500 Year Old Temple Rises from the Mahanadi River in Odisha

500 Year Old Temple Rises from the Mahanadi River in Odisha

An ancient temple, submerged in river Mahanadi, has re-appeared after 11 years in Nayagarh district. An archaeology survey team of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) stumbled upon ‘mastaka’ of the temple submerged in Mahanadi waters at Padmabati village under Bhapur tehsil. Project assistant Deepak Kumar Nayak, who had documented the site with help of a local heritage enthusiast Rabindra Kumar Rana, said the temple was dedicated to Gopinath Deba, a form of Lord Krishna.

In the past, Padmabati village was part of Satapatana which is a combination of seven villages. However, with Mahanadi changing its course, the entire place was submerged in the 19th century and villagers along with deities of all the temples were moved to higher lands. The present day temple of Lord Gopinath at Padmabati village has the original idol of the presiding deity.

Locals said there are around 22 temples in the area which are under water but only ‘mastaka’ of Gopinath Deba temple was visible for some years as it was the tallest. The last time the ‘mastaka’ was seen was 11 years back. “ In the last one year, it was seen for 4 to 5 days due to changing water level,” said Rana.

The finding is the part of INTACH’s Mahanadi Valley Heritage Sites Documentation project, which is being undertaken by historian Anil Dhir. The temple may date back to 15th to 16th century considering its construction style of the ‘mastaka’ and materials used. The submerged temple is facing west having a Mukhashala of Pidha order and Vimana of Rekha Deula style. The temple may have been 60 feet in height.

Angarki Chaturthi 2020

2020 Sankashti Chaturthi

Each lunar month in Hindu calendar has two Chaturthi Tithis. The one after Purnimasi or full moon during Krishna Paksha is known as Sankashti Chaturthi and the one after Amavasya or new moon during Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi.

Although Sankashti Chaturthi fasting is done every month but the most significant Sankashti Chaturthi falls in month of Magha according to Purnimant School and in month of Paush according to Amavasyant School.

If Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Tuesday it is called Angarki Chaturthi and it is considered highly auspicious. Sankashti Chaturthi fast is mostly observed in Western and Southern India especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Sankashti Chaturthi 2020

Sankashti Chaturthi 2020: According to the Hindu calendar, each lunar month has two Chaturthi Tithis. The one that falls after Purnima, the full moon and one that falls after Amavasya, the new moon, known as Sankashti Chaturthi and Vinayaka Chaturthi respectively.

Sankashti Chaturthi vrat is observed during 'Chaturthi' the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha. This is an auspicious festival for Hindus, celebrated in honour of Lord Ganesha. On this day, devotees get up early in the morning and dedicate the day worshipping Lord Ganesha and observe fast. Some devotees observe a strict fast whereas some keep a partial fast with devouring fruits, dry fruits, vegetables and roots of plants.

Sankashti Chaturthi 2020: Puja

The Sankashti Chaturthi puja is done in the evening, after seeing the moon. The idol of Lord Ganesha is decorated beautifully with Durva grass and fresh flowers. A lamp is also lit during this time like every other puja rituals are done. The devotees read the 'vrat katha' specific to the month and break the fast only after observing the moonrise.

On the Sankashti Chaturthi Modaks plays a very significant role because modaks are one of the favourite eatables of Lord Ganesha, mostly prepared by the devotees as offering on this festival.

Sankashti Chaturthi 2020: 

Date and time

As per Drikpanchang, this year Sankashti Chaturthi falls on Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Moonrise on Sankashti Day - 09:55 PM

Chaturthi Tithi Begins on Feb 12, 2020, at 02:52 AM

Chaturthi Tithi Ends on Feb 12, 2020, at 11:39 PM

How is Satya Narayan Pooja performed

PROCEDURE / VIDHI OF THE SATYANARAYAN PUJA:

