Yogini Ekadasi

Yogini Ekadashi falls in the month of Ashadha during the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) as per the North Indian Hindu calendar. This usually occurs in the month of June or July. Yogini Ekadashi is regarded as the most significant Ekadashi fast in order to get rid of various ailments and diseases. The Hindus believe that by observing this vrat, they would be blessed with good health and well being. Also, observance of this vrat is known to redeem a person from sins and ill deeds and assist in attaining salvation.

How To Observe Yogini Ekadashi Vrat :

Legends narrate the story of a gardener named Hema Mali, a Yaksha and his extremely beautiful wife, Swarupavati. Hema Mali worked under Kuvera, King of Alakapuri, who was a pious devotee of Lord Shiva. Hema Mali�s job was to collect flowers from Manasarovar Lake and provide them to the king for the daily Shiva puja. Nonetheless, he was highly attracted towards his wife and hence, one day, he stayed back with wife neglecting his duties. Thus, he could not deliver flowers for the puja to the king. The king sent one of his messengers to find out the reason for Hema Mali�s absence and negligence. The messenger found that Hema Mali was spending time with his wife instead of fulfilling his duty of collecting flowers.

He returned back and informed the king that the reason for his carelessness is his gorgeous wife. Hema Mali was summoned to the court. Though he begged for forgiveness, the king cursed him with suffering from white leprosy and be separated from his wife. He was thrown out of the palace and Hem Mali immediately got afflicted with white leprosy. He wandered through the forests for years and finally reached the ashram of Sage Markandeya. The whole tale was retold to the sage. The sage asked Hema Mali to observe Yogini Ekadashi vrat in order to get liberated from the dangerous infection and relieved from the curse.

As directed, Hema Mali observed the fast and returned back to his divine form as a Yaksha. Therefore, he was able to reunite with his wife and live the rest of his life happily. All devotees observing this fast are freed from their sins and are provided with great liberation. The rituals and customs for following Yogini Ekadashi are same as that of other Ekadashi fasts. The fast begins from sunrise and lasts until the next day�s sunrise. People observing a partial fast on this day resist from consuming food made from rice or grains. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, devotees are advised to chant and recite Vishnu Stotras during the day of the fast.

2017 Date : 20th June.

Hanuman chalisa

Hanuman chalisa is a devotional song based on Lord Hanuman.It is written by Tulsidas in  the Awadhi language, and is his best known Hindu text apart from the Ramcharitmanas. The word "chalisa" in hindi means 40, as the Hanuman Chalisa has 40 verses.

Story Behind This :

The great emperor Akbar questioned the Tulsidas on the reality (life form) of Shri Ram's and asked Tulsidas to prove the existence of Shri Ram to him. Tulsidas answered that Shri Ram gives visualization only to his ardent devotee then the Emperor Akbar has detained Tulsidas. During the imprisonment the Tulsidas has composed the Hanuman Chalisa, in the acclaim of Lord Hanuman and the chalisa has 40verses in Simple Awadhi language and this is how it�s lyric has came to be reputed as Hanuman Chalisa.

Importance :

• It has the power to remove suffering and sins, heal sicknesses, give happiness and rid you of all calamities.
• Lord Shiva testifies that one attains perfection by reading the Hanuman Chalisa. 
• It can always provide you with strength, knowledge and guidance in your life.
• It is the story of God and His love for humanity. 

Hanuman chalisa :

Shri Guru Charan Sarooja-raj Nija manu Mukura Sudhaari
Baranau Rahubhara Bimala Yasha Jo Dayaka Phala Chari
Budhee-Heen Thanu Jannikay Sumirow Pavana Kumara
Bala-Budhee Vidya Dehoo Mohee Harahu Kalesha Vikaara




Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar
Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar


Ram doot atulit bal dhama
Anjaani-putra Pavan sut nama


Mahabir Bikram Bajrangi
Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi


Kanchan varan viraj subesa
Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesha


Hath Vajra Aur Dhuvaje Viraje
Kaandhe moonj janehu sajai


Sankar suvan kesri Nandan
Tej prataap maha jag vandan


Vidyavaan guni ati chatur
Ram kaj karibe ko aatur


Prabu charitra sunibe-ko rasiya
Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya


Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava
Vikat roop dhari lank jarava


Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare
Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare


Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye
Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye


Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai
Tum mam priye Bharat-hi-sam bhai


