tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11568885348808515132024-03-05T21:39:40.116-08:00Hindu faith - Hinduism | Spiritual Practice | Hindu Mythology | Hindu Religion DharmaHindu faith - The blog to get all information about Hinduism and spiritual facts | Details of hindu religion | Concepts of Hindu | Hindu Mythology | Hindu Spiritual practices | Hindu festivals.Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-44526815903052996892011-08-29T23:58:00.000-07:002011-08-29T23:59:02.975-07:00Vinayagar Chathurthi - Ganesh Chathurthi 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sriselvavinayagar.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/vinayaka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.sriselvavinayagar.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/vinayaka.jpg" width="155" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ganesha Chaturthi or Vinayaga Chaturthis as it is also known, is the Hindu festival which celebrates Lord Ganesha’s birthday, an offspring of Lord Shiva and Parvati, it is observed in the month of Bhaadrapada and the date usually falls between 20th August and !5th September and lasts for a total of 10 days.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ganesh chaturthi</span></b></span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> is a very sacred and auspicious occasion. It is one of the most sacred and believed festivals among Hindus. </span><span style="font-size: small;">The earliest Ganesha Chaturthi puja were recorded way back in the time of the reigns of the Satvahan, Rashtrakuta and the Chalukya dynasties.</span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"> Lord Ganesha is known as the God of prosperity and wisdom.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">he birth of Lord Ganesha is celebrated massively in various hindu communities. </span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Lord ganesha is worshipped before the worshipping of other Gods and Goddesses. He is worshipped all over <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> before getting started for any auspicious occasion. </span><span style="font-size: small;">The festival is known for its community participation and involvement of people from all walks of life irrespective of their religion or culture; these 10 days include various religious and intellectually motivated activities. Huge public installations of idols of Ganesha which at times can be as big as 25 feet are a very integral part of the overall celebrations.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">Ganesha chaturthi is celebrated massively throughout <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. This occasion is happened to fall month of Bhadrapada as per the Hindu calendar. The festival is initiated on the Shukla chaturthi.</span><span style="font-size: small;">..Priests clad in robes of red silk, as a symbol, invoke life in the statues by chanting mantras and then coconuts, jaggery, grass blades and red flowers are given as offerings. The statues are then decorated with paste made from Sandalwood& Kumkum...</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is a specific and special weet dish for this festival is the Modak which is basically a kind of a jaggerynut kind made from flour and fresh dry coconut, dry fruits etc.</span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;">The Vinayakar Chathurthi (Ganesh Chathurthi) 2011 is a much awaited festival. The occasion of ganesh chaturathi 2011 would combine all the people from various casts to join together and be a part of this occasion. This festival holds a special significance among the Hindus. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>விநாயகர்:</u></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 - வாக்குண்டாம் நல்ல மனமுண்டாம்</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">மாமலராள் நோக்குண்டாம்</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">மேனி நுடங்காது-பூக்கொண்டு</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">துப்பார் திருமேனித்</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">தும்பிக்கையான் பாதம்</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">தப்பாமல் சார்வார் தமக்கு</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 - கணபதி என்றிடக் கலங்கும் வல்வினை</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">கணபதி என்றிடக் காலனும் கைதொழும்</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">கணபதி என்றிடக் கருமம் ஆதலால்</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">கணபதி என்றிடக் கவலை தீருமே</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The festival is similarly celebrated all across the world with major celebrations in UK, USA and Canada with people wishing each other ‘Happy Ganesh chaturthi’ </span></div></div>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-70685276867357831372011-06-15T01:16:00.000-07:002011-06-15T01:42:50.053-07:00Vasantha Panchami - Most auspicious day to worship goddess<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.mypanchang.com/images/saraswati.jpg" /> </div>The beauty of Hinduism is that there are numerous opportunities for people to thank gods for various reasons throughout one.s life. This could be for rain, sunshine, wind, wealth, health, and for everything that humans enjoy in their life. There are numerous stories in the Hindu scriptures that emphasize the importance of worshipping gods and goddesses before starting a new task. That.s why Hindu calendar is filled with festivals and special occasions. Vasanth Panchami is one of those special occasions on which Hindus worship the goddess of education, Saraswathi Devi. </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b>Saraswathi Devi</b></h2><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Saraswathi Devi is the wife of Lord Brahma, the creator and one of the Trinity gods. The other two are Lord Vishnu, the proprietor, and Lord Shiva, the destroyer. Saraswathi Devi is the goddess of vidya(education). It is her blessings that make on a writer, poet, orator, and an expert in any field of study. That.s why Hindus often refer to an expert in a field of study as .Saraswathi Puthra/ Puthri..</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On this day Saraswathi Devi is worshipped at temples and homes. People get ready in the morning and place books in front of Saraswathi Devi, and perform Shodasha Upachara Pooja to the goddess. After the pooja everyone takes the prashad(holy food offered to Saraswathi Devi) and children start reading and writing for the first time under the guidance of a teacher or parents. Saraswathi Devi is worshipped all along the year whenever any educational task is started at any time of the year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Arrival of Spring Season</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vasanth Panchami is also the arrival of spring season. From this day onwards trees start blossoming with new leaves and buds. Spring season marks the arrival of new life not only in Hindu tradition but in all traditions faiths. The hidden meaning of new life is that high and low times are cyclical and there is always light after darkness. Further, life and death are inevitable to every kind of life on this earth, and one must always remain hopeful of better time in spite of difficulties and challenges.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Kama Deva- The god of desire and passion</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Spring time is also an occasion to offer prayers to Kama Deva, who is the god of love and desire. Obviously, beautiful springtime colors in nature create a mood for passion and desire. Kama Deva is responsible for creating passion and desire, which encourages male and female forms to unify and create new life. The act of creating new life is regarded as very important in attaining God through Karma Yoga. In Hindu way of life creation is regarded as .Yagna.(worship of gods through fire). However, gaining control over Kama is highly important for every human being to perform Karma Yoga in a balanced manner. Due to this significance, people consider Vasanth Panchami an auspicious day for marriages and to perform the .gruhasthashrama dharma. (married life) through Karma Yoga.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div align="center"><i>Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha|<br />
Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasana||<br />
Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha|<br />
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa||</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, make sure to take time and worship the goddess of education, Sarawsathi Devi on this day and get her blessing for a good education!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">||Saraswathee Namasthubhayam||</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Courtesy : Pundit Srinivas Khedam</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></div>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-82840965354669315892011-06-15T01:07:00.000-07:002011-06-15T01:18:15.998-07:00Lunar Eclipse - Chandira Grahan - Information<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>What is Lunar eclipse? (Chandira Grahan)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">From our perspective on Earth, two types of eclipses occur: lunar, the blocking of the Moon by Earth's shadow, and solar, the obstruction of the Sun by the Moon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSg7jjkJyuO1zMZYYGXpSKlnRPugXz42BQZCHJZYsaCKz7TzWVqgQ&t=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSg7jjkJyuO1zMZYYGXpSKlnRPugXz42BQZCHJZYsaCKz7TzWVqgQ&t=1" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When the Moon passes between Sun and Earth, the lunar shadow is seen as a solar eclipse on Earth. When Earth passes directly between Sun and Moon, its shadow creates a lunar eclipse. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lunar eclipses can only happen when the Moon is opposite the Sun in the sky, a monthly occurrence we know as a full Moon. But lunar eclipses do not occur every month because the Moon's orbit is tilted five degrees from Earth's orbit around the Sun. Without the tilt, lunar eclipses would occur every month.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lunar and solar eclipses occur with about equal frequency. Lunar eclipses are more widely visible because Earth casts a much larger shadow on the Moon during a lunar eclipse than the Moon casts on Earth during a solar eclipse. As a result, you are more likely to see a lunar eclipse than a solar eclipse. The full Moon casts its shadow on Earth's surface during a total solar eclipse.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chandra Grahan, a total lunar eclipse, will be visible in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu from June 15 night to the early hours of June 16, 2011. The time in Chennai is from 11:53 PM on June 15 to 03:32 AM early morning on June 16, 2011 – as per Indian standard time. The Chandra Grahanam will be visible in Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Kannyakumari, Rameshwaram, Pondicherry Srirangam, Dindugal, Pollachi, and other towns. Hindu Panchangams have marked this grahan and therefore those observing certain rituals have to follow them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="body" style="text-align: justify;">On account of lunar eclipse on Wednesday (June 15), the ‘Sayatchai kala puja' would be performed at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and the doors would be closed at 7 p.m., after which there would be no darshan for the public. According to a temple press note, the eclipse would be begin at 11.50 p.m. and ‘grahana kala abhishekam' would be performed at 1.42 a.m. The eclipse would conclude at 3.34 a.m., after which as usual, the ‘Tiruvanandhal puja' would be performed at 5 a.m.</div></div>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-17739414134896587912009-04-13T19:04:00.001-07:002009-04-13T19:05:59.675-07:00TAMIL NEW YEAR - Virothi AanduThe month of <b>Chitthirai</b> has arrived and with it the Tamil New Year’s Day;<b> April 14th</b> – an occasion for celebration for Tamilians all over the world. Greetings of<i><b> “Puthandu Vazthukal”</b>, </i>(Happy New Year), are exchanged with fervour on this day, which is supposedly the day when <b>Lord Brahma</b> (The Creator of the world, according to Hindu mythology) started creation. <p><img src="http://www.chennaibest.com/discoverchennai/citylifestyle/img/panchangam.jpg" alt="Almanac for the year 2001-02" align="right" width="230" height="180" hspace="8" />The day starts with viewing the 'kanni' (the auspicious sight) at dawn, in the expectation that beginning the New Year by looking at auspicious or favourable things will bring good fortune throughout the year. The auspicious things include, gold and silver jewellery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. This is followed by the ritual bath and a visit to the temple to pray for a prosperous and happy New Year. After which, the <i><b>Panchangam</b></i><b> (almanac) </b>is read. The ladies adorn the entrances of their houses with<i> </i> <i><b>‘Kolam’</b></i> (design made with rice flour) and deck the doorway with mango leaves. A grand Car Festival is held at <b>Tiruvadamarudur</b> near <b>Kumbakonam </b>every year on April 14<sup>th</sup>. Also during the month of Chitthirai the marriage of <b>Goddess Meenakshi</b> to <b>Lord Sundareswarar</b> is celebrated as ‘Chitthirai festival’.</p> <p>The highlight of the festival is the <b>'Maanga Pachadi' </b>(a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers), which is at the same time sweet, sour and bitter. This signifies all the different aspects of our life.</p> <p>April 14th also happens to be the Bengali New Year Day, <i><b>Naba Barsha,</b></i> which begins with the <i><b>‘Prabhat Pheries’</b></i><b> </b>(an early morning procession) with songs and dances welcoming the New Year. In Kerala <i><b>‘Vishu’ </b></i>is celebrated by Malayalees commemorating the beginning of the astronomical New Year in the Malayalam Calendar.</p><p><br /></p><p>Courtesy: http://www.chennaibest.com/discoverchennai/citylifestyle/feature14.asp<br /></p>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-3942470302497916112009-04-13T19:02:00.000-07:002009-04-13T19:03:27.054-07:00Hindu Cyclic System of YearsThe Tamils also considered an average life cycle of a human-being as 60 years, and reckoned a "Cyclic System of Years" based on same provided with different names for each year falling within this cycle. The Year Cycle repeats itself in every 60 years. The names of the sixty years of this cycle are as follows.