Hindu Festival Apara Ekadashi 2016

अश्वमेधसहस्रणिराजसूयशतानिच  | एकादशयुपवासस्यकलांनारहंतिशोडशीम्र  ||

'Not Even Thousand Ashtamedha Yogas or Hundred Raj Suya Yogas
Would match the fast on an Ekadashi Day'

Sanskrit word Ekadashi meaning is 11. It’s meant the 11th Day of the month, according to Hindu calendar. In Hindu calendar or Panchang, a month actually divided into two parts of 15 days, that’s why a month has two Ekadashis. In Hindu culture and traditions, Ekadashis have great importance. The one can consider as festival and other being observed as this day. Apara Ekadashi is one of them that is observed in the second half of the month of Jyeshtha.

Among all the Ekadashis, Apara Ekadashi is considered as most glorious. It is believed that the person who fasts on this day washes away his sins and get Moksha. By just observing this fast, a person feels free from his wrong doings and short falls of the past. In Indian state Madhya Pradesh, this day is celebrated with magnificence and roughly everyone tries to observe this fast. This day gives high importance and people visit the temples to pray for forgiveness.

According to the English calendar, this festival is celebrated in the month of May – June and in the month of Jyeshtha as per the Hindu calendar. Apara Ekadashi is known by various different names all over the India like Achala Ekadashi, Bhadrakali Ekadashi, Vaishakh Vadi Ekadashi and Jalkrida Ekadashi.

In the year 2016, it is observed  on 1st June (Wednesday). Apara Ekadashi festival is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

The rituals observed on this day include fasting, Pujas and Yagya. It is said that a person who keeps fast on this day honestly gets all the blessings of Lord Vishnu and observed various religious acts. Many festivals are celebrated here with grand zeal and Apara Ekadashi is one of them. It is of equal importance to every person in the state in spite of their caste. Read further about more Ekadashis

Today’s Hindu Sanatan Dharma Calendar & Panchang – May 28, 2016 – Tithi, Vrat, Subh Muhurta, Nakshatra, Rashi & Festival

Tithi  according to Hindu Calendar – 28th May, 2016 (Saturday), Krishna Paksha Tithi or the 7th day during the waning phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang. It is the Krishna Paksha Shashthi Tithi or 6th day during the waning phase of moon till 3:38 am on 28th May. Then after it is Krishna Paksha Saptami Tithi or the 7th Day during the waning phase of the moon. All times are following Indian standards.

According to Hindu Panchang, How is 28th May? – It’s not a perfect or good date.

Nakshatra – Shravan or Thiruonam or Shravanam Nakshatra till 1:06 am on 28th May, 2016. Then afterward, it is Dhanishta or Avittam Nakshatram.
In Indian western parts (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and South Rajasthan), it is Shravan or Thiruonam or Sravanam Nakshatra till 3:59 am on 28th May. Then after, it is Dhanishta or Avittam Nakshatra.

Rashi or Moon Sign – Makar Rashi till 12:54 pm on 28th May. After that Kumbha Rashi will occur and in Indian western regions, it is Makar Rashi till 4:01 pm on 28th May and then onwards Kumbha Rashi.

Hindu Festivals and Favorable Days –

Kali Yuga Year = 5118

Vikram Samvant 2073 – Jyeshta Krishna Paksha Saptami Tithi or the seventh day during the waning phase of moon in Jyeshta month in North Indian regions, including Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir.
 
Durmukhi name Samvatsar / Shalivahana Saka 1938 – It is Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Saptami Tithi in Vaishakh month in Indian states Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Durmukhi name Samvatsar / Shalivahana Saka 1938 – Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Sashti Tithi or the sixth day during the waning phase of Moon in the Vaishakh month in Maharashtra and Goa. (It is Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Sashti Tithi or the sixth day during the waning phase of Moon in the Vaishakh month till 7:09 am on 28 May. Then onward it is Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Saptami Tithi or the seventh day during the waning phase of moon in Vaishakh month). This time is applicable only in Indian western parts.
Vikram Samvant 2072 - Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Sashti Tithi or the sixth day during the waning phase of moon in Vaishakh month in Gujarat. This time is applicable only in western parts of India.

