Glimpses of Divinity

Chaitra Durga Navaratri

kajmani — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:55:49 +0000

Chaitra Navaratri (March 16th to March 23rd 2010), or the nine (nava-) nights (-ratri) of Durga, are celebrated in the first 9 days of the bright half of the month of Chaitra (starting from the day after Amavasya). According to the Indian lunar calendar, this usually in late March or early April. This period of nine days heralds the onset of spring and also marks the beginning of the new year for the hindu calendar in most parts of India. Read more...

Holi – The Festival of Colors

kajmani — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:45:23 +0000

Holi or Holika, is a spring festival (February 27th 2010) celebrated at the onset of the spring season, on the full moon day (Purnima) in the month of Phalguna. It is also the first day of the Hindu calendar (samvat) and a day of great joy and gaiety in the cities of Vrindavan and Mathura. Holi means the triumph of good over evil and conquest of sensual values by spiritual values.

Maha Shivratri – Celebrating Lord Shiva

kajmani — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:01:43 +0000

Maha Shivratri (February 11th 2010) is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva on the 13th (or 14th) night of the Krishna paksha (dark half or waning phase) of the moon (night before Amavasya) in the month of Phalgun (Feb-March) by almost all sects within Hinduism. It is a day of fasting for all devotees of Lord Shiva and is one of the eight most significant days of fasting in the Hindu Calendar.

Vasant Panchami – Saraswati Puja

kajmani — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:30:48 +0000

Vasant Panchami (also known as Basant Panchami) is a festival in honor of Goddess Saraswati, the hindu Goddess of education, learning and the fine arts (music, writing, painting, etc.). The festival is celebrated on the fifth (panch) day after the new moon (amavasaya) in the month of Magha according to the Hindu calendar (usually occurs in late January or early February). It marks the onset of spring (vasant) according to the Hindu calendar and is marked with great gaiety and celebrations all across the northern states in India. Read full article....

Makar Sankranti

kajmani — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:14:27 +0000

Makar Sankranti is observed on the 14th of January every year and marks the astronomical event of the northward motion of the sun from the tropic of capricorn towards the tropic of cancer. In India, it also marks the end of winter and the onset of spring and the progression or change (sankranti) of the sun into the sign or raashi of capricorn (makar).

Vaikuntha Ekadasi

kajmani — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:00:47 +0000

It is believed that by observing a fast on Vaikuntha Ekadasi day and spending the day in poojas and prayers to Lord Vishnu, one will be absolved of all sins and will attain Moksha and the doors of Vaikunta will be kept open for the soul after it leaves this physical body.

The Practice of Satsang

kajmani — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:04:47 +0000

The practice of satsang is the basis for like-minded people to commune together and participate in singing bhajans and the glories of their favorite God-head. The bhakti movement in India is perhaps the major sect which practices satsang on a regular basis to sing the glories of Lord Krishna. The word satsang (सतसंग) literally means "in good company" - it is a conjunction of the two words sat (meaning good) and sang (meaning "in the company of"). According to Wikipedia satsang is

Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaya Namah

kajmani — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:47:25 +0000

Lord Sri Krishna, is considered a complete incarnation or purna-avataar of Lord Vishnu. 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' is a mantra of Lord Sri Krishna. This mantra first appeared as a part of the Srimad Bhagavatam, which describes the many glories of Krishna. One literal translation is, O my Lord, Shri Krishna, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer...

The Five Faces of Gayatri

kajmani — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:06:47 +0000

O Parvati! This entire universe is made of five elements - water, air, earth, light and ether. Gayatri is present in each living being on this earth in the form of energy or shakti. It is these five elements that are manifested in the five faces of Gayatri. In the human body, these five elements have been called the five sheaths or layers under which our true being resides. These five sheaths or

Naraka Chaturdashi – Second day of Diwali

kajmani — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:42:12 +0000

The second day of the Diwali festival, is the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashvin, and is called Narak-Chaturdashi or Kali Chaudas and also known as Chhoti (-small) Diwali. This day is dedicated to the victory of Lord Krishna over the wicked demon king Narakasur. Narkasur had fought against neighbouring kings and imprisoned 16,000 women, daughters of the Gods and saints. He had also defeated Lord Indra and taken away the magnificient kundale (earrings) from the ears of Aditi, mother of the Gods. When Lord Krishna learnt about Narakasur's deeds, he decided to engage him in battle and liberate all the celestials.