SWAMY'S 83 BLISSFUL YEARS

Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba (Swamy) will be 83 years of age on 23rd November 2008, the day the whole world will celebrate His Divine Birthday in a grandest fashion. Many have prophesied the advent of Swamy. For example: a)" A well known astrology professor Sri Ganjur Narayana Sastry traced a Shuka Nadi Grantha (a volume of palm leaf manuscripts by sage Shuka) on Sri Satya Sai Baba entitled Sai charitamrita Grantham. It describes accurately and at length Sri Satya Sai Baba’s family tree and many facts about Him. Among other things, the palm leaves say: Born in Akshaya year, in the month of Karthika, on Monday, Krishna chaturdasi, in Ardhra star, visuchika lagnam, this person of divine aspects was previously Shiridivasa (a resident of Shiridi). He is a sankalpa siddha (one who can do things through His will), a person of great powers, but with no love for worldly glory and money" ("living Divinity" Shakunthala Balu, p51) b) Nostradamus book of prophesies entitled ‘Centuries’ has documented that a very great leader would be born in a place surrounded by three seas. Three seas surround South India. The book continues to say that His efforts would bring an end to world war and it would spread spirituality far and wide. He would observe Thursday as His holy day. C) In the 25-volume collection of Prophet Mohammed's discourses titled ‘The ocean of Light,’ Satya Sai’s advent has been prophesied. Volume 13 called ‘Mehdi Moud’ which means ‘The great teacher that was promised’ also referred to as ‘The Master of the world’ has very clear descriptions, which fit Satya Sai accurately. A few of them are listed. 1) His hair will be profuse. 2) His fore head will be large and concave. 3) He will have a mole on His cheek. 4) All the treasures of the world are under His feet. 5) He will live 95 years on earth (Swamy often said that He would leave His physical body in the 96th year). 6) All the teachings of all religions of the world will be in His heart from birth. 7) He will make the world full of peace, the list goes on. This extraordinary description of Satya Sai Baba is an astonishing prophecy, which seems impeccable in its accuracy.d) Sri Aurobindo of Pondicherry, a great Indian spiritual leader broke his silence to tell his disciples on 24th November 1926 (the day after Swamy was born) "Krishna Consciousness has now descended into the physical" and then went back into silence. Several others also prophesied which are beyond the scope of this tiny article. As prophesied, Swamy was born on 23rd November 1926 at 5 a. m Tuesday (Monday according to Telugu calendar) in Bharadwaja Gothra after 8 years of passing away of Shiridi Sai Baba on 15th October 1918 on Dasara day through ‘pravesa’ not through ‘prasava’ as other Avatars born in a similar way.As a child, He demonstrated exemplary qualities of compassion, generosity, and wisdom, which clearly distinguished Him from the other children of His village. On 29th October 1940, at the age of 14, He declared to His family and to the people of His village that He would hence forth be known as Sai Baba and that His mission was to bring about the spiritual regeneration of humanity by demonstrating and teaching the highest principles of truth, right conduct, peace and divine love.\Swamy’s Ashram, built by His devotees close to the village where He was born, was inaugurated on 23rd November 1950. It is called Prasanthi Nilayam (the abode of divine peace). It has been the meeting place of millions of spiritual pilgrims of various faiths from all over the world. Every day Swamy graciously walks among them to guide, comfort, console and uplift them twice daily both in the morning and afternoon. He is doing like this for more than 50 years practising and preaching the highest ideals of truth, right conduct, peace, love and non violence. He has often stated, "My life is my message."Swamy places great importance on proper EDUCATION for young pupils. Parents and community leaders are urged to concern themselves with the information as well as the formal experiences to which their children and young adults are exposed. He has established a model education system which includes primary schools, secondary schools and an accredited university in various campuses, offering education from K G to PG including Ph D degrees FREE OF CHARGE to students and admission is open to all, regardless of race, religion or economic condition which is UNHEARD OF ANY WHERE IN THE WORLD. In addition to emphasising the per suit of academic excellence, Satya Sai Baba’s system of "integral education" is designed to foster self-discipline and pro social conduct. Students are required to take courses on morality and spirituality and devote several hours each week to some form of community service. Swamy says, "that the end of education is character".Swamy also places greater importance in HEATH CARE and built ultra modern super speciality hospitals both in Puttaparthi and Banglore. Highly specialised operations including open-heart operations and kidney transplant are performed routinely. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO CHARGE TO THE PATIENT for professional or hospital expenses including medication and food, which is UNHEARD OF ANY WHERE IN THE WORLD. Motivated by the desire to serve humanity, doctors, nurses and other workers in hospital render extraordinary, loving care to all patients. I was fortunate to go and see these hospitals in person which are comparable to any hospital in the west, both in treatments and equipment and more so in neatness and hygiene. It is a delight to enter these temples of treatment, which are unique in design and style. There are so many other services to the needy in villages by water supply, mobile clinics and cleaning the streets of villages and towns. There are too many to mention. As you may be aware, recently Chennai was supplied with water through Sai Ganga.Swamy’s message: It is very difficult to describe His message in words and it is beyond human comprehension. A few drops of this ocean of Sai Baba’s teachings, an attempt to encapsulate its essence follows: Swamy urges mankind to-Believe in God for there is only one God for all mankind. He may be called by many names.-Follow sincerely their respective religions and live their daily lives in consonance with the teachings of good behaviour and morality.-Respect all religions, for no religion advocates the negative and lower qualities of man.-Perform selfless service to the poor, the sick and the needy elderly without thought of any reward or fame.-Cultivate in their lives, the value of truth, divine love, right conduct, peace and non-violence and promote these values among all.-Be patriotic and respect the law of the country in which they live.Swami has reiterated that service is indeed the best form of worship. "Selfless service is a more exalted means of spiritual progress than such other things as meditation, bhajan and yoga. This is so because when we under take meditation, Japa or yoga, we do so for our own benefit and not for the good of others. These are aimed at subjugating ones individual desires and receiving happiness for one self. What we should aspire for is the attainment of the good of others without any desire for personal gain." Swamy says "Hands that help are holier than the lips that pray"The path is clear and well signposted with Swamy’s messages but the impediments on the way are still there for us to overcome the foes, which are egotism, greed, lust, anger, envy and perhaps more. However Swamy has given us tools or weapons to combat these foes, which are sathya, Dharma, Shanthi, Prema and Ahimsa.The sunlight of grace is all around us but we must open the windows of our heart to get the benefit of the sunlight. This is self-effort.I know some of the readers of this article might be thinking, what about that we read in India Today and in other Indian and Western media about Swami and also in the Internet? I also know some people get irritated and get angry when they hear the name Satya Sai Baba. I my self read all the journals and in the internet about the bad comments on Swamy. It is a fascinating reading to get temporary kick, which is transient on the expense of somebody. I was not worried the least about those reports.In this world of limitations, there is always good and bad. There is no 100% good or 100% bad in any thing or in any one. This is the Law of Life. No body can do any thing about it. Actually there is no good or bad in any thing or in any one but our own perception of things and people makes us feel good or bad depending on our own perception at that time. In other words our own qualities are reflected on to others. So we are at fault not any body else. But what one can do if sensible is always to look for good in every thing and in every one even it is 0.001% and NOT to think or talk about bad. Can we try to do this? No, no way! Why not? The reasons for good or bad are many. There is no point to discuss these things, as they would not serve any useful purpose what so ever. It is mere waste of time and energy. We should have guts to see only goodness in every thing and in every one and try to follow it if possible; otherwise we are sure to be doomed. Now let us see what happened to the past Avatars like Rama and Krishna and Jesus.All during His incarnation did not recognise Sri Ram. His own father was deluded by paternal feelings. Kaikeyi, His stepmother wanted her own son, Bharatha to be king and Rama to be sent to the forest. Had she developed the feeling that Rama was God, she would not have felt that way? Similarly Krishna was also not recognised and was not accepted as God. All His uncles were His worst opponents. Cams, Sisupala, Jarasandha were His uncles. The Kauravas were blind and never accepted His divinity. So no Avatar was is recognised by contemporary society. Jesus was left all alone on the cross, deserted by His disciples on the day of crucifixion. All in His time did not accept even Sai Baba of Shiridi. Some thought He was a Moslem Fakir and some others thought He was a mad man. The merchants in Shiridi village refused to give Him oil to light His lamps.Western media have often a deep suspicion of Indian ‘Gurus’ and vary of anything, which has a ‘Hindu’ flavour. It is true that some of the Gurus teaching in the West might have brought a bad name to Hinduism; but is this a reason to clamp them all together under the same ‘fake’ label? Unfortunately the Indian Journalists share often the same resistance to Gurus as their Western counterparts. And one can also understand their misgivings, given the problems there has been in India with certain Gurus having political connections. But these are the exception to the rule. Why then brand all Gurus as ‘Godman’ a negative and slightly cynical term, as many Indian Journalists do? Is not also strange that Indian Journalists do not display the same aggressiveness towards Christian bishops or priests, whom they never call God men but ‘holy father?’It was not only Sai Baba in India Today, for example, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living has also been catalogued a ‘Godman’ by The Deccan Herald. Yet, he too is helping to spread both in India and abroad this wonderful spiritual inheritance, promoting as much the revival of Saskrit and Vedic knowledge, as an ecological concern for plastic disposal, or trying to save the centenary trees which are in danger of being chopped on the Bangalore-Kanakapura road, as it is being widened. As you can see, no one, not even a mahapurusha or Avatar can ever escape criticism and blame. So we should not give any importance to this type of garbage.Let us examine where we are today? Let us examine the background and position of Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba. Right in this very human body, Swamy is an accepted as an incarnation of God by millions of people in all over the world. Name the country; the devotees are at Prasanthi Nilayam. Name the profession; all professions are at Puttaparthi. People of all age groups and professions, educated and uneducated, employed and unemployed, Men and women, Muslims, Christians, all castes, Brahmins, Naidus, Chowdaries, Visyas, Reddies, you name it, all come to the abode of Divine peace year after year to imbibe the spirituality and sanctity of Prasanthi Nilayam. The brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God can be witnessed at any time of the day and night without any doubt. This is an unbelievable fact in the human history only to be believed by witnessing the Divine place even in this Kali Yuga.Is Swamy teaching a separate religion? Has He started a new religion? What does He stand for? If any one asks what religion you belong to? We should say ‘to the religion of Love’; if any body asks us what is your language? We should say ‘the language of heart,’ or if anybody asks what caste? We should say ‘the caste of humanity.’ That is what Swamy wants us to practice. Is there anything wrong in that? As children of one God, we should not divide by our own religion of the past, because the essence of all religions is Love, which is nothing but God!Swamy has given us only one path to reach God, the path of service. He gave us the religion of Love. To convince everybody is very difficult in this world because some of us do not want to agree to anything! Leave them alone to their fate. Let us improve the quality of our life as time is running out at any moment. We are very fortunate to be alive and to be contemporaries of noble souls like Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) of God’s own country, namely Kerala, Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba (Swamy) from Andhra pradesh, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of Karnataka, Sri Bangaru Adigalar (amma) from Tamil Nadu who is believed to be Avatar of Adi Parashakti. We can witness the divine work by all these and other noble people in India and abroad and we can talk to them, touch them and even have a Divine Hug with a wonderful smile and a message in our ears! How lucky we are? Our grand children and Great grand children will read about these Great souls in history books as we read about the past Great people like Vemana, Aid Sankaracharya, Rama Krishna, Vivekananda, Mahtma Gandhi, too many to list. Friends, let us try to learn to enjoy life with what we have rather than to worry about what we do not have.Human being has only a short span of life, here on earth. But even in this short life one can, by wisely using the time with care, attain Divine Bliss. Remember Adi Sankara Lived only 32 years, Swami Vivekanada lived 39 years, and Rama Krishna Lived only 50 years and we all know what they achieved in their short life span. Many of us coming soon to the 3rd stage of life and where do we stand when compared to the above?Let us know why this body is given to us? The body is given to us after so many good deeds we did in our past lives to serve the mankind and to know about ourselves (self realisation) to go where we came from, without death and rebirth, that is to get Moksha or Liberation or Nirvana. This can happen only for human beings. Such is the importance of this life. Let us not waste any more time in enjoying reading bad press of our noble people but concentrate to reach the only goal of this life to merge into the ultimate, with complete surrender to our own God without any trace of ego by thought, word and deed. We are bound to succeed.GLORY TO SWAMYGLORY TO GODGLORY TO HUMAN RACE.

