Our wonderful and colorful festivals

      Gujarati Festivals                       

 

                                                   

                                       "Vakratunda Mahakaaya, Suryakoti Samaprabha
                                Nirvighnam Kuru Mey Deva, Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada"

 

        

Festivals 

Gujarati Festivals 2024

 

Make sure you fully engage and enjoy these special Hindu Festivals.  Some of the key festivals and their significance are explained below.

 

Pitru Paksha Shradh 

Pitru Paksha is when we please and pacify our ancestors through various rituals like shraddha and tarpan to be free from the debt we owe them.

                  

                                                                || Om pitru ganaye vidmahe
                                                                   jagad dhaarineye dhimahi
                                                                 Tanno pitru prachodayaat ||

Shouldn’t we be grateful to our forefathers who have shaped our present lives through the knowledge and values they have passed on to us? We owe our very existence to them. In fact, the world we live in is a wonderful present left behind by them.

 

Shraddha means faith, confidence, and reverence. It is a practice undertaken in good faith for our forefathers, showing our gratitude. Shraddha can be performed both by the son and the daughter.

पितृ पक्ष

Day to remember not only the dear departed but also the Rishis who gave us the way of 'life and living'
 
                  
 

 

The debt to be cleared during Pitru Paksha

In the Indian tradition, there are three debts we need to clear:

 

Deva debt to the gods for gracing us with wealth and prosperity

Rishi debt to the sages for providing us with knowledge

Pitru debt to our ancestors, for providing us with the human frame, knowledge, skills, and other privileges. It is with our human body that we lead our material life and also undertakes our spiritual journey.

 

Pitru Paksha is the period when our ancestors are pleased and pacified through various rituals like shraddha and tarpan to be free from the debt we owe them.

 

Shraddha – An important ritual during Pitru Paksha

Shraddha is a ritual that is usually performed for our parents on their death anniversaries. Additionally, it is also performed for our ancestors, both maternal and paternal, during Pitru Paksha. Thus Pitru Paksha is also known as Shraddha Paksha. The Shraddha that we perform during Pitru Paksha is known as Pitri Shraddha.

 

Shraddha means faith, confidence, and reverence. It is a practice undertaken in good faith for our forefathers, showing our gratitude. Shraddha can be performed both by the son and the daughter.

 

What is Shradh and its Significance?

According to Hindu beliefs, the souls of our three preceding generations reside in Pitru-Loka, which is considered to be a realm between heaven and earth. This realm is led by the god of death, Yama. It is believed that when a person from the next generation dies, the first generation is taken to heaven bringing them closer to God. Only the last three generations in Pitru-Loka are given shradha rites.

According to Hindu scriptures, during the Mahabharata, when Karna died his soul was taken to heaven where he was offered lots of gold and jewels. However, Karna was looking for food to eat and asked Indra, who is considered as the lord of heaven, the reason for serving gold as food. That's when Indra told Karna that he donated gold all his life, but never donated food to his ancestors during Shradh. Realising what Indra claimed, Karna answered that he never knew who his ancestors were, so he couldn't donate anything in their memory. However, Karna was given a chance to amend his mistake and was permitted to return to earth for 15 days, so that he could perform shradh rites and donate food and water in their memory. This 15-day period was then named as Pitru Paksha  - last day is Sarva Pitru Amavasya

 

Shradhha: Pooja Rituals

The rituals of the shradh are generally performed around these dates.  It is also imperative to feed the poor after making an offering to the Brahmins. It is believed that shradh rites and Pitru Paksha puja are important for attaining happiness in the family and for receiving blessings from our ancestors.

 

 

            Bringing light into our life

 

                         

 

 

 

 

 

                             

Navaratri and its significance

Navaratri when literally translated to English means nine nights. Night is the time for relaxation and rejuvenation of the mind and the body. If we don't rest at night, it becomes hard to carry on with our activities the next day, isn't it? Similarly, Navratri is the resting time for the spirit in you. It is the time when you withdraw yourself from all sense activities (eating, talking, watching, touching, listening, smelling), and rest in yourself. This withdrawal from all sense activities takes you deeper within yourself which is the actual source of bliss, joy and enthusiasm in our lives.

