Ratha Sapthami cont

Above: Picture of Ratha
After bath, perform sandyavandhana and saligrama or Krishna puja. Then Surya Antar-gata-Laksmi Narayanapuja.The custom is to draw a picture of a Ratha as shown above on a plank with Surya in the centre of the ratha. this Ratha has only one Wheel. This plank has to be placed near the Tulasi Brindhavana if it is possible or keep it in the p uja room in front of god.Perform puja , yourself facing East.
Sankalpa-{including women} Achamana, Pra-na-yama.....Evam-guna Visesahan Visish-taa-yaam Shubha Thithaw,Bharathee RamanaMukya prana Antargatha Sri VishnuPre-ranaya, Sri Vishnu Preeth-yartham, Savithru-Naamaka Sri Lakshmi Narayana Pujaam Karishye{in pyaala leave akshata +water}
Chant sandya vandana-gayatri dhyana mantra. Offer mantra akshatha.
Argya, Paadya ETC
Aa-Vaa-Ha yaami --- offer mantra akshatha
Aa-sanam-samar-payami --Offer mantra akshatha
Paada-yo-h, paadyam samarpayami -- Udharni of water in pyala.
Hastha-yoh-arghyam samarpayami---- {--do-}
Aa-chama-neeyam Samarpayami------ {-Do-}
Snaa-pa-yaami------- sprinkle water with a flower on the Ratha
Puna-h Aa-chama-neeyam ----- udharni of water in pyala thrice.
Vastram samarpa yaami ------ Put geja Vastra to the Ratha.
Upaveetham samrpayami ----- Matrakshthaandham
Gandham Samarpayami ----- offer Gandha
Akshataam samarpayami -------- mantra akshatha
Pushpam Samarpayami --------- Flowers
Dhoopa, Deepa Naividya
Naividya The custom is to bring to boil milk in front of tulasi khatte add a little washed rice allow ir to cook in milk only when cooked add jaggery/sugar and the show naividya , where ever the plank with the ratha is kept.
In todays world as this may not always be possible cook it on a washed and clean gas stove, and keep the Kheer vessel near the ratha and offer naividya. Tha milk used should be a new packet of milk and not left over after morning coffee or tea.
Prarthana Mantra.
Eka Chakra, Ratho Yasya,--Divya ha, Kanaka Bhooshitha ha,--Sa may Bhavathu Su Preetha ha, Padma Hasto Divaa karaha {ithi prarthana}
Conclution:--- Hold water in the palm, chant these words and at its conclution , drop the water in the pyala.
Yasya Smrit-ya-cha Naa-mok-tya,--Tapaha, puja Kriyaa dishu, Nyoo-nam Sampoorna-taam Yaathi,--
Sadyo Vandey tam ach-yutham,--Mantra heenam, kriya Heenam,-- Bhakthi heenam Ramaa pathe,--- Yat Kritham tu maaya deva,--pari poornam tad-astu may.
Anena Sri Surya narayana pooja nena bhagvan Sri lakshmi Narayana pree yaatham. Supreeto Varado bhavatu.
Sru krishnapanam astu. Then achamana and full namaskara.

Ratha Sapthami.

Magha Masa Shukla Paksha Sapthami every year will be Ratha Sapthami.Aruno- daya Kaala is between 4.30 and 5.30 in the morning. A bath in Aruno-daya brings good fortune say the shastras.If by any chance you have this bath in Prayaga, it is equal to koti-surya grahana phala.
Seven kinds of papas.
1. Sins committed in this Janma, 2.Sins committed in previous janmas, 3. Paapas committed through mind, 4 through speech,5 through our limbs, 6 committed knowingly, 7 unknowingly.These seven kinds of sins cause no more trouble for those who repent and take Ratha sapthami bath as specified.The wordings of repentence-cum- prayer are expressed in three slokas.

Vaikunta Ekadasi.