15th day of Vaikasi Masam in Tamil Calendar followed in Tamil Nadu. (Durmukhanama Year)
14th day of Edava Masam in Malayalam Calendar in Kerala. (Kolla Varsham 1191)
14th day of Jyeshta Month in Calendars followed in Assam and Bengal. (Bengali Year 1423)

Bad Period on  28 May, 2016

Rahukalam – 9:03 AM to 10:44 AM
Yamagandam – 2:04 PM to 3:44 PM
Gulikai – 5:43 AM to 7:23 AM
Durmuhurtham – 5:43 AM to 7:30 AM
Varjyam – 7:58 AM to 9:34 AM

Panchak (bad) – from 12:54 PM on 28 May, 2016.

Good Time on 28 May, 2016

Abhijita Muhurta – 12:00 PM to 12:48 PM
Amirta Kalam – 5:33 PM to 7:09 PM
Sarvartha Siddhi Yog – sunrise on May 27 to 1:16 AM on May 28
Amrita Siddhi Yog – not present
Dwipushkar Yog – sunrise on May 28 to 12:35 AM on May 29
Tripushkar Yog – not present

Yog – Aindra (good) till 9:26 PM on May 28. Then onward it is Vaidhriti (bad).

Karana – Vanija (good) till 7:09 AM. Then onward it is Vishti or Bhadra (bad) till 6:48 PM. Then onward it is Bava (good).

Rest all hours that are not part of Bad Period are Good time. When bad period overlaps into good period that much time of bad period should be eliminated from good period. Visit for more Hinduism Related blogs.

Hindu Festival Savitri Puja 2016 – Significance And Rituals

Vat (Bargad) tree Savitri Puja 2016, June 4th (Saturday)

In India, there are many fasts and rituals in Hindu religion for married ladies which they mainly perform for their husbands and family's prosperity. Vat Savitri Puja is one among of them. It is observed by the married women in almost Indian all parts with great dedication & devotion. This is special Vrat observed by married women for longevity of their darling husbands. This Hindu festival is dedicated to the famed married woman named Savitri who was succeeded to get back her dead beloved husband named Satyawaan by her crispy mortification.

Territorial Celebrations

The Hindu festival “Vat Savitri Puja” is celebrated across the nations, but mainly it is observed in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Orissa and Maharashtra. The married ladies of South India especially of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka observe this Hindu festival by another name “Karadaiyan Nonbu”.

Vat Savitri Puja Legends

The Puja or Vrat has been dedicated to Savitri, the brave wife of Satyawaan who won life of her dead husband.  Even the festival is named after the Indian married woman, Savitri as Savitri Puja or Vrat Savitri Puja. The legends associated with Vat Savitri Puja are as follows:

Savitri was the beautiful and charming daughter of King Aswapati of Madra Desa. She had chosen Satyawaan as her her husband who was a prince in deportation, living in the forest with his blind father Dyumatsen. The princess Savitri left the dignitaries of the palace and started to live in the Jungle with her husband the in-laws. She took all pains and started looking to all her responsibilities as a devoted wife and daughter in-law.

Unfortunately, one day Satyawaan fell down from a tree and expired in the lap of his darling wife, Savitri. As soon as Satyawaan died, Yamraj appeared to take away the spirit of Satyawaan from his body. But the profound actuated wife of Satyawaan, Savitri strongly pleaded and appealed to Yamraj for her husband's life. She cried and begged for not getting divided from her husband. If at all he would take away the spirit of her husband, she would also end her life. The God of death, Yamraj moved by the sheer determination and love of Savitri and returned her husband's life.

Thereafter, Satyawaan came back to his life again and lived happily. Like such Savitri achieved her husband’s life back with her dedication and devotion towards her husband.

Hindu Rituals

In Hindu religion, all the women observe this fast of Savitri Vrat Puja for their husband’s well being. Women worship the legendary Savitri as Goddess and observe fast for their husband’s long life. The festival begin before two days while few ladies fast for three continuous days.

Women wake up early in the morning and take bath and get ready as perfect married women with all necessary ornaments and clothes. Ladies wear new clothes, new bangles and apply bindi on forehead and vermilion on the hair parting-line. They fast for their husband’s health and well being in the future.

Savitri is worshiped on this day as a personification of the Goddess and Vat or Banyan trees is also equally revered on this day.

