Hartalika Teej

Hartalika Teej is seen as a major festival and is celebrated on the third day of the bright half of the North Indian Lunar month of Bhadrapad. In this festival women fast throughout the day and pray Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, remembering their wedding and staying up all night listening to prayers. The fast (also called nishivasar nirjala vrat) commences during the evening of Hartalika Teej and is broken the next day after a full day's observance which involves women not even drinking water. The focus is on praying to Goddess Parvati whom Shiva desired should be worshiped under the name Hartalika.

Hartalika is a combination of "harit" and "aalika" which means "abduction" and "female friend" respectively. According to the legend of Hartalika Teej, Goddess Parvati, incarnated as Goddess Shailaputri, was the daughter of himalaya who promised her hand in marriage to Lord Vishnu, at the suggestion of Narada. Upon hearing this, Goddess Parvati told her friend of her father's decision whereupon the friend took Goddess Parvati to the thick forest so that her father would not marry her to Lord Vishnu against her wish.

On the third day of the bright half of Bhadrapud, Goddess Parvati made a Shiva lingam out of her hair and prayed. Lord Shiva was so impressed that he gave his word to marry Goddess Parvati. Eventually, Goddess Parvati was united with Lord Shiva and was married to him with her father's blessing. Since then, the day is referred to as haritalika teej as Goddess Parvati's female (aalika)friend had to abduct (harit) her in order for the Goddess to achieve her goal of marrying Lord Shiva.

Though the rituals of Hartalika Teej are same as other Teej Vrat. But, some of the differences are as follows:

Rituals Of Hartalika Teej:


Females observe Hartalika Teej Vrat on the day of Hartalika Teej.
A Nirjala Vrat (without water) is observed on Hartalika Teej.
People who observe a fast on Teej stay awake the whole night.
Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva are worshiped on Hartalika Teej.


These are some of common rituals that are performed while observing Hartalika Teej. Let’s see what is the benefit of observing Hartalika Teej.

Benefit Of Hartalika Teej

It is believed that those who observe the fast of Hartalika Teej, Lord Shiva fulfills all the desires of those devotees.

The states in which Hartalika Teej is celebrated on a large scale are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.


Teej : Legend Of Teej Festival

The legend of Teej festival is related to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that Goddess Parvati admired Lord Shiva and wanted to marry Him. Hence, Goddess Parvati prayed to Lord Shiva with full devotion and dedication, for a period of 108 years. Post which, She was accepted by Lord Shiva as his wife. Since then, the festival of Teej is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, who is also known as ‘Teej Mata’. The divine reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva for a blissful marriage remains to be the prime reason for celebrating Teej.

Teej : Significance Of Teej Festival

Teej is one of the most popular festivals among the married women. This festival during the Shravan Maas (month) is considered extremely important for females. The festival of Teej signifies the devotion of a woman toward her husband. It is believed that through severe dedication, a woman can attain the eternal blessings of Almighty.

So, on this Teej, don’t forget to please Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, for attaining the man of your dreams.

Teej Vrat Rituals

Just like any other festival, the Teej festival has some important rituals. Some of the important rituals that are to be followed during the Teej festival are as follows:


Married women are presented with items of Shringaar (make up) by her in-laws. This Shringaar includes Kumkum (vermilion), Henna (mehndi tattoo), Bindi (decorative mark on forehead), bangles, and Sari (traditional attire).

During the festival of Teej, females observe a Nirjala (without water) fast. So, if you plan to observe the Teej Vrat, you should eat a day prior to Teej festival.
As a part of the Teej festival rituals, women visit the nearest temple and pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

During the fast, females dress up elegantly, wearing the Shringaar items and apply Mehendi (Henna) to their hands. This ritual is a depiction of a blissful married life.
In the evening, women pray to Goddess Parvati and listen or recite the Teej Vrat Katha.

Special prayers are offered during the night while observing the Moon.

During the festival of Teej, special folk dances are performed and Teej songs are sung. These are some of the important rituals that are followed during the Teej festival. So, this Teej, don’t forget to follow these rituals.

Teej Celebrations

During the Teej festival, there is no part of the country which is left behind. The celebration of the Teej festival can be seen in the states of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh., Haryana, and Punjab. Not only in India, but also outside, the festival of Teej is celebrated with a lot of joy, enthusiasm, and vibrancy.

During the festival of Teej, special fares are also conducted. Women across the country dress up in different vibrant colored sarees, suits, and Lehengas (traditional attire for women).