Vaikunta Ekadasi comes in Dec/Jan, in the month of Pushya Shukla paksha. This month usually comes in the English calendar month of December or January. It is said that the Vaikunta Dwara[Heavenly door] opens on this day. Basically it means that on this day a door opens to reach the gates of Vaikunta. In all Vishnu temples the Utsava Murthi is brought out early in the morning and people go early in the morning to have a darshan of the Lord. Even if a person does not observe Ekadasi through out the year, but observes fast on Vaikunta Ekadasi day, one can attain salvation. Fasting is done by various people in different ways. Some people do not eat or drink anything nirjala (not even water), some do partake of fruits and milk phalaahaar (diet of fruits and milk) , yet others have a diet of poha or sabudana and milk and fruits. A few others avoid rice but partake of uppitu, ksheera or even chapathis or dosas. So fasting can be done in anyway that is convenient to the person as his or her health and mindset allows. After fasting, next day on dwadasi day, food has to be eaten at the time mentioned in the panchanga.
On Vaikunta Ekadasi day do pray to god whenever you find the time. Try and visit a temple in the morning or evening.The people residing in India will not find it difficult to visit a temple but for people living in the other parts of the world to whom a temple may not be easily accessible, do meditate for a few moments in front of God's picture and recite at least 12 names of Lord Vishnu and try to fast in whatever way is possible for you. Here is a short shloka for you to recite on this day...
Shanthakaaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham
Vishwadhaaram Gaganasadhrusham Meghavarnam Shubhangam
Lakshmikantham Kamalanayanam Yogibhirdhyanagamayam
Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanatham

Shankaranti---cont

On the day of Shankaranthi...

• In a big tray arrange five sets of betal leaves and supari, dry coconut sugar cane, (if bought full length, make it stand against the wall or cut the sugar cane into 12" pieces), banana(while giving a daana always give two bananas ), haladi sticks, kumkum packets, bangles, coconut and dakshina.
• Perform gowri puja first, then perform puja to this also.
• Try to give one set of this Vida to a savashni before lunch. And the rest can be ditibuted in the evening.
• If it is not possible to get five savashni give it to at least two people.
•   Some of us give, what is called Nav-panach Vida.  Nine Vidach pan, nine  cup Supari with  two Velas(cardomaom) and two lavangas and a piece of dry coconut, with some dhakshina, is given along with the Til Ghul to Nine Savashinis. 

This is actually the real friendship of india.

Apart from this vida, it is customary to ditribute the til gul, a peice of sugar cane, one sugar mould (if it not possible to get sugar moulds, use sugar cubes).and two bananas to all friends and neighbors.The children should do namaskar to elders and receive the til gul from them.

Recipe for Sakkare Pongal

Recipe for Sakkare Pongal :

Ingredients::

Raw rice-- 2 cups,
Mung dal---one cup,
Jaggery---2 cups ,
Milk ---two cups,
Cashew nuts1 or 2 tblsps,
Raisins 1 or 2 tblsps,
Cardamom powder-- one tsp.
Ghee---1/2 to 3/4 cup.

Method:

1. In a thick bottomed vessel pour two cups milk and 1 1/2 cups water to boil( u may use all milk instead of water).
2. When the milk/water boils, add the washed rice and dal and allow to boil.
3. When the rice is almost boiled, add the jaggery and keep stiring till the jaggery melts and the the mixture thickens.
4. Add cardamom powder.
5. Add the nuts fried in ghee and the rest of the ghee.
6. Serve hot.

***In rare cases if u dont like jaggery, sugar may be used instead of jaggery.

Shankaranthi

Shankaranthi is the day the sun enters Makara rasi and changes course from winter and moves towards summer.
On this day men, after the Saligrama puje will offer Tharpana(til water)to their ancestors.
SAKKARE PONGAL is made on this day as offering to God along with a festive meal.

Women--Savashnis have to give to 5 savashnis, 9 betal leaves with supari, two bananas, coconut, dakshina , haladhi kumkum, a peice of sugar cane and til gul. Apart from this, til gul is distributed among all relations and friends.

For preparing TIL-GUL one will need ::

White Til (sesame seeds)
Jaggrey cut into small peices
Dry Coconut (copra) cut into small peices
Dry roasted peanuts with the husk removed
fried Gram (chutney dal/puttani)
All this is mixed together.
Important:Do dry fry the Til seeds before mixing everything together.
For two cups of til 3/4 th cup of all the rest of the ingredients is required. Can add up to one cup of jaggery/gur.

Bhogi : cont

On the day of bhogi it is a custom to prepare huggi /kichdi.(ven pongal in tamil) as this is last day of dhanur maasa.
The sweet dish to be made for this festival is puran poli and kheer and puran poli and kheer have to be eaten together during the meal.
Whatever the festival all the members of the family should participate and appreciate the effort of the women of the house. This small gesture will be worth all the work women put into their work of preparing for a festival and make them happy.
The menu for bhogi is usually 2-kosambaris, bhaji, pappad, pitla/avail, saar, kheer, poli ,huggi, and dahi.

