99Panditji

Somnath Temple

Imagine standing on the edge of the Arabian Sea, where waves touch the sand below the towering spires of Somnath Temple– a living demonstration of centuries of faith, prayers, revival, and struggle, where every marble narrates the story of devotion and strength.

Somnath Temple is a magnificent Hindu temple on Gujarat’s western coast. One of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas, it is revered as a place where Lord Shiva is hero-worshipped in his most powerful incarnation. It holds a significant spot in the hearts of millions of devotees and is one of the country’s most esteemed and ancient temples. 

With its magnificent past and ongoing spiritual legacy, Somnath Temple continues to attract numerous devotees across the globe. It stands as a symbol of divine strength and resilience. Thousands of devotees visit Somnath yearly to pay their devotion to Lord Shiva.

Want to discover more about this sacred Hindu temple? Put on your glasses, as this article will take you on a comprehensive reading tour of the Somnath temple. It includes everything from history to mythological stories and legends associated with temples. Let’s get started and see what makes Somnath temple a must-visit.  

Glorifying History of Somnath Temple 

Similar to the history of Bharat, the Somnath temple’s past is full of invasions and destruction, but this temple gained through all of them. This amazing structure standing tall on the western coast of India depicts a story of faith, renewal, and demolition. 

Somnath Temple

The history of this shrine dates back to mythology. It is believed that Somraj (the Moon God) first created it, followed by Ravana who made it from silver. Lord Krishna then replaced it with sandalwood, and finally, Bhimdev built it with stones.

Over the centuries, the temple noticed a series of invasions and destruction, notably by the King Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024 CE. However, every time the foreign invaders destroyed the temple, our ancient rulers such as Shri Vikramaditya of Ujjaini, Bhimdev in Anhilwara, and Khangara of Junagadh among many more reconstructed it. 

Many such demolitions by the Muslims and reconstruction by the Hindus continuously went on for several years. Today, Somnath Temple is built in the Chalukya style of architecture, symbolizing the never-ending faith and stability. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel inaugurated it on December 1, 1947, and is a great testament to India’s rich cultural legacy. 

Legends and Stories Behind Somnath Temple 

Somnath Temple has many interesting stories and legends associated with it and that’s what excites all the history lovers and curious travelers. According to mythological tales, Chandra or Moon God has used to tread this place to get rid of the curse given by his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. 

Legends say that the Moon god married 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. But out of the total 27 wives, Rohini was the only wife, he loved and the rest were ignored. Seeing this Daksha Prajapati was upset with the neglect of other daughters thus he cursed the moon that he would lose all his brightness soon. 

The anxious moon god reaches Prabhas Patan to repay her homage to Lord Shiva and get free from the curse. After a lot of prayers, Lord Shiva realizes his devotion and relieves him from the curse. To pay gratefulness, the Moon God established a Jyotirlingam at this place which is now well known as Somnath temple.

Somnath Temple Timing 

Somnath Temple opens at a specific time for devotees to visit. Below are some general visiting hours of the temple: 

Morning  6:00 AM to 7:00 AM Temple opening & Mangla Aarti 
Morning  7:00 AM to 12:30 PM Darshan (General visiting hours)
Afternoon 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM Bhog Aarti 
Afternoon 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Temple closes for Bhog and Rajbhog preparations
Evening 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Darshan (General Visiting Time)
Evening 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM Sandhya Aarti
Evening 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM Shringar Darshan

Remember that timing may vary during special occasions, festivals, and holy days, and other ceremonies and rituals may happen. During such time it is better to know if there are any specific timings or if there have been any changes to the schedule.

It is suggested to reach the temple in the early hours to avoid any long queues and have a lot of time for the peaceful and memorable darshan of Lord Shiva. 

Significance of Somnath Temple 

Somnath Jyotirlinga holds massive religious and spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Shiva. A pilgrimage to this holy temple is supposed to grant blessings, fulfil desires, and sanctify the soul. Follow are some of the significance of Somnath temple:

1. Spiritual Significance

The temple is believed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the divine incarnation of Lord Shiva. Many of the devotees believe that visiting this site and offering prayers to lord shiva helps achieve freedom from any material attachments. 

2. Symbol of strength

 Reconstruction of the temple after several invasions showcases the unbeatable energy of the Indians and their dedication to preserving their religious and cultural roots. 

3. Cultural Heritage

 Somnath Temple’s historical significance makes it a vital part of India’s architectural and cultural legacy. It mirrors the gloriousness of ancient Indian artistry and architecture. 

Best Time to Visit the Somnath Temple

The best time to visit this Somnath temple depends on your personal needs and factors like peak timings, crowd level, and climate conditions. But, there are some points to consider while planning your journey to this sacred site. 

1. Winter Season

October to February month is considered the finest season to visit the Somnath Jyotirlinga. The weather at this time of the season is pleasant with temperatures ranging between 15°C to 25°C. It is perfect timing to take a tour of this temple as there is no heat or humidity. 

2. Festive Occasions

Thousands of devotees visit Somnath temple during the auspicious and festive event. The most famous festival at Somnath is Mahashivratri, which usually drops between February and March. Indeed, it is a wonderful time to visit and hold a triumphant feast to please the Lord Shiva.

3. Avoid Monsoon Season

June to September brings heavy rainfall to the holy region, causing trouble when visiting temples and travelling. Furthermore, the temple may have restricted entry or some sections closed due to climatic conditions. It is better to check the weather forecast and traffic conditions before the visit. 

4. Non-peak hours and Weekdays

To avoid enormous crowds, it is suggested to visit the temple on weekdays or during non-peak hours Early mornings and evenings time are less crowded, providing a more calm and peaceful environment for prayers and meditation.

5. Early Planning

Despite the season, it is always good to plan for a visit, especially if you are travelling during the festive season. Booking in advance for accommodation and means of transport makes the journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Local sightseeing at Somnath:

After taking the blessing of Lord Shiva from the main temple, you can also explore other important sites. There is also a local sightseeing bus available for tourists which starts from near the temple and tours all nearby places at nominal charges. 

You can also take an auto but I feel the bus is a more economical option. Here is some local sightseeing that you can plan to visit while on your Somnath Journey:

1. Old Somnath Temple

After Nawab Sujat Khan, an invader under the command of Aurangzeb, reduced the Somnath temple to ashes, Holkar queen Ahilyabai rebuilt the Shiva linga in its basement in 1783 to protect it from military attacks. Many people regard this shiva linga as the first of the jyotirlingas. Do also visit this temple too; it is just right next to the new temple.

2. Ban Ganga

Ban Ganga is a shrine located in the sea, more precisely in the Arabian Sea. There are two shillings within the sea, which can be seen only during the low tide. The worship place of Lord Shiva and where hunter Jara gave her bath is in this complex. This is the same place where hunter Jara took a bath and worshipped Lord Shiva before going hunting. 

3. Bhalka Tirth

This place is a must-visit for lord Krishna lovers. It is the spot where he was shot in his foot with an arrow by the hunter known as Jara. After which he relinquished his human body and moved to his divine abode known as Vaiaikunth. 

4. Hinglaj Mata Gufa and Triveni Sangam

The temple dedicates itself to Hinglaj Mata, the family deity of the Pandavas. A small shrine for her exists, where people crawl through a very narrow entry to reach the cave where they worship her. Close by there is an old Surya temple and the Triveni Sangam that marks the meeting point of the Hiran, Kapila, and Saraswati rivers. However, it is important to note that the rivers also flow into the Arabian Sea at this point.

5. Geeta Mandir and Balaram Gufa

At this place, Lord Balarama, the brother of Lord Krishna left the earth after transforming himself in the form of Sheshnag. There is a cave shrine that has a spiral mark like a snake on the wall which is said to have been created at the time when lord Balaram left. There is also Geeta Mandir temple and  Laxmi Narayan temple.

How to Reach Somnath Temple? 

To reach Somnath Temple, Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, you can consider the following modes of transportation:

1. By Roads 

All the necessary places in Gujarat are connected to Somnath. Ahmedabad is 400 km, Bhavnagar is 266, Porbandar is 122 km, and Rajkot is 190 km away from Somanath. All other major cities of the country are also well connected to Somnath via road. You can easily reach the temple via car, taxi, or bus. 

2. By Air 

Diu Airport (DIU) is the nearest airport at a distance of 85 km from Somnath. You can also consider Rajkot and Ahmedabad airport to reach the temple. 

3. By Train 

Somnath is well connected to other major cities of the country through routine trains. The distance from Veraval Railway Station to the Somnath temple is about 7 Km as this is one of the closest stations to the temple. The Trains are general from Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Dwarka to Veraval.

So, it’s a great time to pack up your bags and visit this pilgrimage site to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. When you visit Somnath, don’t miss spending a visit to some more local places in Somnath which include Parasuram Temple, Panch Pandav Gufa, Balukha Tirtha, Suraj Mandir, Junagadh Gate, Triveni Ghat, and many more.

Unknown Facts About Somnath Temple 

  • There is a very strange fact about the location of the Somnath temple. From the location of the temple to the South Pole, no land lies in between.
  • In India, there are 12 Jyotirlinga out of which Somnath is believed to be the first. 
  • This is the same place where Lord Krishna finished all his earthly entities and went to Vaikuntha Dham. 
  • Many legends say that this temple contained magical stones that could change anything into gold. Lord Krishna associates the Syantaka Mani with a sacred stone.
  • The Skanda Purana cites this temple in a chapter called Prabhasa Khanda. It is also described in the Rig Veda and the Bhagavat.

Conclusion 

Somnath Temple in Gujarat is the most important jyotirlinga shrine on the earth. It is an incredible privilege site to visit for the followers of Lord Shiva or even Hindus. Situated on the bustling west coast of Gujarat, this Shiv temple is truly heavenly beauty, offering devotees peace of mind and body. 

They demolished and rebuilt the temple multiple times, ensuring that it is located in a straight line between Somnath and Antarctica, with no land in between. Isn’t this mesmerizing? Facts like this make us believe that spirituality and science can complement each other in such a beautiful manner. 

Don’t wait any longer it’s the perfect time to visit the trip to Somnath Jyotirlinga temple. May your trip to Somnath temple will be full of memories and blessings of Mahadev. 

Brahmastra Weapon

Imagine a weapon so powerful that the purest soul could summon it, and even a god feared its powers. In the world of celestial weapons, the Brahmastra stands unmatches- A weapon of fate, potent enough to rewrite the destinies of wars with just one invocation. If you have read Indian Mythology, you will find that it has two types of weapons: the Astra, the gun that is charged by Mantras, and the Sastra, the physical weapon that is adorned and fought with, such as a sword or arrow.

In Puranas, Brahmastra is described as an extremely deadliest and dangerous weapon that never fails. According to the mythology description, when Brahmastra is deployed, it’s like a vibrant explosive fireball that bursts into flames with bolts of thunder.

It is said that no other weapon can defend, destroy, or counter back once it is deployed. In the Hindu Scriptures, it is mentioned that the Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, created the Brahmastra. To deploy this, users have to chant the specific mantra to activate this weapon. It is capable of destroying the entire world.

Have you ever heard about nuclear weapons? Of course, you did. Brahmastra is considered similar to the modern world’s nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction.

How fascinating is it to learn about the most potent weapon in Hindu mythology? If you’re curious to know more, don’t worry—in this Blog, we will cover all the aspects of the Brahmastra.

What is Brahmastra?