To know more about Swamy, please go to the website at http://www.sathyasai.org/

FESTIVALS OF HINDUISM

A—Z of HINDU FESTIVALS*
Collected& rewritten by Dr.Kurri Pakirareddy,Boston,Lincs
It has been said often enough that Hindus celebrates everything. So they do. The birth of Gods, death of asuras, victory of Gods, marriage of Gods, the new year, new months, full moon, new moons, harvests, birthdays, initiations marriages, deaths, anniversaries- you name the event, and it is reason for music, dance, processions and what have you.
There is the religious flavour lurking behind it all. The reasons for this lie deep, in the origin of Hinduism as an organic religion. Its followers have over time considered anything, animate or inanimate, to be sacred and aspects of divinity.
That is also why even secular events like harvests take on religious overtones, with the patron deity presiding over the festivities. As soon as something happens, there is a kind of thanksgiving to the divine that follows it.
Apart from the universally celebrated festivals like Ganesh chturthi, Diwali and Dasara, there are others that are observed in specific communities or geographical area. The worship of Murugan (as during the festival of Skanda Shasti) is predominant in Tamil Nadu, where God is considered as a patron of the region. The festival of Onam is a good example that is celebrated solely by Keralites. Another interesting aspect of Onam is that it is perhaps the only major Hindu festival that celebrates the reign of an asura king, although a benevolent one. If you travel around the country, especially in villages, you will hear people tell you a variety of legends involving different Gods behind a single festival. You will also find versions of the same festival being celebrated under different names in different regions.
The following is the summary of some of the main festivals and occasions that I e. mailed throughout out the year to remind friends all over the world, as they are busy with their routine work and jobs.

* We are starting with Ganesh Chaturdhi as it is customary


GANESH CHATURTHI: Let us offer our humble prayers to Lord Ganesha, who represents wisdom, and to His consorts Siddhi and Buddhi who grant wealth and knowledge, to bless us all with true knowledge, discrimination, dispassion, good health and prosperity. “May you remove our difficulties with lustrous axe in your hand and bring success to all our noble efforts”.
Ganesh Mantra: Aum Sri Ganeshaya Namah.
His Bija Akshara (root syllable) is Gung (pronounced as the English word ‘sung’)
His two feet represents the power of knowledge and the power of action. The elephant head is significant in that, it is the only figure in nature that has the form of the symbol Om.
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, which is most sacred to Him. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (Aug-Sept). Lord Ganesha, the eldest son Parvathi and Lord Shiva is the remover of all obstacles. Clay figures of the deity are made and after being worshiped on the day or in some areas like Mumbai for ten days, they are immersed into water. If one wants to see the real hangama of Ganesh Chaturthi, one should be in Mumbai during the festival. The Siddhi Vinayaka temple in the heart of Mumbai is a famous landmark.
Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh recommends: On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period (4.00- 6.00 a. m). Then after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home too. You can get the assistance of a pundit. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your home. Feel His presence in it.
WHAT EVER YOU DO ON THAT DAY, NO ONE SHOULD LOOK AT THE MOON ON GANESH CHATURTHI DAY. If at all any body sees the moon, the only way he or she can be freed from the curse by listening the story of how Lord Krishna cleared his character regarding the Syamantaka Jewel.

DASARA OR NAVARATRI: These festivals are celebrated in the lunar month of Ashwin (Septem-Octo) from the shukla paksha, pratipada to dashami or 10th day of Aswin. Dasara is celebrated all over India with a lot of fanfare and religious fervour. It is an occasion for pujas and festivities like music, dance and cultural programmes. In South India specially in Tamilnadu Dasara is called Navaratri (9 nights)
According to Hindu mythology, a very powerful Asura Demon king Mahishasura prayed the Almighty and asked for a boon that his death should be at the hands of a woman and by no other human being or any form of living being.
When his cruelty became unbearable, people prayed to Sakthi, the concert of Shiva to save them from the Demon and provide them with salvation. Sakthi then took the form of Durga and killed the Demon Mahishasura. The fight took place for 9 days and nights, hence the name Navaratri.
PURPOSE OF DASARA: Festivals like Dasara are designed to make man aware of his divinity, to endow him with purity to become aware of its holiness to imprint on his heart the wisdom won by sages after years of yearning. The Dasara festival honours the victory of Devas (Gods) over the Asuras (demons), the force of righteousness over the force of evil. The Gods were able to win, because of para-shakti, the dynamic aspect of Divinty.
IMPORTANCE OF DASARA: During the festival of Dasara, the three Goddesses- Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped according to certain practices. The tenth day is celebrated as the victory day.
In Dwapara Yuga, when the Pandavas had to spend a year incognito, they hid their weapons on the advice of Krishna, in a Jammi tree which is thick in foliage and whose branches are filled with latent fire. Vijayadasami was the day on which Pandavas retrieved their weapons from the tree and used them to win victory over the Kauravas.
In the Tetra Yuga, Sri Rama’s coronation after His victorious return to Ayodhya from Lanka was prepared on Vijayadasami day.
This is the day on which Shiridi Saibaba left His mortal coil and went to Mahasamadhi.
NAVA DURGA: There are nine forms of Durga. 1. Durga, 2. Brahmacharini, 3.Chandraghanta, 4. Kushmanda, created the Universe with a smile. 5. Skandamata, as Kumar Kartik’s other name is Skanda. 6. Kattayani, 7. Kalratri, 8. Mahagouri, whose complexion are totally white, 9. Siddhidatri as she delivers success.
During the nine days (Navaratri), the first 3 days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, dressed in Red and mounted on a lion. The next 3 days dedicated to Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth and prosperity) dressed in Gold and mounted on an owl. The last 3 days of Navaratri are dedicated to Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge), dressed in milky white and mounted on pure white swan. Dandidya and Garba Rass are the highlights of Dasara in Gujarat. In Bengal Durga puja is done in the grandest form.



DIWALI OR DEEPAVALI, FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: Diwali or Deepavali means ‘a row of lights’ which is celebrated on Amavasya day, the 15th day of dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Ashwin which usually comes in October-November every year. It is most popular and eagerly waited festival in India. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs regard this festival as a celebration of life. It usually comes after 18 days of Dasara. The common practice is to light small oil amps (diyas) and places them around the home.
TEN REASONS TO CELEBRATE DIWALI:
Goddess Lakshmi’s Birthday: The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi incarnated on the new moon day (amavasya) during the churning of the ocean, hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi.
Vishnu rescued Lakshmi on Diwali day. Lord Vishnu in His fifth incarnation as Vaman-avatara rescued Lakshmi from the prison of King Bali and this is another reason of worshipping Ma Lakshmi on Diwali.
Krishna killed Narakaasur: On the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakaasur and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom went on two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival.
The return of the Pandavas: According to the great epic ‘Mahabharata’ it was Diwali day, when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banmishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling). The subjects who loved Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps.
The victory of Rama: According to the epic ‘Ramayana’, it was the Diwali day, when Lord Sri Ram, Ma Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before.
Coronation of Vikramaditya: One of the greatest Hindu king, Vikramaditya was coroneted on the Diwali day, hence Diwali became a historical event as well.
Special Day for the Arya Samaj: It was on the Diwali day, when Maharshi Dayananda, one of the greatest reformers of Hinduism and the founder of Arya Samaj attained his nirvana.
Special day for the Jains: Mahavir Tirthankar considered being the founder of modern Jainism also attained nirvana on Diwali day.
Special day for Sikhs: The third Sikh Guru Amar Das institutionalised Diwali as a Red-Letter Day when all Sikhs would gather to receive the Guru’s blessings. In 1577, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar was laid on Diwali. In 1619, the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind, who was held by the Mughal Emperor Jahengir, was released from the Gwalior fort along with 52 kings.
The Pope’s Diwali Speech: In 1999, Pope John Paul II performed a special Eucharist in an Indian church where the alter was decorated with Diwali lamps, the Pope had a ‘tilak’ marked on his forehead and his speech was bristled with references to the festival of lights.
Diwali is a festival of 5 days. The 1st day of Diwali is called Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi, which falls on the 13th day of the month of Ashwin. Dhan means wealth and this day has a great significance for the rich mercantile community of Western India.
The 2nd day of Diwali is called Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwal, which falls on the 14th day of the Ashwin. This is the day on which Lord Krishna killed Narakaasura.
The 3rd day of Diwali is the day of Lakshmi Puja. This day is known as Chopoda Puja- balancing the accounts and their closing. In spite of Amavasya, this day is regarded as most auspicious.
The 4th day of Diwali is called Padwa or Varshapratipada marks the coronation of king Vikramaditya. Govardhan Puja is also performed in North India on this day.
The 5th and last day of Diwali is known as’Bhayya Duj’ in Hindi speaking belt and as Bhav-Bij in Marathi speaking belt and in Nepal it is called Bhai-Tika. This is the day of showing love between sisters and brothers and also a day of food sharing and sharing gifts as well.
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore has so aptly put forth the true significance of Diwali in the following beautiful lines.
“ THE NIGHT IS BLACK
KINDLE THE LAMP OF LOVE
WITH THY LIFE AND DEVOTION”



GAYATRI JAPA DAY: The Gayatri Japa Day falls the day after Raksha Bhandan day (sisters tie Rakhi-a coloured thread of love on the wrist of their brothers to protect them against evil influences) Gayatri Japa Day is a holy and most glorious day intended to remind us all of the greatest and most glorious of all Mantras, the sacred Gayatri Mantra. The very meaning of the word Gayatri is ‘that which protects one who sings it’. The celibate, the Grihastha or householder and the Vanaprastha or one who is retired, must repeat this Mantra every day. The sanyasin or renunciate is asked to repeat AUM instead of this Mantra.
‘NA GAYATRYAH PARO MANTRAH’ meaning ‘there is no Mantra greater than the Gayatri’
Let us all start repeating this holy Mantra every day starting on Gayatri Japa Day until the appointed final call comes.
The Gayatri is as follows:

Om bhur bhuvah svah
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayaat.

