Saturday, November 30, 2024

2025 Chandra Darshan: Date, Time, Rituals

2025 Chandra Darshan: Date, Time, Rituals

Get Spiritual on the New Moon: Chandra Darshan 2025

Chandra Darshan, which denotes the moon's sight for the first time after Amavasya (dark of the moon), is one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. In 2025, Chandra Darshan will fall on Thursday, January 30. This day allows devotees to commune with celestial energies and seek blessings for prosperity and peace. 
Chandra Darshan


Purpose of Chandra Darshan

Chandra Dev is esteemed in Hinduism, as the moon symbolizes calmness, emotional balance, and steady mental health. One who sees the first crescent also spiritually benefits gains soul purification, and clears many obstacles in life.

This offering is highly treasured by those looking to escape the negative repercussions of planetary positions because Chandra Dev is seen as an alleviator of troubles and a precursor of positivity.


Rituals observe the Chandra Darshan: 

  • Fasting for Purity: Devotees fast during the whole day and keep themselves engaged in prayers and meditation and then only break their fast after seeing the moon.
  • Worship of Chandra Dev: Offerings to Moon God include: milk, water, white flowers, as well as chanting or repeating prayers and mantras such as Chandra Gayatri Mantra to receive blessings through his worship. 
  • Offering Arghya: Throwing water or milk towards the moon is an abstract feature of acknowledging respect and appreciation. 
  • Charitable acts: Giving away white foods like rice or sugar to poor people is highly auspicious.

On it: auspicious timings for Chandra Darshan 2025 

  •   January 1, 2025, Wednesday           05:36 PM to 06:53 PM         01 Hour 17 Mins
  •  January 30, 2025, Thursday            05:59 PM to 06:51 PM         00 Hours 52 Mins
  •  March 1, 2025, Saturday                 06:21 PM to 07:51 PM         01 Hour 30 Mins
  •  March 30, 2025, Sunday                 06:38 PM to 07:45 PM         01 Hour 07 Mins
  •  April 28, 2025, Monday                  06:55 PM to 07:43 PM         00 Hours 48 Mins
  •  May 28, 2025, Wednesday               07:12 PM to 08:53 PM        01 Hour 40 Mins 
  •  June 26, 2025, Thursday                  07:23 PM to 08:33 PM         01 Hour 10 Mins
  •  July 26, 2025, Saturday                    07:16 PM to 08:29 PM         01 Hour 14 Mins
  •  August 24, 2025, Sunday                  06:51 PM to 07:29 PM         00 Hours 38 Mins
  •  September 23, 2025, Tuesday           06:16 PM to 06:53 PM          00 Hours 37 Mins
  •  October 23, 2025, Thursday             05:43 PM to 06:29 PM          00 Hours 46 Mins
  •  November 22, 2025, Saturday           05:25 PM to 06:39 PM        01 Hour 14 Mins
  •  December 21, 2025, Sunday              05:29 PM to 06:24 PM         00 Hours 55 Mins

Chandrashtami Celebrations at Home 

Light a diya and incense sticks making this area quiet enough for prayers. 
Chant peaceful mantras such as ''Om Som Somaya Namah'' to invoke the blessings of Chandra Dev. 
Let the family be part of moon gazing and reflect on the cool presence as a moment of gratitude.


Story of Chandra Darshan

Tales of Chandra Darshan has its roots in the ancient Vedas. It is further considered a mythological celebration. The worship of Chandra basically considers the Moon, or Chandra Dev, as a celestial body and deity within Hinduism. It represents emotions, fertility, wealth, prosperity, etc. Chandra is described as a beautiful god riding a chariot drawn by ten white horses to represent purity and serenity.

Mythological Background In fact, in Hindu mythology, Chandra is considered a progenitor of considerable beings, associated in close conjuncture with soma, the medicinal herb, which granted immortality to even the gods. Chandra Dev is also mentioned regarding Daksha Prajapati's curse, which happened to curse Chandra after marrying Daksha's twenty-seven daughters (the nakshatras), who became angry with him because he favored a particular one-Rohini. Daksha, angry about this, then cursed him to have a decreasing count, and later on with Brahma's advice, Chandra started worshipping Lord Shiva, who partially relieved it by allowing him to wax and wane.

Symbolism of Chandra Darshan The first glimpse of the moon after Amavasya is auspicious. It brings the symbolism of a new beginning and rejuvenation of energies. When a devotee sees the crescent of the moon, he is reminded of the cyclic process of life that one has to go through phases of growth and decline, hence learning to balance one's emotions-symbolized by Chandra.

