Seattle Lord Caitanya Apperance Day Festival

Our address is 8805 Harrison Rd Sedro Woolley Wa.             360-856-5411       Hari Nama will be on Broadway Ave capitol hill in Seattle Friday March 29th at 5:00PM And the program will be March 31st sunday at 5:00PM

Dear Prabhus, friends etc Obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada

After reading the many posts of devotees, two, namely-Dinadayadri and Jayaradhe both came to the correct conclusion-namely we have to go back to the basics. And the basics are happily chanting Hare Krsna in the association of devotees, dancing and taking prasadam. For many, this simple activity, practically speaking,exists no more in their lives.

However there is good news–here at Sri Sri Gaura Nitai mandir (north of Seattle, Wa) we will be having our annual and usual ecstatic Gaura Purnima festival complete with new outfits for the Deities, Maha Hari Nama sankirtan in Seattle (March 29th), and the usual 108 preparations feast for the pleasure of their Lords Sri Gaura and Sri Nitaicandra.

Remembering Tamal Krishna Gosvami [Updated]

Srila Prabhupada was able to engage Tamal Krishna Goswami in so much service to Krishna and we remember him for that service. Tamal was an important man in Prabhupada’s ISKCON and Prabhupada relied on him for a great deal of management and preacing work. Tamal Krishna’s preaching was powerful and he made many new devotees.

There is no place for revenge in Krishna consciousness and one of the qualities of a Vaisnava is forgiveness. And particularly at the time of a devotee’s disappearance the animosity should be put aside and we should be praying that Tamal will go back home, back to Godhead.

Although many devotees had disagreements with Tamal Krishna Maharaja there is no question that he was a very powerful preacher and through his service many devotees were atracted to ISKCON and many of Srila Prabhupada’s books were distributed under his direction.

Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!

Your servant

Madhudvisa dasa

Krishna is the Original Cowboy! [A 1984 BTG Article]

The leader of the Hare Krishna movement in Dallas wants Texans, who may feel they are the original cowboys, to recognize Krishna and come and worship Him.

Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami Gurudeva is one of the present spiritual masters in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. He oversees ISKCON’s affairs in the south-central United States and parts of the Far East, and is the author of Servant of the Servant, a memoir about his activities in the Krishna consciousness movement. ISKCON Television taped the following interview in Dallas on May 30, 1984.

Reporter: Why did the Hare Krishnas participate in the Cotton Bowl Parade?

Srila Gurudeva: We feel that we are as much a part of Texas as anybody else. In other words, we are the Texas Krishnas. We were out there marching in the parade with our float. And we got a special prize, and everybody loved it. They loved it.

Reporter: All right. Given that, it seems to me that a parade is all pomp and flowers and glitter and so on. Where do you fit in?

Srila Gurudeva: We’re festive. We’re always singing and dancing. That’s what we’re famous for. We are the biggest parade people in the world. We’re always singing and dancing and making festivals.

Letter from Srila Prabhupada’s Servant–Gauridasa Pandit Prabhu

If ISKCON accepts the ritvik initiation system as instituted by His Divine Grace all those who have taken on the role as giving diksa will declare that they should of done it on behalf of His Divine Grace. They may be accepted as ritvik representatives of the Acharya, Srila Prabhupada. If they don’t like this system they may do as they desire in their own temples. Srila Prabhupada said in front

Dear Akincana-priyabandhu Prabhu,

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Jagat guru Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you for your interest in Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Enlightening the innocent devotees to the Truth is the greatest service we can do. Trying to enlighten the GBC has ben a waste of time so far. It’s harder to wake someone up who is pretending to be sleeping.

You have asked me a few questions and I will answer them as far as possible.

First of all though the quote about Tirtha Maharaja did not come through me. I’ve heard it recently but cannot trace it out. Also the quote about Sridhar Maharaja appointing ritviks in the end was researched by Rupa Vilasa Prabhu and stated in the opening statements in the GBC/Ritvik debate of 1990, San Diego.

