Past and Reality

Itu is a name of a Bengal goddess who fulfils the wishes of her devotees. She is represented by an earthen jar filled with water and topped over by plantains. History of Itu Puja Once upon a time a greedy Brahman from a remote village felt craving for pancakes, and asked his wife to prepare them, but the poor woman had no materials to prepare them with. The Brahman begged enough material to make the cakes. His wife started making cakes and her husband was so suspicious that he was secretly watching her all the time and tying knots to a string to record the actual number of cakes prepared. After she has made the cakes, he went to sleep. His two daughters got up early in the morning and ate one cake each.  In the morning the Brahman was angry when he realised that his two girls had eaten a cake each. He took the two girls to the forest and left them there. The girls got lost in the forest and found some fairies worshipping the goddess. They also worshipped the goddess in the com...

Jaipur, the regional capital of Rajasthan adorned with heroic stories. According to the 2011 census, the population is 68,548,437, the area is 3,42,239 square kilometers and the population density is 200 per sq km. The language here is Hindi and Rajasthani and sugar, cement, textiles, chemicals, engineers, handicraft, liquor, woolen textiles, and marble are prominent in the industries of the state. Climate: Summer Average: 45 ° C to 17 ° C Winter: Average 32 ° C to 7 ° C. While the monsoon lasts from July to September. Airports in the state are in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. Districts of the Rajasthan state -  Jaipur Ganganagar Ajmer Bharatpur Alwar Barmer Dungarpur Jalore Jhunjhunu Chittorgarh Jhalawar Kota Banswara Bikaner Churu Jaisalmer Jodhpur Nagaur Pali Sawai Madhopur Tonk Udaipur Bara Sikar Simrohi Dholpur Dausa Hanuman Garh Karauli Rajsansad Bhilwara History of Rajasthan The state of Rajasthan has been formed by combining ancient princely states. For this, on 17 March 19...

Hanuman's birthday falls on Chaitra Shukla Purnima (March-Apil) full moon day. On this day people worship Hanuman and observe fast, read Hanuman Chalisa, and worship Lord Ram. Anyone who worships Lord Ram, Hanuman blesses him/her with success. Hanuman was the son of Pawan (wind) and Anjana, wife of the Kesari. He was able to fly and is a conspicuous figure in the Ramayana. He and other monkeys were of divine origin, and their powers were superhuman. Hanuman jumped from India to Ceylon in one bound; he tore up trees, carried away the Himalayas, seized the clouds, and performed many other wonderful exploits. His form is as vast as a mountain and as tall as a gigantic tower. His complexion is yellow and glowing like molten gold. He leaps into the air and flies among the clouds with a rushing noise. In one of his fights with Ravana and the demons, they greased his tail and set it on fire, but to their surprise, he burnt down their capital city Lanka. His services to Rama were many. He ...

Literally, the word 'Guru' means an enlightener (Gu means darkness, Ru means light), one who provides light in the darkness. Guru is a spiritual preceptor. The living guru is considered equivalent to god. Celebrated gurus sometimes receive equivalent homage in comparison to the deity. For example, the reverence in which Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is held is equivalent to that is paid to Lord Krishna. Guru Purnima fast falls in the month of Ashad (JulyAugust) on the full moon day in the memory of Ved Vyas, compiler of Vedas, Puranas, and Mahabharata. From the imperishable nature of his works, he is called Saswat (immortal), and in his honor, spiritual aspirants perform Vyas puja (worship) on this day. Disciples worship their spiritual teacher (Guru), saints, monks, and men of god on this day. If the guru is present, he or she is made to sit on a chair and is worshipped like a god. In the absence of a guru, his or her idol is worshipped. People fast on this day and take food only in th...

