Dashama Vrat

Dashama Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Dashama and is observed from the first day of Shravan month as per traditional calendar followed in Gujarat. Dashama Vrat 2015 begins on August 15 and ends on August 24. It is a 10-day vrat. Devotees also refer to the festival as ‘Dashama na Naurta’ – Navratri of the Goddess.

 

There are several temples dedicated to Dashama where devotees perform several rituals during the 10-days. 

 

Devotees who are facing an adversity ('dasha' in Gujarati) and want to appease Goddess Dashama to overcome it observe the 10-day vrat.

 

Goddess Dashama is widely worshipped in rural Gujarat and in cities by the lower socio-economic groups.

 

During Dashama Vrat devotees, observe partial fast and install her murti in their homes or public pandals.

 

At the end of the tenth day an all night 'jagran' (staying awake) is observed.

People observing the Vrat will read the Dashama Vrat Katha

Navadurga: The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

Navadurga: The Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

Nava – that also means 'new' – denotes 'nine' the number to which sages attach special significance. Hence, we have Nava-ratri (9 nights), Nava-patrika (9 leaves / herbs / plants), Nava-graha (9 planets), and Nava-Durga (9 appellations).

The 9 manifestations of Goddess Durga. Each goddess has a different form and a special significance. Nava Durga, if worshipped with religious fervor duringNavaratri, it is believed, lift the divine spirit in us and fill us with renewed happiness.

All the nine names of goddess are narrated in ‘Devi Kavacha’ of the ‘Chandipatha’ scripture. Learn about the nine goddesses in the following slides that include beautiful watercolor paintings of each appellation.

1.Shailaputri

Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana - the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.

2.Bharmacharini

She is worshipped on the second day ofNavaratri and is the second form of Mother Goddess. Bharmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her.

Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation - Moksha.

3.Chandra Ghanta

The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands.

She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.

4.Kushmanda

Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands.

She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.

5.Skanda Mata

The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ - the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on the fifth day ofNavaratri. She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards.

The left arm is in pose to grant boons with grace and in left lower hand which is raised also holds a lotus. She has a bright complexion and often depicted as seated on a lotus.

6.Katyayani

The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshipped on the six day ofNavaratri. The legend behind her name goes thus: Once upon a time, there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess.

According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.

7.Kaal Ratri

This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. Her vehicle is the donkey. Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all worshippers and all her right lower hand is in the pose of allaying fears.

Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron and there is a dragger in the lower left hand. She is black like Goddess Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil. Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles. So she is also known as ‘Shubhamkari’ – one who does good.

8.Maha Gauri

She is worshipped on the eighth day ofNavaratri. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. As a result of her worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life. Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which mean extremely white.

She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Her right hand is in the pose of allaying fear and her right lower hand holds a trident. The left upper hand holds a ‘damaru’ (a small rattle drum) and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees.

9. Siddhidatri

Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. In ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’ it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was blessed with all Siddhis (supernatural powers).

By her blessings his half body became female and other half body male in the avatar of Ardhnarishvara.

TEEJ FESTIVAL

Teej is a monsoon festival celebrated with great spirit by the married women and teenage girls in the Northern Indian states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar and the Central Indian State of Madyha Pradesh. Nepali Teej Festival is also one of the forms of this very important Hindu festival meant to worship Goddess Parvati for marital bliss. Teej literally means ‘third day,’ and is celebrated on the third day of Shukla Paksha (brighter half of month after which comes full moon day) in the month of Shravan coinciding with the monsoon season. According to the Gregorian calender, Teej is celebrated in July-August. In fact, there are three Teej festivals of same character that are celebrated within a period of two months of Shravan and Bhadrapada of Hindu calender. These are Hariyali Teej; Kajari or Kajli Teej; and Hartalika Teej.

