How to perform Ganesh Chaturthi Puja at Home?

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most colorful and widely
celebrated festivals in India. Large number of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi
poojas at home. Here is an explanation on how to perform Ganesha puja at home
as mentioned in Hindu scriptures.

Ganesha puja on the Chaturthi day is usually performed at noon but nowadays
people perform it when all the family members are present.

Requirements

• A Clay image of Lord Ganesha.

• Red flowers
• Druva Grass blades
• Modak (jaggery filled sweet)
• Coconut
• Red chandan (Sandalwood paste)
• Incense and agarbathis

• First clean the house and take a bath.

• A Clay image of Lord Ganesha is installed in a raised platform.
• Pray to Lord Ganesh and you can recite mantras or bhajans dedicated to
Lord Ganesha.
• Next step is to invoke Ganesha into the image. This is known as pran-
prathishta. The Pran Prathista mantra in Sanskrit to be invoked is found in
the Rig Veda and is part of Ganesh Suktha.

ganananh tva ganapatim havamahe kavim kavinam - upamashravastamam |

jyeshhtharajam brahmanan.h brahmanaspata A nah shrivnvannutibhih sida sadanam
|| (Rig Veda 2.23.1)

ni shhu sida ganapate ganeshhu tvamahurvipratamam kavinam |

na rite tvat.h kriyate kinchanare mahamarkam maghavan.h chitramarcha ||(Rig Veda
10.112.9)

We invoke You, O Ganapati of the ganas (Lord Shiva attendants), Who are
Brahmana-spati of the brahmas (prayers), the wisest among the wise, Who abound
in treasure beyond all measure, the most brilliant one. Do listen to our prayers, come
with Your blessings and assurances of protection into our home, and be seated. (Rig
Veda 2.23.1)
Sit down among the worshippers, O Ganapati, the best sage among the sages.
Without You nothing can be done here or far. Accept with honor, O wealthy One, our
great and variegated hymns of praise. (Rig Veda 10.112.9)

• Now Ganesha is installed in the idol

and one can perform arati and light the
lamps. Some people perform the
shhodashopachara, which are 16
forms of paying tribute to Ganesha.
(This ritual is usually performed by
the priests, you can skip this.)
• Offer 21 blades of Druva Grass.
• Offer 21 modakas
• Offer red flowers
• Apply a tilak using red Sandalwood
paste.
• Break the coconut or just keep it along
with the idol. You can also keep fried
grains. (The food of the rat – the
vehicle of Ganesha).
• You can also recite the 108 salutations dedicated to Lord Ganesha or read the
Ganesha Upanishad or just simply pray.

The number 21 signifies - the five organs of perception, five organs of action, five
vital airs (pranas), five elements, and the mind.

While performing Ganesha Puja at home, you can always be flexible. The strict
rituals are meant for Vedic priests. All you need be careful is to perform the pujas
with a clean body and clean mind.

Do not get carried away by rituals – what is important is self realization. Realizing the
Brahman in you. Each puja performed should be a step forward in Self realization.

As the ancient portions of the revealed scriptures state, the original rituals were a
simple means of channeling one's devotion toward the divine. They did not
require help from priests and clergy. However due to ignorance, laziness, or the
tendency to lean on others, aspirants want their rituals to be done by someone
else, namely a priest. In order to display their expertise and impress their clients,
priests elaborate the rituals, causing them to become riddled by dogma and
superstition – Adi Shankaracharya