 New year's day - Varsha Pratipada is the name given to the New Year day of the Shalivahan era, which is in vogue in Maharashtra. Shalivahan was the son of a potter. He became the chief of a powerful monarchy in Maharashtra. He ruled at Mungi-Paithan. The ruler whom he defeated was Vikramaditya the last of the Gupta rulers of Malwa. Shalivahan era is reckoned from AD 78 the supposed year of his coronation. It marks the beginning of the solar year. On this day Hindus raise their standard on a long pole. It is made of silk and gold clothes. Then a flower wreath is added and the whole topped by a silver or brass lota to give it the appearance of a lotus bud-shaped Kalash. This standard is worshipped in the usual way, and a family feast is observed. It is customary to eat a few leaves of the neem tree (Melia Azadirachta) on this day, as it is supposed to prevent diseases during the year. Everyone is addressed with great respect and younger members are blessed when they bow to elders.

It is the birthday of Bhagavad Gita (song of Divine), celebrated in India and abroad on the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of Magh (December-January). The devotees fast on this day, and it is also - Ekadashi day. It was on this day, thousands of years ago; Sanjay narrated to King Dhritarashtra the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. It contains the message of life that appeals to all human beings. An effulgence of light as bright as a sunrise accompanied the first recital, by Lord Krishna himself, when he showed his true self at Arjuna's insistence. The Gita is for millions of people the most sublime work of world literature, dictated by God himself so that its language has divine power. Reciting it is relieving the experience of divine proximity. Gita or Bhagavad-Gita – the song of the Divine One. Krishna as a god is a manifestation of Vishnu. As a man, he was related to both the Pandavas and the Kauravas and refused to take up arms on either side, but he conse...

Gayatri Japa Day is observed on the day after the Raksha Bandhan (July-August). The day is a very holy and glorious day. The Gayatri Mantra is the impregnable spiritual armor that protects its votary. The Mantra is the Divine power that transforms the human into the Divine and blesses the aspirant with the brilliant light of the highest spiritual illumination. A most sacred verse of the Rig Veda, which it is the duty of every Hindu to repeat mentally in his morning and evening prayers. It is addressed to the sun as Savitri, the generator, and so it is called also Savitri. Personified as a goddess, Savitri is the wife of Brahma, mother of the four Vedas. It was composed in a meter, consisting of twenty-four syllables arranged as a triplet of eight syllables each. Many Vedic hymns were composed in this meter, the most sacred being the Gayatri Mantra. It consists of a short prayer or mantra as follows: Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitu Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodyaa...

Gangaur fast is observed by women in honor of goddess Gauri, from the first day of Chaitra (14 March) for sixteen days. Married women observe fast for their happy married life and unmarried girls keep fast finding a faithful and perfect husband. Sixteen earthen idols of the goddess are prepared and worshipped with rice, flowers, and grass. During fast women worship and sing songs in honor of the goddess. On the sixteenth day, the idols are immersed in some river. Once a farmer planted grass for the king's horses, but he found some girls were plucking grass to offer at the worship. He was not happy but the girls assured him that no harm will come to his grass field, and the goddess will also reward him. On the last fast day, the girls brought a lot of food for the farmer and his family to compensate him for the loss of grass.  The farmer's wife stored the surplus food and prayed to the goddess for her family's prosperity. After some time she was surprised to find her storero...

The sacred river the Ganges is mentioned in Vedas twice and in Puranas, it is known as the heavenly Ganges. The Puranas represent the Viyad-Ganga, or the heavenly Ganges, to flow from the toe of Vishnu, and to have been brought down from heaven, by the prayers of the saint Bhagirath, to purify the ashes of the sixty thousand sons of king Sagara, who had been burnt by the angry glance of the sage Kapila. Ganga was angry at being brought down from heaven, and Lord Shiva, to save the earth from the shock of her fall, caught the river on his brow, and checked its course with his matted locks. From this action, Shiva is called Ganga-Dhara (upholder of the Ganges). Ganga snaan (bath) falls on the full moon day of Kartik (October-November). Some people observe fast on this day and sing songs in praise of Ganges. It is believed that whosoever takes bath with full devotion in the Ganges attains salvation. Once Lord Shiva told Parvati that very few people go to have a dip in the Ganges with full...

