AKSHAYA TRITIYA
Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya day. The time until mid-day in considered auspicious. This day is considered very auspicious. During the day bath, penance, religious sacrifices, self-study, rituals for liberation of deceased ancestors and charity are observed. All this can bestow many blessings. It is said that the Satyug period commenced on this day.
WORSHIP OF AASMAYEE
On a Sunday between Vaishakh, Aashad and Magha, Aasmayee is worshipped. It is usually performed to accomplish a particular task. Sometimes it is performed once, twice or even thrice a year. 12 Adityas (Sun’s) and Aasmayee (every one who fulfills all desires) are simultaneously worshipped. Usually a boy’s mother performs this worship. With the help of white sandal wood paste, a small idol is made on a leaf. Four shells are kept on the leaf and are worshipped. On a small stool, a water pot and the idol of Aasmayee Devi is placed.
The Brahmin first worships the ephemeris and then worships the water pot (Kalash) and Goddess Aasmayee. At the end of the worship, the Brahmin hands a ‘12’ knotted string to the person who observes this vow. Only after tying this string to the hand are offerings made to the Goddesses Aasmayee and Barajyot. After this all ends, the 12 Knotted string and prayer materials are immersed in the water. Only the shells are kept and preserved. These can be used at another time of worship. If any one of the cowries is lost or misplaced a new one can be bought and replaced at the time of worship.
NRUSINGH CHATURDASHI
Lord Nrusingh was born on Vaishakh Shukla Chaturdashi day. That is the reason why this Tithi (day) is called Nrusingh Chaturdashi. This vrata (vow) has to be observed until dusk. Incidentally, if on any day the tithi is Trayodashi and after that Chaturdashi, and if the day is Saturday, the Nakshatra (star) is Swati, yoga is Siddhya and Karam is Vanij, the day is considered the most auspicious for this vow.
In the afternoon one should have a bath reciting Vedic mantras and worship the gold idol of Lord Nrusingh. According to one’s financial situation, one should donate and distribute gifts amongst Brahmins. The person who performs and accomplishes this vow meticulously is freed from all sins and attains the sublime state of Vaikuntha lok.
VAT-SAVITRI VRATA
Women (whose husbands are alive) observe Vat Savitri Vrat with the intention of preserving their good fortune. On the day of Jyestha Krishna Trayodashi, they should brush their teeth and in the afternoon women apply a paste of sesame and amala on their bodies followed by a clean bath. Then women should eat the roots of the VatVriksha (Banyan tree) with water. Women who have just delivered a child or those in the throes of their menstrual cycles can request a Brahmin to conduct the worship and fulfill the vow. This vow should be observed from Traydashi to Poornima (full moon) or Amavasya.
One should go near the Banyan tree and sip water and pray “I, on this auspicious day of Jyestha, Krishna Trayodashi pray for the health and well being of my children and husband. Never should I become a widow and this is the main intention of this vow. In the roots of the Banyan Tree lies Brahma, in the stem/ barks lays Janardan and in the above portion lies Shiva and in totality lies Devi Savitri. O Banyan tree! I water you, which is the elixir of life.
After saying this, the Banyan tree should be tied with a string and incense flower and rice offered to worship Vat Savitri. Following this, women should circumambulate the tree. After returning home, women should draw a Banyan tree using a paste made of turmeric and sandalwood. One should sit near the drawing and should pray and make a resolution. One should observe a fast for 3 nights and on the fourth day offer water to the Moon God and worship Vat Savitri.
Delicious dishes should be prepared and offered to the Goddess. One should offer food to as many Brahmins as possible and then eat one’s food. Finally, praying to the goddess one should say, “Goddess Savitri may I accomplish this vow without any hurdles and with your blessings.”
After worshipping Vat (Banyan tree and Savitri Goddess) one should worship women whose husbands are alive with Sindoor (vermilion) Kumkum and betel leaves. To accomplish this vow in totality, women should offer clothes, fruits, Sindoor (Vermilion) kumkum etc in a copper vessel to a Brahmin.
GANGA DASHEHRA
It was Jyestha Shukla Dashami when, on the request of Bhagirath, Ganga Devi incarnated on earth and freed the 60,000 sons of King Sagar from a curse and liberated them. That is why this day is observed as Ganga Dashehra. On this day, one should have a religious bath and also donate generously.
Firstly, one should have a bath in the holy water of the river Ganga. If this is not possible, then one should have a bath in sesame water. If this day falls on a Monday and if the Nakshatra is Hasta, then this is a time when all sins can be vanquished. It is on this day on a Wednesday, (Nakshatra Hasta) that Ganga Devi incarnated from heaven. For these important reasons this Tithi (day) is considered very auspicious. One can be freed from 10 sins if one observes religious bath, donates and perform ceremony liberation for deceased ancestors. This is also called Dasshera, which means vanquisher of 10 sins.