Om: symbol of para Brahma
Bhur: Bhu Loka or the physical plane.
Bhuvah: the astral plane
Svah: the celestial plane

Tat: That; the transcendental paramatma; God
Savitur: the creator
Varanyam: fit to be worshipped.

Bhargo: remover of sins and ignorance; glory, effulgence
Devasya: resplendent, shining
Dheemahi: we meditate

Dhiyo: the intellect, understanding
To: who
Nah: our
Prachodayaat: enlighten, guide, impel.

Meaning: “We meditate on the glory of the creator who has created the universe, who is fit to be worshipped, who is the embodiment of knowledge and light, who is the remover of all sins and ignorance. May He enlighten our intellect”?

In Gayatri Mantra there are five parts:
Om is the first part,
Bhur bhuvah svah is the second part,
Tat savitur varenyam is the third part,
Bhargo devasya dheemahi is the fourth part, and
Dhiyo to nah prachodayaat is the fifth and last part.

WHILE CHANTING THE GAYATRI MANTRA, WE SHOULD PAUSE AFTER EVERY PART.


GURU PURNIMA OR VYASA PURNIMA OR ASHADA PURNIMA

The day of full moon, Hindus traditionally celebrate Purnima, in the month of Ashada as Guru Purnima, which usually comes in the month of July. Also known as Vyasa Purnima, the day is celebrated in remembrance and veneration of to sage Veda Vyasa. He is the Adi (original) Guru of the Hindu Dharma. Vyasa was the son of the sage Parasara and fisherwoman Satyavati and the grand son of the renowned sage Vasistha. He personified the combination of sagely wisdom and the practical approach of the fisherwoman. It is essential to cultivate both to excel in life.
Vyasa was born on the full moon day (Purnima) of Ashada. Purnima which denotes illumination and Vyasa Purnima points to spiritual enlightenment. Yasa is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Apart from codifying the Vedas, Vyasa composed the Puranas and Brahma sutras and also dictated the epic Mahabharata consisting of almost one-lakh verses and it is considered as the fifth Veda.
Guru Purnima day is considered as the most auspicious day on which ones Guru are worshiped. The word Guru stands for the source of light, which dispels the darkness of ignorance. The worship of Guru means a journey from darkness to light. (Tam soma Jyotirgamaya)
Only He who removes our ultimate darkness, known as Maya, and who inspires and guides us on the path of God-realisation is the true Guru. A spiritual aspirant, no matter how brilliant, can never attain knowledge by his or her own endeavour. This is stipulated in the Shrimad Bhagawatam in which Jadbharat reveals to king Rahugan:
“O Rahugan! One cannot attain knowledge of Atma and Paramatma by performing penance, sacrifices, renunciation, Vedic study or worshipping deities of water, fire or the Sun. But when the dust from the feet of God-realised Guru sprinkles on our heads, then we can surely attain this knowledge”.
Adi Shankara echoes a similar injunction: “If a person, despite possessing, a handsome, disease-free body, fame, a mountain of wealth, and even if he has studied the Vedas and all other scriptures, and has himself composed many scriptures, but has not surrendered himself at the feet of a Guru, then he has achieved nothing, nothing, and nothing”.
NO DOUBT, THE guru plays a vital role in boosting the aspirant frequently, when he or she loses track, becomes despondent or simply runs out of steam. The aspirant is thus better able to obey the Guru if he understands and finds a ‘real’ Guru.
A famous verse known by heart by almost all Hindus and their children glorifies the Guru.

Gurubrahma Guruvishnu gururdevo Maheshwara I
Guruhu Sakshaat Parambrahman tasmi Shrigurave namaha II
Meaning: “The Guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva), veneration to the Guru who is Parabrahman manifest”.
The second line of the couplet does not literally mean that the Guru becomes Parabrahman- God, rather he is venerated as if God is manifesting through him.
Therefore on the day of Guru Purnima, disciples introspect, and resolve to offer puja and reverence to Guru in mind, speech and action; implicitly obey his unvoiced wishes, commands, serving him as one would God and lauding his glory and redemptive attributes.
GURU SWAMI SIVANANDA’S ADVICE:
Swami Sivananda (one of the close disciples of Sri Ramakrishna September 8th, 1887- July 14th, 1963) recommends: to wake up at Brahmamuhurta (at 4 a. m) on this most holy day, to mediate on the lotus feet of ones Guru. Mentally to pray him for his grace, through which alone one can attain self-realisation. To do vigorous japa and meditate in the early morning hours.
After bath, to worship the lotus feet of the Guru, or his image or picture with flowers, fruits, incense and camphor. To fast or take only milk and fruits the whole day.
Alternatively, one may observe the vow of silence and study the books or writings of Guru. The best form of worship of the Guru is to follow his teaching in ones own life, to shine as the very embodiment of his teachings, and to propagate his glory and his message.




HOLI: The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year. Holi ranks as the most colourful festival of all. Holi provides a refreshing respite from the mundane norms as people from all walks of life enjoy themselves. During Holi, practices which other times could be offensive are allowed.
Now a days Holi festival is an excuse for Indians to shed inhibitions and caste differences for a day of spring fever and big fun. Indians all over the world eagerly await and look forward to the festival of colours, as bonfires are lit to banish the cold dark nights of winter and usher in warmer spring. Dhuleti, day after Holi, is the actual festival of colours, when everything in sight is covered in a riot of colours.
The twin towns of Nandagow (where Lord Krishna grew up) and Barsana (where Shri Radha grew up), near Madhura, are the epicentre of celebrations. Here celebrations start a week earlier than rest of India. Men of Nandagow raid Barsana with hopes of raising their flag over Shri Radhikaji’s temple. They receive a thunderous welcome as the women of Barsana greet them with long wooden sticks. The men are soundly beaten as they attempt to rush through town to reach the relative safety of Shri Radhikaji’s temple. Men are well padded, as they are not allowed to retaliate. In this mock battle the men try their best not to be captured. Unlucky captives can be forcefully lead away, thrashed and dressed in female attire before being made to dance! Famous poets like Surdas, Nanda-das, Kumbhan-das and others have written beautifully as to how Lord Krishna was similarly received and forced to wear a sari, forced to wear make-up and made to dance before being released by the gopies of Vraj.
The next day, men of Barsana reciprocate by invading Nandagow.
Women in India especially enjoy the freedom of relaxed rules. It is good time to ventilate their latent heat and experience strange physical relaxation without the usual social and caste restrictions.
Myths&Legends: 1. Most of us know the story of the devotee Prahalada, the son of Hiranyakasipu. It was on this day that Holika, the sister of Hiranyakasipu who tried to kill Prahalada by taking him on her lap and sitting on a pyre of wood, which was set ablaze. Holika in spite of her boon was burnt to ashes while Prahalada remained unscathed proving again Devotion and Righteousness wins the day. 2. This is the day to celebrate the memory of immortal love of Lord Krishna and Radha. Holi is one of the oldest festivals even before Christ.3. Holi Purnima is also celebrated on the birthday of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, mostly in Bengal, Puri, Mathura and Brindavan.
Holi is the only Hindu festival during which non-vegetarian food is allowed and I could not find any reason anywhere why it is so!

HURRAY! BURA NA MANO, HOLI HAI (‘Do not mind, it is Holi’!)


SRI KRISHNA JANMASTAMI:



Lord Krishna appeared on the midnight of the dark half a month of Sravana. This corresponds to July 19th 3228 B.C. This year it falls on Wednesday, August 16th at 12.00 midnight. His avatara lasted for a little over 125 years until Feb, 18th 3102 B.C on the new moon light of Phalguna which marks the beginning of this current age of corruption as Kaliyuga.
Sri Krishna Janmastami occurs on the eighth day (Astami) of lunar fortnight, hence the name (Krishna+astami), which is usually in the month of August, is celebrated for two days. The first day is called Krishnastami or Gokulastami and the second day is called Kalastami or more popularly called Janmastami. Lord Krishna is regarded as the 8th avatar or incarnation of Vishnu. The life of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviours and profounder of Dharma. The stories of how He killed, one after another, all the demonic adversaries- Pootana, Shakata, Agha, Dhenuka, Bakaa, Keshi, Kansa, Shishupala, Jarasandha etc has made Him the peerless saviour of mankind.
KRISHNA’S BIRTH: Mathura was the capital of a kingdom in North India. Ugrasen was the king of Mathura. He had a son, Kansa and a daughter, Devki. During the lavish wedding of Devki to Vasudev, Kansa heard a celestial voice announce, ‘O Kansa, Thy death is written at the hand of the eighth son of born to this union’.
Through the ensuing years, the demon king put to death six children born to Devki in the dungeons of the palace. On the day that Krishna was born, it was raining and dark. At midnight a bright light appeared in the room of Devki. Then the child was born. Vasudev, terrified for the baby’s safety, carried in a basket through the opened gates of the dungeon. On account of the heavy rain, the river Yamuna was swollen. But as he stepped out of the prison, the rain stopped and the dim light of the moon showed the way. A huge snake taking the shape of an umbrella protected the child. As he reached the river, the waters were divided leaving a dry path for Vasudev to cross. Vasudev went to the home of his friend Nanda where he exchanged the baby boy with a baby girl and went back.
The following day, when Kansa tried to kill the baby girl, she slipped from his hands and an image of Devi appeared. She spoke to Kansa,” The one who is destined to kill you as already taken birth elsewhere”. Sri Krishna flourished under Nanda’s and Yashodha’s care and later on slew the wicked Kansa.
Even Sri Krishna could not escape the Karma phala, when He lost his body after a hunter of Bhavalka shot his toe by mistaking it for the beak of a bird., at a sacred place Prabhas near Dwaraka. Arjuna performed the last rights of Sri Krishna’s body.
SRI KRISHNA MANTRA: ‘ AUM KLEEM KRISHNAAYA GOVINDAAYA GOPIJANA-VALLABHAAYA SWAAHA’
Meaning: Kleem means Earth. It is the first element. Krishnaaya signifies Water, Govindaaya signifies Fire, Gopijana-Vallabhaaya signifies Air. And Swaaha signifies Akasha. This Mantra thus represents all five elements in the Cosmos as manifestation of the Divine. The Gopikas through this Mantra taught the world that God should be adored on the Omnipresent Divine everywhere in the Cosmos. Hence in every atom, in every particle, the Divine is present all the time.