Ganesh - an elephant-headed is the God of wisdom and remover of obstacles: hence he is invariably propitiated at the beginning of any important undertaking, and is invoked at the commencement of books. He wrote Mahabharata from the dictation of Vyas and is the son of Shiva and Parvati. Each part of his physical form conveys a message: the elephant head conveys knowledge by listening through the ears; the tusks symbolize perfection and imperfection in this world. The trunk stands for physical and mental strength; the large stomach depicts the ability to digest whatever experience life brings; the rat (his vehicle) stands for desire, wealth, and removal of obstacles. He has four hands: in one hand he holds an axe and a goad – the axe is to remove obstacles and the goad is to keep his devotees on the path of dharma (righteousness). The snare on the other hand symbolizes his control over death. In his bottom left hand, he holds a sweetmeat, representing a reward for devotion; and with his ...

The eleventh day of Kartik (October-November) is called Prabodhini Ekadashi. It is considered especially meritorious to fast on this day because Lord Vishnu who had gone to sleep on the 10th of Ashaadh (June-July) awoke on this day at the request of his wife. Lord Vishnu's wife Lakshmi was very unhappy about his long sleep. He promised to reduce his sleep to four months. Lakshmi was happy about it and announced that she would visit those houses where religious assemblies would be held on this day. Since that time people observe fast on this day with great devotion. Baths in the morning, visits to temples, gifts to poor people, and prayers to Lord Vishnu are all advised. In Kartik Mahatmya it is mentioned that a Brahman named Dev Sharma married his daughter Gunavati to one of his pupils called Chandra. One day a demon killed Chandra and Gunavati became a widow, but she kept on keeping Ekadashi fast. She used to go to the Ganges for her bath. Lord Vishnu was very much impressed by he...

When the Gods and demons churned the ocean, nectar came out of it. Vishnu assumed the form of a Mohini (charming woman), deluded the demons, and gave nectar only to the gods. Rahu assumed the shape of a god and started drinking nectar. The Sun and the Moon saw him, and reported it to Vishnu, for only the gods may drink the nectar of immortality. Vishnu took his disc and cut the monster's neck. The head of the monster Rahu stayed in the sky alive and his body (called Ketu) fell on earth. In revenge for this betrayal, Rahu and Ketu periodically eclipse the sun and the moon. Astronomically speaking, when the sun, the moon, and the earth are all in a line, with the moon or earth at the center, a lunar eclipse takes place respectively. Devotees who worship the almighty at the time of the eclipse drive great benefits. At the time of the eclipse, people bathe in the sacred rivers. People give a lot of things in charity and feed the poor and needy after the eclipse. After the eclipse, they...

 Dussehra is observed during the first half of the month Ashvin (September-October) and lasts for ten days. The tenth day is called Vijayadasami (the victorious tenth day). This festival lasts ten days. It is celebrated all over India, and is connected with the autumn equinox. In Bengal, it commemorates the victory of Durga/Kali, wife of Shiva, over a buffalo-headed demon. The image of Durga is worshipped daily until the end of the festival when it is cast into a river. In North India, the Ram Lila or events of Rama's life are enacted on the same day as the Durga Puja in Bengal. It commemorates the victory of Rama over Ravana or the victory of virtue over vice. During this festival alms are freely distributed, musicians go about playing on their instruments and demanding gifts. A pageant is gone through consisting of an outdoor theatrical representation of the storming of Ravana's castle. In the midst of the fortress is the giant Ravana with ten heads and arms, each grasping a ...

The festival is observed twice a year, in the month of Chaitra (March-April) and in Aswin (September October). On the first of Chaitra (March-April) begins the celebration of the birth of Lord Ram (seventh incarnation of Vishnu). Every evening sermons are delivered by professional priests in all temples dedicated to Ram until the ninth day, when as soon as the sun reaches the meridian, the birth is celebrated with great éclat. In the sermons, prominence is given to stories from the Ramayana. Durga Puja is celebrated in Aswin (September October) and it lasts for nine days, in honor of nine manifestations of Durga. The word Navaratri means nine nights. It is a great Hindu feast celebrating Durga. Devotees observe fast and pray to the goddess for health and prosperity. Durga Puja is offered in various parts of India to propitiate the goddess for mercy, protection, wealth, health, and prosperity. Durga or Devi the goddess is the wife of Lord Shiva and daughter of Himvat. She is mentioned i...

