Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom. She symbolizes the different face of learning such as the sciences, arts, crafts and skills.  She is frequently pictured as seated on a white lout, beside a peacock, wearing a spotless white sari and carried a Veena (instrument). She is also known as “Sharada”, “Vani” and “Vagdevi”.

The Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of intelligence and learning. Goddess Saraswati has four hands which symbolize ego, intelligence, attentiveness and the brainpower. The goddess Saraswati, sitting on a lotus, symbolizes her wisdom.  She is also familiar in the knowledge of truth.  When the goddess is seen sitting on a peacock, it is a reminder that a strong ego can be held back by wisdom.

Saraswati Puja

First clean the area where Puja is performed and Rangoli has to be done. Arrange a statue or photo of Goddess Saraswati is kept in front in the Puja room or when Puja performed area. After this, Kalash or pinnacle is arranged and Ganesh photo or statue and worship the nine planets along with  Lord Ganesh. After this Mata Saraswati is worshipped. While worshipping Goddess Saraswati, Aachman is performed and she is bathed with Pachamuthu. After this, flowers, garlands, Vermilions and other decoration things are offered. On this day, Gulaal is also applied on the feet’s of Goddess Saraswati.

Goddess Saraswati wears white spotless clothes so she should be covered with White cloths. On Saraswati Puja, yellow flowers are offered and seasonal fruits and sweet boondi are offered as Prasad. On this occasion, Malpua and Rice Kheer are also offered to the Goddess Saraswati.

On Saraswati Puja Havan is kept

After performing the Puja, Havan is performed.

Clean the area where Havan Kund is performed. Clean it with Kusha grass, purify it with Ganga Jal and lit fire with small pieces of Mango woods. During Havan, lord Ganesh is worshipped first and then it is performed on the name of Navagraha (Nine Planets). Then Goddess Saraswati is worshipped and Havan is performed reciting the Mantra “Om Shri Saraswatyai Namah Swaha”. After Havan, Aarti is carried out and the Ashes are applied on fore head.

After the Saraswati Puja

Very next morning of 6th date, Magh Shukla Panchami, Saraswati is worshipped. In the evening, the Goddess performed Puja and then engrossed in the water.

Tags: Basant panchami, Goddess Saraswati, Havan, Lord Ganesh, Malpua, pooja, Puja, Rangoli, Rice Kheer, Saraswati, Saraswati Puja, sweet boondi, Vasant panchami, yellow flowers
]]> http://www.indianpublicholidays.com/2012/01/basant-panchami-saraswati-devi-puja-vidhi/feed/ 0 http://www.indianpublicholidays.com/2012/01/republic-day-26-january-messages-send-free-sms-to-indians-share-fb-scraps/ http://www.indianpublicholidays.com/2012/01/republic-day-26-january-messages-send-free-sms-to-indians-share-fb-scraps/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:50:23 +0000 Swaroopa http://www.indianpublicholidays.com/?p=3644 Express your love for your nation and your dear ones, with these Republic Day SMS, Republic Day quotes, Republic Day Messages. Republic Day is celebrating on 26 th January.

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Great Republic…
Happy Republic Day !!

Thousands laid down their lives so
that our country breath this day…
never forget their sacrifice..
Happy Republic Day!!

Take a stand against evil,
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Respected teachers and my friends!

I wish you a happy Republic Day. Today we celebrate the Republic Day and my greetings to you all on this day.

Republic Day of India or Gantantra Divas is celebrated on 26^th January every year. Even though India achieves its independence on August 15, 1947, the Constitution of India comes into view and effected only on January 26, 1950. During the transition period from 1947 to 1950, George VI King was the leader of state. Lord Mountbatten and C. Rajagopalachari served as Governors-General of India throughout this period. Subsequent January 26, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first president of India.

Indian Republic Day is celebrated today with zeal all over the country and particularly in the capital, New Delhi. In New Delhi the festivities begin with the Presidential speech to the nation. The event starts with a serious tribute to the sacrifices who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defence of independence of the country.

When the President comes into, the PBG commander asks the unit to give the National Salute, which is followed by the playing of the Indian National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, by the Massed Bands, and at the same time by the unfurling of the Flag of India on the flagpole.

Then, the President comes forward to give award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their outstanding bravery in the field and also the civilians, who have notable themselves by their different, perform of courage in different circumstances.

To mark the significance of this event, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi from the Rajghat, beside the Vijaypath. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their ceremonial dress and official decorations even the horses of the cavalry are pleasantly caparisoned to go with the occasion.