ISKCON Bangalore Trying to Seperate themselves from ISKCON…

Documents placed on record, prima facie, show title and possession of the plaintiff [ISKCON Bangalore] over the suit schedule properties [Temple]. Plaintiff is a society registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960. Plaintiff is an independent entity. Plaintiff apprehends unlawful interference by thedefendants 1 to 9 [Jayapataka Swami et. al]. Apprehension of the plaintiff cannot be said to be unfounded, at this stage of the proceedings, in view of the

On February 12th 2002, the Bangalore High Court was pleased to continue the order of Status Quo protecting the ISKCON Bangalore management from encroachment by 9 defendants, which include ISKCON Bombay, Jayapataka Swami and Gopal Krishna Swami. This Status Quo order, ordering the 9 defendants to not disturb the possession and control of ISKCON Bangalore by its current management has actually been in place since October 16th, 2001. It has been in force continuously since that day, and the High Court has now extended it even further. Though a lower court turned down the request of ISKCON Bangalore to extend Status Quo order indefinitely, the High Court has accepted ISKCON Bangalore’s appeal against the order, and has ordered that the Status quo protection remain in place until the matter is heard fully.

Please find below the orders passed in this matter since October 16th:

Sadhu Sanga… A Letter from Norway

When I read Prabhupada’s books in the morning he is saying that it is good for my spirtal development to assosiate with devotees,… but living in Oslo, Norway,it’s hard to mingle with them.

Thank you very much for publishing the old issues of Back to Godhead on the web.

I’m tring to get some studies done on this school, but I have been lucky enough to find this site. So that is what I do. I’m gettin’ a little bit smarter and feelin’ a little bit dumber every day.

Thank you very much again!

When I read Prabhupada’s books in the morning he is saying that it is good for my spirtal development to assosiate with devotees,… but living in Oslo, Norway,it’s hard to mingle with them.

I feel that the devotees have some kind of a closed comunity where it is hard to make a space for you’re self.

Srila Prabhupada’s Trees

Srila Prabhupada had to struggle very hard to build the Juhu temple. The first struggle was to get the land; the next struggle was to get the permission to build the temple, and last struggle was to actually build the temple and install the Deities. And we had worked very hard to get the permission, but the Indian permits often include many conditions…

So although they give permission, the permission is not actually valid until one fulfills the conditions.

One of the conditions was that we had to have an internal access road of a certain width according to the length of the road. And it just so happened that right where the access road was supposed to go there were some palm trees. Once when Srila Prabhupada came to Juhu after being away for some time he noticed that one or two of the trees had been cut and he was very concerned–I would say upset–and he asked, “Why did you cut down the trees?” We thought we had the perfect answer: We had to build the temple, and to get the permission for the temple we had to cut the trees in the way of the road. Srila Prabhupada said, “No, you go to the Municipality and tell them it’s against our religion to cut down trees.” So we had no choice, and we did it. And of course the Municipal officers argued.

Charting a New Course for The United States of America

As our eternal Spiritual Master, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada repeatedly said, “materially speaking Americans have it all”. We have been endowed with great material abundance in the shape of wealth, education, natural resources, and global influence…

This was why Srila Prabhupada came here to America and inaugurated the Krishna Consciousness Movement. He understood that the United States sets the standard for the rest of the world. As Krishna devotees and followers of Srila Prabhupada, it is our responsibility and ongoing duty to see things as they are, through the eyes of our spiritual master.

Prabhupada continually stressed the fact that everything we require to push onwith his mission already exists; we simply have to employ it in the service of Krishna. He often liked to use the example of a microphone. To paraphrase: “the Mayavadis will say that this microphone is false. It is not false, but its use is false. If we use this microphone to spread some political propaganda, that is false, material. But if we use it to preach Krishna consciousness, then we purify it and make it spiritual”.

My intent in writing this little article is to share my realizations that this same principle not only can, but alsomust be applied to our situation here in America.

Women–Materially Speaking–Are Less Intelligent than Men

When we speak of differences between the genders we are only speaking of the material differences. Spiritually there are no differences. But in the body and the material mind and intelligence there ARE real differences between the sexes. Many of these differences have been verified by different university studies…

Ragunath Prabhuji,

Thank you for sending me your posts.

While there is much merit to what you say, and you have good motive for what you say, I do hope you are not offended by me offering my different view. I am not in full agreement with you on these topics. There are valid reasons. I ask that you try to consider the reasons before making misjudgments.

Not all men who may espouse that “materially”, in the mundane view, men are by nature more intelligent then women, are all misguided fallen souls entrenched in their male egos, who delight in suppressing and taking advantage of those who are far below their lofty superior being.