                            

 

Most of us don't get to experience this because we are constantly engaged in some activity or another. We are constantly engaged with the mind. Navratri is the time to withdraw from the mind, and rest in the spirit, or soul. It's the time to feel your soul!

So this Navratri, take the opportunity to transition from the gross material world to the subtle spiritual world. To put it simply, take some time off from your day-to-day activities and entanglements and focus on yourself. Think of your origin, of who you are and where you have come from. Go within, and rest in the remembrance of the love of the Divine Mother.

 

                                                                                                              

We are connected to this universe, to some power that makes this whole creation happen. This power is filled with love. The whole creation is filled with love. Navratri is the time for you to realize that you are loved, and rest in this feeling of love. When you do this, you come out feeling stronger, wiser, rejuvenated, refreshed and harmonious.

 

                         Rangoli - our art and a tradition

 

 

 

Gujarati Festivals in December 2023

Credit: drikpanchang Gujarati Festivals 2023
https://www.drikpanchang.com/gujarati/calendar/gujarati-calendar.html?ye...  

 

Useful Events:

 

Shravan Mass or Month

 

Legend Behind Shravan month :

As per ancient legends, the churning of sea ( Samudra Manthan ) was done during this month of Shravan. It was a combined effort done by both, the Devatas ( Gods ) & the Danvas (Demons). The Sumeru Parvat was used for churning and the Snake Vasuki which circles around the neck of Lord Shiva was used as a rope. Large number of invaluable Gems came out of sea as a result of this churning. However, at the end, poison ( Halahal ) came out which had the capacity to destroy everything. None of the Gods or Demons were able to deal with this poison and ultimately, Lord Shiva came to the rescue. Lord Shiva drank the entire poison and stored it in his throat which turned blue due to poison. Hence, Lord Shiva got the name Neel Kanth ( Blue Throat ). This way, Lord Shiva gave a new life to everyone during this month and therefore, this month is supposed to be very auspicious.

 

Things to do in the Month of Shravan :

The entire month of Shravan is very auspicious and observing the following can give very good results by the blessings of Lord Shiva :

  • If possible, a person should keep fast on all the days of Shravan month. He should go to Lord Shiva temple everyday after taking Bath and offer Panchamrut ( A Special preparation made of 5 items viz, milk, curd, ghee, honey & gangajal ) to Lord Shiva as well as Bilva Leaves. A person can consume milk & milk preparations, fruits and other items that are used during fast & pray to Lord Shiva.
  • If fasting everyday is not possible, then atleast every person should keep fast on every Mondays of Shravan month.Wearing a Rudraksha during this month is also considered very auspicious.
  • A person should recite Maha Mrityunjay Mantra for as many times as possible.

 

Maha Mrityunjay Mantra :

             " Om Trayambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam
              Urwarukmivbandhanaan Mrityormuksheey Maamritaat "

 

 

 

Naag Pachami

There are many explanations for this worship including love and affection between a brother and a sister

 

          

 

 

Vyas Purnima  

                                                    Guru Purnima

 

                                               
 

 
 

                         Ganesh Chaturthi

                                                     

         You can ask for your wish to come true? - by whispering  in Ganesh Dada's big ears!

 

Raksha Bandan     रक्षा बन्धन 

Tagore's poem about the meaning and love on Raksha Bandan Day

The love in my body and heart
For the earth's shadow and light
Has stayed over years.

With its cares and its hope it has thrown
A language of its own
Into blue skies.

It lives in my joys and glooms
In the spring night's buds and blooms
Like a Rakhi-band
On the Future's hand.

 

 

Whilst we may worship a Kurdevi, it is always good to receive blessings from as many.  We have so many powerful Devis and they all play a significant role in our lives.

                                                      

           Jagdamba Mata  - Supreme Goddess and key Devi of all Kurdevis or Kuldevis 

Jagdamba translates to "Universe Mother" and she is considered to be the mother of the entire universe - this is one reason to put aside any 'Devi differences' which detract and distract from the real reality of our Kuldevi Worship !  Whichever ancestral Kuldevi we have faith in, is the one for us to worship !

