Karka Sankranti

Punya Kaal Muhurta is from 12:27 to 19:16, Duration is 6 hours and 49 minutes

Sankranti moment is at 04:11 on 17th July 2015

Maha Punya Kaal Muhurta is from 17:00 to 19:16, Duration is 2 hours and 16 minutes

Dakshinayana is a period of six months in which Lord Surya undertakes his southern journey. Karka Sankranti marks the beginning of this period. It is named Karka Sankranti because Sun enters the Southern hemisphere by entering into Karka (cancer) rashi (zodiac) and leaving the Gemini zodiac. It is also known as Karkataka Sankranti and it is believed that in this period, Gods go to sleep. Lord Vishnu, especially, takes rest in this phase. This period ends during Makar Sankranti in the month of January.

Things to do on Karka Sankranti

It is believed that in the period of Dakshinayana, the souls of the dead ancestors travel to earth and wait for their off-springs to perform final rites for them. Karka Sankranti is the right time to perform all the rituals for the deceased. The souls are sent back to their creator, God, and at the right time, they are given a new life form. Also performing Pitru Tarpan on this day is considered a meritorious deed. Therefore one should get up early in the morning and take a dip in any holy river nearby and then perform all the rituals. People especially travel to the Ghats of the Ganga River and pay homage to their ancestors.

This phase is considered very auspicious for worshipping Vishnu. Chanting and reciting his thousand names can bestow happiness and prosperity. Lord Varaha Swamy, who is the third incarnation of Vishnu is particularly paid regards and prayed to on this day... Read More

Shravan Somwar Vrat

According to the Hindu calendar, the month from mid-July to mid-August is called Shravan and all the fasts observed on Mondays in this month are known as Shravan Somawar Vrat. This month and all the Mondays are dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is believed that offering prayers to Shiva in this period are happily accepted.

Legend

Samudhra Manthan took place in the month of Shravan. When various products came out of the ocean as the result of the efforts of Gods and demons alike, they were equally distributed among them. But one product which could not be accepted by either of the parties was Halahal. Shiva decided to drink the poison. It turned his throat blue and thus, he saved the universe from destruction. Therefore this month and the Somwar fasts are observed to honor him and to show him gratitude.

How to Observe a Fast

People wake up early in the morning and take bath, followed by performing purification rituals. They chant Shiva’s name throughout the day. Devotees visit the temples and offer prayers to Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati and Nandi. The offerings can be made of white flowers, water, honey, milk, curd, sugar, clarified butter, clothes, rice, bilva leaves and sandalwood. People can also perform rituals with a Shiva Lingam at their homes. They first have to clean the place to perform rituals and then place the idols of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha.

People observe fasts the whole day, although some people opt for partial fast and may consume fruits. They prefer wearing white clothes. Some end their fasts in the evening after praying to Shiva and some observe the fast for twenty-four hours and consume food the next morning. People also distribute prasad on this occasion.Recitation of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra or ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ is considered very auspicious. Devotees can even read Shiva Purana.

Temples are often decorated with lights and flowers. People sing hymns in the praise of the deity. People might also prefer staying vigil throughout the night and keep reciting Shiva’s name and meditate.

Benefits of Observing the Fast

People who observe this fast, gain wisdom and intellect. Couples who want to have a son or who are expecting a baby, also find these fasts significant. Unmarried girls observe this fast to please Shiva and gain a devoted husband like him. Wealth and prosperity can also be gained. Married ladies keep the fasts for the well-being of their husbands and their long life. These fasts are also known as Sawan Somwar Vrats.

Dates

Various parts of India like Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh follow the Amavasyant calendar according to which the lunar month ends on a no moon day and other states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar follow the Purnimant calendar according to which the lunar month ends on a full moon day. This difference in calendars provide difference in the beginning and ending of the Shravan.

According to Purnimant Lunar calendar, the first day of Shravana... Read More

Padmini Ekadashi

Padmini Ekadashi falls on the eleventh day of the bright lunar fortnight in the month of Adhika Masa (extra month). According to Hindu calendar some years have an extra month, i.e., thirteen month instead of twelve, based on the difference of days in solar and lunar calendar. It falls after every 32.5 months. Padmini Ekadashi mostly falls in the leaped Ashadha month (July-August), according to Hindu calendar, hence this day is also known as Ashadha Adhika Masa Ekadashi.

In 2015, Padmini Ekadashi is commemorated on 28th June 2015

The auspicious time for the prayers is as follows:

07:13- 12:24
14:08 - 15:51

Legend

A king named Kartavirya lived with many of his queens but despite all the comforts and luxuries, he was not happy. He did not have a son from any of his wives and he was worried that after his death, no one will be there to carry out his name and take care of his kingdom. He was pious and a just king, he also had consulted every sage who made various kind of donations and performed various rituals but nothing helped him. He then decided to meditate and do penance and one of his wife named Padmini, followed him to the forests. Thousands of years passed in austerity but it did not prove fruitful.

