Introduction:-

Vinayaka Chaturthi is a very auspicious and promising occasion for Hindus. Like all other festivals celebrated in India, Vinayaka Chaturthi is also celebrated on different dates every year. In 2020, Vinayak Chaturthi was celebrated on 22nd August and in 2021, it is 13th June. Vinayaka Chaturthi is also known as Ganesh Chaturthi, Vinayaka Chavithi and Ganeshotsav. This festival drops on the 4th day of Shukla Paksha in Bhaadrapada (according to the Hindu calendar Bhaadrapada is the sixth month and as per the Gregorian calendar, it features the month August- September.) The literal meaning of Vinayaka Chaturthi is asking God to fulfil any desire one has. Each lunar month has two Chaturthi Tithis. It is believed that both the Chaturthi Tithi belongs to Lord Ganesha. The Chaturthi after Amavasya or new moon during Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi.

Why is Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrated? 

Lord Ganesha is god of wisdom, good luck, auspiciousness, he is the dealer of problems and obstacles, wealth and health. Lord Ganesha is the child of Lord Shiva (God of Destruction, Meditation, Yoga, Time and Dance; The Destroyer of Evil) and Goddess Parvati (Goddess of Power, Energy, Devotion, Marriage, Motherhood, Children, Fertility, Love, and Harmony). 

This day highlights the monthly birthday of lord Ganesha. This is a very auspicious day as good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or the start of travel.

Birth of Lord Ganesha:- 

Ganapati wrote the Epic Mahabharata:-

How do people celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi? 

1. Devotees observed an all day long fast on this day. It is considered good if you wake up early in the morning and take bath. 
2. For disputes related to property, devotees should offer silver in a square shape to Lord Ganesha on this day. 
3. By placing the idol of Lord Ganesha made up of neem, peepal or mango leaves at the entrance of the house brings positivity in the house.
4. Devotees worship the idol of Lord Ganesha made of crystal as it cures the Vastu dosh of the house

 What is Narasimha Jayanti? 

Narasimha Jayanti is a very auspicious and promising festival celebrated by the Hindus all over the India. Just like all other festivals celebrated in India, Narasimha Jayanti is also celebrated on a different date every year. In 2020, Narasimha Jayanti was celebrated on 6th May and in year 2021, it is on 25th of May. Narasimha Jayanti drops on the Shukla Chaturdashi (fourteenth day) in Vaishakha. (according to the Hindu Calendar Vaishaka is the second month and as per the Gregorian Calendar it is April and May.) Narasimha Jayanti signifies the victory of good over the evil. 

Why is Narasimha Jayanti celebrated? 

Lord Narasimha is a fourth Avatar or incarnation of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. Lord Narasimha is a fierce god of spiritual knowledge, wealth, valour, strength and has great compassion towards his devotees. On this day Lord Vishnu appeared as Narasimha to save his devotee- Prahlada from the evil king Hiranyakashipu. 

Storyline:- 

There was a very powerful but cruel king Hiranyakashipu,

(full info: Hiranyakashipu was an Asura and king of the daityas from the Puranic scriptures of Hinduism. translation of his name is "clothed in gold", and is depicting one who is fond of wealth. He went to the Himalayas and performed penance for many years. Lord Brahma was pleased by him and asked him for a boon, he asked that he could not be killed by human or animal, from inside or outside, by day or by night, and from no weapon.)  

He always wanted everyone in his Kingdom to worship him as a God, everyone did as he said because they were scared of him in the sense he would kill them. But his son, Prahlada was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and hence denied worshiping his father. He was very disappointed and angry by Prahlada's attitude of not worshipping him. King Hiranyakashipu had already tried to kill his son numerous times because of the reason that he doesn't worship him but he never succeed and always failed his every attempt. 

King Hiranyakashipu had a demoness sister named Holika, she was as evil as the king was. Holika possessed a special power that she will not get affected by the fire. They came up with the idea that Holika will take Prahlada and sit in fire. But due to her evil and unforgiving intention the opposite happened, her power didn't come to escape and was ineffective this time and she was burnt to ashes. But on the other hand, Prahlada gained immunity and hence, he was saved from the fire and nothing happened to him. 