20 comments:
Anonymous said...
 Thanks Abhi, for the valuable details. It was practically impossible for me
to find Ganesh Puja details anywhere the net as all sites are paid.
So funny that ppl charge just to give information on puja.
He bhagwan ye insaan kitna materialistic ho gaya hai!! :)...
thanks again n God bless!
regs,
Shubh
said...
Thank you so much for such valuable details.. can i ask for some more
favour.. can you tell me the full procedure starting from bringing the idol
home.. I would want to do one and half day puja..please treat my request a
little urgent,, you can also mail me on [email protected]
said...
I guess it is clearly mentioned in the post. For home you can choose a small
clay idol and bring it home. There is no special puja for bringing home the
idol.
Anonymous said...
I will be out of town the day of Ganesh Chaturthi (3-sep-08) for 3 days. Can
I do the pooja (i.e. bring the Ganesh idol)after I'm back home, which will be
4 days into Ganesh festival already. I really want to perform the pooja.
Please advise.
Anonymous said...
I am bengali and this time i want to erform Ganesh puja on 3rd sep.I dont
have any idea about this puja and i a simply gonna follow what is
mentioned here in this blog.I have just one concern ,i am planning of
buying Ganesh made of silver, as i want to keep this ganesha in my puja
room forever.then what will be immerssion procedure,will i just immerssed
it in abucket of water and agin keep the idol in puja room?I will be very
thankul to you if someone can answer this query as puja is just day after
tomorrow.
said...
Namaste, Good to know that you are using a silver idol. You can keep it in
your puja room. You can perform a symbolic immersion by sprinkling
water or by immersing the idol in a bucket of water. You can use the water
to water plants.
Anonymous said...
Is 3 sep the first day or tenth day of ganesh chaturthi in 2008?
Anonymous said...
 Thank You for posting this. I am afraid to do any pujas as I feel I might not
do them the right way.
I had a question you said perform the shhodashopachara, which are 16
forms of paying tribute to Ganesha.

But you have given only 5 things to do in shodoshopachar puja as follows

(This ritual is usually performed by the priests.)
Offer 21 blades of Druva Grass.
Offer 21 modakas
Offer red flowers
Apply a tilak using red Sandalwood paste.
Break the coconut or just keep it along with the idol. You can also keep
fried grains. (The food of the rat – the vehicle of Ganesha).
You can also recite the 108 salutations dedicated to Lord Ganesha or read
the Ganesha Upanishad or just simply pray.

where are the rest of them?

please reply, I am not in India, so it is still Tuesday here. so we are
celebrating chaturthi tomorrow.

Thank You
said...
You do an elaborate puja or a simple puja there is no difference. What is
important is devotion. What is more important is understanding the
Brahman – the supreme soul – whose manifestation is Ganesha.
Meditating on Ganesha and offering a simple flower and a modak or a
banana will be more than enough.

About shhodashopachara – it is stated that it is done by priests, in home it

is not always possible to perform such elaborate rituals.

You get scared because you feel Ganesha is outside you, different from
you…No...feel the Ganesha within you…Keep your body and mind clean
because Ganesha (Brahman) resides in you.
Anonymous said...
Thanks abhilash for all your details

I am also performing ganesh puja at home from today. but i was not able to
clean the whole home. As my home is very bgig and i m the only one to
clean home. But i really neatly clean the mandir for ganesh puja. And i also
thanks for your suggestion regarding symbolic immersion. Thanks a lot
God bless you.
shalini said...
is it compulsary to quit onions during puja. As i am still taking onions........
Please suggest........
said...
Namaste Shalini...There is nothing compulsory. You can be flexible in food,
rituals and puja methods. Pray to Ganesha with pure devotion that is all
what you need to do.
Anonymous said...
Thank You for the quick response!!!it is nice to know that there are friends
on the internet who care to answer the queations. Thank You
said...
Dear Abhilash,

I am impressed with your blog. I do Ganesh Sthapana every year, and even
not do some of the steps mentioned here. All I care is that I realize Ganesha
within me and bring it home so that my kids staying abroad can know how
rich culture our rishis has given us. Bringing Ganesh idol brings 'Bhaav' in
our life. Last year my 8 year son cried for three days before visarjan day.
Every night before going to bed, he would take Ganesh idol in his lap and
talk to him that I will not allow you to go. On visarjan day he was
determined, not to allow us to do visarjan. Finally we agreed with him. We
went to nearby lake, my son put Ganesh idol three times in the water and
take it out and then we brought the Ganesh idol home and kept in his room
for entire year. I couldn't have bring this much 'Bhaav' towards God
otherwise. Ganapati Baapa Morya. This year he agreed with us and said
that he will allow us to do visarjan. So, my point is as long as you do
Ganesh Pooja with your heart and mind by realizing Ganesh within you, it
does not matter if you forget or can't do certain pooja steps.

