#how to do ganesha puja

[jeevanjali]

Budhwar Upay: बुधवार के दिन करें भगवान गणेश के इन मंत्रों का जाप, खुल जाएंगे सौभाग्य के रास्तेBudhwar Upay बुधवार का दिन भगवान गणेश की पूजा के लिए समर्पित है। इस दिन की गई पूजा और व्रत से वह जल्दी प्रसन्न होते हैं और अपने भक्तों को आशीर्वाद देते हैं।

[ome-magical-ramblings]

(Unexpected) Meeting Angalaparameshwari!

Don't Worry! I am not changing this blog to a Hindu/Eastern focused blog! LOL

Had to get that out of the way lol, but yeah in amazing turn of events and if people know from my old posts that I do/did work with ganesha on multiple occasions in the past. I mean I currently have a permanent place for Ganesha beside in a separate altar to my other atlars. A dream of Ganesha lead to me finding a south indian guy on marketplace who was offering his Home Mandir/Puja altar for sale and I decided hmm that might be a good thing to buy! When I went there I was mind-blown by the energy of the house and the house's altar I felt drawn to it! I was even grateful to be allowed to take picture of that house altar and meet the kula devata/ancestral tutelary deva of that family, Angalaparameshwari. The whole interaction felt orchestrated and I didn't expect the gods would play hands into leading me to find this person, find Angala devi and seeing her, getting that shelf, and I couldn't put my finger on it except that Ganesha definitely pulled some strings to make this happen! I don't know the ramifications of this blessed meeting but I feel like there's an aspect of work where even the gods help us when we offer them the respect and place in our life for them and not treat them like tulpas or imaginary friends. I am still mind blown and grateful for this sudden random event I was thrust into and of the vision of the goddess.

I acquired the small altar shelf and was overall grateful for the darshan of Angala Devi! I didn't figure out how to properly use it until I use it as my jesus altar! I don't know if this is cultural appropriation but I found the altar to be in the perfect spot and it just "clicked" in spot with all other altars I have! I am definitely grateful for this incidents!

Who has a Curved Trunk, Large Body, and Who has the Brilliance of a Million Suns, O Lord, Please make all my Works, free of Obstacles, always.

[pujapujari]

Mangalvar Vrat Katha – Reason, Method, and Story behind Tuesday’s Fast

Mangalvar vrat is a popular fast dedicated to Hanuman Ji on Tuesday. Vrat Katha is read or heard, and people also chant Hanuman Chalisa.

“भूत-पिशाच निकट नहीं आवे।

महावीर जब नाम सुनावे ।।”

The energy, courage, and fearlessness we get just by hearing these lines are out of this world. Lord Hanuman gives us the dare to fight every challenge in life, and his blessings can help humans to excel in life. Imagine if just his name can bring so much liveliness, what his day can do.

Tuesday (Mangalvar in Hindi) is a day for Lord Hanuman; believe it or not, this auspicious day has its own significance. Praying and fasting on this particular day, along with Mangalvar vrat katha, can bring happiness and prosperity.

What is the significance of Mangalvar vrat Katha

Indian mythology believes this vrat flows happiness, success, mental and physical strength, long life, and recovery from illness. Hanuman ji has considered one God present in the world till eternity, and this vrat is one of the simplest methods to seek his blessings. Couples who cannot conceive or are childless for a long period perform this fast to get blessed with a child.

Astrology suggests that a person with weak Mars in his horoscope should keep Mangalvar vrat to overcome the hurdles in life peacefully. It will also help reduce Mangal Dosha (Manglik dosh) with the grace of Hanuman Ji.

Besides mythology and astrology, fasting once a week can improve your metabolism and provide many health benefits.

How can I follow Mangalvar Vrat?

Alongside the significance and beliefs, this fast is blissful and calming, relieving stress and burdens and blessing humans with happiness and prosperity.

Devotees can start fasting on any Tuesday and continue it for 21 weeks. Keeping fast for 21 Tuesdays can vanish all your problems, and you can say goodbye to unforeseen life events.

The procedure is pretty simple as well;

Wake up, take a bath, and wear clean clothes (preferably red)

Sprinkle holy water of Ganga in the whole puja room

Light a diya with ghee and offer sindoor, flowers, betel leaf garland, sweets, and fruits to Hanuman ji

Sit comfortably and begin the puja vidhi. Worship Ganesha, Shree Ram, and Mata Sita, followed by Mangalvar vrat katha and Hanuman Chalisa. (According to Indian mythology Lord Hanuman is a great devotee of the Shree ram, and thus, offering prayers to him beforehand can please him in the simplest manner)

Devotees can also read Sundarkand to seek blissful blessings

Perform an aarti to complete your Puja. Then, distribute the offered sweets (Prasad) to your family.

Have food once in the whole day without onion or garlic and continue the procedure for the next 21 Tuesdays

Perform the same puja vidhi on the 22nd Tuesday and feed 21 Brahmins if possible and complete your fast

The story behind Mangalvar vrat

used to pray to Lord Hanuman to seek his blessings for a healthy child. Once, Nanda went to the dense jungle to pray to Hanuman ji to bless him with a child; on the other side, his wife used to pray to Hanuman ji daily. She used to keep fast on Tuesdays and offer food to Lord Hanuman before having any.

One fine Tuesday, she could not prepare food and feed Lord Hanuman due to another fast. She became sorrowful, slept on an empty stomach, and decided not to eat before offering food to Lord Hanuman until the following Tuesday. She went on fasting for the next six days without water and food.

She fainted early the next Tuesday due to hunger and starvation. Hanuman ji was impressed with her faith and belief and appeared before her. He blessed her with a little boy, Sunanda, named ‘Mangal.’ When her husband returned from the forest, he questioned her about the child, to which she replied with her side of the story.

The Brahim considering it hard to believe, was suspicious and refused to believe the same. One day, when Nanda was leaving for a bath, his wife asked him to take Mangal along, he agreed, but seeking a chance, he pushed the little child to a well

When Sunanda asked him about the child on his return, Mangal returned even before Nanda could respond. While Nanda couldn’t understand what had happened, he slept. Hanuman ji appeared in his dreams and clarified that his wife was right, and he blessed them with a little version of Lord Hanuman and how doubting his wife is a wrongful act of Nanda. After this, the Brahmin got happy, accepted his wife and their son, and the family lived happily. Sunanda continued her Tuesday fasts, and Hanuman ji continued his blessings on them.

Conclusion

To seek Lord Hanuman’s blessings, the most effortless process is the Mangalvar vrat. Change your fortune with this auspicious fasting and get Hanuman ji protection on your health and life.

Article Source: Mangalvar Vrat Katha – Reason, Method, and Story Behind Tuesday’s Fast

For more articles like this, Please visit Puja N Pujari

[indianfromsouth]

Prohibition on Hindu rituals? Quran recitation? Halal meals? - What to expect in the coming years?