In Hinduism, Brahmastra is one of the most powerful, destructive, and irresistible weapons created by Lord Brahma to uphold Dharma and Satya. It was supposed to be obtained by meditating on Lord Brahma or from a Guru who knows it, and it could only be used once a day or a lifetime. It requires an immense amount of mental concentration to obtain it.

This weapon has been placed at the topmost places because it is believed that Bhramastra can not be destroyed by Trishual or Sudarshan Chakra.

In Epic and Mythologies, we find that Brahmastar never missed its mark and had to be used for a particular purpose against an individual enemy or army, as the target would face destruction. Whenever it deployed, the entire sky seemed to be filled with noise, cracks started on Earth, and all living creatures became frightened with great fear.

Whichever area it strikes, it is believed that nothing will grow there, not even a blade of grass, for the next 155.5 trillion human years. Weapons have also been believed to cause several environmental damage. The land where weapons are deployed results in massive destruction, targeted land becomes barren, and life becomes extinct.

What is the History of Brahmastara?

Lord Brahma created Brahamastra to ensure that all the work in the cosmos is carried out rationally and under control. It is considered a messenger of death that turns everything into ashes. According to Puranas, it is said to be so powerful that it can remove someone’s existence from the past, present, and future. When Brahmastra is invoked, it causes horrible flames, thunder, dry rivers, and falling meteors.

Brahmastra Weapon

There are numerous instances in Hindu scriptures where it is mentioned the use of Brahmastra or its use is threatened, including once against Jayanta when he hurt Sita ji, Brahmarshi Vishwa Mitra against Maharishi Vashistha, and many more. Let us take a peek into some of the historical instances in which Brahmastra has been used.

Use of Brahamastra in Ramayana

1. Against Jayanta when he hurt Sita

It is mentioned in the Sundara Kanda that when Hanuman meets Sita, she narrates the story of what happened in the forest of Chitrakuta. When Ram, Sita, and Lakshman ji are exiled to the forest. One day, when Lord Ram was resting in the lap of his wife Sita, suddenly Indra’s son Jayanta took the form of a crow and attacked Sita with his claws and beaks twice.

When Ram wakes up and sees Sita bleeding and the claws of crows dropping blood, he picks a blade of grass and releases the divine weapon Brahmastra out of it on the crow, who tries to escape in fear. Despite that, the arrow keeps following Jayanta wherever he goes.

In the end, he came back to Ram and asked for their forgiveness, but Ram told Jayanta that once Brahmastra is invoked, it can not be withdrawn. So he asked Ram to hit the crow’s right eye. So Ram redirected it towards the crow’s right eye and spared his life.

2. Against Ocean on his way to Lanka

When Lord Ram was on his way to rescue Sita from Ravan and go to Lanka, which is surrounded by sea, he asked the sea god Sagara to help him and make a way for them to go. But the sea god didn’t offer any help to Lord Ram. After this, Lord Ram got angry and deployed the Brahmastra towards the sea to dry itself.

After seeing that, the Sea god appeared and started begging for forgiveness. He promised Lord Ram to help and give the way for him and his army to cross the sea. But because Lord Ram has invoked the Brahmastra, it cannot be put down without using it.

Hence, he redirected it towards another region, which is presently Rajasthan State, where the water body was transformed into the desert.

3. In the last Battle against the Raven

In the last battle of Ramayan, Lord Ram tried every possible way to kill Ravan but failed to do so. At that, Vibhishan told Lord Ram that Ravan’s weakest point was his naval. Lord Ram, with his powerful arrow, Brahmastra, shot the arrow into Ravan’s naval. So, Lord Ram killed Ravan by using Brahmastra.

Use of Brahmastra in Mahabharata

1. Curse of Karna

Karna learned the skills to use Brahmastra from his teacher, Parshuram. But Pashuram had a condition that he would not teach anyone from the ruling clan. On a fine evening, when Pashuram was resting on the lap of Karna, suddenly, an insect started biting on his thigh. He did not want to disturb the sleep of his teacher, so he did not move.

Brahmastra Weapon

This caused severe bleeding on Karna’s thigh. As soon as Pashuram woke up and saw the wound on Karna’s thigh, he realized that only someone from the royal clan could bear so much pain. Pashuram felt fooled by Karna, so he cursed Karna that he would forget all the knowledge regarding the Brahmastra.

2. Ashwatthama operated against the Pandava

During the Mahabharat, Asthwatthama has taken an oath to kill Arjun after Dronacharya is killed. To take revenge on Arjun, Asthwatthma invoked Brahmastra toward him, and in response, Arjun also invoked the Brahamastra towards him. However, the collision of the two Brahmastra, the deadliest weapons, can wipe out the entire world.

So, to stop this, all the holy beings came and asked both to call it back. Arjun called it back, but Aswatthama, instead of calling it back, redirected it toward the unborn child in Uttra’s womb. Lord Krishna used his power to save the child from it.

How is it invoked?

Any object can be converted, even grass straw, into a Brahmastra by chanting the sacred mantra. To invoke the Brahmastra, it is essential to chant the holy mantra. The sacred mantra that is chanted to invoke the Brahmastra is Gayatri Mantra. Chant of the Gayatri mantra in a specific manner with extreme focus and concentration is needed to invoke Brahmastra.

Only the person who invoked the weapon can stop it, call it, or redirect it. To invoke the Brahmastra, one has to gain siddhi over a mantra only after rehearsing it for a particular duration of time for a defined number of times with immense concentration.

Before invoking the Brahmastra, one needs to obtain it by worshipping Lord Shiva or Brahma or by a Guru who knows how to invoke it with immense medication. Brahamastra can only be invoked by chanting the Gayatri Mantra with total concentration, medication, and devotion.

What happens when Brahmastra Deployed?

As mentioned earlier, Brahmastra has been deployed in Ramayana and Mahabharata and has resulted in Mass destruction. Brahmastra is the divine weapon of immense destruction through which one can destroy the powerful enemy. Deploying Brahamstra requires chanting the sacred mantra with tremendous concentration and mental strength.

Once it is deployed, it cannot be taken back, and no other weapon can defend it unless it has an alternative encounter. If Brahmastra is deployed, it causes not only massive collateral damage but also, it’s said, rivers become dry, earth fissures, and life becomes extinct in the place where it is deployed.

Brahmastra Weapon

According to Sanskrit Mythology, it is believed that when Brahmastra is activated, the sky becomes darker, clouds crackle with intense energy, and under this massive storm, the sky fills with flames. Flames are brighter than the thousands of suns, and dead bodies are burnt beyond recognition. It seems like the whole world is coming to an end; everything is turning into ashes.

Who knew how to exert the Brahmastra in the past?

According to mythology, not everyone can exert the Brahmastra; there are only free warriors in history who have used this weapon. In Hinduism, this is a celestial weapon that is considered the most powerful weapon for destruction.

According to the Hindu Scriptures, only Lord Ram, Vibhishan, and Lakshman could use or wield this weapon during Ramayan. Alternatively, during Mahabharat, only Dhroncharya, Parashurama, Ashwathama, Lord Krishna, Karna, and Arjuna knew how to wield the Brahmastra.

Conclusion

Beyond the doubt, Brahmastra is the most potent weapon of Indian Mythology. The weapon that leads to the destruction of the world is similar to the modern world atomic bomb. The creator of the world has created this weapon to protect Satya and Dharma and those who are on a righteous and noble path.

In Indian mythology, the Brahmastra remains the symbol of divine power and has extreme impacts for its misuse. In the Scriptures like Mahabharat and Ramayan, the weapon is defined as the weapon of the last alternative.

We hope this blog has been suggested to you as very informative. It has helped you refine your research in developing an in-depth awareness of the deadliest weapon, Brahmastra.

Samundra Manthan

The Samudra Manthan is one of the ancient Hindu scriptures’ most holy and important stories. The Samundra Manthan produced some powerful, holy things with some deadly and dangerous things.

The main reason for Samundra Manthan was to obtain a powerful weapon or things that gave power or made Asura and Devas immortal. Many things came out of Samundra Manthan, including in many epics and stories of the Hindu religion.

Both the Asuras and Devas performed the Samundra Manthan, which produced 14 Ratanas that have huge significance for humanity.
In this article, we will discuss the 14 Ratnas of Samundra Manthan and their benefits.

Significance of Samundra Manthan:

The Samundra Manthan has a huge significance for the Hindus as it was one of the main events of earth according to the Hindu Scripture. The Samundra Manthan has a role in almost all stories of the Hindu religion.

Samudra Manthan

The 14 elements that came out of Samundra Manthan were so sacred and powerful which helped Devas to win over the Asura, which marked the victory of good over evil. The Samundra Manthan.

Story of Samundra Manthan:

The story of Samundra Manthan starts with the King of heaven, Indra once he reaches Sage Durvasa who offers him a divine garland that was given to him by a nymph. Indra accepted the garland and placed it in the trunk of his elephant Airavat, Airawat was irritated by some bees in his trunk and threw the garland on the ground.

Seeing this, Sage Durvasa got angry at the pride of Lord Indra and cursed him and other gods to lose all their power, wealth, fortune, and strength. The curse of Sage Durvasa made all gods powerless against the Asuras. All the Gods Lakshmi went to Lord Vishnu for the solution to the curse.

Samundra Manthan

There Lord Vishnu Suggests they perform the Samundra Manthan to get the Amrit( Elixir) so that they can get their power and fortune back and become immortal again to win over the Asura to maintain the peace in the universe.

Who was included in the Samundra Manthan?

Many Gods and Asuras joined the Samaundra Manthan including the three main Gods of Hindus, Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Lord Vishnu took the form of a giant celestial tortoise, the Kurma. The king of serpents, Vasuki, and the mountain Manadara used to perform the divine churning of the great ocean.

Many gods, animals, and celestial beings joined the Samundra Manthan on one side, and Asura, Daitya, Daanawa, and many other evil powers joined it on the other side. The churning of the great ocean Ksheer Sagar took lots of power from both sides of Asuras and Devas.

Samundra Manthan List of 14 Ratnas and their importance:

The churning of the great ocean Ksheer Sagar produced 14 divinely powerful and important elements, which were crucial to maintaining the balance of the universe. Some of the elements like the Amrit were powerful enough to make anyone immortal and more powerful. If these powerful elements went into the wrong hands it could cause destruction.

Here is the list of 14 Ratna with their importance:

1. Halahal the Poison:

Halahal or Kalakoot was a deadly poison that came first from the churning of the ocean. The Halahal poison was strong enough to kill all the beings from all three realms. No Deva or Asura could control the Halahal poison as they feared it.

Samundra Manthan

Lord Shiva came down from the Kailash Parvat to save the universe from the deadly poison and drank all the poison, Consort of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati used her power and stopped the poison in his throat. So that the poison could not enter Shiva’s stomach this gave Lord Shiva a new name of Neelakanth as his throat was completely blue by the poison.

2. Goddess Laxmi:

Laxmi god is the goddess of wealth and prosperity who came out of the Sheer Sagar (the Milky Ocean) during the churning of the ocean. Ashta Laxmi Puja chose Lord Vishnu as his consort and married him.

Samundra Manthan

As Goddess Laxmi came out of the ocean she fulfilled all the Gods with wealth and prosperity and returned the prestige and splendor of heaven.