Abhilash, thank you for the Sankaracharya quote and this very valuable
post. I would suggest you put it somewhere where even more people get
access to this. God Bless You. - Hiren D. Vashi - Sacramento - California.
Anonymous said...
I want to know if i decide to bring ganapati at home,for how many years
should i have to follow the process?
Anonymous said...
Hi I am planning a trip to India for the Ganesh festival. It is said that it falls
on the 23 of August. Now is that the first day or the last. Also not being a
Hindi and not being able to speak the language is it ok to recite the mantras
 in english. I have had my Genesh statue for several years but just never
knew the proper way to worship. Also where could I buy some of these
things out here on the east coast. One more thing is it a specific type of red
flower. Thank you for any help that you may be able to give me.
Anonymous said...
I want to know what is is meaning of lighting a "5-wick" diya - please let me
know
Anonymous said...
Thanx whoever has posted it!!!!

Only thing I want to know is that can this mantra be given in either
kannada, hindi so that the pronounciation can be done correctly.
As we all know that the prayer should or mantra should be recited
correctly.
I will be waiting for the hopeful.
said...
Hi,

I wud like to bring ganesha home on this Ganesh Chaturthi and i live in
Delhi, so wud like to know is 23rd Aug the begininig or ending of the
festival... and what is the proceedure to follow during the festival period as
in how many times the prayers need to be done during that period also do
we keep the idol for the full period or how many days and what wud be the
visarjan proceedure..

pls gv me the details.. so that i can start the preparations from now on..as i
live in delhi i wud hv to find the source for the idol and all the necessary
things required for the pujas.
said...
23rd Aug is the beginning date of the festival in 2009.

You can perform daily in the evening or morning.

You can keep it for a day or do visarjan on the 3rd, 5th or 7th day or on
Anant Chaturdashi day.

Ganesh Festival 2009 – 10-day Lord Ganesha

Festival
Ganesh Festival, popularly known as Ganesh Chaturthi, or Vinayaka Chaturti, is the birthday
of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu God of wisdom and auspiciousness. The elephant-faced Hindu
god Ganesh is one of the most popular deities in Hinduism and is today worshipped around
the world. Lord Ganesha is slowly becoming the face of Hindu religion. In 2009, the date of
Ganesh Festival is August 23. The Ganesha Festival ends with the immersion (Visarjan) of
the idol onAnanta Chaturdasi day on September 3.

Ganesh Festival is observed on the fourth day of the Shukla

Paksha (Waxing Phase of moon) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August - September).

In Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, Ganesh Festival is observed for 10 days. In other parts
of India, it is celebrated for one day on the Ganesh Chaturthi day. In some regions for three or
five days.

During Ganesh festival, an idol of Lord Ganesha is brought home. Special prayers are
performed in all Hindu homes and hymns and songs are sung in praise of Lord Ganesha.

The origin of public celebration of Ganesh festival is traced to the period of Chatrapati
Shivaji Maharaja, the great Maratha ruler, who asked people to perform public celebration to
promote culture and nationalism in the 17th century.

The large-scale Ganesh festival of today was revived by Lokmanya Tilak, freedom fighter, in
the last decade of 19th century in Pune to spread the message of freedom struggle and to defy
the British who had banned public assemblies. Large-scale Ganesh Festival celebrations take
place in Maharashtra with millions of people visiting the various community Ganesh Pandals.
 Thousands of Ganesh statues are installed in various public
places inIndia and in HinduTemples and community centers around the world during Ganesh
Festival.

Millions of small Ganesh idols are installed in Hindu homes in India, especially in
Maharashtra,Goa and Andhra Pradesh. After the festival these statues are immersed in the sea
(Ganesh Visarjan ceremony).

Ganesh Festival is also attracting lot of criticism from environmentalists and nature lovers
primarily due to pollution caused by the use of Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris.

Hinduism takes inspiration and lessons from Nature. Ganesha itself is a classic example of the
relationship between Hinduism and Nature.

But still we Hindus do little to stop pollution and environmental degradation. At least we can
stop creating more pollution in the name of Ganesha by only buying natural Ganesh idol and
natural items for Ganesh Puja.