Recipe for Kootu or Pitla

Ingredients ::

Tur dal ---1/2 cup
Tamarind -- one small lime size
Chana dal--two tblspns
Urad dal--one tblspn
Dry red chilli--4/5
Pepper 3/4 tsp
Dhania seeds-- one tsp
Coconut scrappings 5/6 tblspns
Vegetables---red pumpkin, white pumpkin, avarai kai, sweet potato, potato,padval,beans, raw banana, cluster beans, all cleaned and cut.


Method:

1. Keep the tur dal to boil .
2. Boil the vegetables seperately.
3. Fry the dry incredents one by one and grind with coconut to a paste.
4. Extract tamarind pulp.
5. When the dal has boiled add to the boiled vegetables.
6. Add tamarind paste salt to taste and the ground paste.
7. Boil for a few mins, add hing mix well , remove from fire.
8. Season with mustard and curry leaves.

Bhogi.

Bhogi is the last day of dhanur maasa. Before Bhogi the house is cleaned , mango leaves are tied to the front door.
On Bhogi day, every one has an oil bath.
If you have a Saaligrama at home it is worshpped by the man of the house or a purohith is called.
Festival food with Puran Poli is prepared and offered to god.
The special Kootu or also called Pitla by some is prepared with nine vegetables.
The usual menu is 2 Kosambaris, 2 bhajis, ambode, kootu, poli, saar and dahi. If prefered instead of kootu , avial can also be prepared. Khichdi or huggi, and bhaakri is also made on this day.

On Bhogi day some daana is also given. One type of Daana is to give all the provisions needed for a family of four to last 3/4 days. These provisions include ghee, oil. milk dahi, and vegetables. everything from rice to mustard is given. Do select a needy family who will really need the daana.

Another type of daana is to call as many savashnis as possible and give them haldi kumkum, blouse peice, and shringaar samaan like a mirror, face powder, bath soap, perfume, comb/brushes and pan/supari.

Another Dhana is the Red Pumpkin. On Bhogi day, the pumpkin is placed on a plank strewn with a little rice, worshiped with haldhi kumkum etc and given as Dhan to a bramin family. If one cant find anyone , it can be given in a mutt/temple where people are fed.

Bhogi/Shankranthi

Bhogi is the last day of Dhanur maasa. Bhogi and Shankarathi are harvest festivals and also winter draws to an end the sun changes course and the summer months start.

In most Indian homes, before Bhogi, the house is cleaned and the front door way is decorated with mango leaves. On the morning of Bhogi the front yard is cleaned water sprinkled and a big rangoli is and filled with colours, sometimes decorated with yellow pumpkin flowers on cow dung. This is done in rural areas of Tamil Nadu.

Many take oil bath and the man or a purohith is called to perform saligrama puja.
The ladies too perform gowri puja and give pan/supari, flowers and coconut with dakshina to savashnis.
 Festival food  is that a dish called Pitla is made with plenty of vegitables minimum is nine.In most TMG and Madwa houses Chapathi is made instead of the original BHAKRI. The other dishes Kosambari,Ambode,Kheer, Poli etc is made according to comveiniece. Pitla can reploaced with Avail 
and Kheer is a must. THE TREND NOW IS TO PERFORM A SMALL PUJA AT HOME AND GO EAT AT A HOTEL. Please avoid doing this. Our customs are full of meaning and do make it a point to gather all the family and celebrate these  festivals .This Pitla made for Bhogi is call GHODH BHAJI. It is said if this bhaji/pita  is made on Bhogi day will have plenty of good relatives.

It is also a custom of some to give away to a needy family all the provisions, including vegetables, milk, curd, ghee and oil.the provisions must be enough for at least for 4 members to eat comfortably. this one dhana, can be done easily.These things are to be given, the  day prior to Bhogi the enable the  family to cook the festival food for Bhogi.

On the day of Bhogi a red pumpkin is kept on a handfull of rice kept in front of god, and worshipped with haldhi and kum kum and ginen as dhana to a bramin to ward off dhrishti.
As we all live in small families and a big pumpkin will be too much, it can be given at a place where lots of people are fed like a mhat.

Shankaranthi is celebrated in North India too.
In Bengal it is called Poush Shankaranth. This marks the end of the month of Poush. They make a sweet called Pathisaptha and Til Laddus.

Pilgrims from all over the country gather at Ganga Sagar to have a dip at the place where river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal , to wash away all their earthly sins.