<br /><br />(1) Pirapava Aandu<br />(2) Vipava Aandu<br />(3) Sukla Aandu<br />(4) Piramothuutha Aandu<br />(5) Pirasotpaththi Aandu<br />(6) Aangeerasa Aandu<br />(7) Srimuha Aandu<br />(8) Pava Aandu<br />(9) Yuva Aandu<br />(10) Thaathu Aandu<br />(11) Eeswara Aandu<br />(12) Vehuthaaniya Aandu<br />(13) Piramaathi Aandu<br />(14) Vikrama Aandu<br />(15) Visha Aandu<br />(16) Chitirabaanu Aandu<br />(17) Subaanu Aandu<br />(18) Thaarana Andu<br />(19) Paarththipa Aandu<br />(20) Viya Aandu<br />(21) Sarvasiththu Aandu<br />(22) Sarvathaari Aandu<br />(23) Virothi Aandu<br />(24) Vikruthi Aandu<br />(25) Kara Aandu<br />(26) Nanthana Aandu<br />(27) Vijaya Aandu<br />(28) Jaya Aandu<br />(29) Manmatha Aandu<br />(30) Thunmuki Aandu<br />(31) Hovilambi Aandu<br />(32) Vilambi Aandu<br />(33) Vikaari Aandu<br />(34) Saarvari Aandu<br />(35) Pilava Aandu<br />(36) Subakiruthu Aandu<br />(37) Sobakiruthu Aandu<br />(38) Kurothi Aandu<br />(39) Visuvaasuva Aandu<br />(40) Paraapava Aandu<br />(41) Pilavanga Aandu<br />(42) Keelaka Aandu<br />(43) Soumiya Aandu<br />(44) Saathaarana Aandu<br />(45) Virothikiruthu Aandu<br />(46) Parithaapi Aandu<br />(47) Piramaatheesa Aandu<br />(48) Aanantha Aandu<br />(49) Raatchasa Aandu<br />(50) Nala Aandu<br />(51) Pingala Aandu<br />(52) Kaalayukthi Aandu<br />(53) Siththaarththi Aandu<br />(54) Rouththri Aandu<br />(55) Thunmathi Aandu<br />(56) Thunththupi Aandu<br />(57) Ruthrothkaari Aandu<br />(58) Rakthaatchi Aandu<br />(59) Kurothana Aandu<br />(60) Atsaya Aandu<br /><br />According to the above Cyclic System of Years, the Tamil New Year the "Thaarana Aandu" dawns on the first day of the Chiththirai Thingal, which is the 13th of April 2004.<br /><br />However some claim this New Year is of a Hindu System (astronamically), and the Tamil New year actually falls on the 14th of January with the dawn of the Tamil month of Thai. <br /><br />Courtesy : http://forumhub.mayyam.com/hub/viewlite.php?t=1767Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-79965991342833464632009-04-13T18:59:00.000-07:002009-04-13T19:02:19.861-07:00Seasonal Significance of the Tamil New YearThe Tamils have divided an Aandu in to six seasons based on the climatic conditions in Tamil Nadu. They are namely the, <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ilavenil Kaalam </span>: mild sunny period : Chiththirai, Vahasi - Thingal <br />: mid April to mid June <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Muthuvenil Kaalam </span>: intense sunny period : Aani, Aadi - Thingal <br />: mid June to mid August <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kaar Kaalam </span>: cloudy rainy Period : Aavani, Purataasi - Thingal <br />: mid August to mid October <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kuthir Kaalam </span>- cold period : Iyppassi, Kaarthihai - Thingal <br />: mid October to mid December <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Munpani Kaalam</span> - early misty period (evening dew): Maarkali, Thai - Thingal<br />: mid December to mid February <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pinpani Kaalam </span>- late misty period (morning dew): Maasi, Panguni - Thingal <br />: mid February to mid April <br /><br />The beginning of the Ilavenil Kaalam of the Tamils coincides with the beginning of the Sun moving into the Meda Veedu or Rasi, which falls in mid April, and is the time of commencement of the Tamil month of Chitthirai.<br /><br /><span style="color: indigo;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The dawn of the month of Chiththirai is the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">dawn of the Ilavenil Kaalam, a period of mild sun with much light and less humid wind known to be very soothing and refreshing and was known as "Thentral Kaatru" to Tamils</span>.</span> </span><br /><br />This might be the very reason the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tamil Saiva Saint of Tamil Nadu namely the Thirunaavukkarsu Nayanaar of the late sixth and early seventh century</span>, equated the pleasure of being at the feet of God Siva - is as good as the "blowing Thentral Kaatru during the extended Ilavenil Kaalam", showing the great delight the Tamils had during the Ilavenil Kaalam.<br /><br />"Maasil veenaiyum maalai mathiyamum <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">veesu thentralum veengu Ilavenilum</span> <br />moosu vandari poikaiyum pontrathe <br />Eesan enthai inai adi nilale" <br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: indigo;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hence it is clear the Tamils selected the dawn of the Tamil New Year with the beginning of the</span></span> <span style="color: darkred;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Ilavenil Kaalam",</span></span> <span style="color: indigo;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">being also the time the Sun just enters the</span></span><span style="color: darkred;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Meda Veedu"</span></span> <span style="color: indigo;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">and the beginning of the</span></span><span style="color: darkred;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> "Meenkal Suttru" (Natchaththira cycle) </span></span><span style="color: indigo;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">commencing with</span></span><span style="color: darkred;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> "Acchuvini".</span></span> <span style="color: indigo;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The dawn of the New Year was referred to as the</span> </span><span style="color: darkred;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Puthiya Aandu Pirappu" or "Varudha Pirappu"</span></span>, <span style="color: indigo;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">and the starting month of the New Year was called as the </span></span><span style="color: darkred;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Chiththirai Thingal" or Matham.<br /><br /></span>Courtesy : http://forumhub.mayyam.com/hub/viewlite.php?t=1767<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-18386026920658374692009-04-13T18:56:00.000-07:002009-04-13T18:58:39.001-07:00Significance of the Tamil New Year - Hindu AstronomicalThe Earth travels in an eliptical path around the Sun through 360 degrees (Paakai in Tamil), and the time period for one such complete travel around the Sun (Suriyan in Tamil) is called an Year (Aandu in Tamil).<br /><br />The circumferance of the eliptical path traced by the Earth (Ulaham in Tamil) having the Sun as the central point - are divided into twelve arcs, and the angular segments traced by each arc measuring 30 degress is called a House (Veedu in Tamil or Rasi in Sanskrit). Thus the earth passes through twelve Houses in an year.<br /><br />In actual fact, it is the Earth which enters each Houses at any given time. But for us who live on the Earth it appears as if the Sun is moving (relative Motion), <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and we very loosely say that the <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Sun travels through the twelve Houses".</span> </span><br /><br />The twelve Houses are named as, <br /><br />(1) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Meda Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(2) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Idapa Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(3) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mithuna Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(4) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kataka Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(5) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Singa Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(6) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kanni Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(7) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thula Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(8) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Virutchika Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(9) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanu Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(10) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Makara Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(11) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kumba Veedu </span>or Rasi <br />(12) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Meena Veedu </span>or Rasi<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Sun (that appears to be moving)</span></span> in to Meda Veedu or Rasi, is taken as the starting point of it's next complete cycle throught the twelve Veeduhal.