How to make Ganesh idols at home?

If you are looking to be creative and eco-friendly this Ganesh Chaturthi, then you can make
Ganesh idols at home. Ganesh idols can be made at home using clay, paper, wood, flowers
and vegetables. If you are buying a Ganesh idol, please opt for anenvironment friendly
Ganesha.

How to make clay Ganesha?

Materials needed: Clay, paints, coil, aluminum foil, paint brushes, sandpaper, putty or glue
and clothes.

• Mix the clay. You can get clay from riverbeds or buy it from stationary
stores.
• While mixing the clay and using it, make sure that your hand is slightly wet.
• Make a skeleton – round face, hands, body and leg – using the coil or
copper wire.
• Next create Ganesha by adding clay to each body part on the coil skeleton.
• First create the body and large stomach by filling that part of the coil with
clay.
• Next create the head.
 • Next create the trunk and stick it at the center of the head.
• Next fill the coil ears with clay. Create small balls of clay and flatten them
like ears.
• Next fill the coil hands with clay, flatten the clay near palm.
• Next fill the coil legs with clay. Flatten the clay near feet or create separate
feet.
• Now you will have a figure of Ganesha. If you want to be more creative, you
can opt for four hands and other additions found in Ganesh Pictures.
(Never expect your Ganesh to match those available in markets as they are
created by professionals. But with trial and error you mind even end up
creating better ones).
• Using a brush smoothen the exterior. Make sure that you don’t damage the
structure.
• Now leave the Ganesha to dry but not in direct sunlight as cracks may
appear.
• When the idol is dry, use sandpaper or brush to smoothen the exterior.
• If there are cracks use glue or putty. Use putty or glue at joints and brush it
make it smooth.
• You can draw eyes and other aspects like ‘tilak’, eyebrows etc
• Make the idol dust free and smooth before painting.
• You can use chemical acrylic paints to beauty Ganesha but please don’t
immerse such Ganesha’s in rivers, seas and ponds.
• You can also try out other natural methods to color but this is a difficult
task as it is hard to prepare natural colors. But still you can look around for
readymade natural colors.
• Now you can make crown and other items found on Ganesh idol using
aluminum foil.
• You can also stitch small dress for Ganesha and decorate the idol with
flowers.

If you are living in Mumbai or Pune you will get Ganesha mould in the market or from idol
makers. Using this you can create Ganesha from paper.

How to make paper Ganesha?

Materials needed for Paper Ganesha: Paper, ghati gum, whitening powder, flour, aluminum
foil or clay.

• Depending on the size of your idol, tear waste paper and soak it in water.
Once soaked create fine pulp out it by grinding it.
• Take 150 grams of ghati gum and dilute it in water and mix it with paper
pulp.
• Leave the pulp for a day and on the next day, the pulp will be like chutney.
Add some whitening powder to it.
 • Now the pulp will be like chappati atta. Make chappatis out of the atta. And
stick them to the Ganesha mould.
• Now create a flour paste. Cover the mould with two to three layers of flour
paste and finally cover it will paper and leave it to dry.
• Once dried, pull off the protective layer of flour. Use a brush or sandpaper
to smoothen the idol.
• Use water colors to paint them.
• Draw eyes, eyebrows, tilak and other aspects.
• Make ornaments, crown and other items using aluminum foil or clay.

If you are interested in carving, you can create Ganesh from vegetables like pumpkin. The
choice of the vegetables depends on the size and style of the Ganesha you intend to create.

You can also use flowers or rangolis to create Ganesha on the ground or on boards.

Related

Ganesh Visarjan or immersion

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Lingam Puja – How to Worship Shivling at Home?

Shivling or Shiva lingam connects a devotee with the Supreme Being – Lord
Shiva. The lingam is the symbol of Lord Shiva and the lingam puja helps the
devotee in understanding Lord Shiva. The Lord cannot be described but still we
say he is without a beginning and an end and is without a form. It is difficult for a
devotee to understand this formless nature. Therefore Lord Shiva appeared in the
form of Jyotirlinga before Brahma and Vishnu. The Lingam thus is a symbol of
Lord Shiva. Each Lingam puja, step by step, takes the devotee to the eternal truth
– that he/she is part of the Supreme Being.