NIRJALA EKADASHI
This is one of the most popular vows observed in the Hindu community. On the eleventh day of every fortnight of every month this vow is observed. In a year this vow is observed for 24 days. Amongst these 24 days, the vow observed on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi is considered the most beneficial. If one properly observes a vow on this day it is said to give the fruits of 24 Ekadashis observed throughout the year. It is said that Bhimsen heard that Vyas Muni would observe Ekadashi without partaking of food throughout the day. One day he humbly noted that Arjuna and all his brothers observed the Ekadashi fast but it was simply not possible for him to do so. He asked Vyas Muni to help him in observing and benefiting from the 24 Ekadashi vows.
In response, Vyas Muni directed Bhimsen to observe the fast on Jyestha Shukla Ekadashi. He would thus absolve himself of the sin of not fasting at all previous Ekadashis and derive benefit from all the Ekadashis of the current year. Bhimsen observed this fast sincerely and this is why this Ekadashi is also known as Bhimsen Ekadashi.
Because one has to abstain even from water from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise on Dwadash this known as Nirjali Ekadashi. Severe austerities have to be practiced to accomplish this vow properly. During the month of Jyestha the day is longer and one often after feels thirsty. As a result it is difficult to observe this vow without drinking water. This vow can only be fulfilled with meticulous discipline. It is associated with donating a water pot as well as gold.
HARISHAYANI EKADASHI
Harishayani Ekadashi is observed on Aashad Shukla Ekadashi. It is on this day when Lord Vishnu hibernates in the Ksheer Shayya or the Ocean. According to the Puranas, from this day onwards Lord Vishnu stays for the next 4 months in the house of King Baali in the Patal Lok and returns back on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi. This is why this Ekadashi is known as Harishayani and Kartik Shukla Ekadashi is known as Prabodhini Ekadashi respectively, Religion and other marriage ceremonies are not performed in these 4 months since Lord Vishnu hibernates in the ocean. The months from Aashad to Kartik are known as ‘Chaturmaas’. During this period holy people as well as mendicants reside in one place and practice severe austerities and penance along with singing bhajans etc.
According to the Brahma Vaivastya Purana, a person who observes this vow is freed from all his sins and is blessed by Lord Vishnu. This vow fulfills all desires. This Ekadashi is also known as Padma Ekadashi.
VYAS / GURU POORNIMA
The poornima in the month of Aashad is known as Vyas Poornima. On this day, Vyas or Guru (teacher) is worshipped. In early times, students did not pay their Guru (teachers). Every year on this day they prayed and worshipped their Guru and accordingly gave gifts (Dakshina). But this worship is not limited to Gurus only and can also observed with parents and brothers.
Folowing daily ablutions and a bath one should go to one’s Guru and make him/her sit on an elevated platform. One should ceremoniously worship him/her with a garland. Flowers and fruits should be kept at his feet and his/her blessings sought. By doing so, one is blessed with knowledge and the mind and are cleansed making the disciple/student’s life prosperous.
MAGHA PANCHAMI
Serpents are worshipped on Shravan Shukla Panchami. This day is also called Naag Panchami. On this day, on both sides of a door, two idols of serpents made of cowdung are placed. In this vow, on the Chaturthi day one should take food only once a day. One should fast on the Panchami day and take food only in the evening.
One should make an idol of a five-hooded serpent of silver, gold, mud or wood pens using turmeric and sandalwood pastes as ink. On the Panchami day, porridge, Panchamrut (milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar), lotus flowers, incense etc are offered and the God is worshipped. In serpents, Ananta, Vaasuki, Shesh, Padma, Kambal, Karkolok, Ashvatar, Dhifrashta, Shankpal, Kaaliya, Takshak and Pingal , 12 in all, are the most important ones; Every month one particular serpent is worshipped and the (Brahman) person who performs the worship should be offered food. On Nag Panchami, the Brahmin should be offered cows and gold. Some also offer a silver serpent on betel leaves. The person who performs worship of the serpents on Panchami day should not dig the ground. By observing this vow, one is freed from the fear of snakes and earns plenty of money.
SHRAAVANI
The Poornima in the month of Shravan is called Shravani Poornima. People should observe celibacy and Brahmins should go to a lake or river and perform Shraavani Karma. Initially for purification of body one should partake of Panch agavya (cows milk, ghee, curd, cowdung and urine) and perform religious sacrifice (Yagya) along with ghee, porridge, and sugar. This is known as Upakarma. After this one should stand in the flowing water of a river and contemplate, pray and worship Lord Bhaskar (Sun).
One should also worship Saptarshis and Arundhati and offer milk and Sattu (powder of roasted gram) as oblation to these deities. This is known as Utsarjana. This festival is of special significance to all of us. According to the old scriptures, on the day of Shraavani Poorinama, saints perform Upakarma and begin their teachings, concluding them on Magha Krishna after performing Utsarjana. In the following months, theoretical knowledge was imbibed through contemplation and meditation. Thus this day of Shraavani was the first day of study and learning.