Diwali means a row of lights. It is observed on the last two days of the dark fortnight of the month of October-November and is celebrated by the Hindus all over India or abroad. In Bengal, the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. In South India, some people take an oil bath in the morning and new clothes are worn. People distribute sweetmeats. They light fireworks, which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura, the wicked giant, who was killed on this day by Lord Krishna. Everyone is happy to forgive and forget the wrongs done by others. The festival is a great unifying force. Everyone buys new clothes, worships goddess Lakshmi and gives a lot of things in charity to the poor and needy. People clean their houses during the day and illuminate their houses at night with earthen oil-lamps. To some, the festival signifies the victory of justice, dharma, and ahimsa over injustice, adharma, and violence. The festival also commemorates the birth of Lakshmi, wife of Vishnu, goddes...

It is Dhantrayodashi, the thirteenth day of the waxing moon in the month of Ashwin (September-October) i.e. two days before the Diwali day. People clean their houses and invite Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) by lighting an earthen lamp at the doorstep of their houses. Once Lord Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi visited the planet earth and stayed under a Peepal tree.  Lord Vishnu went away on an urgent visit and told her not to look towards the south until he return, Unfortunately, she could not resist looking towards the south as it was full of beautiful flowers and sugarcane-fields. As a punishment for not obeying the Lord, she was asked to work in a farmer's field for twelve years.  After twelve years Lakshmi wanted to be free and the farmer told her that due to her company his family has become very happy and prosperous and would not like her to leave his house. The farmer saw a dream that goddess Lakshmi was in their house and that is why they were becoming prosperous and rich....

This is the fourth day of the first half of the month of Shravan (July-August). It is sacred to Ganesh and his mother Gauri. Yellow and red silk threads are taken. Sixteen knots are given to the red thread and twenty-one knots are given to the yellow thread. Each such thread is then worshipped. The yellow ones represent Gauri and the red ones represent Ganesh. The number of the amulets thus prepared corresponds with the number of girls and boys in the family. Sweets are prepared and a feast takes place. The red silk amulets are tied to the arms of the boys and the yellow ones to the arms of the girls. Sweets are distributed to all present in the house. It is believed that amulets bring good luck and prosperity to the bearer.

The birthday (Jayanti) of Dattatreya falls on the full moon day of Magh (January-February). People fast and pray throughout the day, listen to the teachings of Dattatreya, and make a resolve that they will follow his teachings. The story of the saint Dattatreya is as follows: He was the son of Maharishi Atri and Ansuya (the lady of perfect virtue). She performed severe austerities for a long time until the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh) came to her in the form of Sannyasins (ascetics). They asked the chaste lady what she would like to have and she replied: three sons like Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva). The three gods fulfilled her wish thereby becoming three boy babies. Suddenly Ansuya felt milk flowing into her breasts. When her husband arrived she did not have to explain anything since he knew everything already. He embraced his three sons together and they became one child with two feet, three heads, and six arms. The three gods told sage Atri that your three-headed child...

Chitra Purnima falls on the full moon day of Chaitra (March-April) during the ascendancy of the Chitra star. The star is particularly sacred to Chitragupta, a record keeper in the abodes of the dead, who records the virtues and vices of humans. He is the recorder of Yama (god of death). A Havan (fire worship) is performed, and prayers are offered to Chitragupt on Chitra Purnima day. Some sweets are prepared and distributed as Prasad or holy sacrament. The worship of Chitragupt reminds us to keep on doing good things in life because on the judgment day Chitragupt will read out the balance-sheet of each person's deeds, which are recorded in his great register (Agra Sanghani). The good and evil deeds are reckoned and judgment passed by Yama.  The good people are then sent to one of the higher abode or worlds, and the sinful are sent to hell. The festival Chitra Purnima, on the full-moon day of the month of Chaitra is dedicated to Chitragupta. The following is a story connected with th...