3. Chandra:

Chandra, the moon god, came out of the Milky Ocean as a precious element that Lord Shiva adorned in his hair to free the moon from the curse. During that time the moon was in the crescent form and got its charm back from lord Shiva’s help.

4. Parijat:

Parijat is a tree that came out of the Milky Ocean during the Samundra Manthan. The Prijat tree has white flowers with a small shade of orange in the middle. The flower tree of Prijat had a charming fragrance so King Indra asked to take it to Devlok so he could plant this beautiful tree in his garden.

Samundra Manthan

Later Lord Krishna took the Parijat tree from him telling him that the tree is more needed on earth and planted the tree on earth for his wives Rukmani and Satyabhama. It is prohibited to pluck the flowers from the Prijat tree, one can only take the fallen flowers from the tree.

5. Airavata:

Airavata was the king of elephants who had four tusks, seven trunks, and a white complexion which made him look so powerful and elegant. Airawat was a celestial elephant who had the power to dig deep by his trunk to reach the groundwater. He considered bringing the monsoon to earth by showering water from his trunk.

Samundra Manthan

Airavata came out of the Samudra Manthan and one of the divine14 Ratna. He chose to serve King Indra by becoming his loyal Vahana and also helped him in many great wars between Deva and Asuras.

6. Kamdhenu:

Surabhi was a divine cow, one of the most precious Ratna that came out of the Samudra Manthan. Kamdhenu had the power to fulfil the wish or demand for milk and products at any amount.

Samundra Manthan

After Samundra Manthan, Lord Vishnu took Kamdhenu to Vaikunth and later handed her to the Sage Saptarishi Jamadagni to make the best use of it by receiving products to perform yagya every day.

7. Uchchaihshravas:

A divine seven-headed white horse emerged from the Milky Ocean during Samudra Manthan, capable of flying at high speeds. Uchchaihshravas is said to be the king of horses which was taken by the King Indra and later acquired by the Asura king Bali.

8. Apsaras:

Apsaras, the beautiful divine ladies skilled in fine arts like music, singing, and dancing, emerged from the Sheer Sagar during the churning of the ocean. The Apsaras were too elegant and beautiful and could control any male easily.

King Indra wants them in Devlok for his entertainment to distract many sages from the meditation to make his throne safe. But the Apsaras choose to marry Gandharava(Males who are devoid of art like music and dance etc.). The most popular Apsaras are Meneka, Rambha, Urvashi, and Tilottama.

9. Varuni or Madeira:

Varuni was the goddess of wine who was chosen by the Asuras because of its toxic taste and bad effect on the mind. The Varurni made the Asuras more evil through its hangover effect. Vauni could easily prepare a huge amount of wine for the Asura in less time. Varuni is said to be Varuna’s daughter.

10. Kaustubha:

Kaustubhas, a precious gem, radiated divine beauty and a sun-like shine, making it incredibly attractive. Kaustubha Mani was worn by Lord Vishnu as an ornament on his chest. Goddess Laxmi used to see her reflection in the Kaustubha Mani as she was in the heart of Lord Vishnu.

11. Panchajanya:

Panchajanya was a precious conch that came out of Samudra Manthan. A conch was a symbol of the beginning of a war. Lord Vishnu always holds the Panchajanya conch as he incarnates on earth multiple times to start a new war and vanquish evil.

12. Sharanga:

Kodanda was a celestial bow crafted by the master of divine weapons Vishwakarma. Sharanga is one of the 14 Ratnas that came out of Samudra Manthan. Lord Bhagwan Vishnu ke 10 Avatar and his incarnations—Parshuram, Ram, and Krishna—used the Saranga to win mankind’s greatest battle.

13. Dhanvantari:

Dhanvantri and Amrita were the last things that came out of the churning of the great milky ocean during the Samundra Manthan. Dhanvantri is the god of Ayurveda who made many divine and powerful medicines for gods and humans.

Samundra Manthan

14. Amrita:

Dhanvantri was holding a pot of Amrit in his hand when he came out of Samudra Manthan. Amrit, the powerful nectar from Samudra Manthan, sparked the Devas and Asuras’ war for its immortality-granting properties.

Conclusion:

The Samundra Manthan story has a very significance in many other stories and scriptures of Hindus. The reason for Samudra Manthan was the curse of sage Durvasa which made all the devas powerless to fight against the Asuras.

The Samundra Manthan was performed by both god and Asuras to get the Amrit out of the Milky Ocean. The Amrit was the most important Ratna of Samundra Manthan which was divinely powerful to make anyone immortal.

The 14 Ratnas distributed their powers among Devas and Asuras based on their needs and characteristics in later Hindu scriptures.

Hope this article helps you get a brief about Samudra Manthan 14 Ratna and their importance.

 

Mahabharat

Mahabharata is one of India’s greatest Hindu epics, the Granth (epics). Most of the Indian culture is inspired by Mahabharat and Ramayana. These two holy epics inspire every Indian to believe in truth and humanity. The Mahabharata is the best story to follow Dharma.

Krishna Dwaipayana Vyas, also known as Ved Vyas, wrote the epic of Mahabharata. According to the ancient Hindu text, Lord Brahma ordered Ved Vyas to write the tale with the help of Lord Ganesha.

Ved Vyas knew the importance of writing such an epic story as it would inspire people. Ved Vyas asked Lord Ganesha to write the tale as Ved Vyas was telling the story of Mahabharat.

In this article, we will discuss the Top 10 Most Powerful Warriors in Mahabharat with their origin, power, and facts about them.

Significance of Mahabharata:

The Mahabharata is a very important epic for India, it shows India’s glorifying history. The Mahabharat story has support to mould the Indian culture in such a beautiful way. Mahabharat’s story inspires every Indian to follow the path of truth and Dharma.

The Mahabharat story is sung for the new generation to inspire and give them the right knowledge of mankind. The Mahabharata lessons help people to be successful and to be good humans in their lives.

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The whole Mahabharat story takes place around the respect of women. Top 10 Most Powerful Warriors in Mahabharat teaches us about the safety and respect of women in society. Also, the character of Mahabharat gives us lessons about bravery, sacrifices, and the fight for truth.

The Mahabharata story has almost all the answers related to morality, justice, and humanity. The Mahabharat story highly inspires the Hindu religion, creating a society filled with truth, justice, bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism.

Story of Mahabharat in Brief:

The Mahabharata story starts with King Dhritarashtra who was primarily born blind. Dhritarashtra loved his son Duryodhan so much and wanted him to become the king of Hastinapur. He neglected his nephews who were more worthy of becoming the king than his son Duryodhan.

Dhritarashtra had two brothers Pandu and Vidur. The Pandu was dead earlier, the Vidur was his only brother left who was more intelligent than Dhritarashtra. The sons of Pandu were called Pandavas who were 5 brothers and the sons of Dhritarashtra were called Kaurava.

Duryodhan always hated Pandavas as they had more skills and intelligence than Duryodhan and his brothers. The Pandavas and Kauravas mostly fight over small issues from their childhood. The Pandav always won over the Kauravas in all competitions which raised the Kauravas’ hate for Pandavas.

Reason for Mahabharata War:

One Day Kaurava and Pandav started playing the game of dice with the betting condition that one who lost had to submit his precious thing to the winner. The game started and Kaurav started cheating with the help of Uncle Shakuni( brother of Kaurava’s mother Gandhaari).mahabharat 2

The Pandav betted their precious thing like Jewelry, and jewels, in the beginning, and then they betted their own Kingdom Indraprastha at that time they had nothing to lose. At last Yudhister the elder brother of Pandavas put his wife Draupadi on the bet which he lost.

As the Pandavas lost Draupadi in the bet, Draupadi was called Kaurava’s maid, Duryodhan ordered his younger brother Dushasan to bring Draupadi to the Dyuth Sabha. In the Dyuth Sabha Duryodhan Dushasan did molestation with Draupadi by disorbing her Saree(clothes worn by ladies in India) in front of the whole Ministry and people gathering in Dyuth Sabha.

Draupadi was a devotee of lord Krishna so Lord Krishna saved her modesty by increasing the length of her saree to infinite. After this incident, Pandavas and Draupadi pledged to kill all the Kauravas which ultimately became the reason for the Mahabharata war.

Warriors included in the Mahabharata War:

Many warriors took part in the great war of Mahabharata which included many godly powerful warriors to some skilled warriors. The whole war was divided into two sides: one fought for truth and Dharma, while the other embraced evil and inhumanity.

The Pandavas were fighting for Dharma and truth and Kauravas were fighting for their evil purposes. The Kauravas and Pandavas were cousins who were fighting against each other for their different purposes.

Then there was the team division between Kauravas and Pandavas as they both belong to the same family and roots. The Bheeshma, Grandfather of both Pandavas and Kauravas sided to fight from the side of Kauravas as he was the military head of Kauravas’s Army.

Karna was Duryodhan’s friend so he fought from Kaurava’s side. Lord Krishna was the idol of truth and Dharma so joined the Pandavas but refused to fight as he was alone enough to destroy the Kaurava’s army at once.

Top 10 Most Powerful Warriors in Mahabharata:

Here we have mentioned the Top 10 Most Powerful Warriors In Mahabharat:

Duryodha:

Duryodha was the elder son of King Dhirtrashtra, he was the reason behind the Mahabharat war. It was a skilled mace fighter, who learned all his skills of mace fighting from Lord Balram. Duryodhan was a cheater and a dishonest person, he did not have any morality and humanity.

However, Duryodhan was always honest with himself, he was a good friend and brother. Top 10 Most Powerful Warriors In Mahabharat He helped Karna when the ministry was against him. Duryodhan had superhuman strength and good war knowledge.

Ashwatthama:

Ashawatthama was the son of Sage Dronacharya the teacher of Pandavas and Kauravas. Ashawatthama was a very skilled archer which he learned from his father. Besides this, he had good knowledge of war combat and artillery. He was a good friend of Duryodhan.

Ashawatthama also had a deep understanding of divine weapons which made him one of the most powerful warriors of Mahabharata. He was born with a divine gem on his head which gave him some different divine powers than another warrior in the Mahabharata.

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Besides his divine powers, he gains two most powerful weapons by worshipping and meditating for God. The two power weapons were Narayanastra and Brahmashirsha Astra. These weapons were powerful enough to cause huge destruction on the battlefield.

Dronacharya:

Dronacharya, a sage and master of war art, was considered the guru of Hastinapur Kingdom. He was the teacher and guide of both Kauravas and Pandavas. His teaching of war art and artillery made the Kingdom of Hastinapur the most powerful in the world.

Drronacharya’s contribution to the war art and military strategies were unforgettable. He had good knowledge of all kinds of divine and celestial weapons. It was so hard to defeat him on the battlefield.

Guru Dronacharya’s high skills in war combat and strategies challenged all the Pandavas to face him on the Kurukshetra battlefield. The only way to defeat was a mischief approach on the battlefield.

Bheem :

Bheem was the second eldest brother of Pandavas. He was the son of Wind God Vayu and Kunti. Because he was the celestial son of Vayu, he possessed unparalleled strength and power. He was skilled in mace and hand-to-hand combat.

He had a huge and strongest body among all the Pandavas. Him won many times over Duryodhan in mace fight competitions. Duryodhan has never been able to defeat Bheem. Bheem had killed many demons and warriors like Jarasandha, Kirmira, Bakasura, Jatasura and Kichaka.

He promised Draupadi That he would tear Dushashan’s chest on the battlefield and drink the blood and he did as he said. Later he defeated Duryodhan on the 18th day of the Mahabharata fight despite Duryodhan’s dishonesty on the battlefield.