Varaha Avatar

Varaha is the avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu in the form of a boar. Varaha is listed as third in the Dashavatara, the ten principal avatars of Vishnu. When the demon Hiranyaksha stole the earth (personified as the goddess Bhudevi) and hid her in the primordial waters, Vishnu appeared as Varaha to rescue her. Varaha slew the demon and retrieved the Earth from the ocean, lifting it on his tusks, and restored Bhudevi to her place in the universe.

Varaha may be depicted completely as a boar or in an anthropomorphic form, with a boar's head and human body. His consort, Bhudevi, the earth, is often depicted as a young woman, lifted by Varaha. The earth may be depicted as a mass of land too.

Varaha has four arms, two of which hold the Sudarshana chakra (discus) and shankha (conch), while the other two hold a gada (mace), a sword, or a lotus or one of them makes the varadamudra (gesture of blessing). Varaha may be depicted with all of Vishnu'a attributes in his four hands: the Sudarshana chakra, the shankha, the gada and the lotus. Sometimes, Varaha may carry only two of Vishnu's attributes: a shankha and the gada personified as a female called Gadadevi. Varaha is often shown with a muscular physique and in a heroic pose. He is often depicted triumphantly emerging from the ocean as he rescues the earth.

Legends

The earliest versions of the Varaha legend are found in the Taittiriya Aranyaka and the Shatapatha Brahmana. They narrate that the universe was filled with the primordial waters. The earth was the size of a hand and was trapped in it. The god Prajapati (the creator-god Brahma) in the form of a boar (varaha) plunges into the waters and brings the earth out. He also marries the earth thereafter. The Shatapatha Brahmana calls the boar as Emusha. The epic Ramayana and the Vishnu Purana - considered sometimes as the oldest of the Puranic scriptures - are the first to associate Varaha with Vishnu. Various Puranic scriptures including the Agni Purana, the Bhagavata Purana, the Devi Bhagavata Purana, the Padma Purana, the Varaha Purana, the Vayu Purana and the Vishnu Purana narrate the legend of Varaha with some variations.

One day Lord Vishnu was resting in his palace, when Lord Brahma’s four sons came to meet him. They were stopped at the entrance by two guards, Jaya and Vijaya. They did not allow them to enter as their master was resting, Brahma’s sons were very angry and cursed Jaya and Vijaya to be born as humans on earth and to leave their godly status.

A little while later Lord Vishnu arrived at the spot and apologized for Jaya and Vijaya’s behaviour as they were merely doing their duty. So as a compensation Brahma’s sons said that curse would be lifted when Jaya and Vijaya in human forms would meet their death at Lord Vishnu’s hands.

So Jaya and Vijaya were born as humans on Earth. They were named Hiranya­kashyap and Hiranyaksh. When they were born both the earth and the heaven shook violently. Indra went to Lord Vishnu and said, “At their birth itself, there is so much chaos. What will happen when they’ll grow up?”

“Don’t worry, Indra,” said Lord Vishnu. “I’ll kill them when the time comes and no harm will come to anybody.”

Many years went by and Hiranyaksha became a young man. He was a great devotee of Lord Brahma. He gave a lot of time in penance when Lord Brahma appeared and gave him a boon. According to the boon, no God, human, Daitya or Asura would be able to kill him. So Hiranyaksha started displaying his strength as he was assured of his immortality.

He turned his waist side to side and began churning the sea. Due to this, waves lashed the sea. Varun Dev got very scared on seeing such a scene. He started searching for a place to hide. But Hiranyaksh confronted him and challenged him. At this, Varun Dev accepted his defeat and declared that he could not defeat Hiranyaksha as he was the strongest of all. And then Hiranyaksha was filled with pride. He went on churning the sea waters and walked through the sea. Then he met Narad Muni. Hiranyaksh asked him,” “Is there anyone as strong as or stronger than me?” Narad Muni said, “Yes, Lord Vishnu is the strongest.” Hiranyaksha searched for Lord Vishnu everywhere but could not find him. Then he gathered the whole Earth into a round ball and went underwater to Pataal Lok to search for Lord Vishnu. All the Gods were worried. They got together and rushed to Lord Vishnu for help. They said, “Lord please save us. Hiranyaksh has taken Earth and disappeared.”

“Don’t worry. I know he has taken Earth to Pataal Lok. I’ll soon get Earth back at its position.”

Then Lord Vishnu took the form of a Varaha, a wild boar with two tusks. He went to Pataal Lok and challenged Hiranyaksha so they had a fierce fight. Hiranyaksha used many weapons to strike Varaha but they had no effect on him. Lastly, Hiranyaksha wound his strong, muscled arms round the wild boar’s neck to strangle him. At that very moment, Lord Vishnu left his Varaha form and appeared in his true self.