MAHA SHIVARATRI:



Maha Shivaratri (the great night of Shiva) is celebrated throughout the country. Shivaratri falls on the 14th day of the dark half Margasira (Deb-March). This is one of the most unique festivals. Unlike other festivals, this festival is celebrated at night. This festival is also very different from others because no special foods are made on this day. People usually eat normal meals during the day, and at sunset, begin a fast along with prayers to Lord Shiva. This ritual ends at sunrise next day, with a feast to break the fast. It is said that whoever fasts all through the night and worships Lord Shiva will attain heavenly Bliss. The reasons to celebrate Maha Shivaratri, 1.The formless Sadashiv appeared in the form of Linga exactly at midnight of Shivaratri. The Shivlinga, symbolically representing the Jyoti-flame of the fire, and NOT AS A PHALLIC SYMBOL, AS HAS BEEN PERSISTENTLY AND IGNOMINIOUSLY MISREPRESENTED BY NON-HINDU WRITERS SINCE COLONIAL TIMES. 2. Lord Shiva married to Parvati on Shivaratri. 3. On Shivaratri, Shiva became Neelakhanta by drinking poison that came from the ocean during the churning of kshira sagar. So Shivaratri pooja is considered a day of thanks giving for protecting us from annihilation. The other significant events occurred on Maha Shivaratri , the onset of Dwapara Yuga and the manifestation of the 12 Swayambhu Jyotirlingas of Bharat.
THE STORY OF KING CHITRABHANU: In the Shanti parva of Mahabharata, Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of arrows and discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by king Chitrabhanu. The story goes as follows-Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jumbudvipa, was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king.
The sage asked the king the purpose of his observing the fast. King Chandrabhanu explained that he had the gift of remembering the incidents of his previous birth.
The king said to the sage that in his previous birth, he was a hunter in Varanasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. One day while roaming through forests in search of animals, he was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home, he climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. He had shot a deer that day but had no time to take it home. So he bundled it up and tied it to a branch on the tree. As hunger and thirst tormented him, he was kept awake throughout the night. He shed profuse tears when he thought of his poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously waiting for his return.. To pass away the time that night, he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.
The next day he returned home and sold the deer and then bought some food for himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast, a stranger came to him, begging for food. He served the food first to the stranger and then had his own.
At the time of his death, he saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were sent down to conduct his soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. He learnt then for the first time of the great merit he had earned by the unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. The messengers told him that there was a Shiva Lingam at the bottom of the tree. The leaves he dropped fell on the Shiva Lingam. His tears, which had shed out of pure sorrow of his family, fell on to the Shiva Lingam and washed it and he had fasted all day and night. Thus he unconsciously worshiped the Lord on Shivaratri day and night.
At the conclusion of the tale, the king said that he lived in the abode of Lord Shiva and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages and now he has born as Chitrabhanu.
People observe a strict fast on this day. Some devotees do not even take a drop of water and they keep vigil all night. The Shiva Lingam is worshiped throughout the night by washing it (Abhisheka) every three hours with milk, curd, honey, sugar and ghee (panchamruta) while chanting Shiva Maha mantra ‘Aum Namah Shivaya’. Offering of Bael leaves are made to the lingam as Bael leaves are considered very sacred and it is said that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them.
Those who utter the name of Shiva (meaning auspicious) during Shivaratri with perfect devotion and faith are freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims throng on Shivaratri to various temples of Maha Deva, like Srisailam, Kalahasthi and to all Jyotirlingas except Kedarnath as it is closed for public during this time.
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthi in Andhrapradesh brings out Shiva Lingam from his body on Shivaratri day. Shivaratri is celebrated with great pomp at Puttaparthi.



MAKARA SANKRANTI: (PONGAL) Makara Sankranti is celebrated on January 14th every year in the month of ‘Magh’. On this day the Sun moves from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn. It is a day of great significance and marks the beginning of auspicious time. The beginning of the period, when the Sun travels northwards, is considered highly favourable for auspicious activities. It is celebrated as Pongal in South especially in Tamilnadu. In the North it is observed as Makara Sankranti or Uttarayana.
It is a very significant day and newly harvested rice is cooked for the first time and offered to Sun and other deities. The poor are fed and given cloths, money etc, in charity. In the morning, after bath, people offer libations to their dead ancestors and visit the temples. Bhishma pitamaha waited in his couch of arrows, for a long period, only for the onset of this auspicious season, before finally making his departure from the mortal world.
In Assam it is called Magha Bighu or Bhogali Bihu, the festival of feasts. In Punjab, it is observed as Lohri, to mark the end of winter and advent of spring. Lohri is celebrated in cities, towns and villages alike, with great fervour and enthusiasm.
Lord Surya on His dazzling chariot that has thousands of spokes and magnificent wheels and driven by seven horses begins His journey northwards into the Makara Rasi, filling our lives with light and getting rid of the darkness. This light not only fills our material life and helps our plants grow at seeding time, but also gets rid of our ‘internal’ darkness, showing the path of self realisation-moksha.
Young girls are seen to put up Gobbemmalu, which are round balls of cow dung that are decorated with vermilion, turmeric and coloured flowers. These are placed in the middle of bright muggus in the front yards of the dwellings and are worshiped with Navadhanyas (nine types of grains) to welcome the Lakshmi, the Goddess of abundance and prosperity. Young girls worship for good husbands, on this occasion. After this, the women folk get gathered to sing and dance to the accompaniment around these gobbis.
Haridasulu (Madhwas) are seen singing eulogies of the Almighty and seeking alms from the people in early hours of the days. Gangireddu Ata is another festival where the trained oxen dance to the tunes of Nagaswaram played their master is a great attraction. In some areas kites are seen soaring high in the sky on the day of Makara Sankranti. People seem to correlate the soaring kites with their high spirits on the eve of this festival. In some places, they have the focus on the newly married couples that are presented with special gifts and clothes.


ONAM: Onam is an annual festival celebrated mainly by Malayalees all over the world irrespective of cast and faith. It falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Septem) and lasts for 10 days.
Onam is related with King Mahabali who was ruling Kerala in a time. He was an Asura king but was very nice and truthful. During his ruling time it is said that people did not even lock their houses in the night because, there was no thieves, no corruption, no betrayal. All people lived united, without the difference of rich and poor. All had a good time and like wise the king was so good that he will give anything to anyone.
At that time the Hindu Lord Mahavishnu decided to test king Mahabali. He came to earth as Vamana a poor dwarf, and went straight to king Mahabali and told the king that he has nothing and he want three feet of land to live. The king hearing this laughed and told Vamana to take three feet of land from where ever he wishes. Suddenly Vamana began to grow and he covered the whole earth by one foot and covered the sky with other foot. Then he asked Mahabali where is the space for the third foot. By seeing all this, the king understood that Vamana is not an ordinary person, and Vamana has come to test him so the king without hesitating showed his head to keep the third foot. Vamana kept his third foot on the king’s head and the king was pushed down under the earth (pathala). The king after going to Pathala asked Vamana his true identity, Suddenly Vamana vanished and Lord Mahavishnu stood before Mahabali. Seeing this overjoyed Mahabali. The Lord told Mahabali that he wanted to test Mahabali and he was won in that. The Lord also asked Mahabali to ask any boon for himself. Mahabali told the Lord that, he loved his people very much so he wanted permission to visit Kerala once a year, and the Lord gave permission for that. It is the day i.e. the day Mahabali visits Kerala is celebrated as Onam.
During Onam, people put flower mats in front of their homes to welcome the king. There will be competition for the laying of flower mats. Everyone will wear new dresses and will be visiting almost all temples, which they can, and also they perform lot of dances like Thiruvathira Kali Thumbi Tullal etc. Whatever may happen they will not miss the grand family or community lunch served on green shining clean banana leaves arranged in a row.
There is a saying in Malayalam that “KANAM VITTU ONAM UNNANAM” which means, “We should have the Thiruonam lunch even if we have to sell all our property”. They give that much importance to the lunch on the Thiruonam day. We were very fortunate to have Thiruonam lunch from Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi’s divine hands (Amma) in 2004 on Thiruonam day at her Ashram in Kerala.
The fest is traditionally vegetarian and includes banana wafers, crisp papadams, patchadi, aviyal, kootu, payasam, rice and sambar and a variety of pickles and puliinji, a ginger chutney.





RAKSHA BANDHAN OR RAKHI: This is a celebration of sisters and brothers which falls on the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August-September) As per the tradition, the sister on this day prepares the pooja thali with diya, roli, chwal and rachis. She worships the deities, ties Rakhi to the brothers and wishes for their well being. The brother in turn acknowledges the love with a promise to be by the sister’s side through thick and thin and gives her a token gift.
This festival has been celebrated in the same way with the same traditions for centuries. Only the means have changed with the changing lifestyles. This is the day that still pulls the siblings together. They try to reach out to each other on the Raksha Bandhan day. The joyous meeting, the rare family get-together, the erstwhile feeling of sisterhood and brotherhood calls for a massive celebration.
The sisters tie the Rakhi, thread of love to their brother’s wrist amongst chanting of mantras, put roli and rice on the forehead and pray for his well being. She bestows him with sifts and blessings. The brother also wishes her a good life and pledges to take care of her. He gives her a return of gift. The gift is the physical acceptance of her love, reminder of their togetherness and symbol of his pledge.
Well, that is kind of an end to the rituals but the celebrations actually start after that. For parents, it is a family reunion. Tasty dishes, wonderful sweets, exchange of gifts and sharing past experiences. For those who are not able to visit each other, Rakhi cards and e. rachis and Rakhis through mail perform part of communicating the Rakhi messages. Hand made Rakhis and self made Rakhis are just a representation of personal feelings of the siblings.
The crux is that Raksha Bhandan or Rakhi brings people together in the spirit of all Indian festivals.