• Satyanarayan Puja can be performed on any day, though it is considered most auspicious on full day (Purnima) per the Hindu calendar (Panchang).
• The Puja/ prayer can be performed in the morning or preferably in the evening time after taking bath.
• The devotees should observe a fast if possible till the holy offering or Prasadam is offered to Lord Satyanarayan.
• A Prasadam is prepared by the devotees which is called Panchamrit (concoction of 5 things- milk, honey, sugar, yogurt and Ghee) and a Kasaar/ Panjiri (mixture of roasted wheat flour, sugar, dry fruits, fresh Basil (tulsi) leaves and fruits including banana and apple).
• The front/ entrance door is decorated with mango leaves.
• An altar is placed in an East-West direction and is decorated with fresh flowers or by making a Rangoli.
• A Kalash (any metal or earthen) is put in the middle of the altar. A coconut wrapped in red cloth is placed on top of the kalash along with the Mango leaves.
• A picture or Idol of Lord Satyanarayan is now placed on the altar. Fresh flowers or garland, Kumkum are applied/ put on the picture.
• The devotees participating or mere listening should face the altar.
• Now the puja starts by first remembering lord Ganesh for good luck, followed by Navgraha puja and Kalash puja.
• The main puja of lord Satyanarayan starts by reciting the Katha or the story of lord Satyanarayan, which is divided in 5 parts emphasizing on when the Katha started, benefits of the puja, who all performed the holy puja and what were the repercussions on people who offended the auspicious puja or lord Satyanarayan and the afterlife of these people.
• The katha should be listened or chanted carefully and peacefully by all present in the prayers. It is then followed by the Aarti (holy prayer) of the deity.
• The devotees bow before the lord (picture/ idol) and ask for forgiveness and fulfilment of their desires. Now the Prasadam is offered to God and later distributed among all as blessings of the Almighty himself.

• 

What is The Satya Narayan Pooja?

What is The Satya Narayan Pooja?

The Satya Narayan Pooja is a religious worship of Hindu Lord Vishnu. Here, "Satya" Means "Truth" and "Narayana" means "The highest being". So, "Satya Narayana" Means "The highest being who is an embodiment of Truth". We can do Satya Narayan Katha on our special occasions and during times of achievements as an offering of gratitude to the Lord Vishnu.

"Satya" means "Truth" and "Narayan" means the one that abides in everything and everybody. Therefore, this worship of Lord Satyanarayan who is a form of Lord Visnu, which suggests that to overcome problems in life caused by either due to deeds of a previous birth or similar deeds of this birth we can perform this Pooja. In Hinduism, this pooja is considered as a holy pooja, so one can perform this pooja at their home on their special events like Childbirth, Birthday of a family member, Marriages, House Warming(Grah Pravesh), or on any happy events. This pooja protects us from conducting evil and teaches to be on the path of goodness and truth. Satyanarayan Pooja can be performed on any day, though it is considered most convivial on a full moon day (Purnima) per the Hindu calendar (Panchang).There are Five(5) Adhyay in the Satyanarayana Katha. Inside which, five(5) persons do pooja of the Lord Satyanarayana and make Lord Satyanarayana happy and last Adhyaya is about Praise.In the Satyanarayan Katha, we do Ganesha’s Worship, Kalash Puja and Lakshmi-Narayan form Worship of Satyesh. Then we do Vishnu Sahasranama by the Tulsi Patra and after that listen to Katha calmly. After that, we do aarti of Lord Satyanarayana Deva. And this is how the story of Satyanarayana is done.

What is Grah shanti (Griha Shanti) pooja?

What is grah shanti (Griha Shanti) pooja?

From tradition, Grah Shanti is performed to clear away all the negative hurdles from the host's house and to achieve bliss in their life. Everyone believes that planets and constellations are having a positive or negative impact on everyone's life. When Someone born in the bad constellation and if their planets in the horoscope are Up and Down, then they can also perform The Grah Shanti.This pre-wedding Worship is performed to make sure that all planets and constellations will be coordinate in the couple's life. In Hinduism, by doing Grah Shanti pooja, it considers that a god and goddess will attend the whole celebration of the wedding. All Hindu Occasions are started with Lord Ganesha's Adoration where Lord Ganesha is the sign of auspice in the house So, This worship happens with Lord Ganesha at that time it is declared that wedding ceremonies are started in the houses.

Grih Shanti is performed in the groom and bride’s respective houses with their families. priests perform this worship to gave rid of all negative energy from the person's life who is doing this worship. It also purifies the environment of the surrounding and spread peace and prosperity. wicked efficiency will be thrown out to live a happy life for a couple

Laghu Rudra Pooja

What is Laghu Rudra?