The latest edition of Kerala Schools Youth Festival just concluded at Kozhikode, Kerala. This year's festival was in the limelight, albeit for the wrong reasons. While the most talked about controversy was with regard to the veg meals served, there were other controversies as well. One such controversy largely went unreported in the mainstream media.

This was with regard to the Yakshaganam contest. Yakshaganam is a traditional folk theatre form of South Karnataka and Northern Kerala. Yakshaganam literally means divine music. Stories of Yakshaganam are usually drawn from Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavata. It is believed that Yakshagana evolved from the ancient Bhutha-worship prevalent in South Karnataka and Northern Kerala. Remember Kantara, Bhutakola, Theyyam? Does it ring a bell?

This is what happened! There is a traditional ritual carried out by Yakshagana performers before they perform. This is called Chowki pooja. Chowki is basically the green room. In this ritual, the "Bhagavata" (the narrator/main performer) and supporting vocalists assemble before an image of Ganesha, chant invocations, offer coconuts, plantains and perform aarti or puja.

The invocation begins as follows

"Gajamukhadavage Ganapage chelva Trijagavanditanigaaratiyettire"

Translation: O, Lord Ganesha, the beautiful one with elephant’s face For you, worshipped in all the three worlds, we light this sacred flame

After receiving the "prasaada", the 'bhagavata' asks for the deity's/god's permission following which everyone proceeds to the stage. How beautiful! Isn't it? It turns out, that not everyone feels that way!

On the day of the contest, when the performers were doing the chowki puja, one of the organizers barged into the room and disrupted the ritual. It is alleged that the person forcefully blew out the lamp lit for the ritual saying that such pujas cannot be allowed here. Organizers didn't allow media inside, so this was not properly recorded or covered in the media. The performers protested following which police arrived. The performers refused to perform after this, but eventually relented and performed.

Yakshagana Guru, Madhava Nettanige said, "This kind of experience is the first in my 22 years of Yakshagana art life". He also staged a protest asking for an apology from the organizers. He said that even if they forgive the organizers, God will not.

The irony is that this is a festival where there is a contest for "Quran recitation". And no, there is no competition for "Gita recitation" or for that matter, reciting any other holy scripture of Hindus. These are all indicators of things to expect in the coming years! We can soon expect a festival where nonveg halal meals are served (with the exception of pork, for obvious reasons) even if they have to make compromises on the health and safety of children! And don't be surprised if they decide to remove traditional Hindu art forms, while Quran recitation and other Arab cultural contests will continue being normal and perfectly secular.

Hinduism under attack? That's for you to decide!

[pnp-pujanpujari]

Diwali 2024: Complete Guide to Lakshmi Puja Muhurat and Rituals for Home and Office

Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Central to this celebration is the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. Performing the Lakshmi Puja during Diwali with devotion and following the proper rituals is believed to invite divine blessings for prosperity and peace. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to perform the Lakshmi Puja for Diwali 2024, both at home and in the office, along with the ideal muhurat (auspicious time) to conduct the puja.

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat for Diwali 2024

The muhurat, or the specific auspicious time for performing Lakshmi Puja during Diwali, holds great importance. In 2024, the Diwali festival falls on November 1st. The Lakshmi Puja should be performed during the Pradosh Kaal, which is approximately two hours after sunset. This year, the Pradosh Kaal is expected to start from 6:10 PM to 8:10 PM (IST). Additionally, the best time within the Pradosh Kaal is known as the Sthir Lagna, which is considered highly auspicious for invoking Goddess Lakshmi as it ensures stability and long-lasting prosperity.

For those unable to perform the puja during this period, the Nishita Kaal (midnight) can also be considered auspicious.

Step-By-Step Guide to Perform Lakshmi Puja at Home

Cleaning the Home: Begin with thorough cleaning of your home. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi resides where there is cleanliness. Ensure all corners of the house are free from clutter, and decorate the entrance with rangoli or colorful designs.

Creating a Puja Space: Set up a clean and sacred area for the puja. Place an image or idol of Goddess Lakshmi along with Lord Ganesha on a raised platform. Place kalash (water-filled pot) near the idols as a symbol of prosperity.

Offerings for Lakshmi Puja: Keep all the puja items ready, including:

Flowers (especially marigold or lotus)

Betel leaves and betel nuts

Rice, turmeric, and kumkum

Sweets like laddoos or kheer

Diya (oil lamps), incense sticks, and camphor

Silver coins and new account books (if performing the puja for your business)

Performing the Puja:

Light the lamps and incense sticks to purify the atmosphere.

Begin with a Ganesh Puja, as Lord Ganesha is invoked first to remove all obstacles.

Offer flowers, rice, and sweets to Goddess Lakshmi while chanting mantras like the “Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra” or the “Shree Suktam.”

Perform the Lakshmi Aarti with utmost devotion.

Offering Naivedya: Offer prasad or sweets prepared for the puja as naivedya to the Goddess. This food offering symbolizes gratitude for the blessings received.

Distribution of Prasad: Once the puja is completed, distribute the prasad among family members, symbolizing the sharing of divine blessings. Don’t forget to place diyas around your home, especially near the entrance, to invite positivity and prosperity into your household.

Step-By-Step Guide for Lakshmi Puja in the Office

Preparation: Clean the office space and ensure it is clutter-free. Decorate the office with flowers and Diwali-themed decor such as rangolis and diyas.

Setting Up the Puja Area: Select a quiet and clean area for the puja. Place the idol of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on a small platform. Arrange for the necessary puja items.

Puja Process:

Just as you begin the home puja with Ganesh Puja, do the same in the office.

Offer flowers, betel leaves, and sweets to Goddess Lakshmi while chanting prayers.

Conduct the Aarti and distribute the prasad among all employees. Some offices also perform the puja with new account books or gadgets to bless the business with growth and wealth.

Lighting Diyas: Finally, light up the office with diyas and candles. It not only adds to the festive vibe but also spreads positivity across the workplace.

Concluding the Puja

After the Lakshmi Puja, it is customary to leave at least one diya burning overnight to welcome Goddess Lakshmi into your home or office. Maintaining an environment of peace, joy, and cleanliness is essential during Diwali to sustain the blessings of wealth and prosperity throughout the year.

Why Lakshmi Puja is Performed During Diwali

Lakshmi Puja is performed on the third day of Diwali, also known as the Amavasya or the new moon night. This night is believed to be the most auspicious for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi as she descends to the earth to bless her devotees. The lighting of diyas signifies driving away darkness and ignorance and welcoming wealth, knowledge, and prosperity.