Vat Savitri Puja Significance

Vat Savitri Puja is all about the love and devotion of a wife to her husband. The festival is observed on the full moon day or No moon day of the Hindu month of Jyestha. Vat Savitri Vrat is observed for three days and nights.

It begins on the Trayodashi day (13th day of a lunar fortnight) and ends on Amavasi or Purnima. Now, women mainly observe fast on the main ritual day that is either Purnima or Amavasi of Jyestha month. Read Further about Savitiri Puja

Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2016 – Indian Hindu Festival

Puri Rath Yatra or Car Festival History

The most famous and awaited Hindu festival “Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra - 2016” will be celebrated on 6th July and the return car festival falls on 15th July this year. This festival is also known by the name of “Car festival”and “Chariot Festival”. It is the most famous Hindu festival in the state and country. People celebrate this festival by constructing and decorating the Raths or Chariot in early in the morning. The three Chariots highlighted in entire Yatra are pulled by strings. The chariot of Lord Jagannath which is 45.6 feet high that includes 18 wheels is referred as “Nandighosa”. The Balbhadra’s chariot is made up about 45 feet high with 16 wheels is called “Taladhvaja”, and the Chariot of Subhadra is known as “Devadalana” which has 14 wheels and 44.6 feet high. All these Chariots are decorated by local designers of Puri that showcases their enthusiasm for Jagannath Rath Yatra.

The most awaited Hinduism festival, which is usually celebrated in the month of June or July. It begins when the Chariot of Lord Jagannath together with his elder brother Balbhadra and sister Devi Subhadra are brought out on the main street of Puri is known as Bada Danda. Then the Chariots are taken to the Shri Gundicha temple to their aunt’s house where the deities revel the nine days stay and are served with sweet muffin.

Chhera Pahara is the most famous rite linked with the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2016. Through the festival, the Gajapati King sweeps all around the deities and chariots. He cleans the road with a broom (Gold – handled) and sprinkles sandalwood water and powder. According to custom and traditions, every devotee is equal be it the King or commoner in the eye of Lord Jagannath. This rite is held on two days, firstly on the Puri Rath Yatra when three deities go to their aunt’s house and lastly on the day when they are brought back to the Jagannath Puri temple.

The deities stay for a period of nine days at Gundicha temple and enjoy vacations in the house of their aunt. On their way while coming back to the temple, the deities are offered Poda Pitha when their Chariots halt at the Mausi Maa temple. This Sweet is a kind of baked cake that is meant to be consumed by the poor sections only. The enjoyment and observation of the Puri Rath Yatra Festival date back to the period of the Puranas and the descriptions of the same can be found in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, and Kapila Samhita.

The Puri Rath Yatra Festival is a significant event that is witnessed by various tourists both foreigners and Indians. During the Rath Yatra, Puri is colored in the most flaming paint of sheer joy and pleasure and is joined with devotees who wish to pay their honor to the deities and get their blessings. Visit here for further information

Top 10 iconic placesoutside India, where Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated 

Indian Haunted Raj Kiran Hotel Lonavla Maharashtra

In the world, you have heard various stories about many haunted hotels or mansions. Where ghosts or spirits disturb the people or haunts for a long time. There are also many haunted places or hotels in India. The Raj Kiran Hotel, Lonavla, Maharashtra is one of them where some paranormal activities exist. In this hotel, there is only room where the Ghost haunts. Most of the time, this room is kept vacant even during picking season.

This room is on the ground floor behind the reception in a corner. To stay in this room at night is really a creepy stuff. A terrible silence preponderates always in the room. Once a honeymoon couple stayed in this room. According to their views, each and every moment they felt the presence of something supernatural. Every time someone was present there to observe them. In another paranormal incident that sounds funny, but not in reality. In the midnight, someone pulled off the bed sheet from a guest. This incident made her extremely terrified. The lady guest made her husband woke up and searched the room everywhere.  But the room was locked and no one was there. They complained to reception and without saying anything they changed their room.

Among many happenings where some people almost have gone mad after seeing ghostly figures in that room. Some of them also told about the scary blue light on their feet. They had gone under psychiatric treatment after those horrible experiences to come back into normal daily life. Read further