Ghatotkach:

Ghatotkach was the son of Hidimba and Bheem. He was a demon as his mother Hidimba belonged to a demon family. As Ghatotkach was a demon had all the demonic power that he learned from his mother.

Ghatotkach was skilled in illusions and demonic magic. He could confuse his enemy by creating an illusion around his enemies on the battlefield. He could shapeshift and change his size and face. When Arjun killed him, he fell on thousands of Kauravsa warriors, killing them all.

As he was the son of Mighty Bheem, he had the same strength and powers as his father, which gave him advantages of both divine and demonic powers and made him one of the most powerful warriors on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Abhimanyu:

Abhimanyu was the son of the Great archer Arjun, he had almost the same archery skills as his father. He had learned the use of many divine and atomic weapons from his father. Abhimanyu had the same courage and attitude as his father.

Abhimanyu’s expertise in war combat and strategies, along with his possession of numerous divine weapons, qualified him to single-handedly defeat the Kaurav army. He also had the knowledge of Chakravyuha which he broke to enter the battlefield.

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All the Kauravas including Arjun, Duryodhan, Ashawatthama, and Shakuni felt challenged to face him together, however, they all killed him together by mischief and dishonesty. Abhimanyu’s sacrifice made him a remarkable warrior of the Mahabharata.

Bhishma:

Bhishma was the son of the holy river Ganga and King Shantanu. He was the uncle of King Dhritarashtra and grandfather of Pandavas and Kauravas. In the war of Mahabharata, he fought from the side of Kauravas as he was the chief commander of Kauravas Army.

Bhishma, skilled in archery and war combat, learned the proper use of all war weapons. Lord Parshuram, one form of Lord Vishnu, trained him in archery. Bhishma later defeated his Guru, Lord Parshuram, in battle, showcasing his power and war ability.

As he was the divine son of the river Ganga, he had many divine powers and abilities which he used on the battlefield. Bheesma’s mother Ganga gave him a boon that allowed him to choose the day of his death which somehow made him immortal.

Arjun:

Arjun was the middle brother of Pandavas and the third son of Kunti and Pandu. Pandu was the celestial son of Indra Dev who blessed him with unnatural powers and abilities. Guru Dronacharya considered Pandu the best archer of the Mahabharata and he was his favourite pupil.

Arjun’s skills and abilities in archery mesmerize all his brothers and his teacher. He got all his archery training from guru Dronacharya. Before meeting Lord Krishna he had the same ego and attitude as his father and he was always proud of his archery skills.

Arjun’s ego and overconfidence in his archery got broken when he saw Karna’s archery skills on the battlefield. Arjun was the cousin of Lord Krishna so Lord Krishna gave him many lessons about Dharma and truth.

Arjun defeated Bheeshma, Karna, Dronacharya, and Ashawatthama on the battlefield of the Kurukshetra which made him one of the most powerful warriors in Mahabharata.

Karna:

Karna was the son of Kunti and the Son of the god Surya Dev. Kunti kept the fact that he was the elder brother of the Pandavas a secret for some reason. As he was the celestial son of Surya Dev he was born with divine earrings and armor breastplate which helped him in battle.

When Kunti left him on the bank of the river, Radha and Adhiratha Nandana, a Suta couple, adopted him. Due to his lower caste, Suta Dronacharya refuses to teach archery and war combat. So he learned all his archery skills from the lord Parshuram.

Since he was the student of Lord Parshuram, he possessed advanced skills in using various divine weapons. Karna also summoned the most powerful weapon Bharahmasta by using this he could do huge destruction. All the divine power and his sharp skills made him one of the most powerful warriors in Mahabharata.

Lord Krishna:

Krishna was ultimately the most powerful warrior in the Mahabharata. Lord Krishna was the incarnation of  Vishnu. He was the cousin of all Pandavas brothers. Lord helped Pandavas to win the battle of Mahabharata.

In the beginning, lord Krishan tries to stop the war between Kauravas and Pandavas as they were cousin brothers and follow the same bloodline. He went to Hastinapur kingdom as a messenger of peace and tried to convince all the ministry and Kauravas to stop the war.

But despite accepting Lord Krishna’s offer, Duryodhan insulted Lord Krishna and tried to imprison him. After this lord Krishna joined Pandavas and helped them to win the battle. However, Lord Krishna had a condition that he would not take up weapons on the battlefield.

Conclusion:

The Mahabharata is one the holiest and greatest epics of India. The story of Mahabharata encourages many people to follow the path of truth and Dharma. The Mahabharata War is the biggest human war in history.

Mahabharat’s story is filled with sacrifice, respect, truth, and Dharma. The warriors of Mahabharata were so powerful and skilled in their field. Some characters like Karna and Arjun give us lessons on sacrifice and bravery.

All the characters include Bheem, Duryodhan, Arjun, Dronacharya, Gatotkach, Abhimanyu, Ashawatthama, Bheeshma, Karna and Lord Krishna from the epic story of Mahabharata.

In this article, we have mentioned the Top 10 Most Powerful Warriors of Mahabharata, hope this helps you to get some knowledge about Mahabharata.

Hanukkah-2024

Hanukkah 2024 is a Jewish festival also known as the Festival of Lights. It is not only religiously significant in Jewish culture but also important from a social and cultural point of view. During this celebration, Jewish people not only follow religious rituals and traditions but also share love and sympathy. Also, the festival of Hanukkah strengthens the sense of collectivism, in which people come together to decorate their homes, enjoy food, and deepen their relationships.

The Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the eight days of oil. During the festival, families typically light the menorah and place a candle in the holder each night, in addition to offering prayers, singing songs, and enjoying special meals. Today, with 99Panditji, we will share some special things about this festival with you. Let’s begin.

What is Hanukkah 2024?

Hanukkah also known as the Festival of the Lights, is one of the most popular Jewish holidays, which take place during eight days and are dedicated to the celebration of an important historical and religious event. According to the dates of storytelling, it was around the 2nd century B.C. when the Jews wrestled control of the Second Temple in Jerusalem from foreign nations. 

Hanukkah 2024

Likewise, when they asked for reinscription, the services of the temple, they could only come across a little oil to light the menorah– a sacred lamp but astonished the oil lasted eight days. This tradition is about the eight-day-long celebration of Hanukkah, a theme of dedication, divine providence, and faith triumphing over adversity.

History of Hanukkah

It was during one of the most turbulent periods in Jewish history that the events that inspired the Hanukkah holiday occurred. About 200 B.C., Judea– the land of Israel– fell into the hands of Antiochus III, the Seleucid king of Syria, who permitted the Jews living there to continue practicing their religion. His son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, was not as benevolent. 

Sources from ancient times report that he banned the Jewish faith and compelled the Jews to honour Greek Gods. In the year 168 B.C., his soldiers stormed Jerusalem, killing thousands of people and making the holy second temple city desecrated by establishing an altar for Zeus and even sacrificing pigs inside its reversed walls.

Headed by the Jewish priest Mattathias and his five sons, a full-scale uprising had broken out against Antiochus and the Seleucid monarchy. At Matthias’ death in 166 B.C., his son Judah, known as Judah Maccabee (the hammer), took the lead. Within two years of this date, the Jews were successful in driving the Syrians from Jerusalem, depending principally upon guerilla warfare techniques. 

Judah urged his followers to purify the second temple, rebuild its altar, and light its menorah– the gold candelabrum whose branches represented knowledge and creation and were meant to be kept burning every night. 

Why is Hanukkah 2024 celebrated?

Hanukkah is a holiday that means victory. To celebrate the victory over the Gentiles, the Jews wished to rededicate the temple and specify the menorah with the light of a lamp; at that time, the amount of olive oil that was used to fill the lamp was just sufficient to burn for one day. But amazingly, it remained switched on for eight successive days as well. Jews consider it a miracle.

These 8 days represent faith, endurance, and divine interposition. The festival also marks Jewish people’s tenacity towards the retention of identity and religious liberty. 

Hanukkah 2024

As for Hanukkah, Jews will often wish one another “Hag Hanukkah Sameach” during this holiday season, meaning “Happy Holidays” in Hebrew. It has remained a time-honoured custom. The week-long celebration is accompanied by charity activities and children’s plays and games in most communities.

The Modern Celebrations of Hanukkah 2024 continues for 8 consecutive days

Hanukkah is being celebrated in any country having a Jewish population. However, Hanukkah does not always become an official public holiday. The top 3 countries that celebrate Hanukkah in the modern style are the USA, Hungary, and Israel. 

Hanukkah is an 8-night Jewish holiday commencing on the 25th of Kilev in the Hebrew calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, people will observe Hanukkah this year from the 25th of December, 2024, to the 2nd of January, 2025. I already mentioned to you that Hanukkah is an eight-day festival for Jews. Another name for this event is the Festival of Lights. This festival is also like Diwali. As for festivals and celebrations, Hanukkah and Diwali are examples of cooperation between India and Israel.

How is Hanukkah 2024 Celebrated?

Hanukkah 2024 – a feast of happiness, actions, and unity. The most well-known tradition is that of the kindling of the menorah, a nine-coated candlestick. Each day, people add one candle with the help of the shamash. By the last day of Hanukkah, the candelabrum will have eight burning candles. Each night of Hanukkah, people light the candles of the menorah, which is accompanied by prayers and singing.

Children and adults spin the top, known as a dreidel, with Hebrew letters on its four sides. They often spin it to play a special game that involves chocolate coins or other rewards. Another aspect of the holiday is the gift giving with children, given traditionally a present for each night of Hanukkah.

During Hanukkah, people prepare food and share stories of hope and resistance to remind everyone of the festival’s values. People may also get together for public displays such as the lighting of the menorah, shows, and parties simply aimed at sharing the light of Hanukkah beyond the living rooms.

What is the Traditional Food of Hanukkah 2024?

  • Each Hanukkah meal features special dishes, most of which people fry to represent the oil that burned for eight days.
  • Potato pancakes, also known as latkes, are the most popular food associated with Hanukkah. They are oval, crispy, and golden, and people often serve them with sour cream or applesauce.

  • Another favorite dish is sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts topped with powdered sugar, which make the festivities a sweet affair.
  • Others are the great traditional foods that almost every family bakes, like cookies, pies, cupcakes, and others.
  • The family specialties that families cook on holidays like brisket, kugel, or roasted vegetables. People should take such foods and share them with family members to portray the symbolisms of the festival in respect to extending gratitude and fellowship.

Preparing for the Hanukkah 2024

To prepare for celebrating Hanukkah 2024 at home, you will need to have candles and a Hanukkah menorah with nine candle holders or, as is the case in some families, have one menorah for every member of the family. (For those living in places where open flames aren’t allowed or are unsafe, or those who are traveling, electric menorahs are widely available.) You also can decide together as a family how to observe each night of the holiday – whether with activities, cooking, or by carrying a social righteousness part to the holiday.

Many families like to give gifts during Hanukkah, and some also give charitable gifts. It’s an opportunity to make the sixth evening the Ner Shel Tzedakah (“Candle of Righteousness”), where you can learn about poverty or other social justice issues and make a contribution or engage in other activities linked to a reason that is meaningful to you and your family. This social justice gift guide offers suggestions that emphasize the repair of the world(tikkun olam).