Padmini got worried for her husband. She then consulted Anasuya (wife of sage Atri). She told her problem of not being able to bear a child. Anasuya told her that the reason of their unhappiness are the misdeeds conducted by her and her husband in the previous life. She then advised her to observe the fast of Ekadashi which falls in the AdhikaMasa. By keeping the fast with utmost dedication, all the sins committed will be purified.

Padmini observed the fast according to all the rituals explained to her by Anasuya. Lord Vishnu was very pleased by her dedication and decided to offer her a boon. She rather asked Vishnu to fulfill the desire of her husband, i.e., to have a son that is all powerful and can only be killed by Vishnu himself. He should also be pious and God fearing and on the other hand he should be intellectual and praised in all the three worlds of earth, heaven and hell. Vishnu granted his wish and soon a son was born to him who was named Karthaveeryarjuna. The son was so powerful that he once even defeated Ravana (the King of Lanka) in a combat and put him in a jail, single handedly. Such was the power of this Ekadashi and because of the dedication of Padmini, this day was named after her.

The importance of this day, along with the above mentioned legend was told to Yudhisthira (eldest of the Pandavas) by Lord Krishna.

Rituals

The fast starts from the dusk of the tenth day of the month. One should only consume light food without onion, salt and garlic, once on the night of the tenth day. The food should not be consumed in the utensils of bronze. Food items like rice, pulses, green vegetables, non-vegetarian items and honey should be avoided. Devotees should then observe the fast for the complete night of Ekadashi. One should also remain vigil and sing prayers in the name of Vishnu or mediate. If one needs to sleep then it should be on the floor itself... Read More

Yogini Ekadashi

Yogini Ekadashi is celebrated on the eleventh day of the dark lunar fortnight in the month of Ashada (July-August), according to Hindu calendar. People observe fast on this day in order to eliminate past sins and gain materialistic pleasures.

In 2015, Yogini Ekadishi is commemorated on 12th June, 2015

The auspicious time for the prayers is as follows:

05:27 - 10:37
12:21 - 14:04
17:31 - 19:15

A king named Kuvera was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. It was his daily ritual to worship the God and offer prayers to him. He had a gardener named Hema Mali, and he was given the duty of collecting flowers and so that Kuvera could offer them to the idol after finishing his prayers.

Hema Mali was deeply in love with his wife and was attracted to her. One day, in order to fulfill his physical desires, he forgot his duty. When Kuvera came to known about this mistake, he got very angry and cursed Hema Mali. Despite of all the pleading, Kuvera didn’t forgive him and thus Hema Mali was affected by white leprosy. Because of the disease, Hema Mali’s wife also distanced herself from him.

Hema Mali was left alone, wandering in forests for several years. One day he met a sage named Markandeya, who told him all about the Yogini Ekadashi fast. He suggested that keeping this fast would free Hema Mali of all his problems (disease and his marriage). Hema Mali thanked the sage and presented his gratitude by touching his feet. He then observed the fast with devotion and soon he was back to his normal, healthy self. He also reunited with his wife. The fast liberated him from his past sin and gave him happiness and health.

This legend was narrated to Yudhisthira (the eldest Pandava) by Krishna to learn about Yogini Ekadashi.

Rituals

People observe a fast on this day that should begin from the sunrise on Ekadashi and end after the sunrise on next day. While taking a bath, early in the morning, people clean themselves using sandalwood paste or sesame oil. People worship peepal tree (Ficusreligiosa). Devotees may also perform overnight vigil (Jagaran) and sing hymns and prayers throughout the night and next day. Meditate to attain peace and clarity of thought. Reading Hindu scriptures is also considered auspicious. One may also recite Vishnu stotras (a list of 1000 names of Vishnu). People unable to observe a complete fast can opt for a partial one and eat fruits or vegetables. Grains are to be avoided, especially rice. Even while completing the fast, do not consume rice and eat salt less food.

One may visit temples dedicated to Vishnu and his incarnations, or one can also place his idol at home and worship him. Offer flowers, incense sticks, tulsi leaves (holy basil) and lamps. Also read the above-mentioned story to understand the power and significance of the day.

Donation and charity work is also the part of the ritual. It is believed that Lord Vishnu (to whom all the Ekadashis are dedicated) can be pleased if needy people are helped and given charity. One can also offer money to priests and seek their blessings.

Significance

Observing a fast on Yogini Ekadashi is considered equivalent to feeding 88 thousand Brahmins (the learned class, one who had knowledge about Hindu scriptures)... Read More