Worshipping Shivling at Home

Before starting the Puja, the devotee takes a bath and wear freshly washed clothes. Hymns
praising Lord Shiva or the mantra ‘om namaha shivayaa’ are repeated to create a mood for
worship. Then, the devotee sits in front of the lingam and blows conch or ring bells. This
indicates the beginning of the Puja.
First it is the panchamrit abhishek - the libation of five holy liquids over the lingam. The

libation can consist of any five of the following – water from

riverGanga, honey, sugarcane juice, milk, yogurt, ghee, seawater, coconut water or milk,
fragrant oils, rose water or other precious liquids. Usually, only milk of cow is used. While
pouring the liquid, om namah shivaya is uttered. Some devotees utter the Lord’s name 108
times and some 1008 times. There is no fixed rule.

After the panchamrit abhishek, the lingam is cleaned with water from Ganga. (This is might
not be possible always so just normal water.) After this the lingam is smeared with
sandalwood paste and is decked with flowers. Water and sandalwood paste is used to keep the
lingam cool, as Lord Shiva is always in a highly inflammable state. In some Shiva temples,
cooling liquid constantly drops from pot hung above the Lingam.

Next, sweets, coconut and fruits are offered to the Lord. Camphor and incense are lit and
‘arati’ is conducted. Some devotees fan the lingam and sing praises of the lord.

Finally, ringing of bells or blowing of conch indicates the end of Puja. White ash (vibhuti) is
rubbed on the forehead and it is also distributed. Fruits, sweets and coconut are distributed as
‘prasad.’

Posted by abhilash on 20.6.07

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Online Live Darshan of Kashi Vishwanath Temple –

Watch Live from Varanasi Shiva Temple
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most
famous Hindu temples in the world. Shri Kashi Vishvanath Mandir authorities have now
made arrangements for online live darshan of the Shivling worshipped in
the Varanasi KashiViswanath Temple. This is the Shravan monthand there is nothing more
auspicious than a darshan of Mahadev.
 Note: The live darshan can only be seen through the Internet Explorer
Browser. The live streaming does not support Firefox, Chrome and Opera browsers.

The live darshan is on the Windows Media Player and you will need it to have enabled in
your browser. Usually this option is automatically enabled in most browsers.

Please note that the online live darshan of the Shivling at Kashi Vishwanath Temple will be
obstructed by devotees present there and therefore you will need tons of patience to have a
proper glimpse. The live streaming depends on the speed of your internet connection.

The online live darshan is only available when the temple is open.

Link – Watch Live Online Darshan of KashiVishwanath Temple

Posted by abhilash on 12.7.09 4 comments

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Sawan Somavar Vrat – Mondays of Shrawan

Mahina dedicated to Lord Shiva
Sawan Somavar, or Mondays in the month of Sawan or Shrawan (July – August), is dedicated
to Lord Shiva. Shrawan month is one of the holiest months in traditional North Indian Hindu
calendar and is dedicated to the worship of Shiva. Sawan Mahina Somvar Vrat, or Shrawan
Somavara Upvaas, is observed on Mondays. Fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset on all
Mondays in the month. In Shravan Somvar 2009 days are July 13, July 20, July 27 and
August 3.

In the Sawan month, Shivalingam is bathed with holy water from River Ganga and devotees
travel hundreds of kilometers to collect Gangajal.

Fasting on Mondays dedicated to Lord Shiva is observed from sunrise to sunset.

Married women observe Sawan Mahina Somvar Vrat for a happy and long married life.
Unmarried women observe Shrawan Somavara Upvaas for getting good husbands.

Men observe the Vrata for a happy and peaceful life.

Those who observe fast eat only a single vegetarian meal.

Shivlinga is bathed with holy water from Gangesor milk at temples in the month. Devotees
also offer flowers and Bilva or Bel leaves to Lord Shiva.

It must be noted that Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva and there are devotees who
observeSomawar Vrat on all Mondays in a year.

