4 months back there was a day called Deva Shayani Ekadashi when the Gods go into Yoga Nidra. Since then, in the 4 months, no auspicious activities are performed. Spiritualists and ascetics take up vratas, vigorously during these Chaturmasya. After the Dashami, post-Amla Navami comes, Deva Uthani Ekadashi. On Deva ...

The story continues: The trader became sorrowful looking at his wife, being affected by psychological problems. One day, he asked his wife, “You were fine some time ago. But now, what happened to you? Why have you become so manic?” The wife cried and told him what had happened. After ...

The story about Amla Navami is as follows: A trader lived in Benaras. He was very rich and did not need anything in life. But, he did not have a child. That is why he was worried about who will inherit his property after his death. One day, a woman ...

The Navami after Gopashtami is also called Ugadi Navami as well as Amla Navami. On this day, Satyayuga began. Thus, it is called Ugadi Navami. On this day, the Amla plant is worshipped. Once, Adi Shankaracharyar went to a poor Brahmin’s house for bhiksha. There was no eatable in the ...

Gopashtami falls on the eighth day after Diwali Amavasya. On this day, cows are worshipped. Cows should be bathed and decorated with good clothes, henna and kum kum. After this, we have to walk with the cows for some distance. They have also to be fed. They can be fed ...

The Shukla Paksha Dwitiya after Diwali is called Bhai Dooj. On this day, the bond between a brother and a sister becomes stronger. If the sister is married, the brother, going to her place, to have food prepared by her, is auspicious. Before that, the sister applies tilak on the ...

The story connected to Govardhan Pooja and Anna Kootha is as follows: Lord Indra used to be worshipped during Diwali, in Brajbhoomi. Lord Krishna told the villagers, “There is no point in worshipping Lord Indra at this time because the rains have already ended and Lord Indra is the God ...

The next day to Diwali Amavasya is Pratipada. On this day, Govardhan Pooja is performed by making a small mountain out of cow dung with a red flag. Cow idols are also worshipped on this day with cow dung placed near them. This is a city-specific activity. But, in villages, ...

I had promised that I would share the recipe of non-polluting oil. Here it is: Take one part palm oil, 200 ml coconut oil, 200 ml sesame oil and 200 ml castor oil and mix them in a slow fire. Add 100 gms ajwain, 50 gms cloves, a big bunch ...

There are several stories about this day, which I am sharing in short as follows: On Diwali Amavasya day, Goddess Lakshmi appeared during the churning of the milky ocean. On the same day, Lord Vishnu took the Vamana Avtar and pushed King Bali into the Netherworld. Lord Vishnu also promised ...