Gauri (yellow or brilliant) is the name of the wife of Lord Shiva. She is worshipped in the month of Chaitra (MarchApril) by every married woman, whose husband is alive, and unmarried women, On the third of the month a brass swing containing images of Shiva and family are placed on a raised dais, and the images are worshipped every morning. A fresh wreath of flowers has to be added every day. The ladies meet on selected days in a house and worship the image of Gauri, after dressing her in beautiful clothes and ornaments. Fruits, sweets, and flowers are freely distributed to all visitors. There are generally many invitations on one day and many women are seen going from house to house in the best of spirits. The gathering is called Halad-Kanku (turmeric and saffron) ceremony.

All those who keep fast on Wednesday (Planet Mercury) take their meals once a day in the afternoon. The use of green articles is associated with this fast. Usually the fast is also observed in the honor of Lord Shiva. The fast promotes happiness and prosperity to husband, wife, and their children. Wednesday is also connected with the planet Mercury.  Story About Budhvaar ki Katha Once a couple lived happily. The wife went to her parents for holidays. After some time the husband went to his father-in-law's house to bring his wife. He went on Sunday and spent Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday in hospitality and wanted to bring his wife back home on Wednesday. He was told that it was inauspicious to start a journey on Wednesday, as planet Mercury is not in favor of daughters leaving their parental home on Wednesday. The Son-in-law did not agree and started the journey to his home on Wednesday. On the way, his wife felt thirsty and he went to get some water. In the meantime, Lord Mercury dis...

Bhishma the noblest and upright of all heroes of the Mahabharata, was the son of king Shantanu (of Hastinapur) and the river goddess Ganga. He was a devoted son and always kept his words. On the 11th of Kartik (October-November), General Bhishma of Kaurva's army was laid on his deathbed on the battlefield, but he had the power of fixing the time of his death, he lived till the sun had crossed the vernal equinox. During the period he lay on the bed of arrows erected by Arjuna, he was advising the Pandavas, how to rule justly and fairly, and how to attain heaven in the end. Therefore some people fast on these days and spend their time reading his advice and Mahabharata.

The festival is observed on the second day of Kartik (October-November) and is dedicated to the welfare of brothers. Brothers visit their sisters on this day and sisters appease them by offering them sweets, praying for their long and happy family life. It is said that the Yamuna often asked her brother Yama (god of death) to visit her house and dine, but he evaded. At last, moved by repeated invitations, he went on this day to his sister's house and was sumptuously treated. He was pleased and asked her for a blessing. She said, that he should come to her house on this day every year and should grant happiness to all those brothers who visit their sister's on this day. He granted this request and that is why all brothers are well treated, and they live happily throughout the year. There is another story regarding this festival. Once there was an old lady who had seven daughters-in-law. All the daughters-in-law had brothers except the younger one. She was crying, as she had no b...

The name is derived from the Vikrami month Vaisakh. The Baisakhi festival falls on or about 13th April every year and on 14th April after every 36 years. In the Panjab it marks the ripening of the rabi harvest, the happy time for the peasant as he gathers the fruit of his labor. In some parts of the State, it is considered a good omen to apply sickle to the crop for the first time on this day. The farmers go to fairs and perform the Bhangra dance. The drummers and the  dancers  challenge each other to continue the dance, and the scenes of sowing, winnowing,  harvesting  and gathering of crops are expressed by zestful movements of the body, to the accompaniment of ballads. The Baisakhi has a special significance for the Sikhs. It was on Baisakhi day in AD 1699 that the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the order of the Khalsa. The Sikhs were converted into a martial community by instituting the custom of Pahul (baptism). od The Arya Samaj celebrates the Baisakhi ...

This Vrat is observed on the eleventh day of the bright half of Phalgun (February-March) and usually, the following story is told before breaking the fast. Once there was a pious lady living in a remote village with her son and daughter-in-law. She was well known in the surrounding villages for charitable work and donations to needy people. She used to keep this fast every year and donate a golden Anvali to some temple or a poor person. Anvala is one of the species of plums from the Indian mountains. For her devotion to god and also to the Anvala Sinchini Ekadashi Vrat (fast) she was awarded by god the reward of perpetual happiness and prosperity in her family life. Whenever a needy person from a neighboring village needed some help, she would willingly help the person. She was also helpful and merciful to her own village people. Her son and his wife resented her charity work and told her to stop giving away so much gold and money to village people. She believed that God has given her ...

