the path of evil and sin. Lord Vishnu also created the Yamlok where all those who sinned would spend their after-life in, and apologize. Along with this, the Lord also created Ekadashi as a path to salvation. He announced that those who would perform the Ekadashi fast would be cleansed of their sins and attain moksha.

What is the scientific benefit of the Ekadashi fast?

For those who are always looking for scientific reasons to do everything, here is some good news. The Ekadashi fast also has scientific benefits for the body. It is believed that the nutrition from our food takes about 3 to 4 days to be absorbed by the body completely. Taking into account the gravitational force of the moon and the constant change in its orbital path, it has been proved that by eating light on Ekadashi, its effect lasts till new moon or full moon day, when the pressure due to orbital changes of the moon is at its peak. Therefore, fasting on Ekadashi also safeguards our body.

How to perform the Ekadashi fast?

Just like in any other fast, food, grains, and cereals are avoided in the Ekadashi fast too. However, while some people consume food only once a day, there are others who avoid food altogether. Few devotees also observe Nirjala Fast that includes avoiding food and water completely. Devotees wholeheartedly pray to Lord Vishnu on this day to seek blessings and get rid of past sins.

If you are one who cannot observe fast, but are still seeking the blessings of Lord Vishnu to help get rid of sins, you can perform the Satyanarayan Puja on any or every Purnima with the help of MakeMyPuja Pujaris to pay gratitude to the Lord for giving you all the happiness and success that you have accomplished till date.

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Narad Jayanti – The Importance and Rituals

Narad Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Devrishi Narad Muni, one of the prominent saints whose name has been mentioned in the Puranas. The name Narad evolves from the Sanskrit word ‘Nara’ meaning Man. He is one of the Prajapatis and also one of the greatest seven rishis. As per the Vedic Puranas and Hindu mythologies, in the earlier times or Yugs, Devrishi Narad was the divine universal messenger and primary source of information for gods of all the three Loks – Swarglok (Heaven), Patallok (Underworld), and Bhulok (Earth). He constantly travelled the universe to communicate information from one Lok to another.

Narad Muni, known for his wisdom and mischief, was dressed in the garb of a saint with a veena in one hand and kirpan in another, who was always seen to be singing the praises of Lord Vishnu. He was always seen chanting ‘Narayan, Narayan’ while greeting anyone, which is another name of Lord Vishnu. Narad Jayanti is observed each year on the Pratipada Tithi during Krishna Paksha of the Jyeshtha month of the Hindu calendar. This means that it falls on the day after Purnima, which means this year it falls on 11^th May 2017. This day is also celebrated as ‘Patrakar Diwas’ in the publication and media houses across the country owing to Narad Muni’s nature of communicating information to others, which is why he is also known as the first journalist of the world. In fact, many media houses also conduct elaborate Pujas to attain blessings of the Sage. Musicians across the country also worship Narad Muni on this day as he is considered as the inventor of musical instruments like the veena that he held. Moreover, he is also considered the chief of ‘Gandharvas’ – the heavenly musicians.

Devotees on this day observe fast to pay homage and respect to the esteemed Narad Muni, and also feed priests and sages. Intellectual meetings, seminars, and prayers are held at various organizations on this day. People also worship Lord Vishnu in order to seek the blessings of the sage because Narad Muni was a true and ardent devotee and worshipper of Lord Vishnu. This is why Narad Jayanti is observed majestically in the temples of Lord Vishnu, where special discourses and Pujas are offered. Devotees here read religious texts and prayers of the Supreme Lord, symbolizing their devotion to Him. You can also have a Puja conducted at your home and office to seek the blessings of both Lord Vishnu and Narad Muni. You can seek assistance of MakeMyPuja Pandits to perform a Satyanarayan Katha as Satyanarayan is also one of the most important avatars of Lord Vishnu.

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Narasimha Jayanti – The Day When Lord Vishnu Reincarnated Again

Narasimha Jayanti is the day when Lord Vishnu reincarnated himself as Lord Narasimha, the half-lion half-man representation, who appeared to protect his devotee Prahlad from his merciless father Hiranyakashyap. This pious and festive day is celebrated on the 14^th day of Shukla Paksha of the Vaishakha month of the Hindu calendar, and it falls on 9^th May this year.

The legend behind Narasimha Jayanti

King Hiranyakashyap had received a special boon from Lord Brahma that he could not be killed by any human being or animal, by any kind of weapon, neither during day nor night, and neither indoors nor outdoors. After receiving this boon, he became very cruel and considered himself as Supreme, and forced every person in his kingdom to worship him. However, in spite of everything, his son Prahlad worshipped only Lord Vishnu. Angered, Hiranyakashyap decided to get his son killed. Even after his many attempts to do so, Prahlad was saved by his unwavering faith in Lord Vishnu every single time. Finally, on the 14^th day of Shukla Paksha, Lord Vishnu came in the form of Narasimha to kill Hiranyakashyap. He appeared as half-man half-lion and killed him with his lion-like nails at dusk, sitting on the edge of the palace’s door, thus satisfying all the conditions of the boon.

