Maha Shivratri 2009

When is Shivratri?
This year Maha Shivratri will be on 23rd February (Monday) 2009.

Shivratri is one of the most religious festival of Hindus. Shivratri is basically known as Maha Shivaratri, which generally comes on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna (lies betwwen Februat and March accoring to universal calendar). maha Shivratri is fully dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is believed to be one of the principal Hindu deities.

Shivratri is celebrated and observed only one day and one night only. Maha Shivratri is observed all parts of the world by all religious Hindus. Hindus observe Shivratri with fasting, bhajans, flowers, offering of prayers, sweets, fruits and food. All these collected together and managed in honor of the Lord Shiva and his divine consort, Goddess Paravati. Jai Shiv Shambhu!

How to perform Shivratri Puja?
Hindus Devotees specially girls and women observe fast whole day of Shivaratri in honor of Lord Shiva and then they visit their nearby Shiva temples to perform Puja. Some of the devotees even do not consume even a drop of water.
First of all, Hindu devotees wake up early in the morning and take a ritual bath in the river (Ganga) to perform the worship of Lord Shiva on the day of Shivratri. Devotees also worship to Sun God (Surya), Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Then, they wear clean ane new clothes and pay a visit to the nearby Shiv temple.
To know more contact: vgvarunwins@gmail.com

Some of the good pictures / photos/ images of Lord Shiva (Shivratri)

;

Ganesha Chaturthi

GaneshaChaturthi 2009

Send this Ganesh Chaturthi eCard via Varun Blog!

गणेश चतुर्थी

On the day of the festival Ganesha Chaturthi, it is placed on raised platforms in houses or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents (pandals) for people to view and pay their homage. A life-like clay model of Shree Lord Ganesha start making 2 to 3 months prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The size of this idol vary from 3/4th of an inch to over 30 feet. The priest, usually clad in red silk dhotee & shawl, then invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of Ganesha mantras. This ritual is the pranapratishhtha. After this the shhodashopachara (16 ways of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 modakas , 21 durva blades & flowers are offered. The idol is anointed with red unguent (rakta chandan). Throughout the whole ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda & Ganapati Shirsha Upanishad, & Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are loudly chanted.

For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshipped all parts of India but it is famous in Maharastra state (in India) and Kankinara (in West Bengal). On the 11th day, the idol is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with singing, dancing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of all man.

Lord Ganesha Wallpaper / Pictures

People gathers in this final procession by shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Moriya, Purchyaa Varshi Laukariyaa" (Oh Lord Ganesha, come again early next year soon). Then after the final offering of coconuts, flowers & camphor is made, people carry the idol of Lord Ganesha to the river to immerse it.

The Hindus almost all parts of the world community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully done pandals. Somewhere, these serve as the venue for blood donation camp in the tents, free medical check-up, charity for the poor people, devotional songs, dramatic performances, films and many more during the days of the Ganesha Chaturthi festival.

;