The Hariyali Teej estival this year will be celebrated on 17 August 2015. As is know, there are three Teej festivals of which Hariyali Teej is celebrated first after which falls Kajli teej and the last one is the Haritalika Teej. The dates of all the three Teej festivals in the year 2015 are as follows:

Hariyali Teej – 17 August 2015

Kajjli Teej– 1 September 2015

Haritalika Teej– 16 September 2015

Goddess Parvati who is also referred to as ‘Teej Mata’ is worshipped by girls and married women on the day of Teej and a fast is observed by them to seek the blessings of the Goddess. According to the Teej legend, Goddess Parvati got reunited with her consort Lord Shiva on the pious day of Teej. It is said that Parvati observed rigorous fasting and did ‘tapasya’ (paid penance) for 100 years to be reunited with Lord Shiva. She had to take 108 births to be accepted by Lord Shiva as his wife.  Thus, Teej festival has become an important festival for married women who commemorate the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that the invocation of Parvati’s blessing during the Teej festival ensures marital bliss in one’s life.

As Teej is the festival of women for marital bliss in their lives, the rituals of Teej festival too are related to this concept. The parents of married women send gifts for their daughters and her in-laws which is known as ‘Sindhara’ giving Teej another name, Sindhara Teej. These gifts include clothes, sweets and such things for daughter as bangles, henna, bindi, and other cosmetics. If it is the first Teej after a girl’s marriage, she visits her parental home and celebrates the festival there only and goes to her husband’s house only after Raksha Bandhan to celebrate Badi Teej there. If a girl has been engaged, gifts for her come from the home of her future husband. The girls observe fast to get a husband like Lord Shiva and married women fast with the wish of long life of their husbands and marital bliss in their life.

Shravani Teej as it is called because of being celebrated in the Shravan month of rain- is one of the most awaited festivals for women who get ready on this day in their best clothings, wear many ornaments, decorate their palms and feet with ‘mehndi’ or henna, and do all the make up thought apt for a married woman. All married women and girls observe fast to please Goddess Parvati and seek her blessings for happy married life. Women of all ages get in full spirit this day and sing the Teej songs in chorus and dance with joy. As this is the season of rain and everywhere there is greenery, the festival is also known as ‘Hariyali Teej’ or the ‘Green Teej.’ Swings on the branches of trees with girls and women taking turns is a common sight on the day of Teej and also during the whole monsoon season.

Some special sweets are made not only in homes but are also available in almost all sweet shops these days. These include ‘Ghewar’ and ‘Pheni’ as the most relished sweets on Teej.  There are certain peculiar ways of celebrating Teej in some regions like in Jaipur, Chandigarh of Punjab, Nepal and so on.

Teej refers to the monsoon festivals, observed particularly in western and northern states of India, Nepal, and in some Southern states of India such a Telangana. The festivals celebrate the bounty of nature, arrival of clouds and rain, greenery and birds with social activity, rituals and customs.

The festivals for women, include dancing, singing, getting together with friends and telling stories, dressing up with henna-coloured hands and feet, wearing red, green or orange clothes, sharing festive foods and playing under trees on swings on Haryali Teej.

The festivals are dedicated, in many parts of India and Nepal, to Parvati.

Importance Of Mehndi in Indian Culture

Importance Of Mehndi In Indian Culture

Mehndi holds a lot of cultural significance in Indian traditions. Be it weddings, Karva Chauth or other occasions, mehndi plays an important role in all the ceremonies and festivals of India. In today's era of modernization, the new styles and designs of mehndi are coming up, adding

glamour and fun to it. Weddings being the most important day in one's life, mehndi has become an ornament for the soon to be brides. There is, in fact, one whole

ceremony dedicated to its celebration popularly known as ‘Mehndi Ceremony' or ‘Mehndi Ki Raat'. Besides this, the phrase ‘Haath Peele Karna' as often heard from elders of the family is a rasam of mehndi directly synonymous to marriage. This significance maybe attributed to symbolic meaning of mehndi i.e. fertility.Mehndi Ceremony is among the pre wedding

rituals in Indian weddings performed a day prior to the marriage. Just as Haldi ceremony symbolizes cleanliness, mehndi signifies beautification. Mehndi-Ki-Raat is usually a private affair with close relatives, friends and family members, celebrated amidst lot of dancing and feasting.