SRI RAMA NAVAMI




Sri Rama Navami is dedicated to the memory of Lord Rama, the 7th Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Sri Rama is portrayed as being the ideal man and his wife Sita is the ideal woman. We all know Sri Rama Navami commemorates the divine birth of Sri Rama. This auspicious day is celebrated on Chaitra sukla Navami (9th day of the bright half of the month Chaitra . In the latter years on the same day, Sita Rama Kalyanam (marriage) took place
In the word Rama,’Ra ‘ came from the sacred Mahamantra ‘Aum Namo naRAyana and ‘Ma’ came from the highly sacred Panchakshari mantra of ‘Aum NaMAh Sivaya’ of Mahadeva (Shankara or Shiva). So Rama nama is the Taraka mantra an auspicious and favourite of both Saivites and Vishnanites.’Where ever 4 Hindus live, Rama and Sita will be there’ so said Swami Vivekananda. The reverse is also equally true. Where ever Rama and Sita live, the people there will remain and live as Hindus. In many Northern parts of Bharat, mutual greetings take the form of ‘Jai Ramjee Ki’
The name Ramayana teaches us two lesions; 1.the value of detachment, 2.the need to become aware of the divine in every being. ‘Be in the world but not of it’. When we utter the word Rama, we first open the mouth with the sound ‘Ra’-all our sins go out when our mouth is open. When we utter Ma, by closing our mouth, the entry is barred against the sins that have gone out. We all know the famous sloka,
“ Sree Raama Raama Raamethi
Rame Raame Manorame
Sahasra Naama Thattulyam
Raama Naama Varanane”
If you utter Rama Nama, it is equavalent to chanting Vishnu Sahasranama. Such is the importance of chanting Rama Nama.
Ramayana teaches us, ‘Renunciation leads to the joy and attachment brings about grief.
It is highly believed that reading, watching or at least listening of the sacred Ramayana around Sri Rama Navami is very beneficial. Fortunately for Telugu people, there is an audio version of Ramayana in 9 parts, which is free on the Internet, which took me 5 hours to listen. We can listen for 9 days approaching Rama Navami. It is really high quality narrating with beautiful language and once you start listening, it is very difficult to stop until it is finished. To access this, please go to www.andhravilas.com on the left side click down loads-devotional songs. Then click Srirama to listen Ushasri Ramayanam. Have a go at it and see what you think!
It is also desirable to read or listen, HANUMAN CHALISA and ADITYA HRIDAYAM, the latter not only on this occasion but also on every Sunday before the Sunrise and the former every Tuesday morning and Saturday morning, these two days being the favourite of Sri Hanuman.
The ‘Ramayana’ literally means ‘the march of Rama’ in search of human values. We all owe a lot to the great sage Valmiki (Ratnakar who was a robber transformed into a great sage) who told the story of Rama to the humanity. As we all know Ramayana is written in so many languages in the world but the one who is responsible for its wide popularity goes Rama charita manus by Goswami Tulasidas. In the modern world, the credit goes to late Sri Ramananda Sagar’s Ramayana serial which was shown on the little box in whole (including Uttar Ramayana) for the first time which enabled to appreciate by all sections and by all ages and by all kinds of people, educated or uneducated with English sub titles, that was watched by millions through out the globe. We are very fortunate to witness the modern marvel in front of our eyes sitting in our own homes, with all the family.
We all know this function is shown in Andhra on television live from Bhadrachalam every year. Bhadrachala Rama is special in that, this is the only place one can see Rama with four hands and only here one can see Sita sitting on Sri Rama’s left lap. Such is the significance of Bhadrachala Sri Rama.
MAY LORD RAMA SHOWERS HIS BLESSINGS ON ALL THE HUMANITY



SHRAVANA MASAM: Shravana Masam (month) which comes this year between July 26th to August 31st. During this time the mood sets in, in terms of religious fervour. It is the most important month, which needs a special mention for women who perform pujas for the welfare of their family.
It is during this month that Goddess Lakshmi along with Chandra (Moon) her brother rose from Ksheerasagara Madhanam i.e. Churning of the ocean of milk. Lakshmi emerged in all her splendour with nine gems, unlike ‘Karthika’ month, Shravana month is a month of festivals.
While Fridays are reserved for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, Tuesdays are marked for worship of the Goddess Gowri or Parvati,
This year (2006), in this sacred month of Shravana the following festivals occur:
July 29th-NAGA CHATURTHI:
July 30th NAGA PANCHAMI: these two festivals of snakes fall on the fifth day of bright fortnight of Shravana month. Snake worship no doubt owes its origin to man’s natural fear of these reptiles. Because of cyclical moulting, the serpent is believed to be immortal by the Hindus. Temples also been erected in honour of snakes. There is one famous temple in Karnataka state at a place called Subrammania, which is also the name of great snake on which Lord Vishnu reclines when he sleeps in the sea.
Snake worship is more common in peninsular India than in North India.
On these days women draw figures of snakes on the walls of their houses using black powder, cow dung and milk. These festivals also herald the arrival of Ganesh almost exactly after a month.
In Kerala the snake temples are crowded on these days and worship is offered to a stone or metal icons of cosmic serpent Anantha or Sesha. In Punjab this festival is celebrated in September- October and is called Guga Naumi
In West Bengal and parts of Assam and Orissa, the snake deity worshiped on these days is the Goddess Manasa.
Naga Panchami is observed in different ways in different parts of India. It is one of the most ancient fasts and finds it’s mention in the Puranas and is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the year.

August 1st MANGALA GOWRI VRATAM: This festival is called Shravana Mangalavara Gowri Vratam. In this festival both married and unmarried women take part in equal measure. It is not just an elaborate puja performed in all religiosity in the morning, it also entails a grand ‘perantam (a sacred get together of women folk in every household in the evening)
This festival is celebrated by women folk for the welfare of their whole family.

August 4th VARALAKSHMI VRATAM: The glory of performing the Varalakshmi Vratam, narrated directly by Lord Shiva Himself, is elaborately discussed in the Skanda Puranam. This is a festival to propitiate Shri Varalakshmi (Mahalakshmi)- the consort of Lord Vishnu, who is the abode of all mangalam (auspicious), prosperity and wealth. It is to be performed on the Shravana Shukla Shukravaram (Friday), on the Friday immediately following the full moon day in the auspicious month of Shravanam. This Vratam is undertaken by the sumangalis (whose husbands are still alive) for good progeny, good health and wishing long life for the husbands.
Lakshmi is symbolic of eight forces- wealth (Shri), earth (bhu), learning (saraswati), love (priti), fame (kirti), peace (shanty), pleasure (tushti), and strength (pushti). Each of these forces is called called a Lakshmi, and collectively, they are known as Ashta (eight) Lakshmi
The previous evening of the festival, the house is cleaned and a bronze or silver kalasam is filled with rice or water, coins, turmeric, a whole lime, betel leaf and nut. The kalasam is decorated with sandal paste and kumkum, a coconut smeared with turmeric is kept on it and mango leaves placed around. The face of Goddess Lakshmi decorated with jewels is placed against the coconut. Arati is taken at night after the Goddess is offered white pongal for neivedhyam.
The next morning the Goddess is welcomed to the specially erected pandal by singing the song “Varalakshmi Raave ma intiki”. The kalasam is placed on a bed of raw rice spread over a plantain leaf. Pooja is begun with an invocation to Lord Ganesha. During the pooja the Lakshmi sahasranamam and other slokas are chanted.
After doing the pooja that would include the Lakshmi Ashothram and sahasranamam, a yellow thread called ‘saradu’ is tied by the women on their wrists. The women who do the Nonbu fast that day eating only certain foods that have been offered to the Goddess first.
In the evening, women visit one another for exchange of thamboolam. The next day after doing the punar pooja, the holy water is sprinkled through out the house or the rice is added to the storage.

August 9th SHRAVANA PURNIMA OR KAJARI PURNIMA: This fall s on the same day as Raksha Bhandan on Shravana Purnima. This festival is mainly celebrated in Madhya pradesh and some parts of Uttar pradesh. This festival is important to the farmers as it signifies the beginning of sowing season. They worship Goddess Bhagavati and seek blessings for a good crop.

August 16th ARAVIND JAYANTHI:



THAI POOSAM: Thai Poosam is a festival occurring in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) on the day of the star Poosam around Purnima (full moon) celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu. One of the legends to this festival is, there was a demon named Tharakasura who gave lot of trouble to the Rishis and saints. Lord Murugan was called by his parents, Lord Shiva and Parvati and given the job of destroying the Asura. Lord Muragan set of with the blessings his parents to destroy the demon. He took with him twelve weapons, eleven of which were given by his father, Lord Shiva and the ‘vel’ given by his mother Parvati. Lord Murugan destroyed Tharakasura on the Poosam nakshtra day in the Tamil month of Thai, hence the name Thai Poosam.It is celebrated in all Murugan temples, the main temple being in Palani. Thus it is a special day for the worship of Lord Murugan or Subramanya.
Thai Poosam Kavady-The carrying of Kavady symbolizes the carrying of one’s burden and then resting it at the feet of the Lord. Kavu+Adi is a pole slung across the shoulder to evenly distribute the weight of whatever is being carried. This day falls on the full moon day.