<br /><br />The period of travel of the Sun in each Veedu or Rasi is known as a <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Thingal"</span>- a Month (also known as Matham in Tamil and Masa in Sanskrit). Hence for the Sun to travel through the twelve Veedus or Rasis to complete one cycle, it takes twelve Thingals which is known as an <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Aandu"</span> - a Year (also known as Varudam in Tamil and Varusha in Sanskrit). <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The time the Sun enters the "Meda Veedu" or Rasi was traditionally taken as the starting point of the New Year by the Tamils.</span></span><br /><br />Also the "positioning" (Niyathi) of the twenty seven <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Meengal" </span>(Natchaththirams) in these twelve Veeduhal too has been traditionally counted from "Acchuvini" the first Meen in the Meda Veedu, and ends up in "Revathi" as the last Meen in the Meena Veedu.<br /><br />The fact that the Meda Veedu commences with the first of the twenty seven Meenkal namely the Acchuvini in "position" (Niyathi), too confirms that from the early days Tamils reckoned the starting point of a year cycle with the Meda Veedu.<br /><br />The one who calculates the astronomical settings and movements of the Earth, Sun, and other Planets in respect of the 12 Veedus or Rasis is known as the <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Sothidar"</span> (Saaththriyaar - in Jaffna). But in ancient times in Tamil Nadu they were known as the <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Kaalak Kanithar"</span> <br /><br />Courtesy : http://forumhub.mayyam.com/hub/viewlite.php?t=1767Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-16670166715152707892009-01-26T18:41:00.000-08:002009-01-26T18:43:09.766-08:00How to do or observe Pradosham or Pradosha Vrata?<p class="MsoNormal">Pradosha Vrata is observed on the 13th day of a fortnight and there are two Pradosham in a Hindu month. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped in the evening during twilight on this day. In some regions, the day is dedicated to Nataraja form of Shiva. The fasting on this day is observed for success, peace and fulfillment of desires. It is said that mere darshan of any of the one form of Shiva removes ignorance. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="http://hindufaith.blogspot.com">importance of Pradosha Vrata</a> and how to observe it is narrated in the Skanda Purana.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There are two methods of fasting on the day. Some people observe a 24-hour fast which includes not sleeping during night. Another method is fasting from sunrise till sunset and after Shiva puja in the evening the fast is broken. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pradosham is the twilight period just before sunset and after sunset. Pujas and prayers are performed during this period. Many people during this period spend the time in a Shiva temple or listening to the glory of Shiva.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the evening, an hour before sunset the devotee takes bath and prayers are offered to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Ganesha, Kartik and Nandi. After the initial prayers, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Kalasha (sacred pot). The Kalasha filled with water is covered with garbha grass and a lotus is drawn on the pot.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another form of worship is the puja of Shivling. The shivling is bathed with water and Bilva leaves are offered. Some people use a painting or picture of Shiva for worship. It is said that offering Bilva leaves on Pradosham is highly auspicious.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After this people listen to the Pradosha Vrata Katha or story or read chapters from Shiva Purana. Then the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is recited 108 times. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After this the water used in the puja ceremony is given as ‘Prasad’ along with sacred ash. The ash is applied on the forehead. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is said that just lighting a single lamp during Pradosham period is enough to please Lord Shiva and the act is highly rewarding. Majority of Shiva devotees have a darshan of Shiva during Pradosham in a nearby temple.</p>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-69721839417603074052009-01-26T18:40:00.000-08:002009-01-26T18:41:23.604-08:00Importance about Pradosham - Shiva Pradosham<p>Pradhosha Vrata, or Pradhosham, is an important fasting day dedicated to Lord Shiva. Pradosha occurs twice in a month – on the 13th day (Trayodashi) – during the waxing moon fortnight and the other during the waning moon fortnight. The puja and worship is done in the evening. The Pradosha period can be loosely indicated as 1.5 hours before sunset and 1 hour after sunset. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrP86x5MwhvO54gsfaB0brsGYL7vcbTkXudJGeoK6XPqzDWNxfdM2uuL_ZNovKBR3A5FiwottbiEs7afqdb22G8zKE9wnA783dzHgyPugVzdIpN3WXGaN1UQ9PVnRMsASg49mKzb6kF3v/s1600-h/shiva.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrP86x5MwhvO54gsfaB0brsGYL7vcbTkXudJGeoK6XPqzDWNxfdM2uuL_ZNovKBR3A5FiwottbiEs7afqdb22G8zKE9wnA783dzHgyPugVzdIpN3WXGaN1UQ9PVnRMsASg49mKzb6kF3v/s320/shiva.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194625822311343554" border="0" /></a>The Shiva Purana states that one undertakes fasting on Pradhosha will be blessed with wealth, children, happiness and honor. The fasting and worship is specially undertaken by women who long to have children. It is said that those praying to Shiva during the auspicious time of Pradhosha will be freed from sins. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There are numerous legends associated with the Pradhosha Vratam. It is believed that Lord Shiva drank the Halahala poison that was churned up from the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Ocean</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Milk</st1:placename></st1:place> (Samudra Manthan) during Pradosham. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another myth indicates that Lord Shiva and Parvati, the divine couple, are in a propitious mood during the evening twilight on the Trayodashi day and hence are easily pleased and grants whatever that a sincere devotee asks.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Offering Bael or Bilva leaves during the period to Lord Shiva is considered auspicious.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There are Shiva devotees that observe fast on both Pradosha days in a month. Some only fast during the waning phase of moon. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Staunch devotees opt for water only fasting and will only eat the ‘prasad’ offered in the evening. Such devotees only eat cooked from next day morning. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another method of fasting is by eating fruits and such devotees eat cooked food on the day after the evening prayers. The strictness of the Pradosha fasting is usually decided by the devotee.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some devotees do not fast but worship Shiva during the period or visit temples.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="">Since <a href="http://templeinfo.info">Monday is dedicated to Shiva</a>, the Pradosha falling on Monday is referred as Soma- Pradosha and is considered highly auspicious. Pradosha falling on Saturday during the waning phase of moon is also auspicious.</span>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-52972554386260949982009-01-26T18:38:00.000-08:002009-01-26T18:39:57.636-08:00Pradosham – Pradosh in shiva Temples<p class="MsoNormal">Pradosham, also referred as <a href="http://templeinfo.info">Pradosha Vrata</a>, is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Shiva in a traditional Hindu month and it falls on the 12<sup>th</sup> day a lunar fortnight. There are two Pradoshams – one during the waxing phase of moon and another during the waning phase of moon. Important pujas and rituals on the day dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati is observed during the twilight period. In January 2009 Pradosha are on January 8 and January 23.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Fasting from sunrise to sunset is the main ritual on the day for Shiva devotees. Some people only observe fasting on anyone of the Pradoshams in a month. Staunch Shiva devotees observe fast on the both the Pradosh days in a month. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The prayers and rituals for Pradosham begin around 1.5 hours before sunset and end one hour after sunset. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Special pujas are performed in Shiva temples during the period. It is said that Lord Shiva and Parvati are in a happy mood during Pradosham period and are easily pleased.</p>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-63663400427713527752009-01-26T18:37:00.000-08:002009-01-26T18:38:01.755-08:00Thai Amavasai – Amavasai in the Tamil Month Thai<p class="MsoNormal">Thai Amavasya or Thai Amavasi is the no moon day in the Tamil Month of Thai (January – February). Thai Amavasai is dedicated to dead forefathers and parents and to other relatives who have died. Special prayers, rituals and offerings are made to the dead ancestors on the day. In 2009, the date of Thai Amavasai is January 25. It must be note that the Amavasi begins on January 25 and overlaps into January 26.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hindus on the day take a holy dip (bath) in the various Thirthas (sacred water bodies). Shradh and Tarpan are offered to the dead forefathers. There is a popular belief that on Thai Amavasya day the souls of the dead visit to bless their relations on the earth. The rituals and other pujas are performed on riverbanks or on seashores. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The day is of great importance at the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Rameshwaram Sri</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Ramanathaswamy</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Rituals, pujas and prayers associated with Thai Amavasi are also observed at several places in Tamil Nadu including Kannyakumari, Dhanushkodi, Muhuntharayarchatram, Sethukarai and Devipattinam. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thousands of people take dip at Rameshwaram and visit the Agnitheertha Kadarkarai (sea coast) in the morning to offer pujas to the dead ancestors. Special prayers also offered to the Navagrahas at Devipattinam near Rameshwaram. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In Rameshwaram, a special procession carrying the idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Ram and Sita from the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Sri</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Ramanathaswamy</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> reaches Agnitheertha on the day and special prayers and pujas are done. </p>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-11362722167144364442009-01-26T18:32:00.000-08:002009-01-26T18:36:40.131-08:00Basant Panchami 2009 – Vasant Panjami<p class="MsoNormal">Vasanth Panchami, or Basant Panjami, is a popular festival in <st1:place st="on">North India</st1:place> which heralds the arrival of the spring season. ‘Basant’ or ‘Vasant’ means spring and ‘Panchami’ is the fifth day after Amavasi in Magh month when it is celebrated Saraswathi Pooja is performed in North and Eastern parts of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> on the day. Yellow color, which symbolizes prosperity and love, is given importance on the day. In 2009, the date of Basant Panchami is January 31.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Vasant Panchami festival is celebrated mainly in <st1:place st="on">North India</st1:place>. In the Bhagavad Gita, <st1:place st="on">Krishna</st1:place> says that ‘Vasant’ is one of his forms. Basant Panjami is purely a festival of nature and there is no major scriptural story associated with it as is the case of most Hindu festivals.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Vasant Panchami is essentially welcoming the blossoming nature after the harsh winter.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Great prominence is given to yellow color on Basant Panchami as it signifies the ripening of fruits and crops. The mustard fields in <st1:place st="on">North India</st1:place> blooms during this season giving a yellow coat to nature. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">To welcome the pristine nature after a harsh winter, deities in temples and houses are decorated with yellow colored clothes. Similarly, yellow colored food, sweets and fruits are distributed to friends, neighbors and relatives. Yellow sweet rice is cooked and distributed on the day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Goddess Saraswathi is worshipped by students and teachers on the day in northern and eastern parts of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On the day, prayers are offered to Goddess Saraswathi (Goddess of Knowledge), Lord Surya (Sun God), Mother Ganga (<st1:place st="on">Ganges</st1:place>) and Bhu Devi (Mother Earth). The worship of elements in nature is acknowledging the various forms of nature, which sustains human beings, plants and animals.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Similarly, people pay homage to the ancestors on the day and Pitru Tarpan is also performed by some communities. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Vasanth Panchami is also an important bathing day during the Magh Mela</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kite flying is a major activity during the period in many parts of the region.</p>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-28490514978360066292009-01-25T21:26:00.000-08:002009-01-25T21:27:20.827-08:00Mantras Chanted during Surya Grahan- Solar Eclipses<p class="MsoNormal">Some of the important mantras that are chanted during the Surya Grahan include:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Gayatri Mantra</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna. Ashtakshara mantra is ‘Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.’ Astakshari Mantra is also taken as ‘Om Namoh Narayan Na Yah.’ </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mahamrityunjay Mantra is also chanted during eclipse.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Other mantras chanted are Surya Kavach Strotra and Aditya Hridaya Strotram</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is important that one chants mantra or remember god in any form at this time to keep calm and the aura clean.</p>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-2448057561972179882009-01-25T21:24:00.000-08:002009-01-25T21:26:31.353-08:00Surygrahan or Solar Eclipse in Hinduism<p class="MsoNormal">There are numerous recording of Surya Grahan, or Solar Eclipse, in Hindu scriptures. The most famous being the Suryagrahan during the famous Mahabharata war. Usually, Hindus do not perform any work during Surya Grahan and they purify themselves by taking a bath and chant mantras. A complete fast is undertaken by many Hindus during the period. In Hindu religion, taking a holy dip at sacred rivers and tirths on the Surya Grahan day is considered highly auspicious. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bKT2xDRrkf-13hC-DepKWd_1jONcj0QmhtVrM_r6ZKFXLLyrqLEFJZ23wIebmtAhyIsEb4qwR1zspDI69D2ZCi1iYlXT8oBK73N3aeEhsuUchyHQuOooTIILcEF7A6X-LRhvqqX0oI4/s1600-h/solar-eclipse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bKT2xDRrkf-13hC-DepKWd_1jONcj0QmhtVrM_r6ZKFXLLyrqLEFJZ23wIebmtAhyIsEb4qwR1zspDI69D2ZCi1iYlXT8oBK73N3aeEhsuUchyHQuOooTIILcEF7A6X-LRhvqqX0oI4/s320/solar-eclipse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291022632263968514" border="0" /></a>The next <a href="http://hindufaith.blogspot.com">Surya Grahan is on January 26, 2009</a> from from 10:26 hrs to 16:30 hrs (Indian Standard Time).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ancient sages and texts like Brahman Siddhanta restrict viewing the eclipse – one should look at an eclipse through a cloth or a reflection of it. A pregnant woman should never look directly at an eclipse.</p>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-8806550411388876712009-01-25T21:16:00.000-08:002009-01-25T21:17:45.130-08:00What is an eclipse of the Sun? What causes eclipses and why?<p class="MEindent"> If the Moon's inner or umbral shadow sweeps across Earth's surface, then a total eclipse of the Sun is seen. The track of the Moon's umbral shadow across Earth is called the <em>Path of Totality</em>. It is typically 10,000 miles long but only about 100 miles wide. It covers less than 1% of Earth's entire surface area. In order to see the Sun become completely eclipsed by the Moon, you must be somewhere inside the narrow path of totality. </p> <p class="MEindent"> The path of a total eclipse can cross any part of Earth. Even the North and South Poles get a total eclipse sooner or later. Just one total eclipse occurs each year or two. Since each total eclipse is only visible from a very narrow track, it is rare to see one from any single location. You'd have to wait an average of 375 years to see two total eclipses from one place. Of course, the interval between seeing two eclipses from one particular place can be shorter or longer. For instance, the last total eclipse visible from Princeton, NJ was in 1478 and the next is in 2079. That's an interval of 601 years. However, the following total eclipse from Princeton is in 2144, after a period of only 65 years. </p>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-60367393409198939662009-01-25T20:43:00.001-08:002009-01-25T20:47:05.215-08:00Hindu Concept of the Beginning and End of Universe<p class="MsoNormal">Hindu religion is the only one of the world’s great faiths dedicated to the idea that the cosmos itself undergoes an immense, indeed an infinite number of deaths and rebirths. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is the only religion in which the time scales correspond, no doubt, by accident, to those of modern scientific cosmology. Its cycles run from our ordinary day and night to a day and night of Brahma 8.64 billion years long. Longer than the age of the earth or the sun and about half of the time since the big bang. And there are much longer time scales still.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is the deep and the appealing notion that the universe is but the dream of the god who after a 100 Brahma years… dissolves himself into a dreamless sleep… and the universe dissolves with him… until after another Brahma century… he starts… recomposes himself and begins again the dream… the great cosmic lotus dream.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile… elsewhere… there are an infinite number of other universes… each with its own god… dreaming the cosmic dream.</p><p class="MsoNormal">These great ideas are tempered by another perhaps still greater it is said that men may not be the dreams of the gods but rather that the gods are the dreams of men.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In <st1:country-region><st1:place>India,</st1:place></st1:country-region> there are many gods and each god has many manifestations. These Chola bronzes cast in the eleventh century include several different incarnations of the god Shiva. Seen here at his wedding.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The most elegant and sublime of these bronzes is a representation of the creation of the Universe at the beginning of each cosmic cycle – a motif known as the cosmic dance of Shiva. The god has four hands. In the upper right hand is the drum whose sound is the sound of creation. And in the upper left hand is a tongue of flame… a reminder that the universe now newly created… will billion of years from now will be utterly destroyed. Creation. Destruction. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">These profound and lovely ideas are central to ancient Hindu beliefs as exemplified in this Chola temple at …. They are kind of reminiscent of modern astronomical ideas. Without doubt the universe has been expanding since the big bang but it is by no means clear that it will continue to expand for ever. If there is less than a certain amount of matter in the universe, then the mutual gravitation of the receiving galaxies will be insufficient to stop the expansion and the Universe will run away forever. But if there is more matter than we can see…hidden away in black holes… say or in hot but invisible gas between galaxies, then the universe holds together, and partakes in every Indian succession of cycles… expansion followed by contraction… cosmos upon cosmos…Universes without end. If we live in such an oscillating universe, then the Big Bang is not the creation of the cosmos but merely the end of the previous cycle the destruction of the last incarnation of the cosmos. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Neither of these modern cosmologies may be altogether to our liking. In one cosmology, the universe is created somehow from nothing 15 to 20 billion years ago and expands forever. The galaxy is mutually receding until the last one disappears over our cosmic horizon. Then the galactic astronomers are out of business… the stars cool and die…matter itself decays…and the Universe becomes a thin cold haze of elementary particles. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the other, the oscillating universe, the cosmos has no beginning and no end… and we are in the midst of an infinite cycle of cosmic deaths and rebirths. With no information trickling through the cusps of the oscillation…nothing of the galaxies, stars, planets, life forms, civilizations evolved in the previous incarnation of the universe trickles through the cusp filters past the Big Bang to be known in our universe. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="">The death of the universe in either cosmology may seem little depressing. But we may take some solace in the time scales involved. These events will take tens of billions of years or more. Human beings or our descendants whoever they might be can do a great deal of good in the tens of billions of years before the cosmos dies.</span>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-89380610848504396232009-01-25T20:35:00.000-08:002009-01-25T20:36:18.421-08:00Surya Grahan and Solar Eclipse – What should Pregnant Women do during Suryagrahan in Hindu Religion?<p class="MsoNormal">There is lot of fear among many Hindus regarding <a href="http://hindufaith.blogspot.com/">Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse)</a> and Pregnancy. Most people want to know about precautions to be taken during Surya Grahanam. The only precaution that you should take is that you should never look at the Sun directly during the Grahan. As a clear cut solution, ancient seers in Hinduism recommend pregnant women remain indoors during Grahan. The mantra chanted during the period is the Santana Gopala Mantra.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Astrological View Point</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now for those of you believe in astrology, there is a ‘punya kala’ when the Surya Grahan is visible. And people observe fasting during this period. If the Grahan is not visible in the particular region, there is no ‘punya kala’ and there are no restrictions.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is no restriction in moving around if there is no Surya Grahan in your region. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Ayurvedic View Point</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some traditions in Hindu religion ask pregnant women to sit or lie down on a mat containing Darbha grass or Kusha Grass. It is also advised to keep some Kusha Grass with the pregnant woman.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fasting during Grahan</span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now there are several Hindu communities that fast (Upvaas) during Surya Grahan. A pregnant woman should take the advice of her doctor before fasting. If you are so particular about fasting, you can fast just during the Surya Grahan period and avoid a complete fast. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Mantra During Surya Grahan</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The mantra that is chanted during Surya Grahan by pregnant women is the Santana Gopala Mantra.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLncRQ2CYMeaXO-3edxSHigfKG2Cg1OITbum3O6tNHzxJfBCgt3sRXI8_qKGN7cIS_Zb-yK3V1qaSl9dyatDiWKBCdudLnTSuCyyFemCxSQsqOaP5q6bRbbHUlgqvxqJ2f57FYj02c2w/s1600-h/santana-gopala-shlokam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLncRQ2CYMeaXO-3edxSHigfKG2Cg1OITbum3O6tNHzxJfBCgt3sRXI8_qKGN7cIS_Zb-yK3V1qaSl9dyatDiWKBCdudLnTSuCyyFemCxSQsqOaP5q6bRbbHUlgqvxqJ2f57FYj02c2w/s400/santana-gopala-shlokam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294716083136888802" border="0" /></a></p>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-19168587880684638452009-01-25T20:33:00.000-08:002009-01-25T20:34:20.849-08:00What to do during Surya Grahan? Solar Eclipse?<p class="MsoNormal">There are numerous recording of Surya Grahan, or Solar Eclipse, in Hindu scriptures. The most famous being the Suryagrahan during the famous Mahabharata war. Usually, Hindus do not perform any work during Surya Grahan and they purify themselves by taking a bath and chant mantras. A complete fast is undertaken by many Hindus during the period. In Hindu religion, taking a holy dip at sacred rivers and tirths on the Surya Grahan day is considered highly auspicious. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bKT2xDRrkf-13hC-DepKWd_1jONcj0QmhtVrM_r6ZKFXLLyrqLEFJZ23wIebmtAhyIsEb4qwR1zspDI69D2ZCi1iYlXT8oBK73N3aeEhsuUchyHQuOooTIILcEF7A6X-LRhvqqX0oI4/s1600-h/solar-eclipse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bKT2xDRrkf-13hC-DepKWd_1jONcj0QmhtVrM_r6ZKFXLLyrqLEFJZ23wIebmtAhyIsEb4qwR1zspDI69D2ZCi1iYlXT8oBK73N3aeEhsuUchyHQuOooTIILcEF7A6X-LRhvqqX0oI4/s320/solar-eclipse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291022632263968514" border="0" /></a>The next <a href="http://hindufaith.blogspot.com/">Surya Grahan is on January 26, 2009</a> from from 10:26 hrs to 16:30 hrs (Indian Standard Time).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ancient sages and texts like Brahman Siddhanta restrict viewing the eclipse – one should look at an eclipse through a cloth or a reflection of it. A pregnant woman should never look directly at an eclipse.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Mantras Chanted during Surya Grahan</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some of the important mantras that are chanted during the Surya Grahan include:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Gayatri Mantra</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna. Ashtakshara mantra is ‘Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.’ Astakshari Mantra is also taken as ‘Om Namoh Narayan Na Yah.’ </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mahamrityunjay Mantra is also chanted during eclipse.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Other mantras chanted are Surya Kavach Strotra and Aditya Hridaya Strotram</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is important that one chants mantra or remember god in any form at this time to keep calm and the aura clean.</p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Hindu Temples Remain Closed</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">All Hindu Temples remain closed during Surya Grahan. Temples open only after proper rituals are performed to get rid of the ill effects of the Surya Grahan. However, some Lord Shiva temples remain open during Surya Grahan as Lord Shiva is considered as ‘Layakara,’ who Himself is an embodiment of darkness.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Fasting During Surya Grahan</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Adult Hindus stop eating 12 hours before a solar eclipse. Children, old people and those who are ill stop eating 3 hours before the beginning of a solar eclipse. If the solar eclipse ends after sunset, then people fast during night and consume food only next day morning.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One should not take food at the time of Grahan because it is said that at this time the most harmful rays from the sun can be seen and absorbed. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Pregnant Woman and Surya Grahan</span></p>Normally at the time of Surya Grahan, pregnant women are supposed to not come out of the house, with no sunlight entering either by doors or windows. This is to avoid harmful rays. You can find more detail regarding <a href="http://hindufaith.blogspot.com/">Surya Grahan and Pregnancy in this article.</a>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-47382859886554263202009-01-25T20:30:00.000-08:002009-01-25T20:31:23.736-08:00Story of Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahanam in Hindu Religion<p class="MsoNormal">Surya Grahan, solar eclipse, is widely mentioned in the Holy Scriptures of Hinduism. There is also an interesting myth regarding the occurrence of Surya Grahan. It happened during the Samdura Manthan (churning of ocean) episode in the Puranas. Rahu (Demon) and Mohini, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, are the main characters in the incident.