And then Vishnu directed his chakra at Hiranyaksha . The chakra separated his head from his body. Hiranyaksha died then and there. Then Lord Vishnu again took the Varaha form. He picked the Earth, which was like a ball, balanced on his two tusks and left Pataal Lok through the sea. He placed Earth at its original position and again appeared in his true form.

Further, the earth goddess Bhudevi falls in love with her rescuer Varaha. Vishnu - in his Varaha form - marries Bhudevi, making her one of the consorts of Vishnu. In one narrative, Vishnu and Bhudevi indulge in vigorous embraces and as a result, Bhudevi becomes fatigued and faints, sinking a little in the primordial ocean. Vishnu again acquires the form of Varaha and rescues her, reinstating her in her original position above the waters. Some scriptures state that Bhudevi gives birth to Varaha's son, an asura called Narakasura.

The scripture Varaha Purana is believed to be narrated by Vishnu to Bhudevi, as Varaha. The Purana is devoted more to the "myths and genealogies" connected to the worship of Vishnu.


Temples

The most prominent temple of Varaha is the Sri Varahaswami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the shores of a temple pond, called the Swami Pushkarini, in Tirumala, near Tirupati; to the north of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple (another temple of Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara). The region is called Adi-Varaha Kshestra, the abode of Varaha. The legend of the place is as follows: at the end of Satya Yuga (the first in the cycle of four aeons; the present one is the fourth aeon), devotees of Varaha requested him to stay on earth, so Varaha ordered his mount Garuda to bring his divine garden Kridachala from his abode Vaikuntha to Venkata hills, Tirumala. Venkateswara is described as having taken the permission of Varaha to reside in these hills, where his chief temple, Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, stands. Hence, pilgrims are prescribed to worship Varaha first and then Venkateswara. In the Atri Samhita (Samurtarchanadhikara), Varaha is described to be worshipped in three forms here: Adi Varaha, Pralaya Varaha and Yajna Varaha. The image in the sanctum is of Adi Varaha.

Another important temple is the Bhuvarahaswami Temple in Srimushnam town, to the northeast of Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. It was built in the late 16th century by Krishnappa II, a Thanjavur Nayak ruler. The image of Varaha is considered a swayambhu (self manifested) image, one of the eight self-manifested Swayamvyakta Vaishnava kshetras. An inscription in the prakaram (circumambulating passage around the main shrine) quoting from the legend of the Srimushna Mahatmaya (a local legend) mentions the piety one derives in observing festivals during the 12 months of the year when the sun enters a particular zodiacal sign. This temple is venerated by Hindus and Muslims alike. Both communities take the utsava murti (festival image) in procession in the annual temple festival in the Tamil month of Masi (February–March). The deity is credited with many miracles and called Varaha saheb by Muslims.

Varaha shrines are also included in Divya Desams (a list of 108 abodes of Vishnu). They include Adi Varaha Perumal shrine Tirukkalvanoor, located in the Kamakshi Amman Temple complex, Kanchipuram and Thiruvidandai, 15 km from Mahabalipuram.

In Muradpur in West Bengal, worship is offered to an in-situ 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) zoomorphic image of Varaha (8th century), one of the earliest known images of Varaha. A 7th century anthropomorphic Varaha image of Apasadh is still worshipped in a relatively modern temple. Other temples dedicated to Varaha are located across India in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Haryana Pradesh at Baraha Kalan, Karnataka at Maravanthe and Kallahalli, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha at Yajna Varaha Temple, and Lakhmi Varaha Temple, Rajasthan at Pushkar, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

अजा एकादशी

भाद्रपद के कृष्ण पक्ष में आने वाली एकादशी को अजा एकादशी कहते हैं। इस बार पड़ने वाली एकादशी को अन्नदा एकादशी भी कहते हैं। कहते हैं कि इस विधिपूर्वक व्रत तथा रात्रि जागरण करने से समस्त पाप नष्ट हो कर स्वर्गलोक को प्राप्‍ति होती है। 

इस व्रत में एकादशी की कथा सुनने भर से ही अश्वमेध यज्ञ का फल प्राप्त होता है। यदि आप भी भगवान विष्‍णु जी का आर्शीवाद प्राप्‍त करना चाहते हैं इस तिथि और मुहूर्त के हिसाब से ही पूजा करें।

अजा एकादशी के बारे में अर्जुन ने भगवान श्रीकृष्ण से कहा कि, 'हे प्रभु! आप मुझ अजा एकादशी के बारे में बताएं. इस पर श्रीकृष्ण ने अर्जुन से कहा कि अर्जुन भाद्रपद में कृष्णपक्ष में आने वाली एकादशी को अजा एकादशी कहते हैं. यह एकादशी सभी पापों को नष्ट करने वाली और अत्यंत शुभ फल देने वाली है. इसदिन व्रत रखकर विष्णु भगवान और मां लक्ष्मी की पूजा करने वालों की हर मनोकामना पूरी होती है. 