Nor did many of these devotee men come to KC with these mundane ideas, simply not been able to shake them off in favor of the higher transcendental knowledge of spiritual equality. But, rather, it is Srila Prabhupada and Vedic scripture and culture itself that teaches us BOTH the material differences AND the spiritual equality.

The science of Daivi-Varnashram-Dharma is to understand and act, where needed, on the platform of Spiritual Equality, and yet also, side-by-side, to also understand that materially there are differences and that society must recognize and accommodate those differences when and where needed.

There must be a full and proper understanding of Both sides.

Gita Jayanti : Sunday, 23-12-2012

Gita Jayanti : Sunday, 23-12-2012

The Bhagavad Gita is considered the most important and influential Hindu scripture for its philosophical, practical, political, psychological and spiritual value. Bhagavad Gita Jayanti, or simply Gita Jayanti, marks the birth of this holy book. According to the traditional Hindi calendar, Gita Jayanthi falls on the Ekadashi day of Shukla Paksha or the bright half of the Margashirsha month (November-December).


The Birth of the Gita and Origin of Gita Jayanti

Gita Jayanti is an annual celebration to commemorate the day when Lord Krishna rendered his philosophical teachings - immortalized in the epic Mahabharata - to prince Arjuna on the first day of the 18-day battle of Kurukshetra. When prince Arjuna refused to fight against his cousins, the Kauravas in the battle, Lord Krishna expounded the truth of life and the philosophy of Karma and Dharma to him, thereby giving birth to one of the world's greatest scriptures, the Gita.

The Lasting Influence of the Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is not just an ancient scripture but also serves as an essential guide to better living and life and conducting business and communication to the modern world. The greatest quality of Bhagavad Gita is that it prompts an individual to think, to take fair and right decision, to look at life differently and refreshingly without surrendering one's identity. The Gita has been addressing contemporary issues and solving for everyday problems of humanity for millennia.

Kurukshetra, the Birthplace of the Gita

This Hindu holiday is celebrated with great devotion and dedication, across the country and around the world, especially in the city of Kurukshetra, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), where the famous epic battle of the Mahabharata took place. This place is sacred not only for the battle and the birthplace of the Gita but also because it is the place where the famous sage Manu wrote the Manusmriti, and the Rig and Sama Vedas were composed. Divine personalities like Lord Krishna, Gautama Buddha, and the Sikh Gurus' visit also consecrated this place.

Gita Jayanti Celebrations in Kurukshetra

The day is observed with the reading of the Bhagavad Gita, followed by discussions and seminars by eminent scholars and Hindu priests to throw light upon the various facets of the holy book and its perennial influence on humankind for generations. Hindu temples, especially those dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, conduct special prayers and pujas on this day. Devotees and pilgrims from all over India gather in Kurukshetra to take part in the ritual bath in the hallowed water of the sacred ponds - Sannihit Sarovar and Brahm Sarovar. A fair is also organized that lasts for about a week and the people participate in prayer recitals, Gita reading, bhajans, aartis, dance, dramas, etc. Over the years, the fair known as Gita Jayanti Samaroh has gained immense popularity and a large number of tourists visit Kurukshetra during the event to participate in this sacred gathering.

Gita Jayanti Celebrations by ISKCON

At the temples of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) across the globe, Geeta Jayanthi is celebrated with special offerings to Lord Krishna. Mass recital of the Bhagavad Gita is performed throughout the day. Gita Jayanti is also celebrated as Mokshada Ekadashi. On this day, devotees observe fast and on Dwadashi (or 12th Day) fast is broken by taking ritual bath and performing Krishna Puja.

Guru Nanak Jayanti : Wenesday, 28-11-2012

Guru Nanak Jayanti : Wenesday, 28-11-2012

Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru and the founder of the Sikh religion, was born on the full moon day in the month of Kartik as per the Hindu calendar. Hence, his birthday is celebrated as Guru Nanak Jayanti. The date falls in October or November in the Gregorian calendar. Guru Nanak was born in 1469 A.D. at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi, some 30 miles from Lahore, in the present Pakistan. The Sikhs visit Gurdwaras where special programs are arranged and kirtans (religious songs) are sung. Houses and Gurdwaras are decorated and lit up to add to the festivities.