Worshipping Chandra Dev on Chandra Darshan is believed to overcome the struggles in one's life, placate one's emotional turmoil, and assure peace everywhere, which complements the soothing presence of the moon at night.


Advocacy for Joining Chandra Darshan

Chandra Darshan provides a retreat from the world's stress, a time to realign one's energies with nature's. This day brings positive energy, puts mental clarity into action, and renews the spirit, making it a spiritually raising experience for everyone.

Come to receive the divinity of Chandra Darshan 2025 by letting this energy straight from the heavens soothe your life.

Let yourself be ready to see that beautiful crescent moon and join in a century-old tradition made just for the purpose of devotion!

Frequently Ask Questions

What do you mean by Chandra Darshan?
 
In short, it refers to the new crescent moon's first sight as witnessed after Amavasya. It is something auspicious in Hinduism and is seen with a reference to renewal and new beginnings.

Why is Chandra Darshan important in Hinduism?

The moon is worshipped as Chandra Dev, which symbolizes sociopathy, prosperity, and balance in the universe. Thus, observing Chandra Darshan brings peace and emotional stability along with prosperity into one's life.

What rituals are performed on Chandra Darshan?

Fasting, prayers, lighting lamps for Chandra Dev, and offering milk, rice, and flowers while reciting hymns and mantras associated with the moon deity are all self-explanatory.

What most mythological story goes behind Chandra Darshan?

According to Hindu mythology, after Daksha Prajapati cursed Chandra Dev for favoring one of his wives, Rohini, by worshiping Lord Shiva, the curse was softened so that the phases of the moon continued with waxing and waning. The moon also takes part in measuring the time of cosmic cycles.


Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Vivah Panchami 2024: Date, Rituals, Significance

Vivah Panchami 2024: Date, Rituals, Significance 

The Year 2024 marks the celebration of Vivah Panchami on Friday, 6th December. The day involves the adoration of Lord Rama and Sita who are first worshipped and revered in all the places as their wedding takes tremendous religious importance, especially in Ayodhya and Janakpur, in the country of Nepal. The worshippers perform an act of marriage, pray, and, within a marriage, there are normally blessed effigies, singing, and other festivities in the temples of Rama.

https://bharatpractice.blogspot.com/2024/11/who-was-birsa-munda-tribal-hero-freedom.html

Date

Vivah Panchami on Friday, December 6, 2024

  •  Date & Time Begins - 12:49 PM on Dec 05, 2024
  •  Date & Time Ends - 12:07 PM on Dec 06, 2024
Although the day is set aside for an auspicious marriage, superstitions discourage attending or performing a real marriage on this date. It originates from the incident in the epic of Ramayana when Lord Rama and Sita were married, people believe on this date, marriages held may have similar problems – invocations, how do you say oppression, suffering? – that may be faced by the couple bound in marriage.


Rituals

Vivah Panchami is a festival that celebrates the celestial union of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, reenacting the wedding scenes as narrated in the epic Ramayana. Here is a brief description of the major activities:
  • Ceremonial processions, dances, and plays: The celebrations consist of processions and enactments of the marriage of Rama and Sita. These are usually organized by artists in temples and cultural centers to dramatize the events.
  • Reciting texts or singing hymns: Worshippers make recitations from the Ramayana and chant Vedic mantras. Also, special devotional songs and musical prayers praising Lord Rama and Sita are sung with the intention of creating pure devotion.
  • Temple Activities and Rituals: The temples are lighted and decorated with flowers and other items, as devotees bring cakes, groceries, and other offerings to the gods. The rituals also involve washing and changing the dressing of the statues into brides and a wedding taking place in the Hindu manner.
  • Going Without Food and Helping Others: Some followers go without food and engage in charitable acts like feeding or clothing the less fortunate for the sake of spiritual benefit.
These customs celebrate the qualities of Lord Rama and Sita and provide illustrations of love, fidelity, and devotion.


