शक्ति की उपासना का पर्व है नवरात्र

 हमारे वेद, पुराण व शास्त्र साक्षी हैं कि जब-जब किसी आसुरी शक्तियों ने अत्याचार व प्राकृतिक आपदाओं द्वारा मानव जीवन को तबाह करने की कोशिश की तब-तब किसी न किसी दैवीय शक्तियों का अवतरण हुआ। इसी प्रकार जब महिषासुरादि दैत्यों के अत्याचार से भू व देव लोक व्याकुल हो उठे तो परम पिता परमेश्वर की प्रेरणा से सभी देवगणों ने एक अद्भुत शक्ति का सृजन किया जो आदि शक्ति मां जगदंबा के नाम से सम्पूर्ण ब्रह्मांड में व्याप्त हुईं। उन्होंने महिषासुरादि दैत्यों का वध कर भू व देव लोक में पुनःप्राण शक्ति व रक्षा शक्ति का संचार कर दिया। शक्ति की परम कृपा प्राप्त करने हेतु संपूर्ण भारत में नवरात्रि का पर्व बड़ी श्रद्धा, भक्ति व हर्षोल्लास के साथ मनाया जाता है। इस वर्ष शारदीय नवरात्रि 5 अक्टूबर आश्चिन शुक्ल पक्ष की प्रतिपदा तिथि से प्रारम्भ होगी| इस दिन स्वाती नक्षत्र, विष्कुम्भ योग होगा| प्रतिपदा तिथि के दिन शारदिय नवरात्रों का पहला नवरात्र होगा| माता पर श्रद्धा व विश्वास रखने वाले व्यक्तियों के लिये यह दिन विशेष रहेगा| इस बार नवरात्रि पूरे नौ दिन के होंगे| शनिवार को नवरात्र के मंगल कलश की स्थापना होगी। 13 अक्टूबर मंगलवार को नवरात्र पूर्ण हो जाएंगे। 

नवरात्रि का अर्थ होता है, नौ रातें। हिन्दू धर्मानुसार यह पर्व वर्ष में दो बार आता है। एक शरद माह की नवरात्रि और दूसरी बसंत माह की| इस पर्व के दौरान तीन प्रमुख हिंदू देवियों- पार्वती, लक्ष्मी और सरस्वती के नौ स्वरुपों श्री शैलपुत्री, श्री ब्रह्मचारिणी, श्री चंद्रघंटा, श्री कुष्मांडा, श्री स्कंदमाता, श्री कात्यायनी, श्री कालरात्रि, श्री महागौरी, श्री सिद्धिदात्री का पूजन विधि विधान से किया जाता है | जिन्हे नवदुर्गा कहते हैं। 

नव दुर्गा- 

श्री दुर्गा का प्रथम रूप श्री शैलपुत्री हैं। पर्वतराज हिमालय की पुत्री होने के कारण ये शैलपुत्री कहलाती हैं। नवरात्र के प्रथम दिन इनकी पूजा और आराधना की जाती है। 

इसके आलावा श्री दुर्गा का द्वितीय रूप श्री ब्रह्मचारिणी का हैं। यहां ब्रह्मचारिणी का तात्पर्य तपश्चारिणी है। इन्होंने भगवान शंकर को पति रूप से प्राप्त करने के लिए घोर तपस्या की थी। अतः ये तपश्चारिणी और ब्रह्मचारिणी के नाम से विख्यात हैं। नवरात्रि के द्वितीय दिन इनकी पूजा और अर्चना की जाती है। 

श्री दुर्गा का तृतीय रूप श्री चंद्रघंटा है। इनके मस्तक पर घंटे के आकार का अर्धचंद्र है, इसी कारण इन्हें चंद्रघंटा देवी कहा जाता है। नवरात्रि के तृतीय दिन इनका पूजन और अर्चना किया जाता है। इनके पूजन से साधक को मणिपुर चक्र के जाग्रत होने वाली सिद्धियां स्वतः प्राप्त हो जाती हैं तथा सांसारिक कष्टों से मुक्ति मिलती है।

 श्री दुर्गा का चतुर्थ रूप श्री कूष्मांडा हैं। अपने उदर से अंड अर्थात् ब्रह्मांड को उत्पन्न करने के कारण इन्हें कूष्मांडा देवी के नाम से पुकारा जाता है। नवरात्रि के चतुर्थ दिन इनकी पूजा और आराधना की जाती है। श्री कूष्मांडा की उपासना से भक्तों के समस्त रोग-शोक नष्ट हो जाते हैं।

 श्री दुर्गा का पंचम रूप श्री स्कंदमाता हैं। श्री स्कंद (कुमार कार्तिकेय) की माता होने के कारण इन्हें स्कंदमाता कहा जाता है। नवरात्रि के पंचम दिन इनकी पूजा और आराधना की जाती है। इनकी आराधना से विशुद्ध चक्र के जाग्रत होने वाली सिद्धियां स्वतः प्राप्त हो जाती हैं। 