Guru Nanak Jayanti marks the culmination of the Prabhat Pheris, the early morning processions that start from the Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and then proceeds around the localities singing 'shabads' (hymns). The celebration also includes the three-day Akhand path, during which the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib is read continuously, from beginning to end without a break. On the day of the festival, the Guru Granth Sahib is also carried in a procession on a float, decorated with flowers, throughout the village or city. Five armed guards, who represent the Panj Pyaras, head the procession carrying the Nishan Sahib (the Sikh flag). Local bands playing religious music form a special part of the procession.

Free sweets and community lunches, or langar, are offered to everyone irrespective of religious faith. Men, women, and children, participate in this karseva as service to the community by cooking food and distributing it in the 'Guru ka Langar', with the traditional 'Karah Prasad'. Guru Nanak Dev's life served as a beacon light for his age. He was a great seer, saint and mystic. He was a prolific poet and a unique singer of God's laudation. A prophet of peace, love, truth and renaissance, he was centuries ahead of his times. His universal message is as fresh and true even today as it was in the past and Sikhs all over the world - practice what Guru Nanak Dev preached, to reaffirm your beliefs in the teachings of your founder.

Tulsi Vivah : Sunday, 25-11-2012

Tulsi Vivah : Sunday, 25-11-2012


The 'tulsi' plant or Indian basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition. The name 'tulsi' connotes "the incomparable one". Tulsi is a venerated plant and Hindus worship it in the morning and evening. Tulsi grows wild in the tropics and warm regions. Dark or Shyama tulsi and light or Rama tulsi are the two main varieties of basil, the former possessing greater medicinal value. Of the many varieties, the Krishna or Shyama tulsi is commonly used for worship.


Tulsi As A Deity:

The presence of tulsi plant symbolizes the religious bent of a Hindu family. A Hindu household is considered incomplete if it doesn't have a tulsi plant in the courtyard. Many families have the tulsi planted in a specially built structure, which has images of deities installed on all four sides, and an alcove for a small earthen oil lamp. Some households can even have up to a dozen tulsi plants on the verandah or in the garden forming a "tulsi-van" or "tulsivrindavan" - a miniature basil forest.

The Holy Herb:

Places that tend to inspire concentration and places ideal for worship, according to the 'Gandharv Tantra,' include "grounds overgrown with tulsi plants". The Tulsi Manas Mandir at Varanasi is one such famous temple, where tulsi is worshipped along with other Hindu gods and goddesses. Vaishnavites or believers of Lord Vishnu worship the tulsi leaf because it's the one that pleases Lord Vishnu the most. They also wear beaded necklaces made of tulsi stems. The manufacture of these tulsi necklaces is a cottage industry in pilgrimages and temple towns.

Tulsi As An Elixir :

Apart from its religious significance it is of great medicinal significance, and is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. Marked by its strong aroma and a stringent taste, tusli is a kind of "the elixir of life" as it promotes longevity. The plant's extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning and malaria. Essential oil extracted from karpoora tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes though of late it is used in the manufacture of herbal toiletry.

A Herbal Remedy:

According to Jeevan Kulkarni, author of 'Historical Truths & Untruths Exposed,' when Hindu women worship tulsi, they in effect pray for "less and less carbonic acid and more and more oxygen - a perfect object lesson in sanitation, art and religion". The tulsi plant is even known to purify or de-pollute the atmosphere and also works as a repellent to mosquitoes, flies and other harmful insects. Tulsi used to be a universal remedy in cases of malarial fever.

Tulsi in History:

Prof Shrinivas Tilak, wh
o teaches Religion at Concordia University, Montreal has made this historical citation: In a letter written to 'The Times,' London, dated May 2, 1903 Dr George Birdwood, Professor of Anatomy, Grant Medical College, Mumbai said, "When the Victoria Gardens were established in Bombay, the men employed on those works were pestered by mosquitoes. At the recommendation of the Hindu managers, the whole boundary of the gardens was planted with holy basil, on which the plague of mosquitoes was at once abated, and fever altogether disappeared from among the resident gardeners."

Tulsi In Legends :

Quite a few myths and legends found in the Puranas or ancient scriptures point to the origin of importance of tulsi in religious rituals. Although tulsi is regarded as feminine, in no folklore is she described as the consort the Lord. Yet a garland solely made of tulsi leaves is the first offering to the Lord as part of the daily ritual. The plant is accorded the sixth place among the eight objects of worship in the ritual of the consecration of the Kalasha, the container of holy water.