Importance of Vivah Panchami:

Vivah Panchami, the day when Lord Rama and Devi Sita got married held great spiritual and cultural significance and signifies the idealism of love, devotion, and responsibilities. Such a day of celebration is performed with utmost faith and fervor, especially in regions linked to the epic story of Ramayana like that of Ayodhya and Janakpur.
  • Inclusion of Marriage within the Definition of Union is Bonded: The wedlock between Rama and Sita exemplifies the highest order of union that is bonded by dharma and bhakti. This describes how married couples should interact with one another, how virtues should be the foundation of trust, and how self-respect is critical in a marriage.
  • Worship approaches Dusshera celebrations – the Vivah Pancami deepens the people's devotion to the Lord-Rama. It is the occasion when the devotees worship their Lord Rama offer prayers and perform certain rituals hoping to get peace and joy in familial bonds.
  • Importance in Temples and Societies: This enhances the cultural practices as temples and people come together and act the wedding out in the cooperation of the devotees, bringing about oneness and spiritual pleasure in the devotees' active participation.
Vivaha Panchami also highlights the need to walk upon the righteous path and honor the supreme love and best virtue- the love of God and goodness.


Vivah Panchami: What is the story behind it?

Vivaha Panchami marks the auspicious day of Lord Ram and Sita’s wedding – an episode that has been wonderfully narrated in the epic Ramayan. As per the legend, Sita was first found by King Janak of Mithila as a little girl while he was on ritualistic plowing of the ground. Considering this divine child as a blessing, he detained her, treating them as his own. However, after Sita matured, Janaka declared that whoever does the awe-inspiring feats of archery and strings the bow of the great Lord Shiva will receive the daughter in marriage.

Many princes from many kingdoms tried their luck but in vain. It was only when Rama the son of Dasharatha came with his brother Laxman and sage Vishwamitra to Mithila, that Rama lifted the bow, strung it too, and even broke it. This act was by the terms laid down by Janaka and the marriage ceremony of Rama and Sita was performed grandly. This day is also known as Vivah Panchami after the celebration of this sacred marriage which represents love, trust, and duties.


Frequently Ask Questions

What is the significance of Vivah Panchami? 

Vivah Panchami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the heavenly marriage of Lord Rama and Sita as described in the ancient epic Ramayana. It occurs on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Waxing Moon (Shukla Paksha) fortnight of Margashirsha month.

For what reasons do people celebrate Vivah Panchami? 

This occasion thus symbolizes those virtues and principles that the union of Rama and Sita epitomizes. It is a day when devotees come forward to look for blessings for a happy and prosperous married life.

How is the festival of Vivah Panchami celebrated in Ayodhya and Janakpur? 

Massive processions and weddings are also conducted in Janakpur, a region of Nepal believed to be Sita's birthplace. In Ayodhya, the faithful take part in special functions, chant bhajans, recite portions of the Ramayana, and reconstruct the images of the celestial wedding with utmost respect and purity.

What traditions are observed on Vivah Panchami? 

Most devotees participate in a mimicry of the marriage, where they offer prayers, adorn the temples, and participate in the kirtan. The couple also offers prayers in the hopes of having an everlasting and peaceful marriage inspired by the love story of Rama and Sita.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Dev Deepawali 2024, Date, Rituals, Significance

Dev Deepawali 2024, Date, Rituals, Significance

To The Festival of the Gods, otherwise dubbed Dev Deepawali, tour -take careful steps and plan your trip. A divine-looking eve it was promoted at the occasions of pilgrimage on 14th November 2020 Puritan This fest focuses on 15 days of intense celebration of Diwali is celebrated on the prominent festival day known as Kartik Purnima which is especially celebrated to its zenith in the city of Varanasi. Dev Deepawali is when the narrative of Lord Shiva slaying the demon Tripurasura is celebrated. The other myth associated with this celebration states that the Gods come down to the earth on the day to celebrate the victory.

Date & Time

Dev Deepavali on Friday (Date)         -  November 15, 2024
Dev Deepavali Muhurat (Time)          - 05:10 PM to 07:47 PM
  • Duration                                      - 02 Hours 37 Mins
  • Purnima Tithi Begins                - 06:19 AM on Nov 15, 2024
  • Purnima Tithi Ends                  - 02:58 AM on Nov 16, 2024
Dev Deepawali 2024
https://bharatpractice.blogspot.com/2024/10/who-is-boy-with-ratan-tata.html