In Punjab,Haryana and parts of Himachal it celebrated as Lohri. On the morning of Lohri children go house to house demanding eatables in the form of Til seeds, peanuts, jaggery or sweets. They sing in praise of A Dulha Bhatti, a punjabi avatar of robin hood, who is to rob the rich to feed the poor.
In the night they make huge bonfires in front of their yards and throw puffed rice, and other munchies shouting ' Aadar aye dilather jaye' (May honour come and poverty vanish).

In Gujarath it Utharayan. People of all ages celebrate the festival with people of all ages flying the kite and traditional delicacy of Undhiyo, jelebi, til laddus and chikki is made and distributed.

In Tamil Nadu it a Harvest festival. With the newly harvested rice and mungdal and jaggery a sweet called Sakra pongal is made, in a new decorated mud pot in front of the house. Milk is first boiled till it flows over the pot before adding the other ingredients. When the pongal is done and rises and flows out of the pot, the family or group gathered go around the pot saying "pongal-o-pongal"

In Andhra and Karnataka it is called Sankaranthi. I have already written about this.
 Shankranthi  is also a day when Tharpana is offered to Surya/Sun  and the Ancestors  at the time of Utharayana Punya kala. The time of which will be different every year, so one has to consult the panchaga every year.
After bhath wearing clean clothes all the  youngsters should take  Til Ghul from parents, grand parents and all elders. both saying TIL GUL GYA GOD GOD BHOLA.After doing Namaskar to them.
 For shankaranthi with the usual festival food Shara Pongal/ Sweet rice is made. Bhogi and Shankrathi are Harvest festivals when all the vegetables will be available in plenty and New Jaggery will have been made. Sweet rice is made with the new jaggery and the harvested rice.
  Women will distribute Til Ghul ie a mixture of Til. Pieces of Jagery, Dry coconut, Ground nuts .The Til and Ground nuts are roasted ( the husk ground nuts must be removed) is mixed with the Jagery and cocnut pieces, if possible sugar moulds, a peices of Sugar cane , Two bananas with Vidach Pan Supari (9 nos) Dakshina , with Haladhu Kunku is given to at least 5 Savashnis.

Recipe for Huggi/ Khichdi and Gojju

Ingredients:
Rice -- one cup
Mung dal --two cups (if prefered use one cup)
Pepper and Jeera -- one teaspoon each
Ginger (minced)--one tsp
Ghee -- 4/5 table spoons (can also add a mix of ghee and oil)
Haldi powder-- 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
If so prefered one may use a peice of dal chini, a few lavanga and a little dry coconut in the seasoning.

Method::

1. Wash the rice and dal, add the ginger, pepper , jeera, one table spoon of ghee, haldhi powder, salt and curry leaves and water(double the qty of rice and dal) and cook in a preasure cooker for 3/4 whistles.
2. After it cools , in a thick bottomed kadai put in the rest of the ghee and add the desired seasoning.
3. Next add the dal and rice mixture.
4. MiX well and serve hot with Gojju.

For Gojju::

1. Soak a small lime- sized peice of tamarind in water and remove pulp.
2. In a kadai pour some oil, and add udad dal, chana dal, dry chilli,mustard and hing
3. When the mustard crackles add the tamarind water and allow to boil well the raw smell is gone.
4. Add some slit green chillies and turmeric powder.
5. Next add salt, curry leaves and jaggery, boil for a few more mins .
6. Finally, mix about 2-3 teaspoons of rice flour with water and add to the boiling gojju. This is a thickener and the gojju will now get a good consistency.
7. Take off fire and serve with huggi.

Dhanur Maasa

Dhanur maasa comes every year around December. On that day the Sun enters Dhanur raasi(Sagittarius) and from that day onwards up to shankaranthi it is called Dhanur maasa. During this month...

• God is worshipped early in the morning before sunrise.
• Huggi/kichdi/ Ven pongal is offered to god as prasad.
• The puja and naividya is to be done before sun rise.
• Laksmi stotra is also to be recited.

Khichdi is made with rice, mung dal, ginger, pepper, jeera, and good amount of ghee and eaten with gojju. Performing puja and naividya before sun rise will give peace of mind and good health to the worshipper and his /her family.
This huggior Khichdi is made with one part rice and two parts mung dal. This is the best combo, however it can also be made with equal parts of both rice and mung dal. Mung dal is easily digestible and pepper and jeera are good for the cold season and the ginger is added in order to digest the ghee besides being good for winter.
If made properly this is a very tasty dish. I have given the recipe for this above.