The common meaning of Laghu Rudra Pooja is the adoration of Lord Shiva, which destroys all the disaster of a person. Laghu Rudra Puja is one of the most powerful and beneficial poojas which is dedicated to the Lord Shivaji. The power of Laghu Rudra Puja blesses devotees with success, all worldly wishes, inner peace, fulfillment, purity of soul and mind removal of all negative Karmas. Scriptures on Astrology prescribe this emphatically as a cure for several planetary doshas.There are three(3)main ways of Laghu Rudra Ritual.

1. Abhishek

2. The homage

3. Lessons

Lord Shiva will be pleased with this spirit if you will do worship in these 3 ways.

Laghu Rudra pooja has its own importance in Hinduism. Through this Pooja one can aim for inner peace and fulfillment. In this Pooja, Lord Shiva is worshipped in his Rudra form. This Pooja is considered the best in order to please Lord Shivaji and devotees seek his blessings for the removal of problems from their life. After performing this pooja we get a path for a gainful life. Laghu Rudra Pooja is hailed by all Vedic scriptures as one of the greatest Poojas to remove all evils, to achieve all wishes and for all-round prosperity. This pooja is performed by an experienced priest, they recite very powerful mantras.

 

Upanishads

ईशा उपनिषद्: कर्म

केन उपनिषद् : प्रकृति को समझें, God को पा लोगे।

कथा उपनिषद्: भगवान् को पा लोगे तो अमरत्व आ जाएगा।

प्रश्न उपनिषद्: प्राण के माध्यम से तुम इस शरीर को चलाते हो।

ऐतरेय उपनिषद्: चेतना के द्वारा रचा गया यह संसार 

मुंडकोपनिषद्:  ज्ञान और प्रज्ञा

तैत्तिरीय उपनिषद्: तुम ब्रह्म हो।

मांडुक्य उपनिषद्: 🕉 

छांदोग्य उपनिषद्: तुम भी वही हो। सबकुछ वही ब्रह्म है।

श्वेतावस्तार उपनिषद्: ध्यान साधना उस भगवान् को जानने का, पाने का एवं जीने का तरीका है।

List of Religious Holidays of Hindu in 2020

List of Religious Holidays of Hindu in 2020

DAY	DATE	HOLIDAY
Wed	Jan 15	Makarsankranti / Pongal
Wed	Jan 29	Vasant Panchami
Sat	Feb 08	Thaipusam
Fri	Feb 21	Maha Shivaratri
Mon	Mar 09	Holika Dahan
Tue	Mar 10	Holi
Wed	Mar 25	Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Telugu New Year
Wed	Mar 25	Hindi New Year
Thu	Apr 02	Ramanavami
Wed	Apr 08	Hanuman Jayanti
Tue	Apr 14	Vaisakhi / Baisakhi / Vishu
Tue	Apr 14	Bengali New Year / Bihu
Tue	Apr 14	Tamil New Year
Sun	Apr 26	Akshaya Tritiya
Fri	May 22	Savitri Pooja
Tue	Jun 23	Puri Rath Yatra
Sun	Jul 05	Guru Purnima
Sat	Jul 25	Nag Panchami
Fri	Jul 31	Varalakshmi Vrat
Mon	Aug 03	Raksha Bandhan
Tue	Aug 11	Krishna Janmashtami
Sat	Aug 22	Ganesh Chaturthi
Mon	Aug 31	Onam
Wed	Sep 16	Vishwakarma Puja
Thu	Sep 17	Mahalaya Amavasya
Sat	Oct 17	Navaratri begins
Sat	Oct 24	Navaratri ends / Maha Navami
Sun	Oct 25	Dusshera
Fri	Oct 30	Sharad Purnima
Wed	Nov 04	Karwa Chauth
Fri	Nov 13	Dhan Teras
Sat	Nov 14	Diwali
Mon	Nov 16	Bhai Dooj
Fri	Nov 20	Chhath Puja
Mon	Nov 30	Kartik Poornima
Tue	Dec 15	Dhanu Sankranti
Fri	Dec 25	Geeta Jayanti