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Today’s Panchang
The daily update of the planetary positions as per time, place and circumstances. The planet transit chart is as per 5:30 am, New Delhi.
The Bright Colour of Wisdom: Yellow and Lord Vishnu
The beautiful hues in our life play a significant role to describe the exclusive trait of an individual. From darker shades of devilish vamps to brighter shades of the goody protagonist, the colour says it all in our Indian daily soaps. Similarly numerous hues and shades create varying effect in our lives, having their own unique story. The bright and chirpy ‘Yellow’ colour attracts most attention and is one of the three primary colours. This colour connotes varied meanings as per cultures and psychology, and even attributes to Hindu religion.
Relationship between ‘Yellow’ and Lord Vishnu: 
The optimistic yellow colour transmits the wave of spirituality and enlightenment in one’s life. It symbolise the pure flavour of knowledge and learning, and Lord Vishnu being the epitome of limitless knowledge is connected to this colour. It is often said that the yellow attire of Lord Vishnu represents his vast ocean of awareness and spreads the hope of happiness. A yellow flower garland, often witnessed around the Lord’s neck is a symbol of the devotee’s adoration for the Lord and all the genuine desires of His devotees are fulfilled by him. His most popular incarnation as Lord Krishna is also observed wearing yellow attires that clearly portray his optimistic manifestation of cheerfulness and a bit of sensuality.
Other significance of colour Yellow:
Yellow being the most visible colour of the spectrum, has 2.5 times higher peripheral vision than red. The human eye processes yellow first than any other paint. It has a high light reflectance value and therefore it acts as a secondary light source.
Along with the positive side of this beautiful colour it is also associated with cowardice, betrayal, egoism, and madness. Further it is the colour of caution and physical illness (jaundice and malaria). Though most of the nation connotes positive values to this colour, yet Yellow is reserved for ‘Mourning’ in Egypt and Judas wore a Yellow coat when he betrayed Jesus in the Christian tradition.
Holding varied opinion for different individuals, yellow is the bright colour of life signifying happiness. Yellow is mostly worn by people to attract their beloved mate and is usually worn on Thursday to adore Lord Vishnu and receive wealth, success, fame, and happiness as His blessings.
Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
10 Unique Facts about Thanksgiving festival to Lord Surya: Chhath Puja
The ultimate way to offer thanks to the ultimate source of energy ‘Surya Devta’ is a unique festival in this incredible India. Chhath is no more a regional festival of Biharis and Terai region Hindus, but is widely accepted by hilly origins and almost throughout India. Let us explore this Hindu thanks giving ceremony to God Sun.
- The auspicious tradition of Chhath puja was initiated by son of Surya, Karan who ruled over the Anga Desh (Munger district of Bihar) during the time of Mahabharata.
- Lord Rama and Mata Sita offered special prayers to lord Sun ad fasted after returning to Ayodhya from exile and begin the ritual of celebrating Chhath puja.
- The special powers were bestowed to Draupadi by Surya devta, which helped the Pandavas to regain back their kingdom of Hastinapur.
- To receive immense blessings and prosperity from Surya, Chhath is celebrated lively for four days period during the Hindu month of Kartik.
- First day is Nahai Khai i.e. ‘Nahai’ means ‘bathing’ and ‘Khai’ means ‘to eat’; the devotees take a holy dip in river or lake and holy water is taken at home to cook prasadam (offering food).
- The second day is Kharna, on which the worshippers perform ‘nirjalahaar’ vrat for about 8 to 12 hours. By the end of the day, the fast is eneded by adoring lord Sun and eating Prasad. Then another 36 hours fast is begins.
- The third day is the main festival of Chhath called Sandhya Argha. The devotees clad themselves in yellow coloured attire and offer the specially prepared food offerings to Surya Devta at the riverbank in the evening.
- The last day is Suryodaya Argha on which the devotees gives the early morning offerings at the riverbank and break their fast by having Chhath Prasad.
- This festival is a morning and evening affair on all the four days as the sunrise and sunset rays are most beneficial for human body and consists of low intensity of ultra violet rays.
- The traditional festival of Chhath showers you with positivity by detoxifying the mind, soul and body; and removes the negative energies by adoring the powerful Sun.
Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
Significance of Day 2 of Navratri:Goddess Brahmacharini
To cherish the glories of reverent Goddess Durga and her different forms on each day, the nine days are dedicated to her nine avatars. The first three days, Goddess Durga is worshipped to praise her divine energy which terminates the existence of evil energies in the form of demon. Her ferocious and raging form personifies the energy of mother that erupts actively when positive and righteous powers are at stake.
The ‘pious’ or ‘sanyasin’ form of Goddess Durga which is Goddess brahmacharini, is worshipped on the second day of navratri festival. Her severe penance (tapa) defines the loyalty and love for lord Shiva. ‘Brahma’ refers
to the tapa that Ma Brahmacharini performed for thousands of years without even consuming food for achieving Shiv Ji as her consort (husband). Goddess brahmacharini puja is a sign of gaining strength and wisdom, as she is the bank of knowledge and wisdom. The worshipper attains emotional as well as mental balance to face the hard times and an inspiration to cross the darkest hours.
For receiving the immense blessings and grace of Ma Shailputri, book your puja package now:
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Why you should fast during Navratri – Scientific and spiritual reasons?
Many of us believe in the philosophy of quitting their favourite edible or avoiding materialistic luxuries to please the God and receiving blessings in return for fulfillment of the desired wish. This concept is prevalent during the seven or eight days of fasting of Navratras. During the seven or eight day period, the devotees performs complete (Nirjal or Nirahar) fast or partial fast for pleasing Goddess Durga and seeking her divine grace.
The devotee performing fast wake up early and after having bath they worship the deity. Certain people consume the food just once a day while others prefer a specific diet. High energy (tamsic) food like meat, egg, alcohol, grains, pulses and any kind of spices and salt are avoided in the diet. Beverages like milk, juices, coconut water and tea can be taken along with diet consisting of potato, sago or vrat-snacks. Common salt is replaced by rock salt (sendha namak) during these days.
People observe these fast for either regular seven or eight days and many of them keep it for few days only. The eighth day (Ashtami) or ninth day (Navami) is reserved for paying homage to nine small girls and one boy through kanya pujan or Kanchika Pujan. Special food is prepared according to the varied rituals among family, which is offered to the nine girls in the form of nine devis. Certain dakshina or new utensils are also offered to them. Then the prasadam is consumed by the family to break their fast and mark the completion of auspicious navratri.
Scientific Relevance:
Fasting is a natural healer as during this process the energy is utilised for maintaining the metabolic rate and restoring the immune system. It heals the dead cells and damaged tissues of the body along with burning away the extra toxins. Fasting is also recommended as it helps in maintaining the salt balance in the body as extra salt and deficiency of salt, b
oth are harmful for us.
Thus the seven or eight day of fasting is a way of expressing the faith and devotion in Goddess Durga. As time is changing, so does the patterns of fasting but in any way you perform it, your faith should be intact. Whether you hold a wish within you or not, Ma Durga will surely bestow her blessings and love upon your family.
For recieving immense blessing of Ma Durga this Navratri, book your puja package now- http://www.shubhpuja.com/Navratri-puja-depid-359796-page-1.html
Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
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