Get All Your Puja Essentials and Astrology Services at Pujanpujari.com

If you're preparing for Diwali, ensure you have all the necessary puja items and accessories to perform the rituals properly. For all your Diwali decor needs, astrology consultations, and pandit services, visit pujanpujari.com. Our platform provides comprehensive astrology services, customized puja packages, and easy pandit booking services to make your Diwali celebrations seamless and prosperous. Whether for your home or office, you can find everything you need to perform the perfect Lakshmi Puja this Diwali!

[indra-digi]

Ganesh Chaturthi festival 2024 in India visit here-https://indradigi.com/blog/

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival of India. India is a very vast country; people of many religions live here. People of religion now have a festival of their own. Like Diwali, Dussehra, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Teej, Ganesh Chaturthi etc. Here I will tell you about Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada. This festival is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Ganesh. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi falls in the eighth or ninth month.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a famous festival of Hindus which is celebrated from different parts of India. It has great importance in Maharashtra and Karnataka or say that it is celebrated with great pomp here. Lord Ganesha was born on this day Hindus worship Lord Ganesha In every auspicious and auspicious work; the first Ganesha is worshipped.

on Ganesh Chaturthi. By the grace of Ganesha huge talent of Lord Ganesha is established in many prominent places, this statue is worshipped for 10 days, the troubles and troubles on the family are removed. A large number of people living nearby come to visit the school, after 9 days, the talent of Ganesha is immersed in any river or ocean water with songs and hawks. Ganesha is also known as Lambodar.

how to bring Ganesh idol on own home

During Ganesh Chaturthi, bringing Lord Ganesha into your home is a beloved tradition that requires several crucial steps. In order to respect environmental concerns, you should first choose a suitable idol of Lord Ganesha, preferably made of eco-friendly clay. Make sure your home is clean and sanctified before bringing the idol inside, paying special attention to the area where it will be placed.

Establish a beautifully adorned altar or platform for Lord Ganesha on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. For the forthcoming puja, arrange flowers, lamps, and incense on a clean cloth or decorative piece that serves as a base. Bring the idol home while chanting mantras or singing devotional songs and do it with a pure and happy heart. 

After the idol is in place, carry out a brief ceremony known as Pran Pratishtha to invoke Lord Ganesha’s divine presence. This can be accomplished by doing Aarti, arranging flowers, and lighting incense. Give Ganesha his favorite candies, such as fruits, Ladoo, and Modak.

Throughout the festival, worship Ganesha every day with fervor. Following the designated days of worship (typically 1, 5, 7, or 10 days), honor Lord Ganesha’s return to his celestial abode by joyfully and respectfully immersing the idol in water as part of the Visarjan ritual. 

How to Establishment of Ganesh sculpture on Ganesh Chaturthi

It is considered auspicious to place the idol of Lord Ganesha in the north or east direction of the house. In which the statue has Ganesha in a sitting posture and the trunk tilted towards the left is considered very auspicious. It is believed that bringing home such a statue of Ganapati brings peace along with happiness and prosperity in the house.

Before installing the idol of Ganesh, a yellow or red cloth should be laid on a small post, once the statue is installed, do not remove it from there. And shake the idol only at the time of immersion, do not consume any tamasic food after the arrival of Ganpati Bappa in the house nor make such dishes in the house.

Easy way to worship Ganesha

Ganesha is worshipped methodically. In which different types of mantras are chanted and rituals are performed. Whenever worship is done in the India, Ganesha is first invoked. After which flowers, sandalwood, incense, lamp, Naivedhya etc. are offered to them.

21 Modak are offered to Ganesha during the puja, it is believed that Ganesha likes modaks more. After this, the whole family members together perform the aarti of Ganesh lord.

Devotees should first take a good bath and wear healthy clothes.

Before installing the idol of Ganesh be sure to sprinkle Ganga water.

The pooja room should be cleaned well before installing the idol of Lord Ganesha.

Tilak on Ganpati Bappa’s forehead with yellow sandalwood.

How Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated-

Before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, people clean their houses and decorate the puja places. Shopkeepers are very busy in the market as there is a lot of demand for the idol of Ganesh lord these days. Women make a variety of dishes at home, out of which Modak is the main one. Modak is a kind of laddu made from rice flour which contains coconut and jaggery.

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout India, on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, people bring Ganesha to their home and worship him with law. They immerse Ganesha after keeping it at their home for 10 days, earlier this festival was celebrated only in Maharashtra and some parts of these but now it is being celebrated all over India.

Ganesh Chaturthi was started during the reign of King Maratha Shivaji in 16 centuries. Ganesh Chaturthi got recognition as a major festival in the 19th century. There were many efforts of Lokmanya Tilak behind this. Those who are known as freedom fighters. In today’s time, the trend of eco-friendly Ganesha idol is increasing very fast.

Religious Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

The birth of Lord Ganesha is a wonderful event. Mata Parvati created Lord Ganesha with the udder of her body and made him stand as a gatekeeper for his protection. When Lord Shiva returned home and wanted to enter the house, Ganesha stopped him, due to which Shiva got angry and separated his neck from the torso.

Seeing all this, Parvati was very sad, seeing her sorrow, Lord Shiva put the head of Ganesha’s head elephant. And revived Ganesha or Ganesh is called Vignaharta, and he is worshiped first.

Visarjan of Ganesha

Ganesh is immersed on Anant Chaturdashi. People take out a procession of Ganpati idol accompanied by drums, songs, bandwagons. The idol of Ganesha is immersed in a river or pond

Conclusion

Celebrated with vigor across all religions and cultures, Ganesh Chaturthi is a celebration of community spirit, unity, and devotion. As a celebration dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the one who removes obstacles, it has profound religious meaning in Hinduism. The rites represent the cyclical nature of life—birth, celebration, and dissolution—from the ceremonial placement of Ganesha idols to their immersion.

The festival, which was first made popular by Bal Gangadhar Tilak to promote harmony during India’s independence movement, has grown to become a huge cultural phenomenon. Ganesh Chaturthi today unites people from all walks of life to commemorate not only the deity’s devotion but also common ideals of harmony and solidarity.

[parasparivaar]

Indian Festivals Connection to Sanatan Dharma

How Indian Festivals Relate to Sanatan Dharma

Paras Parivaar Charitable Trust said Sanatan Dharma, or Hinduism, is the world's oldest living religion, dating back to prehistoric times, and its teachings and beliefs are reflected in the various festivals held across India. Festivals are extremely significant in Sanatan Dharma because they enable people to connect with the divine, celebrate natural cycles, and form community relationships. Festivals are more than just cultural gatherings; they are fundamentally spiritual in nature, with each one offering a distinct message or lesson. Many Indian festivals honor particular Hindu deities and their stories from the Puranas and other sacred texts. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates Lord Rama's homecoming from exile and victory over the evil king Ravana. Similarly, Janmashtami respects Lord Krishna's birth, whilst Ganesh Chaturthi honors Lord Ganesha's birth.