Sahas badan tumharo yash gaave
Asa-kahi Shripati kanth lagaave


Sankadhik Brahmaadi Muneesa
Narad-Sarad sahit Aheesa


Yam Kuber Digpaal Jahan te
Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te


Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha
Ram milaye rajpad deenha


Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan maana
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sub jag jana


Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu
Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu


Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee
Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee


Durgaam kaj jagath ke jete
Sugam anugraha tumhre tete


Ram dwaare tum rakhvare
Hoat na agya binu paisare


Sub sukh lahae tumhari sar na
Tum rakshak kahu ko dar naa


Aapan tej samharo aapai
Teenhon lok hank te kanpai


Bhoot pisaach Nikat nahin aavai
Mahavir jab naam sunavae


Nase rog harae sab peera
Japat nirantar Hanumant beera


Sankat se Hanuman chudavae
Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai


Sab par Ram tapasvee raja
Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja


Aur manorath jo koi lavai
Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai


Charon Yug partap tumhara
Hai persidh jagat ujiyara


Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware
Asur nikandan Ram dulhare


Ashta-sidhi nav nidhi ke dhata
As-var deen Janki mata


Ram rasayan tumhare pasa
Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa


Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai
Janam-janam ke dukh bisraavai


Anth-kaal Raghuvir pur jayee
Jahan janam Hari-Bakht Kahayee


Aur Devta Chit na dharehi
Hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi


Sankat kate-mite sab peera
Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera


Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosahin
Kripa Karahu Gurudev ki nyahin


Jo sat bar path kare kohi
Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hohi


Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa
Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa


Tulsidas sada hari chera
Keejai Nath Hridaye mein dera




Pavan Tanay Sankat Harana
Mangala Murati Roop
Ram Lakhana Sita Sahita
Hriday Basahu Soor Bhoop

Benefits of Reading Hanuman Chalisa :

�         It has a purifying effect on both body and mind and is spiritually uplifting.

�         It saves one from all dangers in life and helps gain spiritual wisdom and confidence in life.

�         It is believed that while going for job interviews if one reads this Chalisa then one can expect favorable results.

�         To get liberation from legal entanglements, litigation, imprisonment, one should recite the Chalisa for 100 times a day to secure favorable results.

More significantly, when the Chalisa is read at night times, it wards off evil forces from one`s life and removes the sins committed knowingly or unknowingly. It is believed that those who have major tasks to be achieved should recite these verses 1008 times on an auspicious night of Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or on moola star day. One will have all obstacles removed in the way of good life and also get the protection and grace of Hanuman when recited at night.

How Srimad Bhagavatam Accurately Predicted The Future of Our Society, 5,000 Years Ago

�     InKaliyuga, wealth alone will be considered the sign of a man�s good birth, proper behaviour, and fine qualities.

�        Men and Women will live together merely because of superficial attraction.

�        A person�s spiritual position will be ascertained merely according to external symbols, and on that same basis, people will change from one spiritual order to the next.

�    A person will be judged unholy if he does not have money, and hypocrisy will be accepted as virtue.

�      He who can maintain a family will be regarded as expert man, and the principles of religion will be observed only for the sake of reputation.

�      Harassed by famine and excessive taxes, people will resort to eating leaves, roots, flesh, wild honey, fruits, flowers and seeds. Struck by drought, they will become completely ruined.

�      The maximum duration of life for human beings in kali yuga will become 50      years.

�        Men will no longer protect their elder parents.

�        In kali yuga, men will develop a hatred for each other even over a few coins.

�        Cities will be dominated by thieves, the Vedas will be contaminated by speculative interpretations of atheist, and political leaders will consume the citizens.

�        Religion, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance, mercy, duration of life, physical strength and memory will all diminish day by day because of the powerful influence of the age of kali.

�        As the earth thus become crowded with a corrupt population, whoever among any of the social classes shows himself to be the strongest will gain political power.

�        The citizens will suffer greatly from the cold, wind, heat, rain and snow. They will be further  tormented by quarrels, hunger, thirst, diseases and severe anxiety.

�        Uncultured men will accept charity on behalf of the lord and will earn their livelihood by making a show of austerity and wearing mendicant�s dress.

List of Important days in Srisailam Temple July 2016

Here is the list of Important days in Srisailam Temple for July 2016.