UGADI: Ugadi is the most important festival for Hindus, which falls on Chaitra Suddha Padyami or the first day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month Chaitra that falls in the months of March or April.
People of Andhra and Karnataka use the term Ugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day as Gudi Padwa. The New Year as per the solar calendar followed by people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala around the same time of the year in March or April. The Punjabi New Year ‘Baisakhi’ falls soon after Ugadi.
Ugadi is the beginning of the Telugu New Year. According to the English calendar, this would be described as February 20th, 3102 B. C . In order to bring about this aspect of the commencement of a new yuga , our Ancestors have been calling that day as Ugadi , the day of new era or the day of the a new Yuga.
Ugadi is also the day on which Sri Krishna gave up His mortal body in a sacred place of pilgrimage called Prabahatsa near Dwaraka. This day is also the commencement of Kaliyuga in which we live in the present moment.
On this day, it is the practice of the rural folk to eat what is called ‘UGADI PACCHADI’. This is chutney made from neem flowers, mango juice, honey, jaggary and other ingredients with different tastes. The inner significance of this preparation is to indicate that LIFE IS A MIXTURE OF GOOD AND BAD, JOY AND SORROW AND ALL OF THEM HAVE TO BE TREATED ALIKE. ALL EXPERIENCES HAVE TO BE TREATED WITH EQUANIMITY. We all should make a resolve that we will face calmly whatever happens in this year, accepting it with God’s grace. Welcome everything and consider everything as for our own good. We should rise above sorrow and happiness, success and failure. This is the primary message of Ugadi festival.
Let us always keep the following things in mind. 1. It is not necessary that all situations should be favourable to us. 2.It is not possible that all people be helpful to us. 3. It is not possible that all things work out as per our wishes. 4. We should always tell ourselves “What God does for us in spite of all our efforts, will be only for our betterment.

VAIKUNTA EKADASI: Vaikunta Ekadasi, the Ekadasi of Vaikunta (the abode of Vishnu) falls on the 11th day of the Sukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) of Dhanur (Margazhi in Tamil) month. Hindus consider it a very auspicious day and observe it as a day of prayer and fasting. According to legend, the gods and demons churned the divine ocean for Amrita on the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi, following which Shiva consumed the poison that resulted. Hence Shaivaites consider this Ekadasi as Nanjunda Ekadasi. It is believed that whoever dies on this day will achieve Moksha.
According to Padma puranam, during Krita Yuga, also termed as the golden age, an asura called Muran harassed both devas and mortals. Unable to bear his tyranny, the devas sought refuse in Shiva. He directed them to approach Vishnu. Vishnu agreed to help devas and went out to battle with Muran. During the long battle, which lasted one thousand celestial years. Vishnu needed to rest for a while. He entered a beautiful cave called Himavati in Badrikashrama to sleep. Muran wanted to strike Vishnu while he was sleeping. However, Shakti, Vishnu’s female energy emerged out of his body and assumed the form of beautiful damsel who fought Muran and vanquished him. When Vishnu awoke, he was very pleased and named this maiden as Ekadasi and granted a boon. The maiden said, “O Lord, if you are pleased with me and wish to give me a boon, then give me the power to deliver people from the greatest sins, if they fast of this day”. Vishnu granted her the boon and declared that people worshiping her would reach Vaikunta. Thus it is said, was born the first Ekadasi, which was a Dhanurmasa sukla paksha Ekadasi. Sages and devout people have been since, observing the Ekadasi vrata regularly. Here the demon Muran represents the tamasic and rajasic qualities in us. The import of Ekadasi vrata is that one can conquer rajasic and tamasic tendencies in us through fasting. This helps us to reach our ultimate destination, Vaikunta, which is the place or stage of no ‘kunitha’ or dullness, stupidity and misery.
Due to the above two legends, this divine event is interpreted in the following manner. The ocean of milk is the human heart filled with satvic tendencies (kindness, purity and goodness). However in all of us there exist both types of inclinations, good (devas) and bad (asuras). Only sadhana or the churning process will throw out the poison in us and we can procure the sweet nectar, which will liberate us from the cycle of birth and death. Shaivaites call this day as Nanjunda Ekadasi, as it was on this day Shiva consumed nanju, the poison that emanated from the churning of the ocean.
Some schools of thought that Sri Krishna gave the Gitopadesam to Arjuna on the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi. For the Vaishnavas, it is very holy day and should be ideally spent in fasting, prayer and meditation. While Vaikunta Ekadasi is observed in all Vaishnava temples, the day is very special at the Sri Ranganatha temple at Srirangam in Tamil Nadu. We were very fortunate to be at Srirangam on Vaikunta Ekadasi a few years ago without knowing, that day was Vaikunta Ekadasi. As there were thousands of people on that day, we were not able to have the darshan of Sri Ranganatha. We hope to go again to have the darshan, when the time comes. On this auspicious day, Lord Ranganatha in all His glory and resplendence enters the Parama Padha Vassal (the gateway to salvation) at the sacred precincts of the temple at Srirangam and showers His blessings and grace on mankind.


VASANTA PANCHAMI: Vasanta Panchami is a festival full of religious, seasonal and social significance and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. With verve and new sense of optimism. Vasanta means ‘the spring season’. It is a festival dedicated to Saraswati. Bengalis call this festival Saraswati puja. The image of the Goddess is taken in procession and immersed in the holy Ganges.
Magh sud 5 (5th day of the bright fortnight of Hindu lunar month Magh) is the day of Vasanta Panchami (Jan-Feb) every year. It is believed that this day is Saraswati’s birthday and this day is also known as Saraswati day. She is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga and the consort of Lord Brahma. In Maratha country, Goddess Saraswati is sometimes called the wife of Ganesh and sometimes as his attendant. Saraswati is also known by various names such as Vina pani (holding Vina0, Sharada (giver of essence). Vagis vasi (mistress of speech), Brahmi (wife of Brahma), Maha vidya (knowledge supreme) etc.
On Vasanta Panchami day Saraswati is dressed in yellow cloths and garments and worshiped with puja, Havan etc; Men and women wear yellow cloths on that day. Sweetmeats of yellowish hues are exchanged with relatives and friends. Saraswati has four hands signifying four aspects of human learning, mind, intellect, alertness and ego.
On this day children are taught their first words, as it is a very auspicious day. Pundit Madan Mohan Malaviya laid the foundation of the great Kashi Hindu Vishwa Vidyalaya on this Vasanta Panchami day, which became a world famous top class academic institution.
The white swan of Saraswati is symbolising sattwa guna (purity and discrimination)
On this memorable day, Lord Shiva burnt the god of Love, cupid. The gods had sent Cupid to tempt the Lord while He was absorbed in samadhi, in order to beget a powerful son who would be able to destroy the wicked demon Tarakasura. Cupid discharged an arrow at Lord Shiva from behind a tree. Shiva became very angry and opened His third eye and reduced Cupid to ashes.






















OTHER FESTIVALS

OTHER COMMONLY CELEBRATED FESTIVALS: Apart from the main Hindu Festivals described above, there are other important dates in Hindu calendar worth mentioning and are celebrated by millions of Hindus all over the globe. The following are mentioned here.

January 12th 1863: Swami Vivekananda’s Birthday
February 18th 1836 Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s Birthday
April 14th 1891 Dr. Bhimarao Ramji Ambedkar’s Birthday
April 14th 1950 at 8.27 a. m Ramana Maharshi left His mortal coil
May ? SRI ADI SANKARA’S JAYANTHI: As regards to Sri Adi Sankara’s Birthday, there is an unending debate and controversy even today! According to Bhagavan Sri Satyasaibaba, it was Panchami, a Sunday in the month of Vaishaki of the year Nandana in the early hours of the morning during ‘Brahmamuhurtha’ Sankara was born in Kaladi village near Cochin in Kerala. In the recent past, according to The Telegraph, Culcutta (Kolkata), and Jan 21st, 2003. It was claimed that the unending dispute about Sri Adi Sankara’s Birth date is settled and recognised as April 3rd, 509 BC.
It was also claimed that all Sankaracharyas across the country unanimously accepted April 3rd 509 BC as Adi Sankara’s exact date of birth and announced that there was no need for debate on the subject.
At a seminar organised by the Ved Shastra Pandit Raksh Sabha, scholar Srikant Jich Kar said the date was arrived at by scientists and historians, coincides with parampara of the mutts across the country. The seers urged the Indian Government to arrange Adi Sankara’s birth centenary celebrations at His birthplace at Kaladi in Kerala 2010.
I am not sure how far is this story is true and needs further clarification.
Whatever the Birth date may be, it is generally believed every year it comes in May. This year it is on May 2nd. PLEASE CHECK THE HINDU CALENDAR EVERY YEAR IN MAY.
ONLY BECAUSE OF HIM, THE HINDUISM OF TODAY IS BASED. HE IS CERTAINLY DESERVES THE TITLE THE FATHER OF HINDUISM.

May 6th ESWARAMMA DAY: Eswaramma is the Divine Mother, Bhagavan Sri Satasaibaba chose. Eswaramma left her mortal coil in the Divine hands of Swami on May 6th, which is celebrated around the world.
May 13th 2006. BUDDHA JAYANTHI OR BUDDHA PURNIMA: prince Siddhartha was born in the month of Vaishakh in 563 BC to king Sddhodana and queen Mayadevi, rulers of Lumbini in Nepal.
The three most significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha took place on the same day. His birth, enlightenment and death (Nirvana) all happened in the month of Vashakh on a full moon day.
According to legend, Siddhartha’s wife Yasodhara, his charioteer Channa, his disciple Ananda and his horse, Kantaka, all these were born on Buddha Purnima day. WHAT A DIVINE COINCIDENCE.
Please check the exact day of Buddha Purnima in Hindu calendar every year.


April 29th BASAVESHWARA JAYANTHI: Not many of us know who is Basaveshwara. There lived a couple by name Madarasa and Madalambike in the early 12th century in a village called Bagewadi of Birjapur district in Karnataka, South India. They were pious devotees of Nandeeshwara, the consort of Mahadeva (Shiva). They have no children and Madalambike was longing to have a son. One night Madalambike had a dream. Shiva set Nandi who came to the house of Madarasa and Madalambike. There was a brilliant light everywhere.
The next day morning, Madalambike told to her husband about the dream she had. Madarasa in turn repeated the dream to the Guru, a spiritual guide of the village. The Guru told him that it was a good sign and the couple would have a worthy son and he would exalt the entire family. He would also uplift and enlighten the whole world.
In the course of time, Madalambike gave birth to a son and he was named as Basava. People used to call him affectionately Basavanna who was born in 1131 AD about 875 years ago.
Please check the exact day in Hindu calendar every year.


HUNUMAN JAYANTHI: Once every year on the full moon day of chaitra, usually between March 15th – April 15th at sunrise Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman. When Lord Vishnu was incarnated as Rama to kill Ravana, Lord Mahadeva (Shiva) was incarnated as Hunuman to serve Rama.
It is believed that those who meditate on Hanuman and repeats His name attain power, strength, glory, prosperity and success in life. He is worshipped in all parts of India particularly in the state of Maharashtra.
Please check the exact date and day in Hindu calendar every year.