1) Diwali (Festival of Lights): This is one of the most popular Sanatan Dharma holidays, with celebrations taking place all over India and the world.It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. People decorate their homes with diyas (lamps) and candles, and they exchange sweets and gifts.

2) Navratri (Nine Nights): Navratri is a nine-day festival that honors the divine feminine power, or Shakti. It is celebrated twice a year, in March/April and September/October. People fast, do pujas (worship ceremonies), and dance to the rhythmic beats of Garba and Dandiya.

3) Holi (Festival of Colors): Holi is another popular Sanatan Dharma Celebration that occurs in the spring. People throw colors at each other, dance, and consume sweets and specialty cuisines. It celebrates the victory of good over evil and the start of spring.

4) Dussehra (Vijayadashami): Dussehra is a festival that honors the triumph of good over evil. It is observed on the tenth day after Navratri. People burn effigies of the demon lord Ravana to represent the annihilation of evil.

5) Ganesh Chaturthi: This is a ten-day festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is believed to remove obstacles and provide good prosperity. People place clay idols of Lord Ganesha in their homes and temples, do pujas, offer sweets and fruits, then immerse the idols in water on the last day.

6) Janmashtami: This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most well-known deities in Sanatan Dharma. People observe fasts, perform pujas, and chant devotional hymns to Lord Krishna. They also crush a clay pot with butter and curd, known as dahi handi.

7) Maha Shivratri: This is a ceremony in praise of Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Sanatan Dharma. People fast, perform pujas, and spend the entire night chanting mantras and singing devotional songs to Lord Shiva.

8) Makar Sankranti: This celebration commemorates the sun's entry into the Capricorn zodiac sign. It is observed yearly on January 14th and is also known as Uttarayan. People bathe in holy waters, fly kites, and cook traditional meals with sesame and jaggery.

9) Onam: This is a ten-day festival held in Kerala, southern India. It commemorates the legendary King Mahabali's return and is a harvest festival. People decorate their homes with flowers, prepare special dinners, and participate in cultural events.

10) Raksha Bandhan: This holiday celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi (a holy thread) around their brothers' wrists, and the brothers promise to protect them from danger. People exchange sweets and gifts, and the festival emphasizes the importance of sibling relationships.

11) Pongal: This is a four-day festival celebrated in the state of Tamil Nadu, in southern India. It marks the end of harvest season and the beginning of the new year. Rangolis are used to decorate homes, cook special delicacies, and celebrate the sun deity and animals.

12) Mahavir Jayanti: This festival celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. It is widely celebrated in the Jain community, with people performing pujas, distributing sweets and fruits, and donating food and clothing to those in need. The event promotes peace, kindness, and the benefits of a simple, austere lifestyle. 

These are just a handful of the major Sanatan Dharma holidays and celebrations; many more differ by region and group. These festivals bring people together, promote unity and harmony, and provide chances for spiritual growth and personal transformation.

[ayngaranfoundation]

What is meant by Bodhivinayak

Worshipped as the bestow-er of boons and god of wisdom, Lord Ganesha is one of the supreme gods of Hindu mythology and religion.

He has quite many anecdotes revolving around him and he makes appearances in most of the mythological stories. One such very interesting instance is when maha-muni Veda Vyasa asked Lord Ganesha to pen down the great epic of Mahabharata.

Lord Ganesha agreed to do so on the condition that once Veda Vyasa begins to narrate the story, he would not stop and if he fails to do so, Lord Ganesha would walk away from the project. Veda Vyasa being aware of the Lord’s supreme abilities put forth another condition that Lord Ganesha would not take down any narration unless he fully understood it. That way, whenever maha-muni needed some rest, he would phrase a complex sentence that would need some time for Lord Ganesha to decipher.

Thus, began the writing of one of the greatest epics of all time- The Mahabharata. This instance is a fine example of how a guru’s tactfulness can bring to order a finicky mind.

Tale also has it that as Lord Ganesha was writing Mahabhrata, the nib of his pen broke off. He did not waste another moment and broke off his tusk to continue the task.

This is just one of the many instances of the wonders and glories of the Lord.

He is also known as the Lord who removes obstacles and puts one in the path of success. It is for this reason that at least one idol or painting of the Lord is found in every Hindu household, especially in the entrance hall to ward off any evil energy. A brief puja of the Lord is also performed before commencing any function or event to ensure fruitful results.

Did you know that there are several representations of Lord Ganesha and each has its own meaning and purpose? Read further to find out.

Sitting posture:

An often-depicted pose of the Lord is him sitting in Lalita Aasana. He is seated either on a Lotus or a throne with one leg folded and the other resting on the ground. This pose symbolises his interest in the worldly affairs of his devotees.

Standing posture:

With Ganesh Chaturthi just around the corner, you are sure to find this posture of the Lord in a number of Pandals. This posture is called Abhanga Aasana which literally means “not-bent”. It represents agility and attitude.

Sleeping posture:

This one depicts the Lord in a luxurious state where he is shown reclining against a pillow on a grand throne/sofa. This posture represents immense prosperity and is often found in workspaces and offices.

Dancing posture:

The Lord here is shown merrily dancing to his music. Such idols are said to bring in vibes of joy, happiness and vibrance.

Not just his posture but the position of his trunk also holds great significance.

Trunk turned right:

Called the Siddhi Vinayaka, such an idol where the trunk of the Lord is turned right is said to invoke the energy of the sun. Such idols are often found in temples as these need to be properly worshipped following all rituals and procedures.

Trunk turned left:

Contrary to Siddhi Vinayaka, this idol is said to invoke the energies of the moon and represents Ida Nadi. These are the type of idols often found in households as they are said to bring in peace and serenity.

Trunk being straight:

Such idols are a rare kind and they symbolise that the central axis of the human body is open. It conveys the message of alignment with oneself.

[vaikunth]

Performing a Ganesh Puja Sthapana Ritual in Your Home

Ganesh puja sthapana is a significant hindu ritual that involves invoking Lord Ganesh’s presence and seeking his blessings. The puja is performed to mark the beginning of new ventures, auspicious occasions, and festivals. Once the sthapana is done, all the family members can come together to sing the aarti, and celebrate the glory of Lord Ganesha with bhajans.

Read more: How To Do Ganesh Puja Sthapana at Home?

[bejandaruwallaindia]

How can astrology help in new business?

It is not easy for anyone to take the business to the desired height. To grow your business or achieve success. You sometimes have to work hard for months and years. But still, many people do not get even 20% of their invested effort even after a huge investment.

Celebrity Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla who recorded his astrological miracle in providing the best business astrology consultation in India will share some unknown factors about astrology. Learn how astrology can help your business grow here.

Why is Astrological Advice Good for Business?

Every aspect of our life is related to the positions and transits of various planets and celestial bodies, so using a good amount of horoscopes to find out whether this time is favorable for a particular business or not through horoscope analysis is always good. An astrologer reads and tells the most auspicious time to start a business and also based on the analysis of the zodiac signs and house which business will bring favorable results.