• 02 Sanitrayodasi
• 04 Amavasya
• 09 Skandha Panchami
• 10 Kumara Sasti
• 15 Tholi Ekadasi
• 16 Dakshinayanam Begins.
• 19 Poornima

Devasthanam Utsavams :

• 01 Kruthika puja to Sri Kumaraswamy
• 03 Laksha Bilwarchana to Sri Swamy varu
• 04 Arudhrotsavam
• 08 Chavithi puja to Sri Rathnagarbha Ganapathi swamy
• 18 Mulanakshtra Puja to Sri Ammavaru
• 19 Sakambari Utsavam
• 19 Laksha Kumkumarchana to Sri Ammavaru
• 21 Sravananakshatra puja to Sri Ammavaru
• 23 Chavithi puja to Sri Rathnagarbha Ganapathi swamy
• 29 Kruthika puja to Sri Kumaraswamy
• 31 Arudhrotsavam 

Aartis that people should experience at least once in their lifetime

One of the most important rituals of any kind of Hindu puja is the aarti. Through aarti different Gods and Goddesses are worshipped with the lighting of lamps and the chanting of mantras. Although temples are the best places to witness spectacular aartis, however, at home as well these are worth a watch.

All of those who have witnessed aartis know that it is such a divine experience.  In fact, all devout Hindus should witness these rituals at these holy places, at least once in their lives.

Rishikesh Ganga Aarti

The daily evening aarti on the banks of River Ganga at the Parmath Niketan Ashram is a great spiritual experience. The aarti is witnessed by thousands of devotees each year.

Siddhivinayak Aarti

 

The famous temple in Mumbai is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and the aarti of this god here is grand. It is done four times in a day - twice in the morning and twice in the evening.

Vaishno Devi Aarti

 

The famous Aarti at the Vaishno Devi temple, Kashmir is definitely a divine experience. This temple is of Goddess Vaishno Devi. The grand aarti is held twice a day here � one before sunrise and the other just after sunset.

Haridwar Ganga Aarti

 

This Ganga aarti here is performed at the Har-ki-Pauri on the banks of river Ganges. Attending the Ganga aarti here is an attraction of pilgrims who come here to take a dip in the holy river to wash off their sins. 

Tirupati Balaji Aarti

 

This temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, an Avatar of Lord Vishnu and it is one of the oldest in India. There are 7 aartis held here throughout the day, all of which are witnessed by about 50,000 pilgrims who visit every day. The aarti is grand and quite talked about. 

Dwarkadhish Aarti

 

The morning and evening Aartis at the Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat are very popular and a must sight to witness for any devotee. The temple is in Dwarka and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is also said that this temple is one of the main temples of Lord Krishna. 

Jagannath Temple Aarti

 

The Mangal and Sandhya (morning and evening) Aartis at Jagannath Temple Puri is well renowned, and is witnessed by thousands of devotees every day. 

Dashashwamedh Ghat Aarti

 

The Ganga Aarti or Agni Puja at the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi is one of the biggest aartis. The special aartis held on Teusdays and on festival days are an event to witness.

Meenakshi Temple Aarti

 

The aarti of Goddess Meenakshi who is the consort of Lord Shiva is beautiful and should not be missed. The Meenakshi Temple is in Madurai and the evening aarti performed here is spectacular.

Importance of Belpatra or Bilva Leaf

Belpatra means leaves of the Bel tree. Bilva leaves or the Belpatra is an important item which is used in the worship of Lord Shiva. The Bilva leaves is from the wood apple tree.

It is said that if a person prays to Lord Shiva with a clear mind and offers a Belpatra to the Shivling, the Lord blesses him/her with whatever he/she desires. Hence, Belpatra is one of the most important ingredients which is used for the worship of Lord Shiva.

Story Of Belpatra :

According to the Skanda Purana, the Bel tree grew from the sweat droplets of Goddess Parvati which fell on the Mandrachal mountain. From then on the Bel tree emerged. Hence, it is believed that the Goddess resides in this tree in all Her forms. She resides as Girija in the roots of the tree, as Maheshwari in its trunk, as Dakshayani in its branches, Parvati in its leaves, Katyayani in its fruit and as Gauri in its flowers. Apart from these Shaktis, Goddess Lakshmi also resides in this sacred tree. Therefore as Goddess Parvati resides in Her various forms in this tree, Lord Shiva is extremely fond of its leaves. It is said that even if one touches the Bel tree or its leaves, he/she is freed from all sorts of sins and ailments.