Precautions during Hanukkah 2024

  • Hanukkah is a day of joy and light. On this day, people prohibit mourning. They forbid mourning the dead and being sorrowful.
  • Additionally, they forbid refusing to eat or fasting.
  • During Hanukkah, people forbid women from doing household chores, especially while the Hanukkah lights are burning. This way, they manifest their appreciation to the Divine for the miracle of Hanukkah and their delivery from oppression and ridicule under Greek rule. 
  • Schools close down for 8 days so that their children can spend the days with their families.

Why is Hanukkah relevant today?

Well, those are some timeless messages of Hanukkah, but is there anything that Hanukkah is especially important in these days you will tell me? Unfortunately, both in the US and around the world, the number of incidents where people get stranded has been rising. A new poll reveals that 1 in 4 American Jews have experienced an antisemitic incident in the past year. The Hanukkah story tells the story of Jews still struggling with discrimination. 

If we see the Hanukkah story as instructive for how to react to new waves of antisemitism, we can draw lessons on how to respond, what strategy could we extract? Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (Former Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom) offered the following answer to the question:

According to Levin, on Hanukkah, Jews fought back and won. The Jewish people regarded the Maccabees as a fighting party, as individuals who would not cower in front of the enemy. Hence, the Hanukkah message is obvious: do not simply curse the darkness; produce light instead. And what it means is, ‘Do not be afraid to fight back.’

Moreover, some historical background of Hanukkah involves progressive victory against difficult times of life which may help one to get through the most difficult periods. The oil that burned for eight days and the Maccabees’ perseverance in fighting their oppressors represent this.

Rabbi Sacks explained the message of Hanukkah this way: “We often filled our past with stories, and we expressed our pain through tears.”” Yet, despite it all, we are still here, enduring every empire and civilization that tried to erase us.” The candles of Hanukkah symbolize the human spirit, and this thought is powerful. Where men are dull, let us be bright.”

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Hanukkah 2024 is much more than a historical holiday. It is a time when we maintain both individual and collective faith. It is also a time when we acknowledge and value hope the most. Whether attending the lighting of the Hanukkiah or playing dreidel with friends and family, Hanukkah centers around spreading light. It is also a time for sharing the sustenance of the holiday.

When Hanukkah 2024 arrives and we light the candles, let us carry the message with us. Let us share it with the whole wide world. So this is it for today, we will be back with another interesting blog. Till then take care of yourself and Happy Hanukkah!!

 

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Jayanti: The Guru has been influential in Indian culture since ancient times. Guru Nanak is the first in a series of ten Gurus of Sikhism. The tradition of a new path to God, salvation, or attaining self-realization begins with Guru Sahibji. Guruji has contributed to Indian religion, philosophy, and society.

Guru Nanak Jayanti, Guru Purab, or Prakash Parv, is of great importance to the people of the Sikh religion. On this day, Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. Every year, Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary on the full moon day of Kartik month.

On this day, the gurudwara organizes bhajans and kirtans, and people visit to pay obeisance. This year, we will celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti on 15 November 2024.Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught about religion, morality, and humanity in society.

Who was Guru Nanak Ji?

Guru Nanak Ji is said to have laid the foundation of Sikh society. He is also known as Nanak Dev, Baba Nanak, and Nanakshah. Guru Nanak Dev, the first Guru of the Sikh community and the founder of this religion.People in the Ladakh and Tibet regions also refer to him as Nanak Lama.

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Apart from India, Guru Nanak Dev also preached in Afghanistan, Iran, and Arab countries. At the age of 16, he married a girl named Sulakhni and they had two sons, Srichand and Lakhmidas. He died in 1539 AD in the Pakistan area of Kartarpur.

Before his death, Guru Nanak Ji declared Bhai Lahna as his successor, who later became known as Guru Angad Dev. The Sikh community considered Guru Angad Dev as the second Guru of Sikhism. Let us tell you that Guru Nanak Dev devoted his life to the welfare of human society. 

History of Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Dev ji was born in 1469 AD. Nanak ji was born in Kartik Purnima in 1469 in a village named Talwandi, situated on the banks of the river Ravi in ​​the Punjab (Pakistan) region. However, Guru Nanak Ji was born in Nankana Sahib, in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Now, this place is named after Nanak Dev. People from all over the country and abroad come here to visit the famous Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. According to popular belief, Guru Nanak Ji established the Sikh community. King Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire built this Gurdwara.

How is Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrated?

There is a provision to celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti as Prakash Parv, the people of the Sikh religion. Sometime before this day, people recollect Guru Nanak Dev’s dedication to society by reciting the Paath.On this date, the Sikh community organized the Akhand Ramayan Path, in which they recited Guru Granth Sahib. On this date, all Sikhs organize Akhand Paath for about 48 hours and take out Prabhat Pheri a day before Guru Nanak Dev’s Jayanti.

Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 Date and Time

Guru Nanak Jayanti – 15 November 2024 

Purnima Tithi Start – November 15, 2024 at 06:19 AM 

Purnima Tithi Ends – November 16, 2024 at 02:58 AM

Significance of Guru Nanak Jayanti 

Guru Nanak Ji’s teachings and sermons are still very popular and important among his followers. During his lifetime, Guru Nanak Dev established Sikhism based on spiritual education. 

It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev founded Sikhism. Therefore, Sikhs consider him their first Guru. He had undertaken many journeys in his lifetime as a social reformer and religious reformer. During these journeys, Guru Nanak Ji did many vital works as a poet and Vishwa Bandhu.

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He also played an essential role in removing the evils prevalent in the society. Despite marrying at just 16 and having a son named Lakhimdas, Guru Nanak Ji decided to leave his household life and travel to other countries, including India. He actively worked to guide people towards the right path through his religious teachings.

Religious significance of Guru Nanak Jayanti

The day of Guru Purnima is extraordinary for people who believe in Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev is believed to bless people on this day and is considered the best for receiving blessings. Many believe that meditating on Guru Nanak with a true heart, remembering him, and listening to Gurbani on this day can bring peace of mind.

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Many people think that prayers and wishes fulfilled during Guru Nanak Jayanti are the result of mythological connections because they are made with a sincere heart. On this day, many people distribute prasad, halwa, biscuits, nankeen, sweets, fruits, etc., in the joy of the Guru Nanak festival.Many believe that Guru Nanak Dev wrote the Sikh prayer, Japji Sahib.

Guru Nanak Jayanti: Family background

Nanak Ji was born in the village named Talwandi on the banks of the river Ravi in Punjab (Pakistan) on Kartik Purnima in 1469. He was born into a Hindu family. His father’s name was Kalyan or Mehta Kalu Ji, and his mother’s name was Tripti Devi. At the age of 16, he married a girl named Sulakhni, a resident of Lakhoki in Gurdaspur district. They had two sons, Shri Chand and Lakhmi Chand. 

After the birth of both sons, Guru Nanak Dev Ji set out on a pilgrimage with his four companions, Mardana, Lahna, Bala, and Ramdas. They started preaching by roaming around. By 1521, he completed three travel cycles, in which he visited the main places of India, Afghanistan, Persia, and Arabia. In Punjabi, people call these journeys “Udaasiyan.”

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Guru Nanak Dev Ji considered idol worship meaningless and always opposed superstitions and bad customs. According to Nanak Ji, God is not outside but within us. Ibrahim Lodi even imprisoned him. Finally, Ibrahim lost the battle of Panipat, and Babar took control of the kingdom. Subsequently, he freed Babar from imprisonment.

Guru Nanak Ji’s ideas changed society. He established a city in Kartarpur (Pakistan) and built a Dharamshala. Nanak Ji died on 22 September 1539 AD. Before his death, Bhai Lahna made Guru Angad Dev his successor.

10 thoughts of Guru Nanak Dev

  1. Ego, jealousy, greed, and covetousness do not allow a man to remain a man. Therefore, one should stay away from these. 
  2. One should spend one-tenth of his earnings on charity and one-tenth of his time in the worship of God or in the devotion of God. 
  3. One should always keep doing his work without any tension and should always be happy. 
  4. God is one and is present everywhere. Always worship the same God. God is present everywhere. Those who worship God do not have to fear anything. 
  5. If someone needs money or any other help, we should always keep going. 
  6. People should give the message of love, unity, equality, brotherhood, and spiritual light. 
  7. Money should stay confined in the pocket, and it should not find a place in the heart.
  8. Walk on the path of truth and justice and follow good deeds. 
  9. One should help people experiencing poverty and people in need with hard work and honesty.
  10. 10 Knowing the truth is more significant than anything, and living in truth is more significant than that.

Contribution of Guru Nanak to society

Guru Nanak Dev raised his voice against religious evils. He has made a unique contribution to society through his education and preaching, which is as follows.  

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  1. Guru Nanak Ji stressed the need for respect for society and women based on equality and brotherhood.
  2. He gave the message of ‘Naam Japo, Kirat Karo, Wand Chhako’ to the world. It means to chant the name of God, fulfil your responsibilities with honesty and hard work, and share whatever you earn with needy people.
  3. Guru Nanak Ji rejected rituals like yagya, religious baths, idol worship, severe penance, etc.
  4. He was an ideal person who lived like a saint all his life and spread the message of ‘karma’ to the whole world.
  5. He taught the world the ‘nirguna’ form of devotion to God.
  6. Apart from this, Guru Nanak Dev organized his followers as a community and created some rules for collective worship.
  7. Guru Nanak gave his followers the mantra ‘Ek Omkar’ and emphasized the importance of treating all human beings equally without any discrimination based on caste, creed, or gender.

Conclusion

In addition to this, Guru Nanak Jayanti is of great significance to the Sikh community of India. Guru Nanak Jayanti is on 15 November this year. The new moon day of Kartik month is when people celebrate Diwali, and fifteen days later, on the full moon day of Kartik, people celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti.

Sikh organizations plan and organize large-scale programs in advance, starting preparations a month before. On this day, members of the Sikh community enthusiastically participate in Prabhatpheris, taking out drums and cymbals. These days, people also enthusiastically participate in the service programs in Gurudwaras.

Tulsi Vivah 2024

Tulsi Vivah 2024 is a very sacred festival of Hindus celebrated annually all over India with great joy. This festival is considered one of the most sacred rituals of the Hindus. The Tulsi Vivah is also called by the names of Dev Uthnai Gyaras and Tulsi Kalyanam. Performing the Tulsi Vivah blessed the devotees with peace and prosperity. 

The Tulsi Vivah has a very interesting story behind it. It is said that on this day lord Vishnu wakes up after four months of sleep. All the promising tasks and events are performed after this festival. This festival signifies the beginning of Hindu marriages and other holy tasks. 

Tulis is considered one of the most sacred plants in Hinduism and is worshipped as a Goddess in different parts of India. Worshiping the Tulsi keeps the family free from various kinds of trouble. Besides this, Tulsi has many medicinal benefits. You can book a Pandit for the Tulsi Puja from 99pandit to perform the rituals perfectly. 

Significance of Tulsi Vivah:

The Tulsi Vivah is a very auspicious festival for Hindus. The Tulis is worshipped as a goddess which represents feminine power. The plant Tulsi has both spiritual and medicinal benefits for the devotees which blesses the devotees with health, wealth, peace, and prosperity. In India, the Tulsi plant is planted in many Hindu houses. 

Tulsi Vivah

According to the Hindu scriptures on this day Lord Vishnu married Tulsi in the form of Shaligram. This festival holds great significance for Hindus, as they consider this day to mark the beginning of all their auspicious and important events and works. Most of the Hindu marriages and other special events start after this day.