राजा हरिश्चन्द्र को वापस मिल गया था राजपाट

सतयुग में सूर्यवंशी चक्रवर्ती राजा हरिश्चंद्र हुए जो बड़े सत्यवादी थे. एक बार उन्होंने अपने वचन की खातिर अपना सम्पूर्ण राज्य राजऋषि विश्वामित्र को दान कर दिया. दक्षिणा देने के लिए अपनी पत्नी एवं पुत्र को ही नहीं स्वयं तक को दास के रूप में एक चाण्डाल को बेच डाला. इस विपरीत परिस्थिति में भी राजा हरिश्चंद्र ने सत्य और धर्म का रास्ता नहीं छोड़ा.

चाण्डाल का सेवन करते हुए एक दिन राजा यह सोचने लगे कि इस परिस्थिति से मुझे कब छुटकारा मिलेगा. वह इस प्रकार चिंतन में थे कि उनके सामने एक दिन गौतम ऋषि आ गए. राजा ने उनसे अपनी पूरी व्यथा सुनाई. गौतम ऋषि राजा की पूरी बात सुनी और बहुत दुखी हुए. उन्होंने राजा को अजा एकादशी करने की सलाह दी. उन्होंने राजा से कहा, हे राजन- भाद्रपद में कृष्णपक्ष की एकादशी व्रत का अनुष्ठान विधि पूर्वक करो और समस्त रात्रि जागरण करके भगवान का स्मरण करो. इस व्रत के प्रभाव से तुम्हारे सभी पाप क्षय हो जाएंगे. और तुम सभी प्रकार के कष्टो से छूट जाओगे.

इस प्रकार राजा को उपदेश देकर गौतम ऋषि वहां से चले गए. गौतम ऋषि ने जिस प्रकार राजा को व्रत करने की विधि बताई थी, उसी प्रकार राजा ने व्रत का अनुष्ठान किया और सारी रात जागरण करते हुए भगवान के नाम का स्मरण करते रहे. इस प्रकार राजा को अपना राजपाट, पत्नी और बच्चा सब वापस मिल गया और वह सुखी-सुखी जीवन व्यतीत करने लगा.

इस दिन व्रत रखने का भी विधान है. कहते हैं कि व्रत में एकादशी की कथा सुनने भर से ही अश्वमेध यज्ञ का फल प्राप्त हो जाता है. यदि आप भी भगवान विष्‍णु जी का आर्शीवाद प्राप्‍त करना चाहते हैं तो तिथि और मुहूर्त के हिसाब से ही पूजा करें. जानें, अजा एकादशी व्रत की विधि और शुभ मुहूर्त....

तिथि और मुहूर्त:

अजा एकादशी व्रत तिथि : 6 सितंबर 2018

पारण का समय – 7 सितंबर को 06:06 से 08:35 बजे तक

एकादशी तिथि कब शुरू होगी – 05 सितंबर 2018 को 15:01 बजे

एकादशी तिथि समाप्त – 06 सितंबर को 12:15 बजे

ऐसे रखें अजा एकादशी का व्रत

नित्यक्रिया से मुक्त हो कर घर की साफ-सफाई करें. उसके बाद शरीर पर तिल और मिट्टी का लेप लगा कर कुशा से स्नान करें. नहाने के बाद भगवान विष्णु जी की पूजा करें.

अजा एकादशी पूजा विधि

आज भगवान श्री विष्णु जी की पूजा की जाती है. पूजा करने के लिए सबसे पहले एक साफ जगह चुन कर वहां धान्य रखें और फिर उस पर कुम्भ स्थापित करें. कुम्भ को लाल रंग के वस्त्र से सजा कर स्‍थापित करें. इसके बाद कुम्भ की पूजा करें और इसके पश्चात कुम्भ के ऊपर श्री विष्णु जी की प्रतिमा स्थापित करें. इस दौरान व्रत का संकल्प करें. संकल्प लेते वक्‍त धूप, दीप और पुष्प से भगवान श्री विष्णु की पूजा करें.