Rituals

Dev Deepawali is celebrated on the day of Kartik Purnima, and it is associated with the following rituals and traditions:
  • Holy Bath (Kartik Snan): This takes place in the morning hours as the people believe it is the right time to take a holy dip into the Ganges River since it carries auspiciousness and is spiritually cleansing.
  • Deepdaan: This ritual involves lighting and placing thousands of earthen lamps (diyas) in the river, lighting the ghats, and creating a dazzling and heavenly sight. This is done to welcome the gods, who are believed to come down from above.
  • Ganga Aarti: In the evening, a grand Ganga Aarti is held by the River Ganges, on the banks of Varanasi. Traditionally dressed priests sing hymns while swaying with big kerosene lamps in their hands, while the worshippers are also singing prayers and lighting additional lamps.
  • Puja and Offerings: For health and wealth, devotees conducted pujas and offered to the gods, especially at Lord Shiva and the heavenly Ganga.
  • Cultural Events: The rejoicing often takes an extra dimension where there are cultural programs, music, and dances together with fireworks.
The entire ambiance on the ghats during the occasion of Dev Deepawali is of devotion light and spirituality.

Significance:

Dev Deepawali, more popularly referred to as "The Festival Of Lights For The Gods", is a festival that is steeped in a lot of history and meaning. It is commemorated on the day of Kartik Purnima in the Hindu calendar as a celebration of the defeat of Lord Shiva's enemy Tripurasura – the demon – good emerging victorious over evil. This too is the period when it is said that the gods and goddesses are submerged in the holy Ganga, and as the thousands of flames of diyas lit on the banks of Varanasi ghats are many, the place is so high up inspiring and pleasing.

The sadhanas and celebrations associated with Dev Deepawali are filled with devotion toward the process of Divine Energies, Purification, and Gratitude. The religious environment it encourages brings hopeful pilgrims to Varanasi, where spirituality and warmth are believed to embody goodness and wealth
One such festival is Dev Deepawali which plays a significant role in enhancing the divine beauty of a city with spirituality at its core, Varanasi. It is celebrated fifteen days after Diwali, which lasts on Kartik Purnima making the day all about people worshipping the gods and goddesses. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that on this day, the gods descend to the Earth to have a bath in the Ganges River, which is why such extravagant ceremonies take place.

Two important events depict the significance of Dev Deepawali – one, the sight of kasha batti dhwaja on the ghat and two the thousands of earthen lamps (diyas) lighting up the entire stretch of the Ganga Ghats. This pictorial view expresses the end of the night and the beginning of divine intervention. This festival is not only to rejoice in Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura but also a calendar moment for devotees to internalize the grace and abundance of the divine through rituals and prayers seeking benevolence, health, and prosperity.

Story

Dev Deepawali, aka "The Festival of Lights of the Gods," falls on Kartik Purnima, which is 15 days after the festival of Diwali. This festival is of great importance not only concerning the outer calendar but also the inner gallery and myths associated particularly with that city and its people – Varanasi. The history of Dev Deepawali is based on the defeat of Lord Shiva's enemy Tripurasura. As per Hindu beliefs, the demon Tripurasura had created disarray in all the three lokas and it was after Lord Shiva vanquished him that normalcy was reinstated. Dev Deepawali marks the occasion of this great war.

On this day people believe that all gods and goddesses come down to earth to take a holy dip in the sacred Ganga and purify it and the people as well. The occasion includes lighting millions of clay pots filled with oil and placing them on the steps of Rivers Ganges which is the sight divine. People also do Ganga Aarti pray and perform some other activities to celebrate this. People thank God and pray for Her for health and wealth and for all evil to leave the North.

Frequently Ask Questions

What exactly is meant by Dev Deepawali? 

Dev Deepawali, translated as “God's Diwali”, falls on a festival day known as Kartik Purnima which is celebrated exactly fifteen days after Diwali. It commemorates the triumph of Lord Shiva over Tripurasura, the most feared demon of all, and is widely celebrated in the city of Varanasi.

How important is the observance of Dev Deepawali in Varanasi? 

Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is indeed celebrated with pomp and grandeur because it is said that on this day all the gods and goddesses come to the steps of the river Ganga to shower their blessings on the devotees. The steps are decorated with many earthen pots filled with oil and lit wick; hence the inside of the pot is covered with the wick of cotton cloth.

What are the Dos and Don’ts when performing Dev Deepawali? 

Some of the main puja activities are providing incense, lighting diyas on the banks of the river, performing Ganga Aarti in adorned gritty water, and bathing in the Ganges at those specific times. The Deity is also worshipped along with rituals for the Health and Wealth of the devotees.

Where does this story of how Deepawali is celebrated is situated in the calendar year?

Dev Deepawali is celebrated on the day of Kartik Purnima which is usually in November that is within fifteen days of the completion of Diwali celebrations as sequenced in the Hindu’s lunar calendar.