N. C. C. trainee chosen from all over the country consider it an honour to make a payment in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital city New Delhi. They spend several days get ready for the event is safe to see that every feature is taken care of, from their practice for the drills, the essential support and their standardized.

India has been hosting head of state or government of another country as the state guest of honour for Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.

The entire participant Hymn the song Saare Jahan Se Achcha at the end.

 On the Pongal festival day people clean and decorated their houses with flowers and Rangoli and wear new clothes. As soon as farmers bring newly harvested rice to their homes and give food to their cattle a rice dish called “Pongal” from where the festival got its name, and is devoted to Lord Surya.

First day of the Pongal Festival – Bhogi Pongal

The first day of the Pongal festival is called Bhogi Pongal. Bhogi Pongal is devoted to the worship of the rain God Indra. On this very First day people wake up early, clean their homes and decorate it with Kolam and flowers. Then get dressed in new clothes and offer flowers to the Lord Vinayaka or Ganesha made from cow dung or turmeric or mud and lighten up traditional lamps holy place.

Second day of the Pongal Festival – Surya

Pongal

The second day of the Pongal festival is called Surya Pongal is devoted to lord Surya that is “the Sun God”. The special Sweet Pongal Recipe (dish) is prepared in all homes. This is fundamentally a sweet rice dish cooked in milk and jaggery is offered to Lord Ganesha and then to cows and then it is distributed as Prasad.

Third day of the Pongal Festival – Mattu

Pongal

The third day Mattu Pongal is a day devoted to domestic animals (cattle’s) and other animals. The day is marked by the worship of the Goddess Parvati and her son (the elephant-headed) Lord Ganesha. This is also the day when cattle a very important in all villages a part of life.  Animals are washed and cleaned and decorated with ornamented, then take around through the village’s pathway. The parade is followed by cattle races, and in some instances, bullfights which are locally known as ‘Jallikattu’- bags is filled with of money are tied to the horns of bulls, and young men endeavour to move violently with the bulls to get the bags off.

Fourth day of the Pongal Festival – Kanum or

Kaanum Pongal

The fourth and the final day of the Pongal festival which is traditionally famous as Kanum Pongal is the day when the families calm down, visit each other and have get to gather  with friends and family. This is careful a very auspicious day when people visit their family and friends and celebrate. On this day there are folk dance performances accompanied by music and song.

Bonfire and Celebrations of Bhogi

Festival

An additional ceremony observed on this day is Bhogi Mantalu. On Bhogi all people clean their homes from top to bottom, and all excess not in use goods has been collected to the bonfire. When waste or of no use domestic articles are thrown into a fire made of log wood. The significance of the bonfire, in which is burnt the agricultural wastes and firewood is to keep warm during the ending days of winter. The disposal of neglected things is where all old habits, the vices, attachment to relations and materials things are sacrificed.  Teen Girls dance around the bonfire, singing songs in honor of the gods, the spring and the harvest.

Before beginning of the festival everybody painted their house with whitewashed or clean the house and remove dust. In small villages at their home, the ground designs drawn with white paste of newly harvested rice with outlines of red mud.

On Bhogi festival day Mango leaves and flowers are tied to the Main door entrance for good luck. Homes are cleaned and decorated with Rangoli designs or Kolam in front yard.  After an oil massage everybody take head bath and wear new cloth and performed puja. A special puja is performed on the first day of Pongal.

Farmers worship the sun and the earth by turmeric and kumkum to their ploughs and sickles and performed puja. Frequently flower or pumpkin flowers are set into cow dung balls and placed among the Rangoli patterns in the Rangoli in front yard of the house. Girls dance around the Cow dung balls which were decorated with flowers and singing songs. Every body gather at open fire and make Pongal dish on this special day. Fresh harvest of rice, turmeric and sugarcane is brought from the to home.

During Bhogi many families, infants and children (usually less than three years old) are showered with fruit called “Regi Pandlu”, that is the Indian jujube fruit along with  neighbour married women  as been called for this event. It is believed that doing this event would protect the children from evil eye and get married women blessing to their children. The visited women’s will offer the fruits and sweets at this event.

All verities of Sweets prepared and distributed to friends and neighoubours. It is a time for families to gather together. Brothers pay special tribute to their married sisters by giving gifts as proof of their love. Landlords give gifts like food, clothes and money to their workers.

According to the position of the sun Lohri festival is celebrated. Lohri symbols the winter festival. The people all over north India carry on joyfully dance around the holy fires. Lohri Festival will provide some relief to the people, because it ends with a tough winter season.

When first week of January ends, the boy’s forms small groups and ring the doorbell of every house and started chanting songs of Lohri Dulla Bhatti.  When the people open the door they give them peanuts, crystal sugar, popcorn, sesame seeds or Gur as well as money. The empty-handed will turn back is considered as unpromising.