 

 

                                            

                 You haven't understood this 'Shakti' until you view below in full

             Ashapura  - enriching, protective and fulfilling   < CLICK TO VIEW

     

 

Decorating our homes 

 

                                                               

  Sri Krishna Janmashtami was - September 6th 2023                                                               

 

                              

 

                                                            Swarasati mata

 

 

With profound inspiration from Swarasati mata and support and direction from our elders, we have managed to put together this very simple website for all to enjoy. 

 

Gujarati Year now is Vikram Samvat 2079 - Gregorian calendar is 2023 

Our Hindu calender is based on the moon  - it is a lunisolar Vikram Samvat calendar and is 57.7 years ahead (in count) of the solar Gregorian calendar !

                                                              

Holi 

 

Holi Festival   - did you find out the real meaning of 'Holi' ?

 

                

 

 

Makar Sankranti

                                       ..........................  and flying the kites  - why?

 

 

        

              

 

નવા વર્ષમાં આપની તથા આપના પરિવારની સુખ, શાંતિ,  સમૃધ્ધિ માં ઉત્તરો ઉત્તર વધારો થાય, દરેક ક્ષેત્ર માં પ્રગતિ  થાય  એવી *શુભકામના....*

 

              Matajis' Nived Blessings   

                                                                        

 

                                                                            

                          Jay Ashapura mataji, Balvi mataji and Gatral mataji ki Jay

                                                     

 

 

 

Panchang

Panchang enlists a record of important, auspicious dates and astrological data.  Based on the position of planets, stars and other celestial bodies, a panchang is developed. Derived from Sanskrit, it consists of two words, 'Panch' which means 'Five' and 'Ang' which means 'Limbs', i.e. 'Five Limbs'. It is considered before initiating any auspicious task such as marriage, celebration, puja, starting any business etc. to analyse a favorable date and time.

Hindu Panchang has a lot of importance in Vedic Astrology. In the Hindu religion, it is believed to be impossible to carry out a feast, festival, celebration and work without consulting panchang, because it's only with the help of panchang that we could find out the Tithi and Muhurat.

On the basis of the calculations of five parts of the Hindu Panchang, the Muhurat is noted down.  Day, Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, Sunrise-Sunset, and Moonrise-Moonset related information is gathered.

 

Five Elements Of Hindu Panchang

 

Hindu Panchang comprises of five distinguished sources of energy, which are as follows:

 

● Vaar (Day of the Week): Panchang follows a seven-day week and modulates auspicious events, dates and occasions based on it.

● Tithi (The Lunar Day): It refers to the status and position of Moon in Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) or Krishna Paksha (waning phase). In either cases, Tithi is named after the condition of Moon. This makes up for one main reason that there are 14 tithis in both cycles between Amavasya and Purnima.

● Nakshatra (Lunar Mansion): The universe is divided into 12 constellations or zodiacs according to Vedic Astrology. As defined, Nakshatras are group of 27 stars forming a zodiac sign.

● Karana (Half Lunar Day): The half of a Yog is called Karana. 2 Karanas make a Date or Tithi, totalling to 11 Karanas in all. 4 of them are fixed, and remaining 7 are movable.

● Yoga (Luni-Solar Day): A yoga is calculated by summing the Longitude of Moon and Sun and divided into 27 parts in 13°20'.

 

Jivanbhai's saying regarding palmistry:

Do not show your palm to any palm readers, fakirs and fakes !  They cannot read their own let alone others' palms.  They will introduce false hopes, doubts and discord in your mind for the rest of your life. 

 

One is born with a closed fist and arrives to a journey of destined self discovery!

 

Jivanbhai's saying regarding unqualified belief:

Do not be led astray by these shadus, shadvis, fakirs and fakes - can they really see Gods and Goddesses ?  Bowing to these fake individuals encourages them further. 

Bow to your God or your diety - you cannot go wrong, even if you can't see them! 

Bow to your trusted Guru - if you were lucky to find a true one !                                                                                                                                                                                  

Gadher Parivar / Gadher Community has moved to reality without loosing faith !