Performing all the auspicious and sacred works after the Tulsi Vivah guides and protects them from all kinds of misshaping and troubles. It is said that one who worships the Tulsi plant every day gets the special blessing of Lord Vishnu for the betterment of his life. 

When is Tulsi Vivah in 2024?

According to the Hindu Lunar Calendar, the auspicious festival of Tulsi Vivah falls on the Day of Ekadashi in the month of Kartik which is Wednesday, 13 November 2024 when converted to the Gregorian Calendar. 

The Shubh Muhurat for the Tulsi Puja starts at 04:05 PM on Nov 12 and ends at 01:01 PM on Nov 13. Devotees should perform the Tulsi Puja during the given time to make the Puja rituals successful and effective. 

Story Behind the Tulsi Festival:

The Tulsi festival has an interesting story behind it. According to the Hindu scriptures, Goddess Laxmi is believed to have incarnated as a woman named Vrinda on earth, who is known as Tulsi. Vrinda was the wife of the demon King Jalandhar. Vrinda was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu who loved her husband so much and worshipped Lord Vishnu for his long and healthy life. 

Due to the prayer of Vrinda, Jhalamdhar becomes invincible by any god. Seeing the powers and distraction of Jalandhar, Lord Shiva requested Lord Vishnu to weekend his powers in the war. For this Lord Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and distracted Vrinda from his worship. Then Lord Shiva killed Jalandhar with his trident. 

Tulsi Vivah 2

Angry at the death of his husband Vrinda cursed Lord Vishnu to become a stone. The stone form of Lord Vishnu was later called by the name of Shaligram. Which is mostly found near the Gandaki River in Nepal. After that Vrinda set herself on fire and a Tulsi Plant grew from the Ashes of Vrinda. Lord Vishnu stated that he would marry Vrinda in his Shaligarm form. 

Then God took the Shaligram Stone in the form of Lord Vishnu and performed the marriage of Shaligam and Tulsi as Lord Vishnu’s statement. From that day the Tulsi Vivah is celebrated as a festival which is called the auspicious beginning of Hindu events. 

Puja Samagri for Tulsi Vivah:

The Puja Samagri is necessary for performing the Tulsi Vivah. You can ask your Pandit for the Puja Samagri of the Tulsi Vivah. We have mentioned the main Puja Samagri for the Tulsi Puja. 

Tulsi Vivah 3

Follow is the List of Puja Samagri for the Tulsi Vivah ritual:

  • Tulsi plant
  • A mandap 
  • Flowers, garlands, and decorative items
  • Earthen lamps
  • Incense sticks
  • Cotton thread 
  • Puja Chowki
  • Water
  • Rice
  • Prasad (sweets or fruits)
  • Turmeric paste 
  • Vermilion
  • Sandalwood paste
  • Betel leaves and nuts
  • A coconut
  • Camphor
  • A Conch shell 
  • A bell
  • A ghee lamp
  • A clay pot 
  • An idol or picture of  Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu 
  • Red Cloth

Tulsi Vivah Vidhi:

The experienced Pandit should perform the very auspicious ritual of Tulsi Vivah to remove all mistakes and ensure the correct chanting of mantras and execution of rituals. To perform the Tulsi Puja first of all the devotees should take a holy bath early in the morning. Then wear clean and new clothes.  Decorate the Tulsi Plant with Red Chunri, Bangles, Vermilion, and turmeric. 

The Tulsi Vivah ritual is similar to the traditional Hindu wedding ritual. Decorate the Tulsi Vivah place with the beautiful Mandapa. Put a Chowki in the Mandapa, cover it with a red cloth, spread some rice grains on it, and place the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu or Krishna on it. Also, put the Shaligram stone in the Mandapa to cover the Idol and the Shaligram stone with a white Dhoti as clothes of Lord Vishnu.

Vivah Tulsi

Offer a Garland of Marigold rose to the Idol of Lord Vishnu and the Plant of Tulsi then offer Gangajal to both of them. Now tie a knot between an Idol of Lord Vishnu and a Tulsi plant with a white cloth. After that, put a Mangalsutra on the Tulsi plant. Perform the Hawan rituals then worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi to get their divine blessings. 

Perform the Brahmaboj and do charity for the poor and needy people, share Prasadam with everyone, and finish the wedding ritual by performing the Kanyadaan ritual where the owner of the house or the Pandit does this ritual. End the Tulsi Vivah ritual with the sound of a Conch shell. 

Mantras for Tulsi Vivah:

Follow are some Mantras for Tulsi Vivah rituals:  

  • ॐ श्री मत्पंकजविष्टरो हरिहरौ, वायुमर्हेन्द्रोऽनलः, चन्द्रो भास्कर वित्तपाल वरुण, प्रताधिपादिग्रहाः ।
  • प्रद्यम्नो नलकूबरौ सुरगजः, चिन्तामणिः कौस्तुभः, स्वामी शक्तिधरश्च लांगलधरः, कुवर्न्तु वो मंगलम् ।।

Om Shri Matpankajavishtaro Hariharau, Vayumarhendro̕nalah, Chandro Bhaskar Vittapal Varuna, Pratadhipadigrahaah . Pradyamno Nalkubarau Surgajah, Chintamanih Kaustubhah, Svaami Shaktidharasch Langaldharah, Kuvarntu Vo Mangalam.

Tulsi Vivah 5

  • नमो नमस्ते तुलसी पापं हर हरिप्रिये।। तुलसी श्रीर्महालक्ष्मीर्विद्याविद्या यशस्विनी।
  • धर्म्या धर्मानना देवी देवीदेवमन: प्रिया।।

Namo Namaste Tulsi Papam Har Haripriye Tulsi Shrirmahalakshmirvidyavidya Yashasvini.
Dharmya Dharmanana Devi Devidevaman  Priya.

Cost of Performing the Tulsi Vivah:

The Cost for performing the Tulsi Vivah 2024 is very low everyone who wants the divine blessing can perform the Tulsi Puja at his home at a very affordable price.

The cost of performing the Tulsi Vivah is quite the same as other Hindu Puja rituals.  The cost of the Samagri for the Tulsi Vivah can cost you around INR 300 to INR 500 which is quite a reasonable price for the Samagri. 

The Pandit depends on the mode and platform of booking the Pandir service. If you book a Pandit offline he can charge you a very big and unfixed amount which can ruin your budget for the Tulsi Vivah. But if you book a Pandit from 99pandit he will charge you a reasonable and fixed amount.

Story Behind the Tulsi Festival

The Pandit from 99pandit can charge you an amount of INR 2100 to INR 5100 which is a good change according to the high demand of Pandit on the day of Tulsi Vivah. The Charity and donation cost is all up to you which you can do as per your choice and willing to donate. Overall you can perform the Tulsi Vivah at a low cost. 

Benefits of performing the Tulsi Vivah:

There are numerous benefits of performing the Tulsi Vivah which are beneficial for the betterment of the life of any devotees. Besides the spiritual benefit of Tulsi Vivah, the Tulsi plant has many medical benefits.

The Tulsi Vivah 2024 ceremony blesses couples with love and harmony in their marital life, removing negative energy and troubles from their marriage and other Hindu events. Performing this ritual before the Hindu Marriage Season gives couples the special blessings of Lord Vishnu.

tulsi vivah 7

Performing the Tulsi Vivah at home fills the house with peace, wealth, and prosperity. It removes the negative energies and evil powers from the house and fills it with positivity and goodness. Besides all the spiritual benefits, planting the Tulsi plant in the home saves the home from different kinds of diseases and cures almost all kinds of diseases and illnesses. 

The Tulsi Vivah grants the performer and his family the divine blessing of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. Also, it helps childless couples to have children and fulfil their lives with happiness and joy. 

Pandit for Tulsi Vivah:

The skilled and experienced Pandit should perform the very auspicious ritual of Tulsi Vivah in 2024. The Pandit, skilled in Hindu Scriptures and Puja rituals, will assist you in flawlessly conducting the Tulsi Vivah ceremony. Finding a good Pandit on the day of Tulsi Vivah is slightly difficult for you because most of the Pandits are busy performing the rituals for the Tulsi Vivah. 

tulsi vivah 8

An offline Pandit can charge you an unfixed and high amount for the Tulsi Vivah due to his high demand on the day. But you can book an experienced and highly skilled Pandit from 99pandit who will guide you at each step of the Tulsi Vivah ritual to remove all the mistakes from the rituals. 

99pandit offers the best Pandit service online at a very affordable price to perform the Tulsi Vivah ritual which grants you the divine blessings of Lord Vishnu and  Mahalakshmi Puja.

Conclusion:

Hindus all over India perform the sacred festival of Tulsi Vivah 2024 annually with great devotion, marking the beginning of an auspicious period for Hindu marriages and other sacred events. Performing the Tulis Vivah removes all the negativity, troubles, and distractions in the marriage. 

Some believe that Lord Vishnu married Tulsi in the form of Shaligram stone on the day of Tulsi Vivah. Lord Shiva also killed demon king Jalandhar, who was the husband of Vrinda (Tulsi), on this day to maintain peace and balance on earth.

Performing the Tulsi Vivah has numerous benefits for the devotees which grants them the divine blessings of Lord Vishnu for wealth, health, and prosperity in life. A skilled Pandit is very necessary to perform the Tulsi Vivah perfectly. You can book a skilled Pandit from 99pandit at an affordable price to get the blessings of deities. 

 

Karva Chauth Gifts Ideas for wife

Karwa Chauth Gifts Ideas for Wife: This Karwa Chauth surprises your wife by gifting her special gifts and making her feel special. Today, in this blog, we are going to talk about the top 10 best Karwa Chauth gift ideas for wives.

For every Hindu woman or married couple, the festival of Karwa Chauth is very special and precious, especially when it is your wife’s first Karwa Chauth. To deepen your love for this Karwa Chauth, it is important to pick some gifts that not only make her happy but also strengthen your relationship.

This year, the Karwa Chauth fast will be observed on Friday, 10 October 2025. The wife fasts with the wish for her husband’s long life, and a life partner means support in every difficulty and joy. Even if you cannot fast with your wife, you can still bring a smile to her face by gifting her something close to her.

When your wife is keeping a Nirjala fast for your long life, then you also make her feel special. For this, you can give a gift to your wife. Here, we are going to provide you with some gift ideas that you can give to your wife.

What is Karwa Chauth?

The festival of Karwa Chauth is very important for married women. On Karwa Chauth, married women keep a Nirjala fast (without drinking water) for the lengthy life of their husbands. Every year, this festival is celebrated in the Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. This year, the date is 20 October, so Karwa Chauth’s fast will be held on Friday, 10 October.

This is a festival of fasting with utmost devotion and reverence, which shows the love between husband and wife. Today, this festival is celebrated with great pomp throughout the country. Since ancient times, women have been observing this fast for the longevity of their husbands. 

On this day, women keep a Nirjala fast and do 16 Shringar and worship. After fasting the whole day, all the women break their fast at night by offering Arghya to the moon.

Top 10 Best Karwa Chauth Gifts Ideas For Wife

Indian married women keep the fast of  Karwa Chauth Gifts Ideas for wife each year for the long life of their husbands. This year’s occasion of the Karwa Chauth fast is on Sunday, 20 October 2024. According to religious beliefs, observing this fast prolongs the life of the husband. Thus, women celebrate the Nirjala fast for their partners on this day. But in this fast, by evening, the glow of the faces of the wives starts fading.