Bonfire and Puja performance

Large logs will be arranged for holy fire, friends and relatives get together go around in a circle. The people go around the fire three times and offerings of popcorns, peanuts and sweets. Then the music of traditional Indian drum was played or beats the dhol and the people dance around the fire. The way is a prayer to Agni for good quality crops and wealth. To friends the people will distributed the Prasad of til ka Laddu, peanuts, Puffed rice, Popcorn, Gajak, Rayveri and sweets.

Lohri is also a complimentary happy event to celebrate a newly born baby’s or a new bride’s entering in the family. The traditional banquet of Sarson da Saag and Makki di Roti and a dessert of rau di kheer (rice kheer) will be at the end of the day. The purpose of the Lohri harvest ritual is to thank the God for his care and protection. During this festival the people prepare huge quantities of foodstuff and drink, and make happy all through the day and night. Therefore everybody looked further to this day. Wish you a Happy  Lohri!

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is on Thursday 5 January

Arudra Darshanam is on Sunday 8 January

Lohri  is on Saturday 14 January

Bhogi is on Saturday 14 January

Makar Sankranti is on Sunday 15 January

Thai Pongal is on Sunday 15 January

Shat-Tila Ekadasi is on Thursday 19 January

Mauna Amavasya is on Monday 23 January

Vasant Panchami   is on Saturday 28 January

Ratha Saptami   is on Monday 30 January

Bhishma Asthami is on Tuesday 31 January

Tags: 2012, Holidays during January 2012 in India, January, List of Holidays 2012
]]> http://www.indianpublicholidays.com/2012/01/holidays-during-january-2012-in-india/feed/ 0 http://www.indianpublicholidays.com/2012/01/vishnu-sahasranamam/ http://www.indianpublicholidays.com/2012/01/vishnu-sahasranamam/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:50:12 +0000 Swaroopa http://www.indianpublicholidays.com/?p=3607 Vishnu Sahasranamam is a list of 1,000 names (sahasranama) of Lord Vishnu, one of the main forms of God in Hinduism and the personal supreme God for Vaishnavas (followers of Vishnu). In Sanskrit, “Sahasra” means “a thousand” and “Namam” means “name”. It is also one of the most sacred and commonly chanted “Stotras” in Hinduism. The Vishnu Sahasranamam as found in the Mahabharata is the most popular version of the 1000 names of Vishnu. Another version exists in the Padma Purana and Matsya Purana. To praise highly in speech or writing one of each names of Vishnu countless great attributes.

About Vishnu Sahasranamam

The Vishnu Sahasranamam has been the subject of numerous commentaries. Adi Shankaracharya wrote a definitive commentary on the sahasranama in the 8th century, which is the oldest and has been particularly influential for many schools of Hinduism even today.

 Parasara Bhattar, a follower of Ramanujacharya wrote a commentary in the 12th century, detailing the names of Vishnu from a Vishishtadvaita perspective. Madhvacharya also wrote a commentary on Vishnu Sahasranamam, disclosing that each name in the sahasranama has a minimum of 100 meaning. Upon being challenged by the audience during his time, Sri Madhvacharaya not only gives 100 meanings for each of the Vishnu Sahasranamam but also expands on each of the meanings making it a multi-fold difficulty and displays an outspoken quality to hold and explain the real and deep hidden meaning of Sahasranamam.

There are Sahasranama for many forms of God (Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Shakti, and others). The Vishnu Sahasranamam is popular among common Hindus and a major part of prayer for devout Vaishnavas (followers of Vishnu). While Vaishnavas worship other deities, they believe that the universe, including the other divinities such as Shiva and Devi, is ultimately a manifestation of the Supreme Lord Vishnu.

 Followers of Shiva (Shaivism) similarly give prominence to Shiva. Interestingly, despite the existence of other Sahasranamam of other forms of God, referring a sahasranama as “The Sahasranama” generally refers to the Vishnu Sahasranamam alone, thereby indicating its wide popularity and use.

Vishnu Sahasranamam by the great Carnatic Singer, the Late M.S. Subbulakshmi

Wish all and everybody with best Wishes using these just made Images and you can add some Quotes by taking out from online.

You can also send Best Wishing SMS Messages in Hindi or English on this day to wish them for their wealth, health, desired dreams come true and return will definitely get complimented and you will be wished with the same, New Year falling this time around on Sunday, and of course its 1st and many expect to be come over all good things through out the year.

So wish all and get wished by all, its psychological that every body think to have get rid of all suffers and dive into entertainment.

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