Posted by abhilash on 9.7.09 Post Comments

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Download Shiva Tandava Stotram MP3 for Free

Shiva Tandava Stotram is a popular bhajans dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Shiva
Tanadava Stotra was composed by Ravana, the demon King Ramayana, who was a great
devotee of Lord Shiva. The Stotram imagines and praises Lord Shiva who performs the
Tandava Dance.

You can download Shiva Tandava Stotra in MP3 format for free here – Download Shiva
Tandava Stotram MP3.

Posted by abhilash on 4.7.09 1 comment

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Aani Uthiram – Aani Thirumanjanam

Aani Uthiram, or Ani Uthram, is an auspicious day in the Tamil Month of Aani (or Ani) and
is dedicated to Lord Nataraja (Shiva). The festival is also known as Aani Thirumanjanam and
is observed on the Uthiram Nakshatram day. In 2009, the date of Aani Uthiram is June 29.

It is popularly believed that it was on Aani Uthiram day that Lord Shiva appeared before Sage
Manikkavachakar under a Kurundai Tree and offered upadesha (advice). Sage
Manikkavachakar is the author of Thiruvachakam.
Thirumanjanam means ‘holy bath’. On Aani Thirumanjanam day – when Uthram Nakshtram
falls in Aani month – an Abhishekam is performed in Lord Nataraja temples. The
Abhishekam or holy bath of the idol performed during the twilight period (Pradosham) on the
day is considered highly auspicious.

Special rituals and processions are held on the day at Nataraja Temple.

Another important festival that is dedicated to Lord Nataraja is the Arudhra Darshan.

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Lord Shiva as Nataraja - Symbolism

Posted by abhilash on 25.6.09 1 comment

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Panchanana Shiva – Shivling with Five Faces

Lord Shiva is worshipped as Panchanana Shiva (Siva with five faces) in some temples
in India. The five faces are etched on Shivling or Shivalingam and is known as Panchamukha
Shiva Linga – five heads of Shiva carved on Linga. The five faces of Lord Shiva are known
as Sadyojat, Vamdev, Aghora, Tatpurush and Ishana. And they represent direction and an
aspect of Lord Shiva. Some ancient temples also have sculptures of Lord Shiva with five
faces. Some paintings also depict Shiva with five faces.

An important prayer (Stotra) dedicated to Panchanana Shiva is

the Shiva Panchanana Stotram. It explains about the glory of the each face of Lord Shiva in
the Panchamukha Shivalinga.

As per the prayer, the four faces of Shiva faces four directions and the fifth faces the sky.
In some texts, the fifth face facing the sky is replaced by a face on the southeast direction.
Another symbolism suggests that the fifth face is the energy that sustains all and is present
everywhere. Most idols do not show the fifth face that is the Ishana face.

Scholars and saints have given numerous interpretations for the five faces. There are also
some symbolisms associated with the each faces.

Sadyojat faces west and represents creation

Vamdev faces north and represents sustenance

Aghora faces south and represents dissolution.

Tatpurisha faces east and represent spirituality that has destroyed the ego.

Ishana face in the Shivling is described differently in various texts. In some texts, it is
believed to be the face facing the sky and symbolizes purity and destruction of ego. Another
interpretation suggests that Ishana is the Self and the energy that holds all the aspects
together. In some interpretations, Ishana face is shown as facing Southeast direction and
represents Eternal Shiva or Shiva as the Supreme Soul.

Some of the important Panchanana Shiva temples are found in eastern parts of India like the
one at Baronagar near Behrampore in West Bengal
and Akhandalamani Shiva Temple inBhubaneswar in Orissa.

Posted by abhilash on 12.6.09 Post Comments

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Batuk Bhairav Jayanti

Batuk Bhairav is an incarnation of Lord Shiva and is associated with Bhairav Nath. This form
of Lord Shiva is mostly associated with Tantra and he is propitiated in this form for material
gains. Batuk Bhairav is also the child form of Shiva as Bhairav Nath. Another form is Maha
Kal or Kal Bhairav. In 2009, the date of Batuk Bhairav Jayanti is June 2.

It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Batuk Bhairav on the tenth day during
the waxing phase of moon in Jyeshta Month. Batuk Bhairav Stotra is chanted on the day.