ना करें ये काम

एकादशी के दिन चावल नहीं खाना चाहिए. मन चंचल होता है और प्रभु भक्ति से एकाग्र हटता है. पान, तम्बाकू, जर्दा, सुपारी, शराब आदि नशीली वस्तुओं का सेवन ना करें. दातुन वर्जित होता है. पेड़ की डाली ना तोड़ें. एकादशी की रात सोना नहीं चाहिए. बैठकर भजन कीर्तन करना चाहिए. रात्रि जागरण के नाम पर जुआ ना खेलें. झूठ ना बोलें. क्रोध ना करें. उपवास करें या नहीं, पर ब्रह्मचर्य का पालन जरूर करें. छोटी या बड़ी किसी भी प्रकार की चोरी ना करें. किसी प्रकार हिंसा या चुगली ना करें.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami

Sri Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti or sometimes simply as Janmashtami, is an annual celebration of the birth of the Hindu deity Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The festival is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Bhadrapada/Shravana (based on Purnimanta /Amanta panchangs) in the Hindu calendar. Krishna was the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Based on scriptural details and astrological calculations, the date of Krishna's birth, known as Janmashtami, is 18 July 3228 BCE and he lived until 18 February 3102 BCE. Krishna belonged to the Vrishni clan of Yadavas from Mathura, and was the eighth son born to the princess Devaki and her husband Vasudeva.

Mathura (in present-day Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh) was the capital of the Yadavas, to which Krishna's parents Vasudeva and Devaki belonged. King Kansa, Devaki's brother, had ascended the throne by imprisoning his father, King Ugrasena. Afraid of a prophecy that predicted his death at the hands of Devaki's eighth son, Kansa had the couple locked in a prison cell. After Kansa killed the first six children, and Devaki's apparent miscarriage of the seventh (which was actually a secret transfer of the infant to Rohini as Balarama), Krishna was born.

Following the birth, Vishnu ordered Vasudeva to take Krishna to Gokul to Nanda and Yashoda,where he could live safely, away from his Uncle Kansa. Vasudeva took Krishna with him and crossed the Yamuna to reach Gokul. There, everyone was asleep; so he quietly kept him there and returned with Yashoda's daughter. Kansa, thinking her to be Devki's eight child, threw her on a stone. But she rose into the air and transformed into Yogmaya (who is Vishnu's helper) and warned Kansa about his death. Then, she disappeared. Krishna grew up in Gokul with his brother, Balram. He then returned to Mathura and killed Kansa with the help of Balram.

Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, worshipping Krishna and staying up until midnight, and offer prayers at special time when Krishna is believed to have been born. Images of Krishna's infancy are placed in swings and cradles in temples and homes. At midnight, devotees gather around for devotional songs, dance and exchange gifts. Some temples also conduct readings of the Hindu religious scripture Bhagavad Gita.

Where Vaishnava temples exist, festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Krishna’s appearance. Events include kirtan, singing the Lord’s name along with other devotees; and japa, private, more intimate prayer. Some devotees cook a feast of over one hundred dishes, while others perform drama and dance. Some clothe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day. The deities are also bathed with a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution ceremony called abhisheka. Sometimes taking over two hours, this is performed with great pomp.

Finally, at midnight, priests pull apart the curtains to reveal the freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and colored altar. The excitement builds, and a rousing kirtan ensues.
All over India this day is celebrated with devotional songs and dances, pujas, arti, blowing of the Conch and rocking the cradle of baby Sri Krishna. However, there are two places in India, where this festival is celebrated with an unmatched zeal and grandeur. They are Mathura and Vrindavan; the former being the birth place of Lord Krishna while the latter being the place he spent his childhood years. The celebrations that happen in these places are unique and people from all over the world gather to see the rituals and events and take part in the celebrations. Most devotees spend the day in Vrindavan witnessing the events and celebrations and go to Mathura in the evening to commemorate the birth of the lord.

Krishna Janmashtami festival is followed by the festival Nandotsav, which is the occasion when Nanda Baba distributed gifts to the community in honour of the birth. According to mythological stories, Sri Krishna was born in a prison in the custody of King Kansa. Lord Krishna’s father Vasudev, immediately thought of his friend Nand and handed over his child to his friend and saved his child’s life. Lord Krishna further grew up in Gokul and soon killed his uncle Kansa.
On this day, devotees have rigorous fasting and they should only have a single meal that to on the previous day. The devotees further also take a Sankalpa which is a one-day long fast which can be broken on the next day after Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi gets over.

People who fast on the day of Janmashtami are suppose to consume one single time meal and they are even suppose to take a Sankalpa which must be taken after finishing the entire morning rituals. Devotees have to observe one day long fast. This fast further breaks the next day after Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi gets over that is after sunrise.