Scientific Properties Of Belpatra :

According to the scriptures and Ayurveda, Belpatra has great medicinal values. It's trifoliate shape signifies the three components or 'gunas' namely the Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. The Sattva guna is the positive energies while the Tamas is the negative forces. It is believed that the centre part of the Bilva leaf has the natural characteristic to attract the Sattva or the positive energies towards itself. So, when a person affected by negative energies touches the Belpatra, the positive energies are transferred to him/her. This explains why touching the Bilva tree makes you get rid of sins and ailments. Belpatra is extremely beneficial for health. The roots, skin, leaves, fruit, everything of the tree is used to cure various ailments. The sacred tree can cure problems like bleeding gums, dysentry, asthma, jaundice, anaemia etc. Hence, Belpatra is extremely important in Hinduism.

Important Dates in Puri Ratha Yatra - 2016

The most important Dates and Rituals of  Ratha Yatra 2016 :

15.06.2016	Rajendrabhisekha
16.06.2016	Rukmaniharan Ekadashi
17.06.2016	Champaka Dwadashi
18.06.2016	Daitapati Prabesha O Charabandha
19.06.2016	Chhaturdashi Senapata Lagi
20.06.2016	Deba Snana Purnima
29.06.2016	Dashami Chaka Bije
30.06.2016	Khalilagi Ekadashi
01.07.2016	Rajaprasad Bije (Dwadashi)
02.07.2016	Ghanalagi
05.07.2016	Netroutsav & Nabajaubana Darshan
06.07.2016	Srigundicha (Rath Yatra)
10.07.2016	Hera Panchami
11.07.2016	Dakhina Moda
13.07.2016	Sandhya Darshan
14.07.2016	Bahuda Yatra
15.07.2016	Suna Besha
16.07.2016	Adharapana
17.07.2016	Neeladribije

Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple - Tirumala.

Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy temple is located to the north of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, on the banks of Swami Pushkarini in the sacred Seven Hills. The presiding deity is Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu in the form of a wild boar. Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy was residing on the hills when Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy descended onto the earth.


Legend :

According to the legend, Tirumala was originally called �Adivarahakshetra� (dwelling place of Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy). According to Brahmapurana, it is Lord Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy who granted land to Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy on his request to reside in the sacred Seven Hills. As a thanks giving gesture, Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy had gifted the privilege of first darshan and first naivedyam to Lord Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy. Thus as per the tradition, it is imperative for the pilgrims to pay a visit to Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy before visiting Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy.

Temple Timings: Every day from 5:30 AM to 12 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM.

Special abhishekam is performed every year, to the presiding deity in the holy month of Shravana, with the advent of the Shravana star on the auspicious occasion of Varaha Jayanthi.

Tirumala Tirupati Navaratri Brahmotsavam Dates 2016

Tirumala Brahmotsavam is an annual festival at  Lord Venkateswara Temple celebrated for nine days in the months of September and October.

In this year 2016, Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy Navaratri Brahmotsavams will be celebrated from October 2nd 2016 (Sunday) to October 11th 2016 (Tuesday). Popular stories trace the origin of this celebration to Brahma, the creator God, who first conducted this festival to Sri Balaji at Tirupati. Brahma worshiped Sri Balaji on the banks of the holy Pushkarini in Tirupati as a way to give thanks for the Lord�s protection of mankind. Hence, this utsava bears his name as �Brahmotsavam,� which means �Brahma�s Utsavam.�

Date	Morning	Night
02-10-2016 [SUNDAY]	ANKURAARPANAM	--
03-10-2016 [MONDAY]	DHWAJAROHANAM	PEDDA SESHA VAHANAM
04-10-2016 [TUESDAY]	CHINNA SESHA VAHANAM	HAMSA VAHANAM
05-10-2016[WEDNESDAY]	SIMHA VAHANAM	MUTHYAPU PANDIRI
06-10-2016 [THURSDAY]	KALPA VRIKSHA VAHANAM	SARWA BHOOPALA VAHANAM
07-10-2016 [FRIDAY]	PALLAKI UTSAVAM[MOHINI AVATARAM]	GARUDA VAHANAM
08-10-2016 [SATURDAY]	HANUMANTHA VAHANAM,SWARNA RATHAM	GAJA VAHANAM
09-10-2016 [SUNDAY]	SURYA PRABHA VAHANAM	CHANDRA PRABHA VAHANAM
10-10-2016 [MONDAY]	RATHOTSAVAM	ASWA VAHANAM
11-10-2016 [TUESDAY]	PALLAKI UTSAVAM	CHAKRASNANAM DHWAJA AVAROHANAM(CHAKRASNANAM)