Angered by all his deeds, Lord Vishnu appeared as a half-man-half-lion (Narshimha) to kill Hiranyakashipu. He killed Hiranyakashipu on his lap at the threshold of his palace at dusk, because he cannot be killed inside or outside so threshold, he cannot be killed at night or day so at dusk and he cannot be killed by a human or Animal so, he appeared as a half-man-half human: Narshimha! Hence, it signifies that good will always overcome the bad and evil, justice will always be given by the god himself. 

On this day Lord Narasimha blesses their devotees with strength, wealth, peace and prosperity. 

Narasimha is a Sanskrit word consisting two words- Nara (Man) and Simha (Lion). As lord Vishnu appeared in a half man-half Lion to kill the evil. Lord Narasimha is also known as 'great protector for the mankind'. He is considered as the fiercest form or Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Narasimha saves his devotees from the danger. Once Lord Narasimha saved Adi Shankaracharya, from being sacrificed to goddess Kali ( goddess of dealth, time). 

Pacification of Lord Narasimha:- 

After lord Narasimha killed Hiranyakashipu, his angry didn't subdue, he was moving everywhere in terrible form and had red eyes. Because of Lord Narasimha massive anger, all the three worlds were shaking form terror and all the gods were scared as well that's when all of them approached Lord Shiva and request him to do something. Lord Shiva took the form of Sharabha (Sharabha was a incarnation of lord Shiva. He was blend of of human, bird and animal together.) And pacified lord Narasimha. 

How is Narasimha Jayanti celebrated? 

On this auspicious day, Puja and Artis are kept for the Lord Narasimha and godess Lakshmi. The devotees wake up early in the morning, observe a fast and take a bath and offer flowers, saffron, Jaggery, gram dal and sweets to the Lord. They recite the Narasimha mantra with the Rudraksha mala. 

 What is Sita Navami? 

Sita Navami is a very promising, favorable, and auspicious festival enjoyed by the Hindus. Like all other Hindu festivals celebrated in India, Sita Navami is also celebrated on a different day each year, in the year 2020, it was on 2nd May. In the year 2021 Sita Navami is on 21st May. Sita Navami is furthermore known as Janaki Navami. Sita Navami drops on the Navami Tithi (9th day) during the Shukla Paksha on the lunar month of Vaishaka (according to the Hindu Calendar Vaishaka is the second month and as per the Gregorian Calendar it is April and May.) 

Why Sita Navami is celebrated? 

As we all know that Devi Sita is a very beautiful, well-known, and important person in Ramayana (a Hindu epic that is filled with life lessons such as affection, courage, devotion). She is considered as the child of the earth (Dharti Maa/Bhudevi). Devi Sita is the Goddess of Sacrifice, Purity, Love, and Simplicity. (Literal meaning of word Sita- Furrow)

Sita Navami celebrates the birth anniversary of Sita Maa. Devi Sita is the incarnation of goddess Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth & prosperity), Goddess Lakshmi is the wife of Lord Vishnu and Devi Sita is the wife of Lord Rama, who is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Sita Navami falls exactly one month after Ram Navami. Ram Navami, 2021 was on 21st April. Devi Sita is the daughter of King Janaka (Videha) and her adoptive mother was Sunayana.

Birth of Devi Sita:- 

Kingdom Videha was going through a terrible drought and Rishi Muni at that time told that the land would only flourish if King Janaka himself plow the field for the betterment and inprovement of the people & for better yield, Devi Sita was found in a furrow in the field during the process of Ploughing by the Maharaja. As King Janaka didn't have any child, he announced Devi Sita as his daughter and hence Devi Sita is also remembered as Vaidehi. 

Devi Sita's Marriage:-

When Devi Sita was just a small little girl, Lord Parshuram saw Devi Sita playing, picking and able to string the Pinaka (bow of Lord Shiva) and then lord Parshuram recommended King Janaka to wed Devi Sita with a person who can hold up the Shiva Dhanusha when she gets bigger. When the time arrived, King Janaka composed a Svayamvara (a process in ancient India where a girl at a marriageable age picks her husband from the group of suitors.) With the condition as the lord Parshuram advised. A lot of Prince & kings came by and tried to pick the Bow of Lord Shiva but failed. Lord  Rama was the only one to pick the bow up but also string it. And hence meeting the conditions, Devi Sita was married to Lord Rama.

How is Sita Navami celebrated? 