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Amrit (elixir) that was obtained from churning the ocean was cunningly stolen by Ausras (Demons). Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini, a beautiful damsel, to win back the Amrit. She achieved her mission by enamoring the Asuras, they fell for her beauty and handed over the Amrit to her.</p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbQP5YtWWe1rmt47Vu5BkFDn4GMIc65OTZ95gjxz5E3KdHrS5s1uMhaJfnYHGONKukQ5uM0BH1EL3mV22hDwce0f9rs4K4hbgsSzP4lu6-v4yZlZ4q2fxnXzawqapMVKkBgUEvnyxuQYb/s1600-h/rahu-surya-grahan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbQP5YtWWe1rmt47Vu5BkFDn4GMIc65OTZ95gjxz5E3KdHrS5s1uMhaJfnYHGONKukQ5uM0BH1EL3mV22hDwce0f9rs4K4hbgsSzP4lu6-v4yZlZ4q2fxnXzawqapMVKkBgUEvnyxuQYb/s320/rahu-surya-grahan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228306723646616162" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mohini returned to the Devas and started distributing it. Devas sat in a line and mohini gave a portion to each one of them. Rahu, an Asura, who found out that they were tricked took the form a Deva and sat in the line between Chandra (Moon God) and Surya (Sun God).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When Mohini approached Rahu, Chandra and Surya realized that Rahu was not one among them and soon identified him as an Asura. Mohini soon severed the head of Rahu which flew into the sky. Rahu’s, depicted in the form of a Snake head occasionally, continued to live and decided to avenge Surya and Chandra.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thus periodically Rahu engages in a war with Surya and Chandra. The Chandra Grahan (Lunar eclipse) and Surya Grahan (Solar eclipse) takes place when Rahu gobbles up Moon and Sun respectively. Surya and Chandra then fights to free themselves. </p>Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-18778604216628567762009-01-25T20:25:00.000-08:002009-01-25T20:26:27.849-08:00Surya Grahana timinig- Solar Eclipse Timing IndiaThere is an annular Solar Eclipse (Suryagrahan) on January 26, 2009. Here are the timings of the eclipse around the world. It will only be visible in parts of India, Australia, Malaysia, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, Madagascar, South China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Burma and Bangladesh.<br /><br />India<br /><br />Bangalore – From 14:33 to 15:57<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 15:17 (local time)<br /><br />Kolkata – From 15:01 to 15:58<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 15:30 (local time)<br /><br />Chennai – From 14:29 to 16:05<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 15:19 (local time)<br /><br />Australia<br /><br />Adelaide - From 19:01 to 19:58<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 19:00 (local time)<br /><br />Sydney - From 19:42 to setting sun<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 19:59 (local time)<br /><br />Indonesia<br /><br />Jakarta - From 15:20 to 17:50<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 16:41 (local time)<br /><br />Malaysia<br /><br />Kuala Lumpur – From 16:32 to 18:59<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 17:51 (local time)<br /><br />Singapore<br /><br />From 16:30 to 18:58<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 17:49 (local time)<br /><br />Hong Kong<br /><br />From 17:08 to sunset<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 18:03 (local time)<br /><br />Sri Lanka<br /><br />From 14:03 to 16:12<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 15:12 (local time)<br /><br />South Africa<br /><br />Johannesburg – From 07:06 to 09:46<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 08:19 (local time)<br /><br />Thailand<br /><br />Bangkok – From 15:53 to 17:59<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 17:00 (local time)<br /><br />Bangladesh<br /><br />From 15:33 to 16:29<br />Maximum Eclipse will be at 16:02Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1156888534880851513.post-60594005861607395802009-01-25T20:22:00.000-08:002009-01-25T20:25:24.887-08:00Surya Grahan - Solar Eclipse in India<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E4MiV33199DU8kg6wG9jYdRThuLnHo9web5HcB_N3e8TM6weMzVs5zcTa7bvcv3lo5UMtNH9uXzNFXYQG6EnAaH38EZZE_BpkFIYsN45x_URK-CYmBumh4AdXVg6-7tFomPOUbawglo/s320/soloar-eclipse1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E4MiV33199DU8kg6wG9jYdRThuLnHo9web5HcB_N3e8TM6weMzVs5zcTa7bvcv3lo5UMtNH9uXzNFXYQG6EnAaH38EZZE_BpkFIYsN45x_URK-CYmBumh4AdXVg6-7tFomPOUbawglo/s320/soloar-eclipse1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A partial solar eclipse, Surya Grahan, will be visible in southeast <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> on January 26, 2009. According to NASA, the solar eclipse on January 26 is an Annular Eclipse. A partial eclipse will be seen in southern third of Africa, <st1:country-region st="on">Madagascar</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>, Southeast India, Southeast Asia and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Indonesia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. In <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> it will be visible from 14:02 hrs to 16:31 hrs (Indian Standard Time) on January 26, 2009. As per traditional Hindu calendar, January 26 is an Amavasi Day. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> In <st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region>, Partial Solar Eclipse will be visible in Kerala, parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, parts of Jharkhand, <st1:place st="on">West Bengal</st1:place> and northeastern states. At Chennai, the Surya Grahan will begin at 14:28 hrs. The greatest phase will be at 15:19 hrs and it will end at 16:05 hrs.<br /><br /><ul><li>The dark red line and circle indicates the path of Annular Solar Eclipse.</li><li>The light blue and grid area of partial eclipse which includes <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>. </li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><i><p class="MsoNormal">(image from NASA)</p> </i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">All Hindu temples remain closed during Surya Grahan and will reopen only after the Grahan after conducting special pujas and rituals. On the day, Hindus also take holy dip in River Ganga and Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Usually, religious Hindus do not perform any work during Surya Grahan and they purify themselves by taking a bath and chants the Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna. Ashtakshara mantra is ‘Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.’</p><p class="MsoNormal">Most astrologers are of the view that this Surya Grahan will only bring ba<span style="text-decoration: underline;">d</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">There is also a Total Solar Eclipse on July 22, 2009.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Caution:</span> During Surya Grahan, there are also some elements in society who take undue advantage of innocent Hindus in the name of astrology. Ancient Hindu saints only talk about the physical harm Surya Grahanam can create on human beings. Put the thinking cap and keep out unwanted elements who try to take undue advantage during such occasions. The only aim of such people is money.Venkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01176558860837653184noreply@blogger.com0