KIRAN ATMA: Hindu Festival

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Hinduism - What Is Vijaya Dashami?

Vijaya Dashami is a Hindu festival commemorating the Lord's Victory Or Vijaya.("tenth victory")

Vijayadashami marks the culmination of Durga Puja in India's southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern areas, commemorating goddess Durga's triumph over the buffalo monster Mahishasura to restore and defend dharma.

Lord Rama, Lord Vishnu's eighth avatar, is said to have vanquished the ten-headed monster Ravana in this famed Hindu festival.

Lord Rama traveled to Ravana's realm with his brother Larkshman and devotee Hanuman to battle him and bring back Sita, Rama's wife.

The holiday of Dussehra, which occurs on the tenth day of the lunar month, is known by another name.

According to Hindu mythology, Dussehra is celebrated after Navratri because Lord Ram is said to have worshipped Goddess Durga before embarking on his quest to slay Ravana, as advised by Lord Vishnu.

The event commemorates Lord Ram's triumph over Lankan ruler Ravana (the 10-headed demon).

The festival has two mythological charters, one with the god Rama and the other with the Goddess, and both myths lead to this day as the day when the deity achieves ultimate triumph.

~Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - What Is Vijaya Ekadashi?

The eleventh day (ekadashi) of the dark (waning) half of the lunar month of Phalgun (February–March) is a religious celebration.

This is the eleventh-day observance devoted to the worship of Vishnu, as is the case with all eleventh-day observances.

Most Hindu holidays have pre-determined ceremonies, which generally include fasting (upavasa) and devotion, and frequently offer particular rewards for loyal participation.

Those taking this vow should fill an earthen pot with the seven varieties of grain, place an image of Vishnu on top of the pot, and recite the names of Vishnu for twenty-four hours.

The pot of grain should be handed to a brahmin on the twelfth.

In terms of outcomes, it is stated that diligently honoring this festival would provide vijaya (victory) over poverty and sadness.

~Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - What Is Vasant Panchami?

What Is The Significance Of Vasant Panchami In The Hindu Calendar?

Festival occurring on the fifth day (panchami) of the bright (waxing) half of the lunar month of Magh(January–February), recognized as the first day of spring (vasant).

This day is considered dedicated to the goddess Saraswati, patron Goddess of the arts, music, and learning.

In her honor, celebrants perform melodies in musical modes (ragas) connected with spring.

Given Saraswati’s link with study, today is also historically reckoned as the day on which young children should begin their studies.

Vasant Panchami is also linked to Kama, the deity of love, since the arrival of spring heralds the return of blooming plants, along with their aromas and colors.

Kama is said to have tried to put sensual desire in the deity Shiva's heart by first bringing spring to Mount Kailas, where Shiva is meditating, and then shooting Shiva with one of his flower arrows.

Shiva emerges from his meditation, gets enraged with Kama, and uses a flash of flame from his third eye to turn him to ashes.

Despite his destruction, Kama succeeds in the end—after being awakened, Shiva becomes aware of Parvati's austere practice and finally marries her.

~Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - What Is The Hindu Festival Of Makara Sankranti?

Makara Sankranti is the Hindu New Year.

A religious celebration that occurs on the day the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn (sankranti) (makara).

This happens around December 20 according to Western astrology, but January 14 according to Indian astrology (jyotisha).

This is one of the rare times throughout the festival year when the solar calendar is used rather than the lunar calendar.

The sun is said to be starting its "northward trek" on Makara Sankranti (uttarayana).

This will last for six months, until Karka Sankranti, when the sun enters Cancer and starts its "southward journey" (dakshinayana).

Because the uttarayana is seen to be more fortunate than its counterpart, the day of its transition is considered especially auspicious.

Makara Sankranti is predominantly a bathing (snana) celebration, with large crowds flocking to rivers, particularly the Ganges, on that day.

The greatest bathing festival on the Ganges is held on Sagar Island (also known as Ganga Sagar) in West Bengal, where the Ganges empties into the sea in the Bay of Bengal.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

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Hinduism - What Is The Hindu Festival Of Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival commemorating the birth of Lord Ganesha.

Festival devoted to the worship of the deity Ganesh on the fourth (chaturthi) day of the bright or waxing half of the lunar month of Bhadrapada (August–September).

This holiday is celebrated all around India, but it is especially popular in Maharashtra.

Clay Ganesh idols are sanctified and adored throughout this event.

The figures are carried in procession to be ceremonially immersed in bodies of water at the festival's conclusion, whether the sea, a river, or the town pond.

Although Ganesh is a minor god in the Hindu pantheon, his function as Lord of Obstacles (Vighneshvar) makes him significant in daily life, since his presence may either help or impede one's endeavors.

As a result, Ganesh is always worshipped at the commencement of every attempt, as well as at the opening of all religious rites.

While Ganesh is revered in people's daily lives, Maharashtra's Ganesh Chaturthi celebration rose to popularity for political reasons.

During the British imperial reign, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, one of the most influential actors in the nineteenth-century Hindu renaissance, pushed Ganesh Chaturthi as a visible manner to proclaim and celebrate a Hindu nationalist identity.

Outright revolt was unthinkable given the British government's strength, and all kinds of political opposition were severely controlled by the British government.

Because the British had a longstanding policy of not meddling with religious observances, the Ganesh celebration offered a method to get around these prohibitions.

In Maharashtra, the celebration of this event, particularly the processions to immerse the pictures in the sea, became a major stage for demonstrating and affirming Hindu cultural and political identity.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

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