On this encouraging day, All the married women observe an all-day-long fast for their husband's long life and they worship Devi Sita and Lord Rama by offering flowers and  dhoop Puja and celebration are held at the temples of Lord Rama and Sita Maa. As Devi Sita is the incarnation of goddess Lakshmi, it is considered that if one worships Devi Sita then one will worship goddess Lakshmi as well and she will bless the person with love and wealth! Getting up early (before sunrise) on this day and taking bath for observing a fast is considered auspicious. One should recite or hear Sita Navami Vrat Katha during their fast. Devotees should perform aartis and pujas on this day.

Akshaya Tritiya

Importance of Akshaya Tritiya:- 

Celebration:- 

What to eat on Akshaya Tritiya? 

All you need to know about the Hindu festival: Mahashivaratri! 

" Universe bow to LORD SHIVA, 

       I bow to LORD SHIVA!" 

Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. The festival is not only celebrated in India and Nepal, but also in parts of the West Indies which have over 400 Hindu temples across the country.

 Mahashivratri is celebrated on a different day each year! So on 2021, Mahashivratri is on 11th March. 

Shiv: lord of destruction- Shiva 

Ratri: night 

• Many people believe that Mahashivratri is celebrated because of the grand wedding of Lord Shiva (God of Destruction, Meditation, Yoga, Time and Dance; The Destroyer of Evil; Parabrahma, Supreme Being Shaivism) and goddess Parvati (goddess of fertility, love, beauty, harmony, marriage, children, and devotion; as well as of divine strength and power.)
• Few believe that Lord Shiva drank the poison (halahala/kaalakoota) to save the world. Goddess Parvati was shocked and she gripped lord Shiva's neck to stop him from swallowing the poison. That's is why lord Shiva neck is blue (hence, he is called Neelkanth)
• However, according to some this auspicious day is celebrated as Lord Shiva performed 'Tandava' the dance of primal creation, devastation, and protection. 

It has something to do with the astronomical phase of the planet. Everything that happens in the solar system on Mahashivratri, happens to you in some or another way. On this day, there is an upsurge or multiplication of energy.

• There are 12 Shivratri in a year but Mahashivratri is the most promising and important out of all. 

This auspicious festival of Mahashivratri falls on the 14th night of the new moon during Krishna paksha in the Hindu calendar's month Phalgun. (February-march of English calendar) 

Celebration: 

1. All the devotees keep a fast through day and night and also visit Shiva temples by wearing fresh clothes and they open their fast by taking Prasad offered to the deity. 
2.  Devotees also perform ritual baths of Shiva lingam with milk, water, and honey. The Shiva lingam is also decorated with fresh flowers and worshippers apply Haldi- kumkum on the Shiva lingam. 
3. Aarti and devotional songs take place at the temples.
4. It is also advised to worship the 'Rudraksha' as it removes all the negative energies. 
5. Devotees chant 'OM NAMAH SHIVAY' along with different names. 
6. Devotees also participate in the Rudrabhishek Puja on Mahashivratri to wash their sins out and welcome peace and happiness in their lives. (Lord Shiva is also known by the name of Rudra - that represents his fiercest form. The Rudrabhishek refers to the ritual bath of the Shiva Lingam. It is one of the most substantial and prominent and traditional ceremonies to please Lord Shiva and is seen as the incredible and greatest spiritual puja in all the Vedic scriptures.)

It is believed that the one who keeps fast can neglect and restrain the feeling of annoyance, desires, and jealousy or grudge and continue a Happy Life! 

People also stay awake on this auspicious day because this is the sacred night of the year and we can overcome grief, darkness, and ignorance, and insensibility!

• Main do's in Mahashivratri:- 

1. Spent time listening to devotional songs and aartis of Lord Shiva

2. Stay awake and worship Lord Shiva! 

3. Visit Shiva temple. 

4. Keep fast 

Main don't in Mahashivratri:- 

1. Don't just try to kill the time during Shivratri by watching movies or wasting time playing games. Abstain from any kind of indulgence. You should dedicate this precious and invaluable time only to cherish the Lord with full emphasis and devotion.

4. Never resort to falsehood and quarrels on this day. Do not eat non-vegetarian food. Refrain from consuming alcohol and any other kind of addictive stuff.

5. Do not sleep, and think of the Creator! 

                                             -ॐ नमः शिवाय