June 27th RATHAYATRA: Ratha Yatra festival comes in the rainy season every year in June-July. This is a special event in the eastern part of India particularly in Puri, Orissa. It is held in the honour o the Lord Jagannath, which means the Lord of the Universe. Jagannath is a form Of Lord Krishna.
The Ratha Yatra festival is world famous for the crowds it attracts and is a great festival, which unites all sections of people, rich and poor alike.



July 4th SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S ANNIVERSARY: This festival comes on June 4th every year. Swami Vivekanada left his mortal coil on July 4th 1902. He had only 39 years of His physical presence and yet left an unforgettable mark in all our lives and in the future generations to come.
Just before His leaving of this world, Swami Vivekananda made a prophesy about a remarkable person who became the light of the modern world.
Just before leaving His mortal coil on July 4th 1902, Swami Vivekananda gave a short discourse to an Indian audience in which he said, I quote “You all rejoice that you belong to a race of the great sages. But until those who belong to the upper classes help to uplift the downtrodden and until exploitation ends, India will only be a grave. May Mother India step forth anew from the humble dwelling of the peasant! May she appear in the HOUSE OF THE FISHERMAN! May the song of New India echo and reverberate amidst mountains and in forests and valleys”.
How strange is it, that is what exactly happened on September 27th, 1953, a STAR was born in a HUT in a FISHERMAN’S FAMILY in a remote fishing village, Vallikavu, near Kollam, north of Trivandrum in God’s own country namely Kerala in South India. Her childhood name was ‘Sudhamani’, who became MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI DEVI, who is affectionately called by Her children as AMMA OR AMMACHI and Vallikayu became Amritapuri, which is a world spiritual centre of our beloved Amma.
How fortunate, the world has celebrated Amma’s Golden 50th Birthday on September 27th, 2003. How fortunate we, the children of Amma were able to watch live the whole proceedings for 4 days, which was held in Cochin all around the globe. How lucky we all are to be Her contemporaries to witness Her Divine selfless Love and service, to touch Her, feel Her, to speak to Her and even to have Her blessed Hug with Divine smile throughout the world, so far more than 25 million of Her children.
If anybody wants to know more about her, please go to www.amma.org

August 16th SRI RAMAKRISHNA’S MAHASAMADHI: Sri Ramakrishna was born in 1836 and passed away in 1886 represents the very core of the spiritual realisation of seers and sages of India. Sri Ramakrishna, as a silent force influences the spiritual thought currents of our time. He is a figure of recent history, as loving friends and doubtful myths have not obscured his life and teachings.
Through his God-intoxicated life, Sri Ramakrishna proved that the revelation of God takes place at all times and that God-realisation is not the monopoly of any particular age, country or people. The God man of 19th century India did not find any cult, nor did he show any path to salvation. His message was his God-consciousness. By coming near him, the impure became pure, the pure became purer and the sinners were transformed into saints.
The greatest contribution of Sri Ramakrishna to the modern time is his message of the harmony of religions. To Him, all religions are the realisation of God in His diverse aspects to satisfy the manifold demands of human minds. Sri Ramakrishna faithfully practiced the spiritual disciplines of different religions and came to realise that all of them lead to the same goal. Thus Sri Ramakrishna declared “AS MANY FAITHS, SO MANY PATHS”. The paths vary but the goal IS THE SAME.
In the present day world, threatened by nuclear war and torn by religious intolerance, Sri Ramakrishna’s message of harmony gives us hope and shows the way ahead.
Sri Ramakrishna breathed his last in the early hours of Monday, August 16th at Casper Garden House in the presence his close beloved disciples.


September 20th SRI NARAYANA GURU’S MAHASAMADHI: Sri Mahayana Guru (1856-1928) was a great sage and social reformer of India who comes from Karalla in South India. He is revered for his Vedic knowledge, poetic proficiency, openness to views of others, non-violent philosophy and most importantly his unrelenting resolve to set aright social wrongs.
Mahayana Guru was instrumental in setting the spiritual foundation for social reforms in Karalla, was one of the most successful social reformers who tackled caste in India in those difficult times. He instructed to place a plaque contain a motto on the temple walls which read as

DEVOID OF DIVIDING WALLS
OF CASTE OR RACE
OR HATRED OF RIVAL FAITH,
WE ALL LIVE HERE
IN BROTHERHOOD,
SUCH, KNOW THIS PLACE TO BE!
THIS MODEL FOUNDATION!

His philosophy was ‘ONE MAN ONE RELIGION AND ONE WORLD’

Sri Narayana Guru left his mortal coil on September 20th 1928 at 3.0 p. m


GLORY TO NARAYANA’S PHILOSOPHY

September 27th 1953 MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI DEVI’S BIRTHDAY: Please refer back to Swami Vivekananda’s Mahasamadhi.
September 28th 1838 SRI SHIRDI SAIBABA’S BIRTHDAY: “Where are you searching for me? I am in one place and you search for me elsewhere. I am in all your pure hearts. You are searching for me in all polluted places. How can you find me”?
These are the last words of Sri Shirdi Saibaba before He left his mortal coil for the last time on October 15th, 1918 (Dasara day)
For full details of Saibaba go to the wonderful site www.saibaba.org



November 23rd 1926 BHAGAVAN SRI SATYASAIBABA’S BIRTHDAY: Sri Shirdi Saibaba told his close devotee Kakaji in the year 1916 that he would be shedding his mortal coil in 1918. Before taking leave of Krishna Priya, another of his close devotees, Baba whispered in her ears “see me in 1926”
Eight years after Shirdi Baba left his mortal coil, exactly as prophesied, His next incarnation took place on November 23rd, 1926. Swami has declared long time ago, that he will live up to the ripe age of 96 rears ie.until 2022.
On July 6th, 1963, Swami made his full pledge declaration about the advent of his next incarnation as Prema Sai Baba who would be Shakti born in that body, in the same Bhardwaj Gotra in Karnataka state. He also predicted that Prema Sai would be born in a village called Gunaparthy on the bank of the river Cauvery in the Mandya district. This will happen about 8 years after passing away of Sri Satya, in the year 2030 or so.
If you want more details, please go to www.srisathyasai.org.in


December 4th DATTATREYA JAYANTHI: Dattatreya Jayanthi falls during December-January on the full moon day of the month Margasheersha. Dattatreya is regarded as an incarnation of the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara-Shiva).
For more details, please go to www.hinduism.8k.com/dattatreya.html
December 22nd 1853. SARADA DEVI’S BIRTHDAY: When Holy Mother came to Dakshineswar at the age of sixteen, Sri Ramakrishna asked her whether she had come to pull him down to a worldly life. Without any hesitation, she said “NO! I am here to help you to realise your chosen ideal”. From then on, Holy Mother lived with Sri Ramakrishna as his spiritual companion, devoted wife, disciple and always nun. She was the embodiment of purity. She never missed communion with God whom she described as lying in the palm of her hand, though she was engaged day and night in various activities.
“ The outstanding virtues of an Indian womanhood are courage, serenity, self-control, sweetness, compassion, wisdom and an intuitive relationship with God. Holy Mother had all these virtues. Since the acquisition of such gifts is the dream of all women. Holy Mother may aptly seen as the symbol of aspiration of women every where”.
-Swami Nikhilananda
If you need more details go to www.ramakrishna.org

GLORY TO SARADA MA

FESTIVALS AT TIRUMALA DEVASTHANUM: It is believed that Lord Sri Venkateswara enjoys festivals (Utsavams) and therefore every moment in Tirumala is considered a festive occasion.
The most important and popular festival at Tirumala has to be BRAHMOTSAVAM, which lasts for 9 days, both in the morning and evening when hundreds of thousands of people gather to witness the Divine Leelas.
Ankurarpana and Senadhipati Utsavam are celebrated on the preceding the first day of Brahmotsavam.
First Day: On the first day, Dhwajarohana is conducted by hoisting the Garudadhwaja (flag with the emblem of a black Garuda), near the Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham.
A spectacular procession of Lord Sri Venkateswara on the pedda Seshavahanam is taken around the four streets of the main temple from 22:00 hrs till midnight.
Second Day: On the second day, the Lord is taken around the streets of the temple on the Chinna Seshavahana in the morning. In the night, the deities are taken to the Uyala Mandapam for the Unjal seva. They are then taken around the streets of Tirumala on the Hamsavahana (Swan)
Third Day: On the morning of the third day, the deities are carried on the Simhavahana (Lion). It is believed that the Lord assumed the form of Narasimha (half man and half Lion) to kill the demon Hiranyakasipu. Therefore, Lord Venkateswara uses the Simha as his vehicle on the third day of Brahmotsavam.
In the night, Unjal Seva is conducted. The deities then ride in the Mutyala pandiri Vahanam that is decorated with a pearl canopy. Mutyam (pearl) is a symbol of purity and royalty.
Fourth Day: On the fourth day, the deities are carried in a Kalpavriksha Vahana in the morning. Kapavriksham is a tree that is believed to grant boons and fulfil devotees’ wishes. The vehicle is shaped like the Kalpavriksham signifies that the Lord grants boons and fulfils the wishes of his devotees.
In the night, after the Unjal seva, the deities are carried in a Sarvabhoopala Vahana. To thank Lord Vishnu for his ideals and pray to him, the kings take the form of the Sarvabhoopala Vahana on the fourth day.
Fifth Day: On the fifth day, Mohini Avatarotsavam is celebrated to commemorate the Lord’s incarnation as Mohini, in the morning. (Remember Lord Vishnu in Mohini form during Ksheerasagaramadhanam to procure Amrita for the Devatas from Asuras)
The Lord is dressed like Mohini and he is taken in a procession in a Pallaki (planquin). Lord Krishna is also taken in the same procession. This is to celebrate the assistance rendered by Lord Vishnu to the Devatas during Ksheerasagaramadhanam.
After the Unjal seva in the night, the Lord and his consorts are seated on Garuda Vahanaa. Lord is decorated with Mahaakanti, Sahasranamamala that day.
According to the ancient Hindu texts, Garuda, the king of birds, is a replica of the Vedas, while Lord Vishnu is the God of Vedas. Therefore, the Lord sees Himself in Garuda. Therefore Lord Venkateswara selected Garuda as the vehicle for the most important day of the Brahmotsavam.
Sixth Day: On the morning of sixth day, the deities are carried on a beautifully decorated Hanuman Vahana.
Unjal seva is NOT performed on the sixth day. Instead Vasantotsavam (spring festval) is celebrated.
In the night, the Lord is mounted on the Gaja Vahana (Elephant).
Seventh Day: On the morning of the seventh day, the Lord rides on Suryaprabha Vahana (Sun chariot). Surya (Sun), the son of Aditi, is another form of Lord Vishnu (Surya Narayana)
After Unjal seva in the night, the Lord is taken in the Chandraprabha Vahana (Moon shaped vehicle) around the brightly lit streets of Tirumala.
Eighth Day: On the penultimate day, Rathotsavam is celebrated, in which the Lord is seated in a ratham (chariot) and taken in a procession in the morning.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THOSE WHO WITNESS RATHOTSAVAM WILL NOT REBORN,
Devotees chanting GOVINDA, GOVINDA, pull the chariot along! This is the only opportunity that devotees get to be service to the Lord during Brahmotsavam.
After the Unjal seva in the night, the deities are taken in the Aswa (horse) Vahana.
Ninth Day: On the last day, pallaki seva and Chakrasnana Mahotsavam in the morning and Dhwajavarohanam are performed in the evening.
The processional images are anointed with oil, turmeric powder and other auspicious ingredients and Abhishekam is performed. Sudarsan Chakram is given a bath in the Swami pushkarini. The Garuda flag is then lowered.
That finishes the splendid festival of nine days of Balaji

GOVINDA GOVINDA GOVINDA GOVINDA GOVINDA GOVINDA
GOVINDA

N: B: this article is mainly based on the www.tirumala.org site of Titumala-Tirupati Devasthanam’s web site. Gratitude’s to the management.