Thus, from choosing the type of business to deciding the time to start the business, everything can be handled adequately by taking advice from a good astrologer like Chirag Daruwalla ji.

What are some reasons to take astrology seriously in your business?

Business predictions helps to know why you are not getting the most out of the efforts invested in your business. By reading the horoscope, an astrologer can tell you the planetary and constellation positions that can cause you failure in business. Astrology in business is a way of determining whether you are going in the right business direction or not.

Astrology can also tell you whether you will be successful in business or whether you will get a job or not.

It is also observed that investing in a business that is not compatible with your birth sign or horoscope often leads to unmitigated disaster. It is wise to analyze your horoscope and choose a business that will definitely give good results and avoid such business disasters.

Astrology effectively helps in revealing the root cause of failure in a certain business. By finding out the root cause the astrologer can suggest better remedies or astrological remedies to remove its bad effects and ensure good results.

Astrological Remedy To Grow Your Business?

If you are not satisfied with the results of your efforts in growing your business, then there is definitely some defect in your horoscope. At that time taking astrological remedies can be helpful. Based on his experience in astrology, Acharya ji shares some unbeatable astrological solutions for businesses –

When getting new business material, it's a good idea to buy some toys and give them to the kids.

No dusty or rusty metal should be available in the office as it generates negativity and harmful effects.

Keep Shree Yantra and Lakshmi Ganesha idols in the office and do daily puja as it leads to growth in business.

Lord Shiva worship is recommended for prosperity. Hence, it is best practice to visit Shiva temple daily and pour water on Shivalinga to stay blessed with good planets in your business.

Apart from the astrological remedies mentioned above, regularly doing charity and getting in touch with an astrologer for timely consultation is very beneficial. Remember that astrology is a way to go deep and know your karma. With an understanding of the effects and positions of the planets, you can take the best business decisions that will be based on profits.

If you are worried about any particular business problem and want a quick solution, just do Online Astrology Consultation and get online help from the best astrologer Chirag Daruwalla.

[shrigaurishankarmandir]

Worshipping Gods in Hindu Temples: A Sanatan Dharma Perspective

Sanatan Dharma is what many Hindus refer to Hinduism as. Signifying the “eternal” truth and knowledge of the Hindu religion, it can also be translated as “the natural and eternal way to live.” For our readers who have an interest to know more about Gods and their worship in this tenet. But don’t know where to start, we have decided to give a brief summary.

What Does Sanatan Dharma Mean?

We can trace the roots of this phrase back to ancient Sanskrit literature. Sanatan in Sanskrit means that which has no ending or beginning. Dharma has no direct translation in the English language but it is derived from dhri which means “to hold together or sustain”. Thus, it is often interpreted as natural law or a way to govern human lives and deeds.

As we have already discussed, it means a way of life and is the original term for what we now know as Hinduism.

Unique Beliefs

Certain basic beliefs are central to Sanatana Dharma. The belief that the Atma or the soul is superior to the physical body, the belief that the Atma should strive for liberation or moksha, faith in repeated births or reincarnations until the Atma is finally liberated, the belief that God will liberate us, and the belief that liberated souls are never born again are some of these beliefs.

Gods and Goddesses in Sanatan Dharma

The most widely held religious expression for the Hindus is devotion to God and the Goddesses. Devotion to God and the Goddesses of Hinduism is known as Bhakti. It is a totally separate realm of knowledge and practice and encompasses both a childlike fascination with the inexplicable and the unknown and the complete admiration provided by the knowledge of esoteric interworking between the three worlds. Hinduism believes that existence is comprised of three realms, the first of which is the physical universe, the second is the subtle astral or mental realm of existence, where the devas, angels, and spirits dwell, and the third is the abstract spiritual plane inhabited by the Mahadevas. Hinduism is a unique harmony between these realms.

In the Hindu Pantheon, there are many deities but all are considered as many expressions of a single Supreme Being.

Hierarchy in Hinduism

So, Hinduism has a single God, but Hinduism’s hierarchy of Gods can be extensive. But this hierarchy is never seen as a breeding ground for intolerance and hierarchy. A unique and all-encompassing feature of Hinduism is that one believer may be worshiping Ganesha while another worships Shiva, Vishnu, or Kali, but all pay homage to each other’s choice and don’t feel a conflict. The Sanatan Dharma offers us the gift of tolerance that allows believers of various faiths to live on their distinct paths yet live in harmony.

Speaking with The Gods

It is in the Hindu temple that the three worlds meet and worshippers invoke their Gods there. The temple is built as a palace in which the gods of our Sanatan Dharma dwell. This place is the abode of the gods, a holy place unlike any elsewhere on the planet. The devotee may not possess a mystic view of the deity, but he will be able to sense the presence of the deity. As he reaches the sanctum sanctorum, he becomes more aware that an insensible being, superior and greater than him, is present.

Stone or metal image or some other sacred form physically represents the spiritual presence of the divine being. When we do puja, a religious ritual, we are inviting the transcendence of deities and sages into our inner worlds. Therefore, the purpose of puja is to communicate. To help with this communication, we introduce an altar in a temple or home. As we pray, our surroundings get charged with our thoughts and feelings. And this helps us perceive the divinity in the ordinary.

This is how the Gods communicate in a Sanatan Dharma. It is a more realistic type of communication than the communication of language that you experience every day. And a mandir is only a place to act as a vessel between you and your God.

This article was originally posted on: Worshipping Gods in Hindu Temples: A Sanatan Dharma Perspective

[writingwithcolor]

Being an Agender, 1st-Gen Indian-American

I’m a first-generation immigrant, with both my parents being Indian immigrants. My mom immigrated to Canada before she came to America (when she was in her late twenties), and is a Canadian citizen. She was born and raised in Ahmedabad, a city in Gujarat. My dad moved to India when he was in his early twenties. He moved from Ahmedabad to Mumbai in his fifth standard, and moved from a Gujarati-medium school to an English-medium one. 

My dad is more fluent in English than my mom, though they both are fluent and speak mostly without an accent. I speak Gujarati more-or-less fluently, since that’s what we spoke at home, but I can barely even write my name. I’m Hindu, as is my family, and a strict vegetarian. I’m agender, but I use she/her and they/them pronouns. 

Beauty Standards

One of the biggest issues in the Indian-American community is the issue of body hair. I’m AFAB, so I was expected to have smooth, hairless legs and arms. The reality was rather different. Since the age of ten, I had more body hair than the boys in my class. I was mocked and called by the name of a TV animal character, whose name was a mispronunciation of my own. No one ever did anything about it. I was eight. My mother, though she meant well, pushed me into waxing and threading and other forms of hair removal since the day I turned eleven. Even now, as a fully-grown adult with my own apartment and my own life, I can’t bring myself to wear shorts or capris without having spent hours making sure my legs are smooth. Body hair is a huge issue that needs to be addressed more, and not just as a few wisps of blonde hair in the armpit region.