According to one legend, Tulsi was the incarnation of a princess who fell in love with Lord Krishna, and so had a curse laid on her by his consort Radha. Tulsi is also mentioned in the stories of Meera and of Radha immortalised in Jayadev's Gita Govinda. The story of Lord Krishna has it that when Krishna was weighed in gold, not even all the ornaments of Satyabhama could outweigh him. But a single tulsi leaf placed by Rukmani on the pan tilted the scale.

In the Hindu mythology, tulsi is very dear to Lord Vishnu. Tulsi is ceremonially married to Lord Vishnu annually on the 11th bright day of the month of Karttika in the lunar calendar. This festival continues for five days and concludes on the full moon day, which falls in mid October. This ritual, called the 'Tulsi Vivaha' inaugurates the annual marriage season in India.

Chhat Puja Tuesday/Wednesday, 01/02-11-2011

Chhath or Dala Chhath is a Hindu festival, unique to Bihar state, India and Terai, Nepal. This festival is also celebrated in the northeast region of India, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Chhattisgarh. Songs for Chhath festival sung by Padma Shri Bihar Kokila Sharda Sinha are very popular.

Etymology

The word chhath denotes the number 6 in Hindi and the festival begins on the sixth day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, which corresponds to months of October-November in the Gregorian calendar. The festival of Chhath begins a week after Diwali. Chhath is the holiest Hindu festival of Bihar and extends to four days. This festival has particular significance in Bihar, but it is also celebrated in Uttar Pradesh and nearby areas. Even in Mumbai, the migrants from the north celebrate Chhath beside the sea beach.

The Morning Worship Dala Chhath

Chhath is a festival dedicated to the Sun God, considered to be a means to thank the sun for bestowing the bounties of life in earth and fulfilling particular wishes. Worship of the sun has been practiced in different parts of India, and the world from time immemorial. Worship of sun has been described in the Rig Veda, the oldest Hindu scriptures, and hymns praying to the sun in the Vedas are found.

In the ancient epic Mahabharata, references to worshipping of the sun by Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, are found. It was believed that worshipping of the sun would help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and also ensure longevity and prosperity of the family members, friends, and elders. It is also believed that Chhath was started by the great Danveer (alms giver) Karna, sired by the Sun God, who became a great warrior and fought against the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war.

Also called Dala Chhath – it is an ancient and major festival. It is celebrated twice a year: once in the summers (May-July), called the Chaiti Chhath, and once in the winters (September-November)around a week after Deepawali, called the Kartik Chhath. The latter is more popular because winters are the usual festive season in North India, and Chhath being an arduous observance, requiring the worshippers to fast without water for more than 24 hours, is easier to undertake in the Indian winters.

Chhath being mainly a Bihari festival, wherever people from Bihar have migrated, they have taken with them the tradition of Chhath. This is a ritual bathing festival that follows a period of abstinence and ritual segregation of the worshiper from the main household for four days. During this period, the worshiper observes ritual purity, and sleeps on the floor on a single blanket. The main worshipers, called Parvaitin (from Sanskrit parv, meaning ‘occasion’ or ‘festival’), are usually women. However, a large number of men also are the main worshiper. The parvaitin pray for the well-being of their family, for prosperity and offspring. They usually can perform Chhath only if it is passed on to them from their older generation. However, once they decide to do it, it becomes their duty to perform it every year, the festival being skipped only if there happens to be a death in the family that year.

Watercolour drawing showing theChhath festival being celebrated on the banks of the Ganges at Patna, by an anonymous artist working in the Patna style, c.1795-1800

On the eve of Chhath, houses are scrupulously cleaned and so are the surroundings. One the first day of the festival, the worshiper cooks a traditional vegetarian meal and offers it to the Sun God. This day is called Naha-Kha (literally, ‘Bathe and eat’!). The worshiper allows herself/himself only one meal on this day from the preparation.

On the second day, a special ritual, called Kharna, is performed in the evening after Sun down. On this day also, the worshiper eats his/her only meal from the offerings(Prashad)made to the Sun God in this ritual. Friends and family are invited to the household on this day to share the prashad of the ritual. From this day onwards, for the next 36 hours, the worshiper goes on a fast without water.