In such a situation, if you want, you can bring back the light of their face by gifting some great things to your wife. But if you are also concerned about what to present to your wife on Karwa Chauth, then here we have some gift ideas for you.

1. Premium Beauty Gift Hamper

Giving a premium beauty gift hamper to your wife on the Karva Chauth Gifts Ideas for wife occasion can be a good option. In a beauty gift hamper, you get things like face wash, moisturizer, serum, mask, makeup kit etc. You can choose a good beauty hamper according to your wife’s skin type and interests. You can also include products of her favourite brands in it. She will like a premium beauty gift hamper, and this gift will be memorable for her. 

2. Beautiful Jewelry Set

You can gift a beautiful jewellery set to your wife on the occasion of Karva Chauth. Women always like jewellery, and this is a memorable gift. You can choose earrings, necklace sets, bracelets, or pendant sets as per your wife’s choice. She loves a good quality jewellery set and likes to wear it always. This will be a great and memorable gift. 

3. Handbags

You can gift a beautiful handbag to your wife on the occasion of Karva Chauth. You can buy a nice and stylish handbag of her choice of colour, design, and brand. Even if the budget is a little low, you will get good options. Every woman likes a new handbag, and this will be a memorable gift for her. 

4. Chocolates and a teddy bear

If you want to gift your wife on Karwa Chauth, then get a pack of chocolates of her favourite flavours prepared for her and also buy a teddy bear. Apart from this, you can buy a rose flower or a whole bouquet. Your wife will be happy to see this gift.

5. Combo set of healthy things

You can gift a combo set of healthy things to your wife on Karwa Chauth. If your wife is a fitness freak, then you can give her things related to her workout. For example, get a set of yoga or workout clothes with a yoga mat, a good bottle or shaker, a smartwatch, and a jumping rope and gift it to her.

Karwa-Chauth-Gifts-ideas-for-Wife-2

6. Wrist Watch 

You can buy a beautiful watch for your wife on Karva Chauth. Nowadays, a lot of stylish watches are in trend. You can choose them according to your wife’s liking. Your wife will like this gift. If you want, you can also give her a sports watch. Apart from being stylish in appearance, it will also be helpful for fitness.

7. Footwear 

Footwear is something that everyone likes and is also used a lot. In such a situation, you can give a gift to your wife. If your wife exercises, then you can also give her sports shoes, which will make her slim and fit.

8. Beauty parlour gift hamper

If your wife is fond of dressing up, then you should give her a beauty parlour gift hamper. You can also give her a sauna or massage parlour gift hamper. This will enhance her beauty and will also help her get rid of fatigue after work.

9. Saree or Suit

If you want, you can gift a saree or suit to your wife. If you are thinking of gifting it, then give it during the day only so that during the Puja, she wears the gift given by you. Whenever your wife wears the saree or suit you gave her, she will love you. 

10. Health insurance

Women, who are the backbone of the entire family and take care of their family along with their professional lives, need to catch up in taking care of them. They take care of us when we are sick, but who takes care of them when they are sick? Is it not our responsibility to do this?

If your wife does not have health insurance, then this Karva Chauth, you can give her good health insurance. This will not only help you get better medical facilities during illness but will also save you from the burden of sudden huge expenses.

Top 5 Tips to make your wife feel special on Karwa Chauth

On the day of Karva Chauth, married women observe a Nirjala fast for the long life of their husbands and consume water and food only after seeing the moon at night.

During Karwa Chauth, you can make this occasion of Karva Chauth even more special for your wife. Today, we are going to tell you some tips with the help of which you can make the day of Karva Chauth special for your wife.

1. Give a Special Gift

Give gifts to your wife on the day of Karva Chauth. You can gift her jewellery, designer bags, clothes, a new phone, a customized photo frame, or anything else as per her requirement. Such gifts will bring a smile to your wife’s face as soon as she sees them.

2. Give a handwritten love letter.

You can also express your love to your wife by giving her a handwritten letter. If your wife likes Shayari and poems, you can write something special for her. This will make her feel good after reading it. You can give her a poem or Shayari written by a famous poet.

3. Flower Bouquet/ Flower Basket

The best way to express love is to give a bouquet. So, on this Karva Chauth, you can express your love by giving flowers to your wife.

Karwa Chauth Gifts

4. Special date plan

On the day of Karva Chauth, you can plan to go for dinner with your wife. Apart from this, both of you can go to watch your favourite movie. For a special date plan, you can also plan a dinner date at home. For this, you can decorate the dining table with flowers and candles. Your wife will like it when she sees it.

5. Make her favorite Food.

On Karva Chauth, wives stay hungry and thirsty all day for the long life of their husbands and eat something after offering water to the moon in the evening. In such a situation, to make this day special for your wife, you can cook her favourite dish for dinner. She will be happy to see this and will also feel special. You can also express your love in this way.

Karwa Chauth Wishes and Quotes

On the occasion of this holy Karwa Chauth fast of husband and wife, if you want to make your partner feel special, then not only can you keep a fast for them, but you can also wish them a Happy Karwa Chauth with these special messages.

Happy Karwa Chauth! Wishes and Quotes to Share

  • May the glow of Karwa Chauth’s moon fill your life with happiness and love.
  • On this special day of Karwa Chauth, I pray for your long and prosperous life.
  • May the bond of our love expand stronger with each passing day. Happy Karwa Chauth, my beloved.
  • I am wishing you a beautiful Karwa Chauth filled with joy, love, and togetherness.
  • May this Karwa Chauth bring endless moments of love and friendship.
  • On this day, I break my fast with the hope that our passion and love will always last.
  • As you end your fast, may our love continue to last.
  • I wish you a heavenly Karwa Chauth and a lifetime of pleasure together.
  • May our love story be as timeless as the moon of Karwa Chauth in the sky.
  • On this Karwa Chauth, I express my love and gratefulness for having you in my life.

Karwa Chauth

Wish For Wife

  • May this Karwa Chauth fast get you blessings and lots of love, my wifey.
  • May the bond of love between you and me be as strong as you are fast.
  • I wish you a very captivating and special Karwa Chauth, my love. Happy fasting!
  • I hope this Karwa Chauth gets you closer to your husband. Happy Karwa Chauth!
  • I am wishing you a blessed Karwa Chauth full of love and joy, my love.

Wishes For Husband

  • May your wife’s fast bring you good health, happiness, and prosperity.
  • Adore the love and affection of your wife on this Karwa Chauth Gifts Ideas for Wife.
  • May your love for each other unfold stronger with each passing day.
  • I wish you a very delighted and blessed Karwa Chauth, my hubby.
  • May this Karwa Chauth get you and me closer together, my love.

Conclusion

In this article, we have covered all the aspects related to gift ideas for Karwa Chauth for the wife. I hope you have fun reading this blog. Karwa Chauth Gifts Ideas for Wife is an auspicious and special festival for Indian wives. Make this auspicious occasion more special for your wife by gifting jewellery, make-up products, sarees, suits, etc. Along with gifts, you can also make them feel special by planning a sweet date at their favourite place, like a cafe or restaurant.

To make your life happy, make your wife happy! This Karwa Chauth gift to your wife from the above-given list. It’s not only your wife’s duty to make you feel special but you too have the responsibility to make her feel special. When your wife is keeping a Nirjala Ekadashi fast for your long life, then you also make her feel special. For this, you can give a gift to your wife. 

 

Dhanteras puja at home

Dhanteras Puja At Home: In Hinduism, Diwali is of great importance. The festival of Diwali lasts for five days. It starts from the Trayodashi date of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, which is Dhanteras. Dhanteras is also considered one of the major Hindu festivals, celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm every year.

Dhanteras is believed that on this day, Lord Dhanvantari appeared with Amrit Kalash during the churning of the ocean. According to religious beliefs, people worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Dhanvantari ji, and Lord Kuber on this day.

People perform Dhanteras Puja at home by lighting diyas to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. It does not matter how much the world has modernized; people still celebrate Dhanteras Puja at home with full enthusiasm, as per tradition. People can perform puja as per authentic video with the help of an experienced Pandit by booking a Pandit from Pandit 99Panditji.in.

What is Dhanteras Puja?

According to the scriptures, this festival of Dhanteras is a day of prayer to the god of death, Yamraj, to be free from the fear of untimely death. Apart from this, the tradition of worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber on this day has been going on since ancient times. Just as Lord Ganesha is the lord of wisdom and knowledge, similarly Kuber is the lord of wealth.

Lord Dhanvantari appeared with the nectar pot during the churning of the ocean on the Trayodashi date of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month (Purnimanta) hence this date is known as Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi.

Dhanteras Puja

Dhanteras have special significance in our Sanatan Dharma because this festival is a symbol of wealth and prosperity. It is celebrated two days before Diwali. According to the Panchang, Dhanteras will be celebrated on 29 October this year. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country.

On this holy day, Goddess Lakshmi, as well as Lord Dhanvantari and Lord Kuber, are worshipped for wealth and prosperity. On the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, there is a practice of exchanging gifts as a sign of love and prosperity. Also, shopping related to household items on this day is considered very auspicious, so on this day, there is a tradition of buying gold and silver items as well as utensils, brass, and brooms, which is auspicious.

Why is Dhanteras Puja at Home celebrated?

According to religious stories, during the Samudra Manthan, Lord Dhanvantari appeared with the Amrit Kalash. The date on which he emerged from the sea was the Trayodashi date of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, on the occasion of which the festival of Dhanteras is celebrated in our homes.

Dhanteras Puja 2

It is also believed that Lord Dhanvantari is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He took the incarnation of Lord Dhanvantari to expand and spread medical science in the world. Hence, Dhanteras is given the first importance in Diwali because health is the biggest wealth of our lives.

Dhanteras Date Timing

According to the Vedic calendar, Trayodashi Tithi will start on Tuesday, 29 October 2024, at 10:31 am and end on Wednesday, 30 October 2024, at 1:15 pm. According to Uday Tithi, the festival of Dhanteras will be celebrated on 29 October.

Dhanteras Puja Shubh Muhurat

According to the Hindu calendar, the auspicious time for Dhanteras Puja will start from 6:31 pm to 8:13 pm on Tuesday, October 29. This time, a total of 1 hour 41 minutes will be available for Dhanteras Puja.

How to worship Kuber on Dhanteras

On this day, in Pradosh Kaal, as per the time given above, for the worship of Kuber, the God of Wealth, first light thirteen lamps and meditate on Kuber with the following mantra at the place of keeping money.
Mantra: Yakshaya Kuberay Vaishravanaya Dhan-Dhanyaadhipataye Dhan-Dhanya Samridhi Me Dehi Dapay Swaha
Apart from this, Kuber can also meditate with the following mantra:

Dhanteras Puja 3

Mantra: Om Shree Om Hreem Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Kleem Vitteshwaraya Namah.

After meditation, Sapta Dhanya, i.e., seven types of grains (wheat, urad, moong, gram, barley, rice, and lentils) should be offered to Maa Lakshmi and Kuber, and both should be worshipped with flowers, rice incense, etc. After worship, it is better to use white-coloured sweets for the offering. It is believed that worshipping Maa Lakshmi on this day leads to the attainment of stable Lakshmi.