Food

It’s complicated. Growing up, we had thaalis (with roti, rice, sweet dal, and shaak [which is a mix of vegetables and spices]) for dinner almost every night. When we didn’t, it was supplemented with foods like pasta, veggie burgers, and khichdi. We made different types of khichdi each time, based off of different familial recipes that were all named after the family member who introduced them. My mom had to make milder food for my sister, and while my sister loves spicy foods now, I’m still not a big fan. A side effect of growing up in a non-white, vegetarian family is that no one in my family has any idea of what white non-vegetarians eat. Like, at all. It’s kind of funny, to be honest. 

Holidays/Religion

My mom is a Vaishnav, and my dad is a Brahmin, so the way they both worship is very different. My dad’s family places a huge emphasis on chanting and prayer, as well as meditation. They mostly pray to capital-G G-d, as the metaphysical embodiment of Grace. My mom’s family, however, places emphasis on– I don’t want to say “idol worship" because of the negative connotations that has– but they worship to murtis, statues that represent our gods. My mom’s favored god to pray to is Krishna, and we have murtis in our home that she performs sevato every day.

We celebrate Janmashtmi, Holi, Diwali, Ganesha Puja, Lakshmi Puja– too many to count, really. We don’t always go all-out, especially on most of the smaller celebrations, but we do try and attend the temple lectures on those days, or host our own. We also celebrate Christmas and Easter secularly. I didn’t even know Christmas was a Christian holiday until I was in elementary school, and Easter until I was in high school.

Micro-Aggressions

Whooo, boy. Where do I start?

When my sister was in first grade, she had a friend. I’ll call her Mary. Mary, upon learning that my sister was not, in fact, Christian, brought an entire Bible to school and forced my sister to read it during recess, saying that otherwise, she wouldn’t be her friend anymore. Mary kept telling my sister that she would go to hell if she didn’t repent, and that our entire family was a group of “ugly sinners.” When my sister came to me for advice, I told her that Mary wasn’t her friend, that Mary wasn’t being nice, and that my sister wasn’t going to go to hell, and that we don’t even believe in hell. When my sister finally stood up to Mary and told her that she wasn’t going to listen to her anymore, Mary got angry and dumped a mini-carton of chocolate milk on her and told her that “now she looks like what she is– a dirty [the Roma slur term].” Not only was that inaccurate, it was extremely racist, and Mary was only reprimanded for the milk-spilling, not the racist remark that came with it. 

On top of that, since I have long hair, I’m always getting asked if so-and-so can touch it, or what I do to get it so long, or why I allow myself to be “shaped by such backwards ideals of women.” My name is never pronounced correctly, and I’ve been asked to give people my “American name” to be called by instead of my actual name. I’ve been called a terrorist, asked why I wasn’t wearing a hijab (by white people btw), and mocked for my food. I’ve been told that I wasn’t “really Indian” because I didn’t have a dot on my forehead. I’ve been told I wasn’t “really Hindu” because I had milk on my plate, by a white boy whose mom was a leader of a local choir.

I grew up in a town where only 4-5% of the population was South Asian, and there were a total of five South Asians in my grade level. The school administration consistently and intentionally placed us in different classes, and I never made a friend that was South Asian until 7th grade. When I came to the school, I was placed in ESOL without even being tested, while also being in the Advanced Readers class. The school didn’t even care to look at my school records before placing me into ESOL based on the color of my skin. 

Things I’d Like to See Less/More Of

I’d like to see less of the “nerd” stereotype, of the “weak, nonathletic” stereotype. I’d like to see less of the “prude” stereotype, of the “I hate my culture/feel I don’t belong” stereotype. I’d like to see less of the “rebellion” stereotype, of the “my parents are so strict and I hate them” stereotype. I never want to see the “unwanted arranged marriage” trope. Ever.

I want to see bulky, tall Indian characters. I’d like to see Indian characters confident in their sexuality, whether that’s not having sex (for LEGITIMATE reasons like risk of STDs, general awkwardness before and after The Deed, and wanting to wait, not “oh my parents said so and also I’m sheltered and innocent”), or having a new sexual partner every night.

I want Indian characters (especially children/teens!!!) proud of their culture and their heritage and their religion, whether that’s Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, or anything else. I want to see supportive Indian parents, I want to see more than chiding Indian grandmothers and strict Indian fathers. I want to see healthy arranged marriages, or healthy mixed-marriages. I want to see mixed Indian-POC couples, I want to see queer Indian couples.

I want to see body hair on female-presenting characters, I want to see more of India that isn’t “bustling market with the scent of spices in the air” and “poor slums rampant with disease” and “Taj Mahal”. I want to see casual mentions of prayer and Hinduism and Indian culture (a short “My mom’s at the temple, she can’t come pick us up” or a “what is it? i’m in the middle of a holi fight! eep! ugh, gulaab in my mouth” over a phone call, or a “she won’t answer until 12– she’s in her Bharatnatyam class/Gurukul class/doing seva/at the temple” would suffice). I want to see more Indian languages represented than just Hindi. There’s Tamil, Gujarati, Marathi, Nepali, and Kashmiri, just off the top of my head. The language your character speaks depends on the place they come from in India, and they might not even speak Hindi! (I don’t!)

I hate that Indian culture is reduced to “oppressive, strict, and prudish” when it's so much more than that. I hate that Indians are stereotyped to the point where it is a norm, and the companies reinforcing these stereotypes don’t take responsibility for their actions and don’t change. I hate the appropriation of Indian culture (like yoga, pronounced “yogh”, not “yo-gaaa” fyi, the Om symbol, meditation, and Shri Ganapathidada) and how normalized it is in Western society. 

This ended up a lot longer than I had expected, but I hope it helps! Good luck with your writing :)

Read more POC profiles here

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[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Ishqbaaz Liveblog, E3: A Really Good Premise

I finally understand the appeal of the show. It's the perfect mix of politics, family relationships with a hint of star-crossed-hate-love story. So far. It's like a darker version of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and I must say, it's really interesting and now I'm even more pissed that they ruined it! 

Again - another show that would've done exceedinly well had it ended a year earlier or been turned into seasons. If IPK is India's Pride and Prejudice, then Ishqbaaz could easily be India's Dynasty. 

Without further ado, here's the liveblog:

Episode 3 “A Really Good Premise”

- Wah, Shivaay has a habit of walking away! 

- Rudra, valid question that why Shivaay isn’t throwing Anika out!

- Om ka look - kuch toh hai. 

- Experience? Kamzori? 

- Dadi advice time. Lol, the advice went right over Rudra’s head. 