श्री दुर्गा का षष्ठम् रूप श्री कात्यायनी। महर्षि कात्यायन की तपस्या से प्रसन्न होकर आदिशक्ति ने उनके यहां पुत्री के रूप में जन्म लिया था। इसलिए वे कात्यायनी कहलाती हैं। नवरात्रि के षष्ठम दिन इनकी पूजा और आराधना होती है। 

श्रीदुर्गा का सप्तम रूप श्री कालरात्रि हैं। ये काल का नाश करने वाली हैं, इसलिए कालरात्रि कहलाती हैं। नवरात्रि के सप्तम दिन इनकी पूजा और अर्चना की जाती है। इस दिन साधक को अपना चित्त भानु चक्र (मध्य ललाट) में स्थिर कर साधना करनी चाहिए। 

श्री दुर्गा का अष्टम रूप श्री महागौरी हैं। इनका वर्ण पूर्णतः गौर है, इसलिए ये महागौरी कहलाती हैं। नवरात्रि के अष्टम दिन इनका पूजन किया जाता है। इनकी उपासना से असंभव कार्य भी संभव हो जाते हैं।

श्री दुर्गा का नवम् रूप श्री सिद्धिदात्री हैं। ये सब प्रकार की सिद्धियों की दाता हैं, इसीलिए ये सिद्धिदात्री कहलाती हैं। नवरात्रि के नवम दिन इनकी पूजा और आराधना की जाती है।

गणेश -चतुर्थी 

Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated on the birthday (rebirth) of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati.

It is believed that Lord Ganesh bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees during this festival. It is the day Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods, barring Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or at the start of travel. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi

Shree Ganesh is the most adored God among Hindu Gods. The prayers are first offered to Lord Ganesha before starting any religious ceremony or on auspicious occasions. He is known as the Vighnaharta and the master of Riddhi-Siddhi. Any prayer made to him ensures success and removes all the obstacles coming in life. Pleasing Lord Ganesha is very easy. All that one needs to do in order to please him is to chant the Mantra of Lord Ganesha. The Ganesh Mantra is:

वक्रतुंड महाकाय कोटिसूर्यसमप्रभ।

निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥

God Ganesh is the one who symbolizes learning and knowledge. One can learn to be responsible to differentiate between good and bad just by getting devoted to Ganesha. It also helps in developing farsightedness. It is for this reason that prayer is first made to Lord Ganesha before starting any religious ceremony.

Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival of the masses. This year Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on 9th September 2013.

कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी 

The auspicious day Krishna Janmashtami (Devanagari कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी kṛṣṇa janmāṣṭami), also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini,Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti or sometimes merely as Janmashtami ,  the appearance of Lord Krishna is celebrated all over the world as Sri Krishna Janmashtami. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Shraavan of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September). Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared in Mathura as son of Vasudeva and Devaki.

“As stated in the Bhagavad-gita, the Lord Kirshna says that His appearance, birth, and activities, are all transcendental, and one who understands them factually becomes immediately eligible to be transferred to the spiritual world. “ 

Lord Krishna’s teachings are most relevant to our times in the sense that they neither let you get lost in material pursuits nor make you completely withdrawn. They rekindle your life, from being a burnt-out and stressed personality to a more centered and dynamic one.  Lord Krishna teaches us devotion with skill. 

श्रीकृष्ण जन्मोत्सव  -जन्माष्टमी

श्रीकृष्ण (Shree Krishna) के जन्मोत्सव को लोग जन्माष्टमी के नाम से जानते हैं। इस साल 2013 में जन्माष्टमी (Janmashtami) 28 अगस्त को है। भगवान श्रीकृष्ण का जन्मोत्सव जन्माष्टमी की मध्य रात्रि यानि बारह बजे के बाद ही मनाया जाता है। इस साल श्रीकृष्ण जन्मोत्सव की पूजा रात्रि 11:59 से लेकर 12:44 तक होगी। 

(卐) Guru Poornima  22 July 2013 (卐)

Srila Vyasadeva, who is the incarnation of Lord Narayana, was born on the full moon day of the month of Asadha (July-August).. Full moon day during Ashadha month is known as Guru Purnima day. Traditionally this day is reserved for Guru Puja or Guru Worship. On this day disciples offer Puja or pay respect to their Gurus. Guru refers to spiritual guide who enlighten disciples by his knowledge and teachings. 

Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima and this day is commemorated as birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa. Veda Vyasa was the author as well as a character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. 

Throughout the ages, Moon has been identified and recognized to bring bountiful blessings to those seeking God’s Grace. This Divine Moon occurs once a year and is the most important time by far for accessing the Divine. This day is significant for disciples who seek to get initiated by their Guru, students who desire to get the blessings of their teachers, and for everyone who wants to honor persons of great wisdom and learning.