Dhanteras Puja Vidhi

Dhanteras Puja 5

  • Try to wake up early in the morning and take a bath with water, adding some holy Gangajal.
  • Clean the house and temple thoroughly.
  • Decorate your house with lamps and flower strings.
  • During the puja muhurat, install the idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kuber, and Lord Dhanvantri.
  • Light a lamp of desi ghee.
  • Apply tilak of sandalwood and kumkum.
  • Offer a garland of flowers and fruits, sweets, Naivedya, etc.
  • Buy anything at auspicious times, place it in front of God, and worship it by applying tilak and burning incense.
  • In the evening, light a lamp outside the house in the south-west direction and offer it to Yamraj ji.
  • In the evening, light five lamps of mustard oil. Keep one lamp in the kitchen and one lamp on the threshold of the house.
  • Leave three lamps at the place of worship.
  • Do aarti and offer prasad. Along with Dhanteras, the worship of Yam also begins.
  • On Dhanteras, when all the people of the house come, the Yam lamp is lit outside the home. After this, no one goes out of the house. This is the belief.

10 Auspicious Things to Buy for Dhanteras Puja at Home

Here is the list of important and encouraging things to buy on this Dhanteras:

Dhanteras Puja 6

  • Buying Gold jewellery on the day of Dhanteras is considered extremely auspicious. This tradition has been going on for centuries. On this day, one must buy gold, which is also a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Brihaspati.
  • There is also a practice of buying silver on this auspicious occasion. However, many people buy silver coins on Dhanteras. On which are engraved the images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber.
  • Utensils have always been considered a symbol of success, so if you buy utensils on Dhanteras, you will achieve success. For this, you can also buy silver, copper, or clay utensils.
  • There is a tradition of buying a broom on Dhanteras to please Goddess Lakshmi, as this day is considered auspicious.
  • If your financial condition is not good, then you can buy whole coriander on Dhanteras. This will improve your condition.
  • You can buy television, phone, or any other essential electronic items on Dhanteras, which is considered auspicious on Dhanteras.
  • Buying betel leaves on Dhanteras is considered very auspicious because betel leaves are dear to Goddess Lakshmi; hence, you should buy betel leaves on this day.
  • It is auspicious to bring Shri Yantra of Kuber Yantra to your home on Dhanteras because bringing it home increases happiness and prosperity.
  • Be sure to buy salt on this day, which is considered beneficial because salt comes from the sea. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi was also incarnated from the sea, so buying salt is auspicious.
  • It is very encouraging to bring Lakshmi Charan to the house on Dhanteras. It is said that by doing this, Goddess Lakshmi herself enters your home.

Benefits of Dhanteras Puja

There are the following benefits an individual can receive from performing this auspicious Dhanteras Puja at home:

Dhanteras Puja 4

  • Abode of economic prosperity and wealth in the house.
  • Along with wealth, there will always be the permanent residence of happiness.
  • Freedom from diseases and attainment of good health.
  • Advancement in business and trade.
  • There will always be love and harmony in the family every day.
  • Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi also protect the family members from evil forces.
  • With the grace of Goddess Lakshmi, good fortune increases.
  • Individuals who perform Dhanteras Puja at Home also get the blessings of Lord Kuber.
  • This Puja also provides Mental peace and relief from stress.
  • Stability and balance in life.
  • Dhanteras Puja also increases mutual understanding and harmony.
  • Continuous increase in Health and wealth of any individual who performs Dhanteras Puja.
  • It is also helpful for gaining respect from coworkers in the workplace.
  • People live a long life with the blessings of Lord Dhanvantari.
  • People also receive favorability and profit in business.
  • Increase in Happiness, prosperity, and grandeur.
  • Dhanteras Puja people will be free from every type of hindrance in the family.

Conclusion

That’s all you need to know about Dhanteras Puja. Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kuber, along with Lord Dhanvantari will help you achieve a joyful and prosperous life.

The festival of Dhanteras commemorates the birth of Lord Dhanvantari. According to the scriptures, on the day of Dhanteras, Lord Dhanvantari appeared during the churning of the ocean with a golden pot full of nectar in his hands.

Lord Dhanvantari made the gods immortal by feeding them the nectar-filled pot. By worshipping Dhanvantari Dev on this day, a person gets a healthy life, and his health always remains good.

Shopping on Dhanteras is considered auspicious. Buying gold and silver jewellery, utensils, brass, and brooms is considered auspicious on this day. I hope you like reading this blog. We will meet you soon with another related blog till then Happy Dhanteras!!!

Mercury Retrograde

The Mercury Retrograde is a big natural phenomenon that occurs multiple times a year. This natural event has a significant impact on human life.  The period of Mercury retrograde is considered to be an inauspicious time. The Mercury Retrograde has many negative effects on people. 

To be safe from this negative event many people get its insights previously to minimize its impact on their life. The Mercury Retrograde is a very popular topic of Astrology that fascinates many astrology believers.

Besides its negative effects, it does have some positive factors that are beneficial for humans. In this article, we will discuss Navigating Mercury Retrograde with its tips and insights. 

What is Mercury Retrograde?

The Mercury RetroGrade is a natural Phenomenon in the cosmic system that occurs when the planet Mercury moves backwards in its orbit. Some say it is an optical illusion that makes it seem like the Mercury planet is moving backwards in its orbit from the Earth.

Mercury Retrograde

It has many negative impacts on the life of humans according to astrologers. Many consider this event as a very inauspicious event and avoid starting any new thing like a job, purchasing travel, etc. The Mercury Retrograde event appears to happen about 4-5 times a year which lasts 2-3 weeks at every occurrence.

During this period, the Mercury planet influenced people’s communication, which led to miscommunication and caused fights, misunderstandings, arguments, and disputes.

Mercury Retrograde effects:

There are multiple effects of Mercury Retrograde some are as follows:

Communication Breakdowns:

During the Mercury Retrograde, people should control their words and try to avoid saying meaningless or cussing words to others. The Mercury Retrograde influenced people’s communication, making them talk about appropriate things. This caused arguments and disputes due to misunderstandings and miscommunication between people.

Technological Glitches:

Mercury’s Retrograde has a bad influence on technologies and machines. During this period, mechanical equipment, tools, and gadgets did not work properly due to glitches and malfunctions. This causes big losses for many big industries and local civilians.

Travel Disruption:

This phenomenon has some negative impact on travelling due to the influence of Mercury Retrograde. Many astrologers suggest avoiding travelling during the Mercury Retrograde. One who travels during the Mercury Retrograde faces Vehicle malfunction and breakdown and also can cause a big accident.

Mercury Rretrograde 2

People also face delays, unexpected changes in their travel plans, and sometimes plan cancellations while travelling during the Mercury Retrograde period. Avoiding travelling during the Mercury Retrograde is much better.

Revisiting the Past:

Besides the negative impact of Mercury Retrograde, it has some positive factors as well. During the Mercury Retrograde period, people often revisit their old friends and other relationships. This helps people reconnect with their loved ones once again. It proved beneficial for people, but because some old issues resurfaced, it could cause problems and disputes between the people.

Tips to Navigate Mercury Retrograde:

Follow are some tips to navigate the Mercury Retrograde that help you to minimize it’s negative:

1. Double Check Everything before preceding:

You are advised to review all the contracts and bonds before proceeding to avoid any misunderstanding of instructions and regulations. Also, people should pay attention while sending mail or in verbal communication to avoid any kind of disputes or arguments.

2 . Avoid Major Decisions:

It is better to avoid all the major and important decisions that mould your life. You can postpone accepting any job or business offer till the Mercury Retrograde period ends. Most people avoid starting any new project or idea during the Retrograde Period, which prevents their project from becoming disgraded.

3. Backup Data:

As we already mentioned, Mercury’s Retrograde has a bad influence on technology. It can affect your phone and computer, which can lead to the loss of important data. So, it is better to make a backup before the Mercury Retrograde period.

4. Reflect and Review:

You can use this time to review and reflect on your goals and decisions. This period is perfect for reviewing all your past choices and thinking about adjusting and enhancing all the old ideas and plans for a better future.

Mercury-Retrograde-3

5. Stay Adaptable:

One Should stay adaptable and flexible for the upcoming unexpected changes. The Mercury retrograde period is very unpredictable, and we do not know what will happen next, so it is necessary to have a flexible attitude to accept all the changes in every aspect of life, such as travel, work, relationships, etc.

6. Engage In Self-care:

Mercury Retrograde is a perfect time for you to engage in self-care. Do meditation, exercise, and body care to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Spend time in nature, writing down your thoughts, to have a clear view of your character.

7. Maintain a Positive Mindset:

The Mercury Retrogrades is a negative and challenging period despite that it offers some opportunities that can be grabbed this time if one works with a positive mindset. People can make significant improvements in their lives during this period if they work accordingly.

Mercury Retrograde Important Dates 2024:

In 2024, the Mercury Retrogrades has four major events: December 13, 2023, to January 1, 2024; April 1 to April 24; August 4 to August 27; and November 25 to December 15. Remember all these above dates, plan your trips and important events, and work accordingly to avoid any kind of disruption.

Impact of Mercury Retrograde according to Astrology:

Mercury Retrogrades is a universal phenomenon and its impact depends on some astrological factors that have different effects on people of different zodiac signs. Follow are some astrological factors.

.Virgo/Gemini Sun or Rising:

The Planet Mercury is the ruler planet of both Gemini and Virgo and if you have a sun or rising sign in your astrology, you will be strongly affected by the Mercury Retrogrades. If you are a person who falls in this category, then you must follow the tips to navigate the Mercury Retrogrades mentioned above.

. Planets in the Sign of the Retrograde:

You will be highly affected by the Mercury Retrogrades if you have personal planets like Mars, Moon, Mercury, and Venus.

Mercury-Retrograde-4

. Retrograde in the 1st or 10th House: 

The houses represent the different areas of our Lives in astrology. The 1st house represents the self, identity, and personal presentation, while the 10th house shows the power, prestige, and public standing. If Mercury goes retrograde in either your 1st or 10th house, you might experience more personal acknowledgements or career-related re-evaluations.

Mercury Retrograde’s “Shadow Period”:

The Mercury retrogrades shadow period usually occurs two weeks before and after the actual retrogrades. As Mercury slows its orbit in the uncertainty of retrieval from its obvious backward move, it’s believed to create an atmosphere of heightened reflection and likely challenges in communication, technology, and travel.

Mercury Retrograde 6

Some people refer to this period as “Mercury retro-shade,” which is thought to mirror the effects of the retrogrades itself, though often in a softer form. Astrologers suggest that the pre-retrograde shadow period is an opportunity for early understanding of potential issues, allowing you to be foresighted. In contrast, the post-retrograde shadow offers a chance to remember lessons learned and blend new perspectives.

Conclusion:

Mercury Retrogrades is a major natural and celestial phenomenon that occurs multiple times in a year. It is a prominent event with a huge significance in astrology. Mercury Retrogrades occurs when the Planet Mercury starts rotating backwards in its orbit.

Astrology says that when the Planet Mercury starts its routine backwards, it has some negative impact on humans. The Mercury retrogrades mostly impact the travelling, technology, and communication of a person. Where the who is under its impact talks inappropriately to others and causes his loss.

Mercury Retrogrades also have a bad influence on travelling and technology. It may cause your tech gadget to break down or malfunction, disrupt your travel, or even cause travel cancellation. To minimize the negative impact of the Mercury Retrogrades, we have mentioned some tips to navigate it.