- Acha, Shivaay’s kamzori is his khandaan. Nafrat bhi rishta? I feel like Rudy right now! Thank God Dadi explained everything. 

- LOL, Anika being disappointed in a big party is ME! 

- HAHA LOL Anika!!!!!!!! She knows Shivaay (great) and her look. 

- Hahaha this whole dialogue is like 5 buckets of foreshadowing. There is no shadow left in foreshadow. 

- Rudy’s ghatiya shayar is kaabil e taareef. 

- Omkara’s belief system is really good - my fav bro right now. 

- Ok, each of the bros are some elements. 

- Nice chemistry/mining/mineral class?

- Shivaay is iron, Omkara is gold. LOL what is Rudy? 

- Dadi hitting Rudy for his immaturity is me - that adorable hitting is everything. 

- Ok ab tak they’ve said Ishqbaaz 25 times. 

- HAHAHAH DADI already approves Anika! Nice, we stan independent girls. Oh shit, Dadi said about the parents. Poor Anika, she wants a fam :(

- SVETLANA, TEJ, GET OUT OF MY LINE OF VISION!

- Home Minister - hello bald chacha!

- I must say, Shivaay is highly influenced (in terms of personality) by his Tej uncle. The skin level similarities are interesting to note. 

- Rudy and Om already stanning Anika. 

- Anika, don’t hold random poori without gloves #covid 

- Hahaha, hilarious miscommunication! 

- Wah, Rudy is half afraid of Anika’s tashnbaazi. OM IS SO IMPRESSED! I  am REALLY liking Anika right now! “Kha kar!” Wah, great use of puns!!!

- This Home Minister might get screwed over like Mool Rajani (I’m just searching for a Mool Rajani right now)

- Tej is dramatic AF. 

- Hahahahaha, Home Minister - you’re finding your nobility along with the coins - on the floor. 

- TEJ IS SO DRAMATIC. I like him for this! Dude can be an interesting character in the show!

- Mrs. Oberoi????? Ah ofc, the secretary. 

- POOR JHANVI - I’M WITH YOU AUNTY! I’LL POUR TEJ’S BLOOD INTO THE BUCKETS OF PAINT SHIVIKA LATER, MUCH LATER, MAKE OUT IN (that’s the blood of all the shitty people and that’s canon)

- It’s sad but true, in really rich societies people are really ok with infidelities and stuff like that. Ugh, seen these shit first hand. 

- JHANVI I’LL KILL TEJ AND SVETLANA FOR YOU. 

- TEJ - DIE! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL WIFE! 

- Pandit ji, is it possible to burn Tej and Svetlana as offerings? We still do that?

- Lo, phirse Bhaiyon ka advertisement start.

- I must say, what mast paparazzi, I love all their advertisements. From songs to outfits, these kids are like “dude let our parents crap, we’ll coordinate our entry EVERY SINGLE TIME” Squad goals, legit. 

- This is Bharat Matrimony.

- Omkara Oberoi, “mere nazar aur nazariya roshni ki tarha hai. Ya toh hai, ya nahi.” Shayar, artist, will give really good hair genes to future children.

- Rudra Oberoi, “ARRE KAB TAK JAWAANI CHUPAAOGI RAANI, MUJHE KO KITNA SATAOGI RAANI (OR NATASHA, OR SHREYA, IDC ABOUT THE NAMES) MUJHSE SH- NOPE - FLIRTING KAROGI….. OH MUJHSE FLIRTING KARO JI!” Abs. The end.

- Shivaay Singh Oberoi “Who the fuck keeps on making my accounts?” *bam goes another phone*

- Or Nirma advertisement? 

 - Dadi is like LOOK AT MY SANSKAR, that totally skipped a generation. 

- Ok the press and show remembers that Priyanka is a powerful Oberoi too. 

- Dude, leave the girl alone too. Let her breathe. 

- YES ANIKA SAVE HER! 

- Who are Priyanka’s parents? YES ANIKA, ask important questions. Poor Priyanka. Stuck in this mill of wealthy family politics and shit. Yaar paani pilao koi! 

- You know I’m really liking Anika so far!

- OH IT IS THE GANESHA OM MADE! WITH THE RED (good job Om and sorry for the previous question). 

- OK I’M WAITING FOR THE K3G SCENE. CHALO BROS EK SAATH AARTI KARO. GIVE COMPETITION TO HUM SAATH SAATH HAI! 

- DO IT, GIVE EVERYONE THE HEART ATTACK. 

- Pinky… you got married to the wrong brother. Tej and Pinky should’ve married - it would’ve been hilarious AF. 

- Aye Haye, Shivaay didn’t forget his smallest bro either.

- Ok today’s poster is Om Jai Jagdish! 

- #Feelingdharmic. 

- Shivaay’s redeeming quality is the fact that he’s a really good brother.

 - YAY K3G scene strikes!

- I’m loving the aesthetic of the show as of yet - I still have questions as to what happens later. Very cohesive writing too. Usually first twenty five episodes are (cause that holds the pitch of the show and stuff)

- Meanwhile… Tej has grinned his molars to nothing, Pinky has done 50000 eye rolls, Svetlana doing random khusur pusur and Dadi just crying tears of happiness (I’m Dadi)

- OH NO, self burning live candle dude is coming on fore. 

- Dude, kisko jalana tha 

- aur kaun jal raha hai. 

- Yeah dude, Ganesh ji punishes paapis instantly. 

- Wait are the three bros lost in puja that they don’t see—

- WTF, damn that’s scary. 

- The End -

Well well well, I’m excited to liveblog the next episode! See you tomorrow (good thing this was queued). Also, what wouldn’t I have given to see IPK in this quality camera and INITIAL aesthetics (focus on initial, I have no idea what shit happens later in this show). This HD quality main Rabba Ve = Jalebi nosebleeds.

- S

Next up: E4 “Anyone between 40-59 is shit”

[information2share]

How to do Lakshmi Pooja at home on this Diwali?

Diwali is an auspicious Indian festival and it is a festival of lights. Before this festival people cleans their houses and decorate their houses with colorful lights, diyas, candles, torans, Diwali lamps and lanterns, torans, and other Diwali items. Also, people celebrate occasions by sending diwali gifts online to those who are not able to visit and those you can visit go to their dear ones’ houses and offer diwali gifts, dry fruits, hampers, and sweets. In the evening, all Indians perform Lakshmi Puja at their houses and workplace. All believe that Goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, happiness, and prosperity. This lakshmi puja is performed to welcome goddess lakshmi at their house. People pray to goddess Lakshmi and wish for peace, wealth, and prosperity in their family members’ lives. If you want to do Lakshmi Puja/ Diwali at your house and you don’t know the steps on how to do Puja then read this blog, here we will describe step by step how to do Lakshmi Puja at home this Diwali.