The evening of the next day, the entire household accompanies the worshiper to a ritual bathing and worship of the Sun God, usually on the bank of a river or a common large water body. The occasion is almost a carnival. Besides the main worshiper, there are friends and family, and numerous participants and onlookers, all willing to help and receive the blessings of the worshipper. Ritual rendition of regional folk songs, carried on through oral transmission from mothers and mothers-in-law to daughters and daughters-in-law, are sung on this occasion. The same bathing ritual is repeated on the following day at the crack of dawn. This is when the worshipper breaks his/her fast and finishes the ritual.Chhath being celebrated at the crack of the dawn on a river bank is a beautiful, elating spiritual experience connecting the modern Indian to his ancient cultural roots.

The folk songs sung on the eve of Chhath mirror the culture, social structure, mythology and history of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Nowadays, modern Chhath songs, largely Bollywood filmy remixes have caught on, but the old tradition still goes strong with a great degree of sanctity. The three main linguistic regions of Bihar: the Maithili, the Magadhi, and the Bhojpuri, and all the various dialects associated with these, have different folk songs; but all dedicated to Chhath, they have an underlying unity. The minor nuances of the Chhath rituals, such as in the Kharna ritual, vary from region to region, and also across families, but still there is a fundamental similarity.

The Chhath Festival is basically a major festival of Bihar, but is celebrated with equal devotion in Delhi as well. This festival, which honors the Sun God, is celebrated six days after the festival of Diwali. The Chhath puja celebrations do not include much fanfare, rather, it is a festival of prayer and propitiation that is undertaken with somberness. Through this festival, people express their thanks and seek the blessings of the forces of nature, mainly the Sun and river. It is believed that the prayers of the devotees are always answered during the festival and, at the same time, they are also punished for doing any misdeed.

More than festivities, festival of Chhat Puja in Delhi involves a sacrifice on the part of the devotee, which leads to his purification. For Chath celebrations in New Delhi, several ghats (embankments) are reserved at the river Yamuna in the city. The puja takes place at these ghats only. Performed both by men as well as by women, the puja preparations start with the end of Diwali. Through the period, an austere lifestyle is followed. First of all, the house is cleaned and the family members of the person doing the puja take a holy dip. Throughout the festival of Chhath, the food prepared is saltless and totally vegetarian, without even onions and garlic. Even the vessels used are mostly earthen and people sleep on the floor.

The person who performs the Chath puja observes a fast from dawn to the dusk and ends by eating sweets. Thereafter, another fast is observed that continues for thirty-six hours and ends on the dawn of the final day. On the final day, the puja starts at the bank of a river some time before sunrise. People who perform the puja remain in river water from late midnight till the time the first ray of sunlight touches the earth. From that time onwards, devotees start flooding the river with offerings to the Sun God. This is followed by the distribution of the prashad amongst the devotees.

The Days Of Festivity:

The festival of Chhatt is marked by celebrations and rituals that last 4 days.

Day 1:

The devotees bathe in the holy river Ganges to wash away their sins. They also clean their homes thoroughly.

Day 2:

The devotees observe a fast for the whole day, which is broken in late evening, after performing the puja (worship ceremony) at home. They offer kheer (rice pudding) and fruit to God and then share it with family and friends.

Day 3:

The day is spent preparing the prasad (offerings) at home. In the evening the devotees go to a riverbank or pond where the prasad is offered to the setting sun. The devotees return home for another colorful celebration. Under a canopy of sugar cane sticks, they place clay elephants containing diyas (earthen lamps), and baskets filled with prasad. Agni(fire god)is worshipped.

Day 4:

On the final day of the festivities the devotees, family and friends go to the riverbank. Prasad is offered to the rising sun. The devotees break their fast and the prasad is shared with all the people around.

Bhai Dooj / Bhai Phota / Bhav-Bij (28-11-2011) Friday

Nowhere is the bond of brotherly-sisterly love glorified with such grandeur as in India. Hindus celebrate this special relationship twice every year, with the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj.

What, When & How

After the high voltage celebrations of Diwali, the festival of lights and fire-crackers, sisters all over India get ready for 'Bhai Dooj' - when sisters ceremonize their love by putting an auspicious tilak or a vermilion mark on the forehead of their brothers and perform an aarti of him by showing him the light of the holy flame as a mark of love and protection from evil forces. Sisters are lavished with gifts, goodies and blessings from their brothers.

Bhai Dooj comes every year on the fifth and last day of Diwali, which falls on a new moon night. The name 'Dooj' means the second day after the new moon, the day of the festival, and 'Bhai' means brother.