THE END

NOVEMBER 1ST-FORMATION OF ANDHRA PRADESH

It is understood, according to the records and history manuals available, that the Telugu-speaking people known as Andhras were struggling for the formation of a separate independent Andhra province since the period of British, but could not succeed. When India attained Independence on the 15th August 1947, Andhras hoped that their long-cherished desire would be realised soon. Inspite of several renewed efforts put forth by the Andhra leaders before the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Deputy Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the desire for a separate Andhra state remained as a dream itself. A delightful declaration came from the then Prime Minister Nehru on November 27th, 1947 that the government was considering formation of states on linguistic basis. Later, Nehru during his visit to Visakhapatnam stated that a commission was in the offering to examine the possibilities of linguistic states.
DHAR COMMISSION
A COMMISSION HEADED BY THE PRESIDENT OF constitutional Council S K Dhar was formed by the national government on June 17th, 1948. The Dhar Commission submitted its recommendations on December 10th, 1948 furnishing its findings to be in favour of no new state formations, on the basis of language, keeping the country’s integrity and general long-term development.
J V P COMMITTEE
The recommendations of the Dahr commission against the formation of linguistic states created heavy tremors in the country including in the Telugu speaking regions. The Congress party’s national committee received all the feed back from the regional units and felt that there was an emergency need to institute another committee on the issue with Javaharlal Nehru, VallaBhai Patel and Pattabhi Seetha Ramaiah. This committee was called J V P committee with the first letters of the members. The committee in its report submitted to the working committee of the Indian National Congress in April 1949 recommended that the creation of linguistic provinces be postponed by few years. However, it suggested that Andhra province could be formed provide the Andhras gave up their claim to the city of Madras (now Chennai). This report provoked violent reaction in Andhra, as the Telugus were not prepared to forgo their claims to the city of Madras.
Under the prevailing situation, a partition committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Kumara swami Raja, the then Chief Minister of Madras. Tanguturi Prakasam, Bezavada Gopala Reddi, Kala Venkata Rao and Neelam Sanjiva Reddy represented Andhra. The partition committee could not arrive at an agreed settlement. Prakasam disagreed with the views of other members and gave a dissenting note. The Government of India took advantage of the dissenting note of Prakasam and shelved the issue. To express the resentment of the Andhras, Swami Sitaram (Gollapudi Sitarama Sastry), felt that Gandhian policy was the right policy to achieve the state and resorted to indefinite fasting from August 15th, 1951. However, Swami gave up his 35-day fast on the 20th of September 1951 on the appeal made by Vinoba Bhave. Nothing came out of this fast except the increasing distrust of people of Andhra towards their own leaders and the Government of India.
POTTI SRI RAMULU’S FAST UNTO DEATH
Sri Potti Sri Ramulu was born in Madras in 1890. His parents were from Nellore district. Sri Ramulu had his early education in Madras and then higher studies in engineering in Bombay. He worked as an engineer in the Indian Railway. After his wife died in his 25th year, he joined Sabarmati Ashram. Gandhiji admired him for his dedicated and sincere work. In 1946, he went to Nellore and devoted his time to Harijan welfare work and propagation of Khadi and village industries. He undertook three fasts during 1946-48 for the temple entry of Harijans in Nellore.
Sri ramulu began his last fast on 19th October 1952 at Madras for a separate Andhra state and continued his fast until he died on the night of 15th December 1952. This resulted in wide spread disturbance and opened the eyes of Nehru’s Government. Thus Andhra state was formed in October 1953, which catalysed the formation of other linguistic states. On November 1, 1956 Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka states were formed, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra in 1960. The formation of linguistic states is the single most important event in the history of South Indian languages, as it provided an opportunity for these languages to develop independently, each of them having a state to support.
Sri Potti Sriramulu has become Amarajeevi (immortal) for Telugus. TODAY, WE ARE CELEBRATING THE ANDHRA PRADESH FORMATION DAY, ONLY BECAUSE OF AMARAJEEVI SRI POTTI SRIRAMULU.

GLORY TO AMARAJEEVI SRI POTTI SRIRAMULU!
GLORY TO TELUGU TALLI!

KARTIKA MASAM

Kartika Masam, which is the most sacred month of the year starts 0n Wednesday, October 29th, on the day which the holy bath of Kartika Snanam starts in all the sacred rivers in Bharat. It is privilege to be in India at this most auspicious time of the year. Kartika Masam ends on Thursday, November 27th.

As you all know Kartika Masam is very auspicious for both the devotees of Siva & Sri Krishna. All the temples in Andhra pradesh are already busy and lacks of people are expected nearer the start of Kartika Masam, especially places like Srisailam and TirumalaFive activities are glorified: staying awake, early morning bath, worship of Tulasi, offering lamps and performing austerities. One should practice brahmacharya, give charity, and perform homa and japa. One is advised to give up eating beans, kalami saka, patola, eggplant, meat, fish, liquor, oil massage, illicit sex, grains cooked by others. One should eat once a day havisana. One should increase ones devotional service by performing more deity worship, hearing and speaking about the Lord, by extra japa of the Lord's name, worshipping Tulasi, staying awake at night chanting, visiting holy tirthas and offering lamps to the Lord. One should worship Radha Damodara and recite the Damodarastaka daily. We need to worship both Siva especially on all Mondays and Sri Krishna especially on all Wednesdays during Kartika Masam.
It is most beneficial to do Abhisheka to Siva on Mondays and to Lord Hari on Wednesdays at least.According to Puranas, the following results are expected for items offered during Abhishekams. Cow milk-HappinessYogurt-wealthsoft sugar-destruction of sorrowHoney-RadianceSugarcane juice-MoneyVibhuti-Prosperity and removal of sinssandal water-Birth of Male childFlower water-Real estate wealthSesame oil-Avoiding accidentsRudraksha water-Supreme wealthGrape juice-Success in daily activitiesDates juice-Destruction of enemiesMango juice-Reduction of terminal diseaseAnnadanam-Increased longevity and comfortable life
If you want to read about Sri Krishna during this time, please click the link belowhttp://www.quatre-bornes.com/krishna.phpTo read about Tulasi during this time is most auspicious. Please click the link below to read.http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda/vrinda-devi.phpWe all need to recite Damodarastakam daily. Please click the link below to read Damodarastakam and its meaning in English, please click the link belowhttp://radha-madhava.blogspot.com/2007/10/sri-damodarastakam.htmlIf anybody is keen to listen instead of reading daily, please click belowhttp://pod-serve.com/audiofile/filename/4015/Kirtan_Damodar_221006.mp3

There are 4 Kartika Somavarams (Mondays) the first Monday is on November 3rd, then on November 10th, November 17th and 24th.
The first Monday of the month of Kartikam is considered very powerful. Read on to know more from the story of the Karkasa, a beautiful girl who turns to a dog and how she returns back to her beautiful body by clicking the link below

http://www.astrologyforu.com/puranas/skanda-puranam/kartika-puranam/1-power-of-kartika-somavaram.php

Those of us who want to imbibe the most during Kartika Masam should read the Kartika Puranam in English before the last day of Kartika Masam during these 4 four holy weeks by clicking the link below. It is very easy reading!

http://www.astrojyoti.com/skandapurana.htm

Kartika Purnima: Kartika Purnima falls on Thursday, November 13th and celebrated in the month of November-December is the sacred day, when the ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of brightly-lit earthern lamps. Visitors throng in large numbers to watch this spectacular event, famous as 'Dev Deepawali.'
To know more about this important day, please click the clink below


http://www.komilla.com/pages/KartikPurnima.html

The sacred plant, Tulasi 's marriage with Krishna took place and is being celebrated as a festival of Tulasi's wedding during Kartika Masam and this year it falls on Wednesday, November 12th. Those of you want to know more about this, please click the link below

http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/vedic-culture/185724-tulsi-vivah-wedding-between-krsna-tulsi.html

Those who like to listen Siva songs during Kartika Masam, please click the link below

http://www.andhravilas.com/devdetailslisten.asp?cat=devsiva
Those of you who want to listen Sri Krishna devotional songs especially on Wednesdays during Kartika Masam, please click the link below

http://www.raaga.com/playerV31/index.asp?pick=67790,67791,67792,67793,67794,67795,67796&mode=3&rand=0.39311256640225295&bhcp=1

More Hindi songs on Krishna to listen during Kartika Masam, please click the link below

http://www.raaga.com/playerV31/index.asp?pick=71248,71249,71250,71251,71252,71253,71254,71255,71256,71257,71258,71259&mode=3&rand=0.9577306508408827&bhcp=1

More video clips on Sri Krishna songs by clicking the link below

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=StzOhjsKluI

Those who want Tulasi Ramayan-Rama charita Manas in Hindi, Please click the link below

http://www.raaga.com/playerV31/index.asp?pick=26452,26453,26454,26455,26456,26457,26458,26459,26460,26461,26462,26463,26464&mode=3&rand=0.8961160369731982&bhcp=1

Katika Deepam: One would wish to be in Arunachalam in Tamilnadu on Kartika Poornima to witness the glory of Kartika Deepam on Arunachala Hill, the sacred hill Swami Ramana Maharshi used to live. To know more about this important event, please click the link below

http://www.astrojyoti.com/KartikaDeepam.htm