In India, everyone worships their spiritual master on this day, which is celebrated with great honour and reverence as Sri Vyasa-puja, or Sri Guru-puja. It is essential, however, that we understand the true significance of Sri Vyasa-puja.Devotional worship of the Guru - the preceptor - is one of the most touching and elevating features of the Hindu cultural tradition. The auspicious moment of Vyaasa Poornima, chosen for observing this annual festival, is no less significant.

The period 'Chaturmas' ("four months") begins from this day. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.

The word 'Guru' means remover of darkness (In Sanskrit, “Gu” means darkness, “Ru” means remover). Traditionally, the Guru is considered as an embodiment of the Hindu Trinity Gods namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Thus, Guru Purnima is the day of eradicating ignorance and illuminating our lives with knowledge.

शनि - जयंती

Shani Jayani in 2013 is celebrated  on 8th June, 2013 

 

Shani Jayanthi is usually on Amavasya in Vaishakh month or Vaishakha Masam, while it falls on Jyeshta Amavasya according to the North Indian calendars.

 

Shani Jayanti is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Shani, one of the navagrahas or nine gods of Hinduism. According to Hinduism, Shani is the god of Shanivar. Lord Shani is also known as Shaneeswaran, Sani dev, Sanichara bhagawan or Chaya Putra. 

 

Prayers to Lord Shani are considered as an essential feature of ones prospective plans to avoid or mitigate the Shani Dosham (bad effects from Lord Shani depending upon ones birth chart). Shani Puja is an important practice for Hindu astrological followers. Shani Thailabhishekam and Shani Puja are the primary formalities practiced during Shani Jayanthi, Shani Amavasya and Shani Trayodashi.

 

As believed by many, Lord Shani does not always bring troubles to the people but is also a well wisher and a friend as well. Lord Shani often portrays multiple roles only to make people realize that there is God and one has to submit with complete honesty and belief. The deity is often depicted as a strong person with dark complexion and rides on a crow with a bow and an arrow in his hands.

बुद्ध पूर्णिमा

Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is the most revered festival of the Buddhists. The word Purnima means a full moon day. It is observed as the birth anniversary of Lord Gautam Buddha, the originator of Buddhism. 

Legend of Buddha Jayanti

Gautam Buddha or Siddhartha was born in 563 BC to King Suddhodhana, the king of Lumbini in Nepal and his wife Mayadevi. At the age of 16, he married a girl named Yashodhara and after a few years they had a son who was named Rahul. One night he renounced his wife, family and kingdom and went in search of ‘Bodhi’, the celestial knowledge. He wanted to end the human sufferings of old age, sickness and death. One day he sat for meditation under a sacred treed called ‘Bodhi Briksha’ and gained enlightenment at the age of 36. Thereafter he preached extreme penance and austerity to attain Nirvana which became known as Buddhism. Kings like Ashoka became his devotee and preached Buddhism across the world.

Ritual and celebration of Buddha Jayanti

On the day of Buddha Purnima, devout Buddhists assemble before Buddha temples to witness the hoisting of Buddhist flag. Praises and hymns are sung in honor of Lord Buddha, his Dharma or teachings and the Sangha, union of his disciples. Buddhists wear white dresses and spend their day in meditation. Devotees lay offerings of flowers and light candles at the feet of their great teacher. This, in a way symbolizes the brevity of human life.

Significance of Buddha Jayanti

Lord Gautam Buddha is considered to be the 9th incarnation of Brahma, the Lord of all cosmos according to Hindu mythology. Buddha Poornima is celebrated to commemorate the 3 most important events in the life of Lord Buddha, that of his birth in 623 BC, his enlightenment or attainment of wisdom through meditation in 558 BC and his attainment of Nirvana or freedom from the cycles of life and death at the age of 80.

 हनुमान जयंती

The character of Hanuman teaches us of the unlimited power that lies unused within each one of us. Hanuman directed all his energies towards the worship of Lord Rama, and his undying devotion made him such that he became free from all physical fatigue. And Hanuman's only desire was to go on serving Rama. Hanuman perfectly exemplifies 'Dasyabhava' devotion — one of the nine types of devotions — that bonds the master and the servant. His greatness lies in his complete merger with his Lord, which also formed the base of his genial qualities.

Hanuman Jayanti or Hanumath Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman, the Vanara god, widely venerated throughout India. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the Shukla Paksha, during the month of Chaitra (the Chaitra Pournimaa).

Hanuman is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama, and is worshipped for his unflinching devotion to the god. From early morning, devotees flock Hanuman temples to worship him.

Hanuman Jayanti is an important festival of Hindus. Hanuman is the symbol of strength and energy. Hanuman is said to be able to assume any form at will, wield rocks, move mountains, dart through the air, seize the clouds and rival Garuda in swiftness of flight. He is worshipped in folk tradition as a deity with magical powers and the ability to conquer evil spirits. The devotees visit temples and apply tilaka of sindhūr to their foreheads from Hanuman's idol as Hanuman himself was of that color.