Myths & Legends

Bhai Dooj is also called 'Yama Dwiteeya' as it's believed that on this day, Yamaraj, the Lord of Death and the Custodian of Hell, visits his sister Yami, who puts the auspicious mark on his forehead and prays for his well being. So it's held that anyone who receives a tilak from his sister on this day would never be hurled into hell.

According to one legend, on this day, Lord Krishna, after slaying the Narakasura demon, goes to his sister Subhadra who welcomes him the lamp, flowers and sweets, and puts the holy protective spot on her brother's forehead.

Yet another story behind the origin of Bhai Dooj says that when Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, attained nirvana, his brother King Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been revered during Bhai Dooj.

Bhai Phota

In Bengal this event is called 'Bhai Phota', which is performed by the sister who religiously fasts until she applies a 'phota' or mark with sandal wood paste on her brother's forehead, offers him sweets and gifts and prays for his long and healthy life.

Every brother eagerly awaits this occasion that reinforces the bond between brothers and sisters and their affectionate relationship. It's an opportunity for a good feast at the sister's place, coupled with an enthusiastic exchange of gifts, and merriment amid the resounding of conch shells in every Bengali household.

Underlying Significance

Like all other Hindu festivals, Bhai Dooj too has got a lot to do with family ties and social attachments. It serves as a good time, especially for a married girl, to get together with her own family, and share the post-Diwali glee.

Nowadays, sisters who are unable to meet their brothers send their tika - the spot of protection - in an envelope by post. Virtual tilaks and Bhai Dooj e-cards have made it even easier for brothers and sisters, who're far away from each other, specially remember their siblings on this propitious occasion.

Skanda Sashti Thursday, 27-10-2011 to Tuesday, 01-11-2011

Skanda Sashti is observed on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of the Tamil month of Aippasi (October – November). This day is dedicated to the second son of Lord Shiva – Lord Subramanya, also known as Kartikeya, Kumaresa, Guha, Murugan, Shanmukha and Velayudhan, who on this day, is believed to have annihilated the mythical demon Taraka. Celebrated in all Shaivite and Subramanya temples in South India, Skanda Sashti commemorates the destruction of evil by the Supreme Being.

How to Celebrate Skanda Shasthi:

On this day, elaborate festivals are held with grandeur in South India. In many places the festival commences six days before the Sashti day and concludes on the day of the Sashti. During these days, devotees recite inspiring hymns, read stories of Subramanya, and enact the exploits of the Lord on stage. Thousands of people gather for feasts, and massive amounts of camphor are burnt.

Skanda Temples & Subramanya Shrines:

Well known temples of Lord Subramanya can be found in Udipi, Tiruchendur, Palani Hills, Tiruparankundrum, Tiruchendur and Kathirgamam in South India, as well as in Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Large fairs and festivals are held in these temples every year on Skanda Sashti.

Penance and Piercing:

It is customary to undergo penance on Skanda Sashti in the form of carrying a ‘Kavadi’ to the various Subramanya shrines. Many devotees also pierce long needles through their cheeks, lips and tongue as they go into a delirium charmed by the powers of the Lord.

Hymns & Prayer for Lord Subramanya:
The Tiruppugal, a popular religious book in Tamil, contains the inspiring devotional songs of Arunagirinathar in praise of Lord Subramanya. Hymns from Kavadichindu and the Skanda Sashti Kavacham are also sung on this occasion. Here is a prayer in English for the occasion by Swami Sivananda:

"O my Lord Subramanya, O all-merciful Lord, I have neither faith nor devotion. I do not know how to worship Thee in the proper manner, or to meditate on Thee. I am Thy child who has lost his way, forgotten the goal and Thy Name. Is it not Thy duty, O compassionate Father, to take me back?

"O Mother Valli, will you not introduce me to Thy Lord? Thy love for Thy children is deeper and truer than that of anyone else in this world. Though I have become Thy worthless and undutiful child, O beloved Mother Valli, pardon me! Make me dutiful and faithful. I am Thine from this very second; always Thine. All is Thine. It is the Mother's duty to correct Her reckless child when it strays aimlessly on the wrong path. Remove the veil of delusion that separates me from Thee. Bless me. Enlighten me. Take me back to Thy holy feet. This is my fervent prayer to Thee and Thy Lord, my beloved and ancient Parents."