Items required for Janmasthami Puja:

1. New clothes for Lord Krishna
2. Bansuri (flute), ornaments for Lord
3. Shankha – conch shell
4. Pooja thali which consist pooja ingridents
5. Ghata – bell
6. Diya – earthen pot
7. Chawal – rice
8. Elaichi – Caradamom
9. Supari – betel nut
10. Paan Patta – betel leaves
11. Mauli thread
12. Gangajal – sacred water
13. Sindoor – Vermillion paste
14. Agarbatti – incense sticks
15. flowers
16. Ghee
17. Sweets

If you are unable to visit Krishna Temples, then try to celebrate at home –Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita, “If you offer Me with love a leaf, flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.”

• If you have Radha-Krishna deities, get extra beautiful new clothes for them. Be creative and pay special attention to decorating their sacred altar. Perform abhishekam (bathing ceremony) for your deities with yogurt, honey, ghee and bathe the deity with them while singing devotional songs.

• Have a midnight arati (worship ceremony) at home with a kirtan. This is the exact time that Lord Krishna appeared on earth, so it is most auspicious and spiritually inspiring. If you have a baby Krishna at home put Him lovingly on a cradle befitting the size of the idol and swing him slowly like you would treat your baby.

Many also chant ‘Vishnu Sahasranamam’, Krishna Stotra and other shlokas of the Lord. Sri Krishna Mahamantra and Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaye Jaap has special significance on this day.

रक्षाबंधन

 यह त्यौहार हर हिन्दू कैलेंडर के अनुसार श्रवण मास की पूर्णिमा को मनाया जाता है जिसमें भाई  अपने बहन को रक्षासूत्र बांधती है और उसकी लंबी उम्र की कामना करती है। इसके बदले में भाई अपनी बहन की रक्षा का बचन देता है। रक्षाबंधन को राखी, कजली आदि नामों से जाना जाता है। इस त्यौहार को लेकर देश अलग-अलग भागों में अलग अलग मान्यताएं हैं।

हिन्‍दू धर्म में रक्षाबंधन का विशेष महत्‍व है. पुरातन काल से इस पर्व को मनाया जा रहा है. यह हिन्‍दुओं के प्रमुख त्‍योहारों में से एक है. यह ऐसा पर्व है जिसमें संवेदनाएं और भावनाएं कूट-कूट कर भरी हुईं हैं. यह इस पर्व की महिमा ही है जो भाई-बहन को हमेशा-हमेशा के लिए स्‍नेह के धागे से बांध लेती है. रक्षाबंधन भाई-बहन के प्रेम का प्रतीक है. देश के कई हिस्‍सों में रक्षाबंधन को अलग-अलग तरीके से भी मनाया जाता है. महाराष्‍ट्र में सावन पूर्णिमा के दिन जल दवता वरुण की पूजा की जाती है. रक्षाबंधन को सलोनो नाम से भी जाना जाता है. मान्‍यता है कि इस दिन पवित्र नदी में स्‍नान करने के बाद सूर्य को अर्घ्‍य देने से सभी पापों का नाश हो जाता है. इस दिन पंडित और ब्राह्मण पुरानी जनेऊ का त्‍याग कर नई जनेऊ पहनते हैं.

भारत में रक्षाबंधन मनाने के कई धार्मिक और ऐतिहासिक कारण है. पौराणिक मान्‍यताओं के अनुसार रक्षाबंधन मनाने के पीछे कई कथाएं प्रचलित हैं:

वामन अवतार कथा: असुरों के राजा बलि ने अपने बल और पराक्रम से तीनों लोकों पर अधिकार कर लिया था. राजा बलि के आधिपत्‍य को देखकर इंद्र देवता घबराकर भगवान विष्‍णु के पास मदद मांगने पहुंचे. भगवान विष्‍णु ने वामन अवतार धारण किया और राजा बलि से भिक्षा मांगने पहुंच गए. वामन भगवान ने बलि से तीन पग भूमि मांगी. पहले और दूसरे पग में भगवान ने धरती और आकाश को नाप लिया. अब तीसरा पग रखने के लिए कुछ बचा नहीं थी तो राजा बलि ने कहा कि तीसरा पग उनके सिर पर रख दें.