KAJRE KI NAVMI
Shravan Poornima is also known as Kajri Poornima. One of the specialties of Shraavani Poornima in Bundelkhand is that there are processors of Kajri. On Shraavani Poornima day wheat or barley are allowed to bloat in water and sown in conical vessels made up of leaves. These are kept away from air and moisture. Lack of air induces the plants to assume yellow colour and this is called Kajri. From the Navami day to the Poornima day, the Kajri is worshipped in the evening with incense and by singing devotional songs. The colour of the Kajri is closely associated with auspicious and inauspicious events.
On Navami when a Kajri is sown, it is known as Kajri Navami. Only women who beget male children observe Kajri Vrata (vow). On Navami day, the women folk of a village get some mud from a specific place to sow Kajri. The mud is bought in clothes or conical vessels made of leaves.
On the walls of the house where the Kajri is kept, a small doll is hung resembling Goddess Saraswati. Beside this picture, there are those of a small hut, a cradle with a child, a baby mongoose and a woman. They are made of turmeric paste. It is on this Navami when women worship and sow Kajri. They listen to stories (fables) and sing Kajri’s songs. Woman observes this vow for the wellbeing of their male child and protection from insects and other creatures.
HAL SHASHTI / HAR-CHATH
This vow is observed on Bhadrapada Krishna Shashti. This was the day when Krishna’s elder brother Balarama took birth. Balarama’s primary weapons were the plough and the pestle and that why it is known as Hal-Shashti. It is observed with the intention of begetting a male child. The woman who observes this vow brushes with the fruits of Mahua (bacia latifolia). For this vow one should not eat any food, which is sowed or planted, or even a fruit. Cows milk and curd should be avoided. Only buffaloe milk is permitted.
In the morning after bathing, women plaster the floor with cow dung and make a small tank. They put one stem of strawberry, a type of reed and palaash together to make a plough. After that they bury it and worship it. They worship with Satavyaa (seven types of grams i.e. wheat, gram, jowar, centil, paddy, kidney beans (moong) and corn), dry mud, green Kajri’s ashes of Holi (bonfire), or green grams and wheat awn. Other than these ornaments, cloth coloured with turmeric paste is also offered and kept near the plough. After the pooja concludes, there is a religious sacrifice (Yagya) performed along with butter extracted from buffalo milk.
JANMASHTAMI
Janmashtami is celebrated on Bhadrapad Krishna Ashtami. It was on this day that Lord Shri Krishna took birth. On this day, the night it is Rohini Nakshatra, it is also known as Krishna Jayanti. If there is no Rohini Nakshatra then it is plainly Janmashtami. On this day of Ashtami at night devotional songs, bhajans are sung and stories related to Shri Krishna’s birth are recited and heard at midnight. Shri Krishna is worshipped according to scriptural procedure and joy is expressed over his birth.
After this before fasting is broken on the Navami day, Brahmins are offered food and gifts.
HARTALIKA
This vow is observed on the day of Bhadrapad Shukla Tritiyaa when in conjunction with Hasta Nakshatra it is said to bestow material benefits. Those woman who desire a long life and well being of their husbands should observe this vow. The procedure of this vow is as follows-
The home should be clean and tidy. A pandaal should be made with the help of banana leaves and its barks and be very well decorated. One should play the conch, the cymbals, mridangam and sing beautiful songs. One should place the idol of Parvati along with a shivlinga made of sand. In the sixteen-step ceremony method, both the deities should be worshipped (pooja) and donations of clothes, gold and cows made to Brahmins.
This vow protects women and helps continue their good fortunate, But women who get lured away from the fast midway remain without child for the next 7 lives and could also become a widow forever. A woman who does not fast or leaves it midway is cursed. If she cannot, for any reason, keep a fast she should listen to stories associated with the merits of keeping it.. She then earns the blessings that are earned after performing an Ashwamedh Yagya.
SIDDHIVINAYAK VRAT
Siddhi Vinayak is performed or observed on Ganesh Chaturthi day itself. On this day Ganeshji is worshipped according to the scriptures. 21 malpuas are offered to Ganeshji along with 21 Durvas (a type of grass) and 21 modaks, while reciting the 21 names of Ganeshji. Food is eaten after it is offered to the Brahmins.
KAPARDI VINAYAK VRATA
A person by eating one meal a day from Shravan Shukla Chaturthi to Bhadrapada Shukla chaturthi can observe Kapardi Ganesh Vrata. A person who does so gets all his desires fulfilled. The method of worship is like the methods of vows above. The important aspect of this vow is that one should offer a handful of rice (28 times) and some sweetmeats to a person who has maintained celibacy (Brahmachari) after worship of the deity.