This fast is related to the fourteenth day of Bhadrapada (August-September). Some women wear red garments to worship the endless god (Anant). Devotees keep fast on this day and eat food without salt. The people tie Anant (a sacred thread with fourteen knots) on their arms. Women tie on their left arm and men tie it on their right arm. They consider the sacred thread is Lord Vishnu and its incarnations, which give victory in life and emancipation from seven deadly sins (pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth). Dharma the eldest of Pandavas asked Krishna to tell him of a fast (Vrat), which would grant him a kingdom along with prosperity for life. Krishna said that a Brahman named Sumantu married Diksha, the charming daughter of Bhrigu Rishi. Diksha died after giving birth to a daughter called Sheela. Sumantu married another woman called Karkasha. She was irritable, quarrelsome, and troublesome. Sheela was very beautiful and got married to saint Kaudinya. Sumantu was ...

 Akha Teej (fast) ki Katha It falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaisakh (April - May). Parshu Ram, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu was also born on this day. It is believed that a secret donation on this day can make the person and his family very prosperous in this world and also in the next life. People fast on this day and offer prayers to God on behalf of their ancestors. The story of the fast is that king Yudhishtra (eldest brother of Pandus) performed Rajsuya Yajna (Yagya) to pronounce that he was a king of the world. He invited many Chiefs and kings and made announcements of his donations. He was told that he was wrong in making the announcement of his donations and advised that secret donations would benefit him more in this life and also in the next world. After that, the king felt ashamed and decided to give secret donations and fast on Akha Teej day to get eternal salvation.

Mothers keep fast on the eighth day of the waning moon in the month of Kartik (October-November). Some mothers keep fast on this day for the welfare of their children and to maintain a good relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. Once upon a time, there was a mother-in-law who sent her daughter-in-law to fetch some soft earth to clean their house on Ahoi Ashtami. The daughter-in-law dug some soft earth, but unfortunately, she killed some children of a porcupine who had made a hole in there. The mother of the porcupine was sad to see her children dead and cursed the lady that she will remain barren in her life. When the mother-in-law heard about the curse she asked her to leave the house as a woman without children was considered by some women as is a curse for the family. She made a small hut in the jungle and started living there with her husband. She saw a cow that was sick. She looked after the cow and when the cow got better she found out the curse of a porcupine ...

  Hinduism is a very wide subject and so are their fasts and festivals. Only an encyclopedia of Hindu fasts and festivals can cover these themes. The Hindus are bound to keep frequent fasts throughout the whole year. Age, infirmity, and diseases, in extreme cases, afford exemption from this duty. However, an attempt has been made to list the important ones. Observing fasts and performing ceremonies were and are a part of the Hindu way of life - leading to emancipation. Simple food, high thinking, listening to religious stories, and making these teachings a part of life was considered a goal of life. The stories connected with fasts have consoled fasting Hindus as each story presents some thought-provoking ideas and high moral values. Each day of the week brings a special message and stories connected with fasts have consoled millions of people. In this book, the authors have explained the significance and philosophy of important fasts. Some festivals especially reserved for married...

What is Holi? and Why is it celebrated with colors ? Holi is one of the major Hindu festivals in India, which is celebrated when the Sun enters the sign of Pisces late in February. Usually, the place where the Holi mound is to be set on fire is decided forty days before on Vasant Panchami, by erecting a poll there. It is reminiscent of the Maypole of Europe (pole painted and decorated with flowers for dancing around on May day in Europe). The ceremonies include the lighting of bonfires during which all evils are symbolically burnt. Women worship Holi in the afternoon.  Holi fire consists of dried cow dung and a lot of wood. It is set on fire amidst the beating of drums and the singing of songs in praise of Bhagat Prahlad . A burning stick is taken out and immersed in a nearby tank as a symbol of Prahlad being saved. Women keep fast on this day for the welfare of Bhagat Prahlad and collect some ash from the Holi fire to be used in the next day Gangur worship. People's Thoughts about...