भगवान वामन ने ऐसा ही किया. इस तरह देवताओं की चिंता खत्‍म हो गई. वहीं भगवान राजा बलि के दान-धर्म से बहुत प्रसन्‍न हुए. उन्‍होंने राजा बलि से वरदान मांगने को कहा तो बलि ने उनसे पाताल में बसने का वर मांग लिया. बलि की इच्‍छा पूर्ति के लिए भगवान को पाताल जाना पड़ा. भगवान विष्‍णु के पाताल जाने के बाद सभी देवतागण और माता लक्ष्‍मी चिंतित हो गए. अपने पति भगवान विष्‍णु को वापस लाने के लिए माता लक्ष्‍मी गरीब स्‍त्री बनकर राजा बलि के पास पहुंची और उन्‍हें अपना भाई बनाकर राखी बांध दी. बदले में भगवान विष्‍णु को पाताल लोक से वापस ले जाने का वचन ले लिया. उस दिन श्रावण मास की पूर्णिमा तिथि थी और मान्‍यता है कि तभी से  रक्षाबंधन मनाया जाने लगा.

भविष्‍य पुराण की कथा: एक बार देवता और दानवों में 12 सालों तक युद्ध हुआ लेकिन देवता विजयी नहीं हुए. इंद्र हार के डर से दुखी होकर देवगुरु बृहस्पति के पास गए. उनके सुझाव पर इंद्र की पत्नी महारानी शची ने श्रावण शुक्ल पूर्णिमा के दिन विधि-विधान से व्रत करके रक्षा सूत्र  तैयार किए. फिर इंद्राणी ने वह सूत्र इंद्र की दाहिनी कलाई में बांधा और समस्त देवताओं की दानवों पर विजय हुई. यह रक्षा विधान श्रवण मास की पूर्णिमा को संपन्न किया गया था.

द्रौपदी और श्रीकृष्‍ण की कथा: महाभारत काल में कृष्ण और द्रौपदी का एक वृत्तांत मिलता है. जब कृष्ण ने सुदर्शन चक्र से शिशुपाल का वध किया तब उनकी तर्जनी में चोट आ गई. द्रौपदी ने उस समय अपनी साड़ी फाड़कर उसे उनकी अंगुली पर पट्टी की तरह बांध दिया. यह श्रावण मास की पूर्णिमा का दिन था. श्रीकृष्ण ने बाद में द्रौपदी के चीर-हरण के समय उनकी लाज बचाकर भाई का धर्म निभाया था.

रक्षाबंधन मनाए जाने के पीछे कई ऐतिहासिक कारण भी हैं:
बादशाह हुमायूं और कमर्वती की कथा: मुगल काल में बादशाह हुमायूं चितौड़ पर आक्रमण करने  के लिए आगे बढ़ रहा था. ऐसे में राणा सांगा की विधवा कर्मवती ने हुमायूं को राखी भेजकर रक्षा वचन ले लिया. फिर क्‍या था हुमायूं ने चितौड़ पर आक्रमण नहीं किया. यही नहीं आगे चलकर उसी राख की खातिर हुमायूं ने चितौड़ की रक्षा के लिए बहादुरशाह के विरूद्ध लड़ते हुए कर्मवती और उसके राज्‍य की रक्षा की.

सिकंदर और पुरू की कथा: सिकंदर की पत्नी ने पति के हिंदू शत्रु पुरूवास यानी कि राजा पोरस को राखी बांध कर अपना मुंहबोला भाई बनाया और युद्ध के समय सिकंदर को न मारने का वचन लिया. पुरूवास ने युद्ध के दौरान सिकंदर को जीवनदान दिया. यही नहीं सिकंदर और पोरस ने युद्ध से पहले रक्षा-सूत्र की अदला-बदली की थी. युद्ध के दौरान पोरस ने जब सिकंदर पर घातक प्रहार के लिए हाथ उठाया तो रक्षा-सूत्र को देखकर उसके हाथ रुक गए और वह बंदी बना लिया गया. सिकंदर ने भी पोरस के रक्षा-सूत्र की लाज रखते हुए उसका राज्य वापस लौटा दिया.

मान्‍यताओं के अनुसार रक्षाबंधन के दिन अपराह्न यानी कि दोपहर में राखी बांधनी चाहिए. अगर अपराह्न का समय उपलब्‍ध न हो तो प्रदोष काल में राखी बांधना उचित रहता है. भद्र काल के दौरान राखी बांधना अशुभ माना जाता है. यहां पर हम आपको इस साल राखी बांधने के सही समय के बारे में बता रहे हैं.