Tulsi Puja and Daily Prayers

Sri Ganeshaya Namaha.

Everyday worship should begin with a Tulsi puja. Here is a Tulsi stotra that can be recited everyday while worshipping Tulsi.
Tulasi Stotra.
Namaha tulasi kalyani namo Vishnu priye shube ;
Namo mokshapradhe devi namah sampath pradhayini::
Prasidha thulasi devi prasidha harivallabe:
Ksherodha madhano drathe tulasithvam namamyaham::
Yanmoole sarva thirthani yanmadhye sarvadevathaa
Yadhaagre sarva devascha tulasi thvaam namaamyaham::


With this prayer women and girls should pour water to the tulasi plant and apply haladhi , kumkum,gejavastra,  sandal paste and put flowers.
It is a must to grow a tulasi plant in the house or flat.

Some short stotras that can be recited daily and learnt by heart easily.

For Ganesha:----

Shuklaam baradharam Vishnum

shashivarnam chaturbhujam:

Prasanna vadhanam dhyayeth

sarva vignopa shanthaye:;

In the morning after cleaning the front yard or front of the house and drawing the rangoli this prayer is to be recited. While applying haladhi and kumkum to the thresh hold.
Sarasija nilaye saroja hasthe dhavalatha raankusha gandha malya shobe:

Bhagavathi harivallabe manogne thribuvana bhoothikari prasidhamahayam::

These are some of the important points which members of a family ought to follow. As far as possible everyday . If this is not possible at least on festival and important days, especially by the women.

• Head bath should be taken after applying oil on the head.
• While puja is progress do not talk loudly fight or cry.
• Do not leave foot wear right in front of the enterence of the house.
• Always draw a rangoli after cleaning the frontage of the house.
• Women must be clean and neatly dressed always with the hair combed.
• Never wear torn and faded clothes and avoid black clothes.
• Sweep and clean the house before lighting the evening lights and the lamps.
• Before lighting the lamps keep the front door opened and the back door closed.
• Treat Savashnis and Bramins with respect especially when they come to your house.
• When you give fruits and coconuts to anybody they should be in good condition never damaged or spoilt.
• Reciting a stotra or mantra is must while performing puja.
• Recital of Rama nama 108 time a day is a good habit.
• A Tulasi plant in the house is a must in every household. All ladies must pray to Tulasi. A tulasi dala offered to to Lord Krishna is like offering all the wealth in the world.
• Each family have their household diety, which is called KULA DAIVA, to this you should offer prayers and follow the customs and the traditions of the family.
• It will be a good idea to make a note of all the customs and traditions of the family, and the gothra , with children moving away from home, the traditions and family customs are being forgotten. One way will be to give a copy to the children concerned.

Welcome

Hi All,
This a new blog to discuss our Hindu customs.. As the address indicates, the festivals & food!!
Please feel free to comment and ask questions.
Cheers,
Lalitha
These some of the important points to be remembered, by all, women on some points.
 The front of the house should be swept and Rangoli drawn. The front enterance should be always clean and have look of a Happy household.
 A Tulasi plant is a must in any Bramin Houehold.
 Recite Rama Nama as many times as possible every day.
 1. One should never take a head bath without applying oil, at least a drop should be applied.
  2. While Puja, is in progress, don't, fight, talk loudly , argue , don't keep the TV on and watch the Tv most of the time, do keep your Mobiles on silent. Concentrate on the Puja and pray.
 3. Don't leave foot wear right in front of the entrance.
 4. Never sweep and wipe the house, after Puja and in the evenings, after the sundown.
 5. Don't wear torn, discolored clothes, especially women should not wear patched and torn Sari's.
 6. While lighting the Evening, light , keep the front door open and back door closed.
 7.  Welcome and show respect to Bramins and Savashni/Muthaidhis and also guests. Athithi Devo Bhava .
 8. While giving any fruit coconut  or anything, do give only good ones and dont pass away spoilt and rotten fruit etc.
  The place where gods are kept should be clean  and look pleasing.
 The house should also be kept looking spic and span, with the lady of the house neat and dressed well, Our house is our Temple .
  Women , in house should not cry for every little thing and be sad,
 JUST LIKE WHEN WE GO TO STAY FOR HOLIDAYS, IN ANY PLACE ,WE EXPECT THE PLACE TO CLEAN , THE GODDESS OF PROSPERITY AND GOD WILL LIKE A CLEAN PLACE TO STAY.