This Year Muhurat of Diwali 2021: Time for Lakshmi Pooja and Lord Ganesha Puja

Time: 06:09 pm to 08:20 pm

Date: 4th November 2021

Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes

Pradosh Kaal: 17:34:09 PM to 20:10:27 PM

Vrshabh kaal: 18:10:29 PM to 20:06:20 PM

Lakshmi Puja Vidhi: Step-by-Step guide:

Step 1: Purify your home

The first step of Lakshmi pooja is the Diwali cleaning and it is a very important step.  You need to clean every corner of your house. After cleaning, sprinkle Gangajal (holy water from river Ganga) to purify the surroundings.

Step 2: Set up puja platform

In your puja room/living room where you are going to perform lakshmi pooja, there you need to spread a red cotton cloth on a table/stool and keep a handful of grains and Diwali sweets in the center.

Step 3: Place a Kalash

Take the kalash can be of silver/bronze pot. You need to place the kalash in the middle of the grains. And then Fill the kalash with 75% of water and put one supari (betel nut), one marigold flower, a coin, and some rice grains. Place 5 mango leaves on the kalash in a circular design.

Step 4: Place idol of Lakshmi and Ganesha for puja

Now in the puja area, you need to place the idol murti of Goddess Lakshmi in the center and the murti of Lord Ganesha on the right side (South-West direction) of the kalash. Take a small Diwali pooja thali and make a small flat mountain of rice grains, draw a lotus flower with Haldi, put some coins and place it in front of the idol.

Step 5: Place accounts books/wealth related items

Now place your business/accountancy book and other wealth/business-related items in front of the idol.

Step 6: Apply tilak and light diya

Now apply tilak to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh and light Diwali diyas. Apply tilak to kalash also.

Step 7: Offer flowers

Now offer flowers to Lord Ganesh and Lakshmi. Keep some flowers in your palm for prayer.

Step 8: Recite Puja Mantra

Place flowers in your palm and join your hands in prayer mode, close your eyes and recite the Diwali puja mantra. After prayer, offer the flower kept in your palm to Ganesha and Lakshmi and offer diwali gifts for family.

Step 9: Offer water

Take a Lakshmi idol murti and bathe it with water followed by panchamrita. Bathe it again with water, wipe with a clean cloth and place it back on the Kalash.

Read more - https://www.indiagift.in/blog/how-to-do-lakshmi-pooja-at-home-on-this-diwali/4503

[arjuna-vallabha]

Bengal’s DURGA MAHISHAMARDINI ( tempera on paper )

Today when one speaks about Bengali durga pratimas a distinct image comes to the mind . The stylized elongated eyes , round face and flamboyant tinsel ornaments stand for what one understands as the quintessential Bengali style of art .

But how did durga look in Bengal a thousand years back ? It was very different from what people today would understand as being Bengali . In the last couple of centuries a lot have changed in artistic traditions in this part of India .

But before that an even bigger question looms . How old is this tradition of Durga puja ? The misconceptions in this matter are so popular and deep set that errors often find their way into the books written by historians ! Some say that the raja of Nadia , Maharaja Krishnachandra Ray started durgotsav in 18th century . Some opine that it was maharaja KamsaNarayan of Tahirpur ( Now in Bangladesh ) who started it in 16th century . Some claim that durga puja wasn’t as big an affair until the dawn of babu culture in colonial capital of India , Calcutta .

But literary evidence shows that durgotsav have been celebrated in Bengal in a grand manner even during the time of Chaitanya mahaprabhu in late 1400s . It was already a grand affair and placed by smriti writers in the ambit of ‘utsav’ rather than a 'puja' . Still earlier we have Poet Krittivaasa describing Durgotsav in his Bengali Ramayana . We have quite a few panditas and smriti-kaars writing treatises on Durgotsav stretching back to 13th century . Durgotsav in Bengal is at least a seven to eight hundred year old tradition and there is every reason to predict an even more older date .

However , in those days only a king was entitled to organize a durgotsav . However by its very nature , this festival required participation of many people and entire villages used to participate . It was never a private affair so to speak .

In the Paala Sena period , Durga mahishamardini images did not depict Kartick and Ganesha . However , singular Parvati images and Uma Maheshwar images used to have them as attendant deities . Taking this as a reference , I have included Kartick and Ganesh in my pantheon . However I had to leave out Lakshmi and Saraswati since they are also absent in ancient durga imagery .

Many centuries later when they were indeed incorporated into the pantheon , they continued to exist as two different forms of devi and not her daughters . The idea that they are daughters of Uma is purely a folk oral tradition of Bengal . Perhaps the poetic Bengali mind wanted to complete the family of shiva with two daughters beside the two sons !

One more thing that I would like to mention here is about the principles of sacred arts . Indian artistic traditions did not sprout out of nowhere . The revelations of seers , utterances of rishis , coupled with millenas of aesthetic wisdom gave birth to the sacred arts . One cannot just create or concoct a random image out of his whim or fancy .

The other name for an image is yantra . Each of these iconographic forms harness a particular kind of energy and bhava . When you do not follow the rules of creating that image , you disrupt the delicate balance of bhava .

Take for example this image of Mahishasura in the painting . He is depicted as squat , fat , pot bellied and hideous . Befitting his identity as the tamasic and ignorant manifestation of mankind . However in modern times , we have made Mahishasura into a chiseled well sculpted hero . The result is apparent immideately . Modern Bengali youngsters treat Mahishasura as a sort of hero and Kartick , the true hero as girly unworthiness ! I cannot blame the modern generation for this shift in understanding . In their 21st century understanding , muscle and six packs stands for beauty and heroism . And they find it in the Mahishasuras rather than in the Kartickeyas . Keeping this in mind , try to imagine how important is the role of art and artists in shaping the collective consciousness ! This is precisely why shastras forbid distortion of religious imagery .

Today theme pujas are a rage in bengal . While it has nurtured an astounding variety of creativity and generated stunning artworks , I think somewhere we have reduced the ideal of pratima from being a sacred image to being a lifeless prop to patronize secular arts . Artistical experimentations in pratima are always welcome , But not at the cost of denigrating the very meaning of the word pratima !!! Think about it …

I have many a thing to say about this topic , which I plan to write down collectively as a book someday in future . So I shall save my words for now . If a book ever comes out I shall let you all know about it .

My father has composed this sanskrit shloka to help me sign off the painting in the classic olden style – “ “ chatwaarimsh-ottara-dwitiyo-nabimshati-shata-shaake । Halley Goswami ।। “ – In the saka year 1942 Halley Goswami

This painting has no influence from Tibet/Nepal/Himalayan kingdoms . What might appear to be Buddhist/tibetan/Nepalese influence to you is actually bengal's own artistic traditions that influenced those lands and later died out in the very lands of its origins ! 

Text and painting by Halley Goswami, more at https://www.facebook.com/Halleysart