Spiritual GYAN

Maha Shivaratri  is a famous  Hindu festival  celebrated each year in reverence of Lord Shiva. In 2018 Shivaratri would be celebrated on 14 th  February.  MahashivaratriFestival  is celebrated with devotion and religious fervour on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun. Devotees observe fast all through the day and night of Shivaratri in honour of Lord Shiva and pay a visit to Shiva temples. Ritual bath of Shiva Lingam with milk, water, honey etc is also performed by the devotees as a part of the maha shivratri tradition. Many believe that Shivaratri Festival marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. However, according to some legends, it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘ Tandava ’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction. This is a festival celebrated all over India. This day is considered to be extremely auspicious and people who ob...

The day for the Goddess of Knowledge and Art is here! It’s Goddess Saraswati’s Birthday which is known as  Vasant Panchami  (Basant Panchami). This festival is celebrated every year on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha. On 2018 this festival falls on 22nd of January (Monday) marking the beginning of spring. Vasant means ‘Spring’ and Panchami means the ‘5th day. Goddess Saraswati is considered to be the deity of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology.    Vasant Panchami  is also known by other names in different parts of the country. It is observed as ‘Sufi Basant’ in Sufi shrines, in Punjab and other adjoining regions it is celebrated as ‘Basant Festival of Kites’, in Gurudwara it is observed as ‘Sikh Festival’, in the state of Bihar, it is celebrated as ‘Harvest Festival’ and the birth anniversary of ‘Deo-Sun God’. In these regions, Vasant Panchami is celebrated with different rituals and traditions; however, the...

Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the eve of the birthday of Goddess Saraswati. It has many stories related to its celebration and read the below mythological stories. It is believed that on this day Goddess Saraswati was born. The story of Saraswati puja is related to ‘Brahma Vaivarta Purana’ and ‘Matsya Purana’. A popular folklore that’s associated with the festival is that of the legendary poet Kalidasa. As per the story, Kalidasa was a simpleton and was tricked into marrying a princess who didn’t respect him. A dejected Kalidasa tried to take his life but just before he could commit suicide, the goddess Saraswati appeared in front of him and asked him to take a dip in the river. The man did as he was told, and emerged from the water an intelligent, knowledgeable and cultured person, who would eventually become a renowned poet. Which is why on this day, the goddess is worshipped so that she may bestow the gift of knowledge to her devotees. Saraswati plays the veena, the sy...

LOHRI  is not just a Hindu traditional festival but for sure acts as a medium to build strong family bonding. This is a celebration in which all the family members and friends come together and get involved in entertainment. The traditional ways of entertainment somewhere deep in the system create love and affection.  Lohri seems to be one of the most enjoyable festivals in certain states. The tradition and culture followed in these states are amazing and are a must watch. Let’s see how each of these Lohri fans takes the fest forward. Amritsar After Bandi Chor Diwas and Guru Nanak Jayanti, the next festival Amritsari look forward to is Lohri. The localities are in full energy during this period and they make sure to throw the biggest party of the year.  Although it is related to the harvest season and gathering of grains, in Punjab it is celebrated as a matrimonial fete of the newly married couple to strengthen the marital bondage as well. Jalandhar Ja...

Lohri Mythology: How Lohri became a famous festival The spring is coming and so are the winters running away. Along with this beautiful change in the climate let’s welcome the most entertaining and melodious festival of Lohri. Lohri is an auspicious Punjabi festival; which is celebrated on 13th January every year. This popular winter festival is celebrated in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Jammu. The main attraction of Lohri is a bonfire and Punjabi folk dance.  The importance and significance of Lohri Festival The ancient significance of the festival is both as a winter crop season celebration and a remembrance of the Sun deity Surya. Lohri songs mention the Indian Sun god asking for heat and thanking him for his return. Another legend explains the celebration as a folk reverence for fire. There’s an ancient story which links Lohri to the tale of Dulla Bhatti. The central theme of many Lohri songs is the legend of Dulla Bhatti, whose real ...

Guru Govind Singh Jayanti being one of the most important festivities among the Sikhs, they celebrate it with great grandeur. Let’s talk about the importance of their last Sikh Guru — Guru Govind Singh. Because of his huge contribution towards Sikhism, the tenth guru is considered as the eternal guru. Guru Gobind Singh had established a book Guru Granth Sahib, which is followed by the Sikhs even today. Guru Govind Singh always carried his two swords, which are known as ‘Piri’ and Miri’. Both these swords denote Shakti and Bhakti. On this eve large processions are carried out on the streets. People sing devotional songs dedicated to the Guru during the procession. They share sweets, drinks and Prasad among the general public. The festival is celebrated by bursting crackers, lighting diyas and lamps in people’s houses and Gurudwaras around by most Sikhs. The Gurudwaras are the best place to view as they appear all lit up. On this day the Gurudwaras organised processions and specia...

Guru Govind Singh is the most influential and the last leader of the Sikhs. His contributions to the Sikh community will always make everyone bow to his personality. He was the one who had started the concept of Khalsa (The pure). Khalsa played the key role in protecting the Sikhs long after his death during the nine invasions of Panjab. Khalsa’s are Sikhs which have undergone the sacred Amrit Ceremony initiated by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The Khalsa order was initially created on Baisakhi Day March 30, 1699, with Guru Gobind Singh baptizing 5 Sikhs and then, in turn, asking the five Khalsa’s to baptize him. Following this, the Guru personally baptized thousands of men and women into the Khalsa order. The Khalsa baptism ceremony is undertaken as part of one’s own personal spiritual evolution when the initiate is ready to fully live up to the high expectations of Guru Gobind Singh. All Sikhs are expected to be Khalsa or be working towards that objective. The ceremony o...

Guru Govind Singh Jayanti( 5th January 2018 ) is dedicated to 10th Sikh Guru Govind Singh’s birthday. He was born on December 22, 1666, at Patna. The annual celebration of the Guru’s birthday is based on the Hindu Lunar calendar. This is an important festival for Sikh Religion. This Special day witnessed large rally & special prayers gathering in Gurudwaras. Special free langar is distributed in Gurudwaras & people volunteered themselves for the services in memory of the tenth Guru. Early Childhood      Guru Govind Singh  was the 10th Sikh Guru of Nanak. He was born in Patna, Bihar, India on December 22, 1666. The annual  celebration of the Guru's  birthday  is based on the Nanakshahi calendar. They initially used to stay in Patna. The place where they stayed is now marked as a shrine called Takht Sri Patna Harimandar Sahib. His family returned to Punjab in 1670, and two years later they moved to Chakk Nanaki in the H...