This ritual is often combined with Sangeet ceremony and so is primarily a women's function. The atmosphere is imbued with dholak beats and singing of traditional songs while mehndi is applied on bride's hands and legs by mehndi experts. The

bride's mehndi interweaves the name of her would be husband and he is expected to find his name in the pattern. The female relatives of the family also apply mehndi on their palms to take part in the celebrations. This ceremony is performed by families of both the Indian bride and the Indian groom.

Even the color of mehndi is given high

importance in Indian culture as the darkness of the color signifies the degree of husband's and mother-in-law's love. It depicts love and affection between the couple as it is believed that the longer it retains, the more auspicious it is. The bride is traditionally not allowed to work in her husband's home until her mehndi's color

fades away completely.

Karwa Chauth (करवा चौथ)

Karwa Chauth

Today, the festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated enthusiastically in majority of Hindu households in northern and western regions of India.

 Falling nine days before Diwali, Karwa Chauth is a vrat observed by married woman praying for the welfare of their husbands. This one-day festival is celebrated once a year, on the fourth day of the 'Karthik' month according to the Hindu calendar. The term 'Karwa' means earthen pot, which symbolizes peace and prosperity and 'Chauth' refers to 'fourth day'. 

This festival is one of the many beloved occasions in India, where families and friends get together and enjoy. Many pooja rituals are performed on this day and several delicious dishes are prepared too. However, the ritual that forms a significant part of this festival is the fasting ceremony observed by married Hindu women. This sacrifice is performed for the well-being of their husbands and it takes place from sunrise to sunset. The aim behind the celebration of Karwa Chauth is an honorable one, and this has added interesting aspect to Indian culture. Love between the husband and wife and respect among their families, is what Karwa Chauth aims to achieve by the performance of these rituals. The origin of Karwa Chauth is explained in the following lines.  

Karva Chauth History and Origin

For those who celebrate Karwa chauth, this festival is not just another festive occasion, but has a symbolical value to their lives. They believe that their fasting throughout the day will secure fortune, prosperity and long lives for their husbands. This fasting festival has many ancient legends and stores to it. 

During the ancient times in India, girls were married off at young ages and according to tradition, they had to leave their own houses and stay with their in-laws. These girls had no one but their god-sisters, with whom they could speak to. On the bride's wedding day, a small Hindu ceremony would take place, where one woman became their god-sister for eternity. These other women became their sisters for life and they shared a pure and sanctified bond of friendship. Each bride had her own god-sister and they would help each other in times of hardship, sharing their thoughts and problems with one another. Thus, the festival of Karwa Chauth was originally created for those reasons, to celebrate the bond of friendship and sisterhood. 

As years passed, the Karwa Chauth festival evolved and the fasting ritual for the longevity and wealth of husbands became the main part of this festival. However, the husband is always linked to this festival for the reason that, the bride would develop a sisterly bond with the woman who will become their god-sister, only on the day of her marriage. It makes sense that today all the married women, fast and pray together, during the celebration of this festival, as this also symbolizes friendship and sisterhood.

Karwa Chauth fast starts in the morning before sunrise and concludes after sighting the moon in the night. Therefore in most cases the duration of the fast will be certainly more than 12 hours. However, the duration depends on the time of sunrise and moonrise in the given year. The main task involved in Karwa Chauth preparations is to prepare the Karwa Chauth thali.

Two types of thalis are prepared for Karwa Chauth – the Sargi ki thali in the morning to start the fast and the Puja ki thali to perform the puja in the evening and conclude the fast.