Rituals performed on Narasimha Jayanti

Since Lord Narasimha appeared at dusk, devotees pray to him every year on Narasimha Jayanti in the evening. They take Sankalp during the afternoon and perform Lord Narasimha Pujan during Sandhyakaal before sunset. They also observe the Narasimha Jayanti Vratam, which is a fast similar to the rules and guidelines of Ekadashi fast. The devotees consume food only once a day and abstain from any kinds of cereals and grains for the entire day. This fast is broken the next day after sunrise by offering ‘Daan’ to Brahmins.

Nine forms of Lord Narasimha

Lord Narasimha is depicted in nine ferocious forms in Hindu scriptures and Puranas. All these nine forms are explained below.

Sri Jwala Narasimha – This is the form in which Lord Narasimha killed Hiranyakashyap. Worshipping this form can help attain success in all endevours.

Sri Ugra Narasimha – Worshipping this form of Lord Narasimha can help in developing business and winning over professional competition.

Sri Bhargava Narasimha – Worshipping this form of the Lord can help to gain leadership qualities, and attain political and administrative powers.

Sri Yoga Narasimha – As the name suggests, in this form Lord Narasimha taught Prahlad the Yog to attain eternal bliss. So, worshipping him in this form can help to attain peace, harmony, and eternal bliss.

Sri Malola Narasimha – This form of the Lord is worshipped to gain blessings for the family and to eliminate relationship problems. Also, debts can be removed by seeking blessings from Sri Malola Narasimha.

Sri Krodha Narasimha – This form of the Lord can remove obstacles from life and ensure growth in career, especially pertaining to land and real estate.

Sri Pavana Narasimha – Worshipping this form of Lord Narasimha liberates one from sins committed in the past and present life, filling oneself with love and compassion.

Sri Chatravata Narasimha – One can gain proficiency and excel in arts, and can gain all kinds of comforts in life by worshipping this form.

Sri Karanja Narasimha – All sorts of desires can be fulfilled while achieving enlightenment, and protection from enemies can also be achieved by worshipping this form of Lord Narasimha.

Since Lord Narasimha is the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day is also equally substantial. If you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, you can also perform the Satyanarayan Katha on this day with the help of professionals like MakeMyPuja to offer gratitude and seek blessings of the Lord.

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Significance Of Sita Navami

Sita Navami is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Goddess Sita, who is believed to be the reincarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. She was born in the Treta Yug on the ninth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishaka of the Hindu calendar. However, the Goddess is believed to have directly appeared from the Earth, who was found by King Janak of the kingdom of Mithila, while ploughing the field for performing a Yagna. When his plough got stuck up in the land, he unearthed the ground to find a golden casket with a baby girl in it. King Janak accepted the child as a divine gift from God and named her ‘Sita’ because a ploughed land is known as Sita in Hindi/Sankskrit. Another name that the Goddess is known by today is ‘Janaki’ as she was the daughter of King Janak.

The significance of the ‘Navami’ or ninth tithi in the Hindu mythology is supreme. Along with Goddess Sita, even her consort Lord Rama was born on the ninth tithi in the month of Chaitra of the Hindu calendar. As per the Hindu calendar, Sita Jayanti falls right after one month of Rama Navami. Since both Lord Rama and Goddess Sita were born on this supreme tithi, their marriage represents the union of two supreme souls, and they are looked upon as one of the most ideal matches made in Heaven. No matter how difficult their life was – whether in Vanvaas or during Sita’s abduction by Ravana – they always stayed loving and firm in their relationship. Another supreme couple in the Hindu mythology is believed to be Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This is why many couples sign up with MakeMyPuja to perform the Gauri Shankar Puja in order to remove all worries from their married life and lead a positive and secure relationship. In fact, it is believed that even Goddess Sita performed the Gauri Shankar Puja before marriage in order to have a husband like Lord Rama.

On Sita Navami, which falls on 4^th May this year, married women fast for their husband’s long life and pray that they remain ‘Suhaagan’ all throughout their life. They offer Puja to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita by placing their idols in a small mandap decorated with flowers. They offer fruits, sweets, and Bhog, and pray to the couple for a happy married life. These celebrations are observed in an even more majestic manner in temples of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita where rituals of Maha-abhishek and Shringar Darshan are performed. Also, processions with idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman are carried out on chariots with devotees singing devotional songs and chanting ‘Jai Siya Ram’.

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What is The Importance of Ganga Saptami

2^nd May – the seventh day of Shukla Paksha in the year 2017 – is the auspicious day of Ganga Saptami. But, what is Ganga Saptami, why is it celebrated, and how? This blog will answer all your questions related to this important occasion.

What is Ganga Saptami?

Ganga Saptami is the day when the River Ganga was reborn on Earth! It is the day dedicated to the holy river, who is considered as ‘Goddess’ Ganga throughout the country. It is celebrated on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha of the Vaishakha month of the Hindu calendar.

What is the legend behind Ganga Saptami?