राखी बांधने की पूजा विधि

रक्षाबंधन के दिन बहनें अपने भाई की कलाई पर राखी बांधकर उनकी लंबी उम्र, संपन्‍नता और खुशहाली की कामना करती हैं. वहीं भाई अपनी बहन को कपड़े, गहने, पैसे, तोहफे या कोई भी भेंट देकर उनकी रक्षा का वचन देते हैं. रक्षाबंधन के दिन अपने भाई को इस तरह राखी बांधें:

- सबसे पहले राखी की थाली सजाएं. इस थाली में रोली, कुमकुम, अक्षत, पीली सरसों के बीज, दीपक और राखी रखें.
- इसके बाद भाई को तिलक लगाकर उसके दाहिने हाथ में रक्षा सूत्र यानी कि राखी बांधें.
- राखी बांधने के बाद भाई की आरती उतारें.
- फिर भाई को मिठाई खिलाएं.
- अगर भाई आपसे बड़ा है तो चरण स्‍पर्श कर उसका आशीर्वाद लें.
- अगर बहन बड़ी हो तो भाई को चरण स्‍पर्श करना चाहिए.
- राखी बांधने के बाद भाइयों को इच्‍छा और सामर्थ्‍य के अनुसार बहनों को भेंट देनी चाहिए.
- ब्राह्मण या पंडित जी भी अपने यजमान की कलाई पर रक्षा सूत्र बांधते हैं.
- ऐसा करते वक्‍त इस मंत्र का उच्‍चारण करना चाहिए:
ॐ येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबलः।
तेन त्वामपि बध्नामि रक्षे मा चल मा चल।।

पंडितों के अनुसार राखी बांधने का मुहूर्त: 26 अगस्त को शुभ मूहुर्त सुबह 5:59 बजे से शाम 5:25 बजे तक है। इस मौके पर अपनों को शुभकामना संदेश भेजने का भी चलन है।

राखी बांधने का समय: सुबह 5 बजकर 59 मिनट से शाम 5 बजकर 25 मिनट तक (26 अगस्‍त 2018)
अपराह्न मुहूर्त: दोपहर 01 बजकर 39 मिनट से शाम 4 बजकर 12 मिनट तक (26 अगस्‍त 2018)

पूर्णिमा तिथि प्रारंभ: दोपहर 03 बजकर 16 मिनट (25 अगस्‍त 2018)
पूर्णिमा तिथि समाप्‍त: शाम 05 बजकर 25 मिनट (26 अगस्‍त 2018)

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi falls on the 11th lunar day (ekadashi) of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Shravana which in the Gregorian calendar falls in July or August. On this day, 24 hours fasting is observed and worship is offered to the god Vishnu (like other ekadashis) by both husband and wife in particular, who do not have a son for a long time after marriage, to beget a male child. This day is especially observed by Vaishnavas, followers of Vishnu.

A son is considered entirely important in Hindu society as he takes care of the parents in their old age in life and by offering shraddha (ancestor rites) ensures well-being of his parents in the after-life. While each ekadashi has a separate name and is prescribed for certain goals, the goal of having sons is so great that two Putrada ("giver of sons") ekadashis are devoted to it. Rest of the goals do not enjoy this privilege.

The legend about Pavitropana Ekadashi is narrated by the god Krishna to the King Yudhishthira in the Bhavishya Purana. King Mahijit was a rich and powerful ruler of Mahishmati, who had no children. He sought counsel of his council of learned men, sages (rishis) and Brahmins (priests), to find a solution to his problem. Unable to find a remedy, the council reached out to the omniscient learned sage Lomesh. Lomesh mediated found out that Mahijit's misfortune was a result of his sins in his previous birth. The sage said that Mahijit was a merchant in his previous birth. While travelling on business, the merchant became extremely thirsty once and reached the pond. There a cow and her calf were drinking water. The merchant drove them away and himself drank the water. This sin resulted in his childlessness, while his good deeds resulted in his birth as a king of a peaceful kingdom. Lomesh advised the King and the Queen to observe Ekadashi fast in Shravana on Pavitropana Ekadashi to get rid of his sin. As advised, the royal couple as well as his citizens kept a fast and offered prayers to the god Vishnu and kept vigil throughout the night piously chanting his divine name. They also gave gifts of gold, jewels, clothes and money to the Brahmins. Their wish was fulfilled when a handsome son was born to them to subsequently become the heir to their kingdom.

Worship of Vishnu is a common rite on all Ekadashi days including the Putrada Ekadashi to get salvation and get rid of all sins, to beget children (sons in particular). On this day devotees keeping fast to beget a son, sleep in the room where god Vishnu is worshipped. On this occasion giving gifts to Brahmins in the form of money, food, clothes etc. is also an accepted practice.

Starting with the Pavitropanna Ekadashi, Jhulan Yatra festival, a five-day event, is observed till the Poornima (full moon day). The festivities involve decorating the jhula or swing with beautiful flowers and creepers. On the last day, worship is offered to the colourfully dressed small images of the god Krishna and his consort Radha placed in the swing.