Karwa Chauth Sargi Ki Thali is prepared by the Mother-in-law for her daughter in law. The main purpose of this thali is to ensure that the daughter in law eats well before the sunrise so that she is able to fast for the whole day. Therefore the dishes placed in the Sargi Ki Thali are prepared the day before and arranged in the thali. The daughter in law wakes up early in the morning, takes a holy bath, worships gods and receives the blessings of Mother in law before eating the items presented in the Sargi ki thali.

• Pheni or meethi seviyan

• Parathas

• Gobi ki sabzi

• Fruits

• Dahi

• Kaju Katli

• Mathri

Karwa Chauth Puja ki thali includes

• Colorful bangles

• Mehendi

• Jewelry

• Sindhoor

• Cowdung to make the image of Gauri ma

• Strand of red thread

• Karwa (pot with water)

• Some money

• Sieve (to see the moon and husband’s face through it)

• Sweets and fruits

After a day long fasting and preparations for puja  from sunrise  on, the main Karwa Chauth puja is performed in the evening. The women folk gather in a common place wearing bridal sarees and some elaborate costumes. They all hold the Karwa Chauth puja thali in their hands. During this time, an elderly woman narrates the story of karwa Chauth to the gathering. While listening to the story, the women light the lamps in their thali and wait for the moon rise. The reflection of the moon is spotted in the karwa or pot of water kept in the thali or the women view the moon through a sieve or dupatta. After this, the husband’s face is viewed in the same way and after seeking his blessings, they conclude the fast.

It is celebrated by the married women of North India. It usually fall nine days before Diwali. The festival marks an auspicious fast observed by married women for long life, well being and prosperity of their husband. The women strictly adhere to the guidelines laid down for the fast and refrain from food and water for one complete day. The festival also provides an opportunity for socializing with family, relatives, friends and in laws. Karwa Chauth (करवा चौथ) is symbolic of unflagging loyalty of a wife towards her husband.

Karwa Chauth (करवा चौथ) is usually observed in the month of October or November. Karwa Chauth (करवा चौथ) is a Hindu festival celebrated by married women. The celebrations follow a number of rituals traditions. One such important ritual is applying henna (mehendi) on hands. Few ladies follow a strict fast where they do not eat or drink anything. Not even a single drop of water. It is said that successful completion of this fast ensures long life and prosperous future for her husband.

The roots of the festival go back into mythology. The katha read during puja tells the tale of Princess Veeravati who gets married to a king. On her first Karva Chauth, she decides to go visit her parents. The rigour of fasting all day renders her weak and she faints. Her seven brothers, who love her immensely, can not bear to see their sister in this state and trick her into thinking that the moon has risen. Just as she breaks her fast, she gets word that her husband, the king is dead. The queen is heartbroken and rushes to her husband’s palace. Enroute, she meets Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva who tell her that it is a penance and fasting on Karva Chauth will help bring back her husband. The tale ends happily as the king gains consciousness and they live happily ever after.

Sargi tips for women observing Karva Chauth:

1. Include lots of fruits like banana, papaya, pomegranate, berries, apples etc. in the sargi

2. Avoid oily and fried foods like paranthas and pakoras in the morning as these are heavy and may make you dizzy. Eat a heavy meal like multigrain chapatti with vegetables or paneer.

3. Avoid tea or coffee as both of them tend to dehydrate you later in the day. Instead, drink up a glass of fresh juice, milk, buttermilk or a cup of green tea

4. Avoid mithai/ sweets and instead opt for dates, figs or apricots

5. Munch on a few nut like walnuts, almonds and pistachios

Karva Chauth Pooja

The day passes slowly but before you know it, it is evening. The women dress up and gather together to perform the puja. The katha is read aloud as the thali with a sweet, glass of water, a diya and other puja materials is passed around in a circle. All that is left now is to wait for the moon to rise.

Breaking the Fast

Different people break the fast in different ways. The one consistent tradition is to look at your husband through a sieve and then take a sip of water from his hands to break your fast. In recent times, men also choose to fast for their wives, breaking stereotypes. Everybody then enjoys a delicious meal together.