As per Hindu mythology, the River Ganga was to be descended on the Earth by Lord Brahma. However, the Lord said that the surge of the river would be so powerful that the entire Earth would be destroyed. It was then that the mighty Lord Shiva decided to lock the flowing river into his hair to break Ganga’s descent and save the Earth from destruction. But, Maharaj Bhagirath desired to bring the pious Ganga to the Earth to cleanse his ancestors’ souls, for which he did a tapasya for thousand years to please and convince Lord Shiva to let the river flow. Pleased, Lord Shiva released the River Ganga from his head. However, on her way, the river with her mighty flow and gushing turbulent water destroyed the Ashram of Sage Jahnu. Furious, the Sage drank up all the water of the river. Maharaj Bhagirath and the Gods prayed to the Sage to release Ganga so that she could accomplish the mission she had been sent to achieve. Pleased with the prayers, Sage Jahnu released her from his ear; and this day is thus known to be the rebirth of the River Ganga.

What rituals are performed on Ganga Saptami?

On Ganga Saptami, devotees worship Goddess Ganga and take bath in the river with the belief that it will rinse them of their past sins. People also offer Puja on the ghats and territories around the river. They perform the Ganga Puja with meditation and chant mantras asking for forgiveness for their sins and moksha for their late ancestors. Along with the Ganga Aarti, flower wreaths and diyas are released into the River Ganga. Because the flow of River Ganga was restricted to the Himalayas, but her tributaries broke out into various territories, the auspicious occasion of Ganga Saptami is celebrated with great pomp and joy in places where the river flows including Haridwar, Allahabad, Prayag, Varanasi, and Rishikesh. Devotees come from all across the nation to celebrate this occasion in such places. And those who cannot make it to any such places bathe by mixing the pious Gangajal into their water buckets.

For performing the right Pujas with the right rituals and methods, you can always rely on MakeMyPuja Pandits to help you arrange for all the requirements while also carrying out all the rituals in the most appropriate manner. So, for any kind of Puja you want to perform throughout the year for the best outcomes, remember MakeMyPuja!

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Which Rituals are Performed on Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is one of the most auspicious occasions in Hinduism. Falling on the third day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakha, the festival is to fall on 28^th of April this year. This festival is one of the most eagerly awaited ones by the Hindus. This is because this is one festival that is perfect for both buying and donating!

Investing on Akshaya Tritiya

The word ‘Akshaya’ itself means undiminishing, thus signifying that any work done on this day brings promising results and prosperity. This is why many people invest in new possessions on this day. They invest in gold, buy a new car, or purchase a new home or office on this day. People believe that buying these new assets on this promising day brings prosperity and success.

Donating on Akshaya Tritiya

Along with these gains, this occasion is also believed to abundantly bring to you what you give. This is why people consider this day one of the best ones for doing charity. A variety of things are donated on this day, each of which denotes a different significance.

·        Donating grains is believed to prevent one from dying an ill-timed death.

·        Donating food to the hungry is believed to earn lots of blessings.

·        Donating clothes is believed to increase one’s life.

·        Donating shoes is believed to attain a place in heaven.

·        Donating bedding is believed to bring in happiness in life.

·        Donating umbrellas is believed to safeguard one against various obstacles.

·        Donating water and betel nut to Brahmins is believed to bring wealth.

·        Donating seven coconuts is believed to offer salvation to ancestors.

·        Donating chandan is believed to avoid fatal accidents in life.

·        Donating kumkum is believed to increase the life of one’s husband.

·        Donating buttermilk is believed to increase one’s intellect.

You may donate any and all of these things to achieve more than materialistic gains, but you must remember that what you give today will be returned in manifold only when you are not expecting it. This means that whatever you do, you must do it with a pure heart, without any kind of greed or lust.

Pujas performed on Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya is one festival that is considered to be so auspicious that you need no muhurat to perform any kind of work on this day. Any deed performed on this day bears profits and growth. 

Also, a variety of Pujas are performed on this day to seek multiplied blessings.

·        Gaja Puja – This is the ritual where an elephant is worshipped to bring wealth, riches, and prosperity in life.

·        Ashwa Puja – This is the ritual where a horse is worshipped in order to bring optimism and peace of mind.

·        Gau Puja – This ritual involves worshipping a cow as she is considered the holiest animal in Hinduism.

·        Lakshmi Puja – This ritual involves worshipping Goddess Lakshmi as she is the ‘giver of wealth’. Therefore, this Puja brings an endless flow of wealth throughout the year.

·        Kuber Puja – This Puja shows reverence for Lord Kuber who is believed to shower wealth on his devotees. Therefore, this Puja is done to seek blessings of wealth, peace, prosperity, and happiness.

·        Griha Pravesh Puja – Many people plan to shift into or buy a new home and perform the Griha Pravesh Puja on this day so that the house is blessed with peace and happiness.

·        Engagement/Wedding – Lots of people believe that starting a new relationship can be no more auspicious than on this day, which is why they choose to get engaged or married by seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

For such Pujas and many other rituals to be performed in the most appropriate way to seek the best kind of blessings from God, you need professional and experienced Pandits like those at MakeMyPuja to help you perform them. So, don’t hesitate to contact them at the earliest for any kind of Puja you wish to perform at any time throughout the year.

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