There are numerous Batuk Bhairav shrines inNorth India and the day is observed with special
pujas and rituals in these temples. Lord Shiva as Batuk Bhairav and Kal Bhairav is
worshipped by Tantriks and who believe in Tantrism.

Posted by abhilash on 27.5.09 Post Comments

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Namah Shivaya Shantaya Movie – Based on Lord

Shiva
Directed by Abhijeet Kumar, Namah Shivaya Shantaya based on the teachings from the book
titled ‘Namah Shivaya Shantaya’ by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti has won rave reviews at the
Cannes film festival 2009. The film was screened at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival at the

Indian pavillion 108, Village International. The film

explores the life of Lord Shiva on Earth and his unparalleled teachings.

About Namah Shivaya Shantaya from its makers:

Seven thousand years ago a great personality was born. His name was Sadashiva. A legend
even in his own lifetime, and ultimately to be regarded as the father of human civilization, yet
few know the story of how this great man became the god of all gods...

In the days of Shiva, the Aryans started entering India from the northwest. Many of them had
already arrived, many were on the way, and many were still making preparations to come.
This period of Shiva was a most turbulent period in India. On the one hand there were the
Aryans, the outsiders, and on the other hand there were the indigenous people, with their
Tantra-oriented culture and religion. Into this conflict-ridden environment, Shiva was born.

This film has at its core the renewal of a great and timeless message, still as relevant today as
it was in times of old.

From the very beginning, He was an omnipresent entity. Whenever, in the undeveloped and
simple human society of those days, any need arose, Shiva was there to help; whenever any
knotty problem developed, Shiva was there to solve it.

Bringing to life the story of Shiva’s fight for justice, righteousness and peace in the fledgling
society of his day, that message emerges, in essence, as that of unification: the coming
together of all people as one; of all minds as one mind; and – ultimately – of all minds with
the Oneness that pervades and encompasses all things for all time.

You can find more details about the movie at theofficial website of Namah Shivaya Shantaya.

Posted by abhilash on 20.5.09 20 comments

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Solah Somvar Vrat – Sixteen Monday fasting

dedicated to Lord Shiva
Solah Somwar Vrat is observed for sixteen consecutive Mondays and is dedicated to Lord
Shiva. A devotee can start Solah Somvar Vrat on the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon)
in any month. But devotees usually begin the fasting inShravan or Kartik month. Solah
Somvar Vrat is observed by women to get good husbands and many also observe it when they
are blessed with a good married life. It is also believed that observing this Vrat will help in
getting one’s wishes fulfilled.
 Legend has it that moon(Chandra or Soma) was cursed by Daksha that
his body will fade away. It is said that Chandra escaped from this curse after observing the
Somvar Vrat.

Many devotees choose the Chaturmas period to observe the Solah Somvar Vrat.

Solah Somvar fasting begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. Some devotees observe 24-hour
fast and they only consume water or tender coconut or copra.

Some devotees opt for nuts, milk and fruits while fasting.

On the 17th Monday of the fasting, special pujas dedicated to Lord Shiva are held.

It must be noted that Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva and there are several devotees who
observe partial fast on all mondays or do special pujas or visit Lord Shiva temples on the day.

Posted by abhilash on 11.5.09 8 comments

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Symbolism in Vrishabha as the Vehicle or Vahana

of Lord Shiva
Vrishabha, or Nandi, is the carrier of Lord Shiva. The word Vrishabha, or Vrushabha, has two
meaning – the ordinary meaning is the Bull – thevahana of Lord Shiva. There is a hidden
symbolism in Vrushabha. A shloka says ‘Vrsham Bhasyati iti Vrushabha – one who illumines
right actions, their results and all dharmas. Vrshabha thus symbolizes ‘the best’ and the
Vahana of Lord Shiva can be taken as the symbol of a realized soul or Jivanmukta.

Vrishabha is also symbolically related to Lord Shiva’s role of destructor. Only a realized soul
can easily understand the significance of death. Death is the beginning of regeneration and it
is only a minuscule part in the great cycle of birth and death.
 On the concept of Vrishabha as the Vahana of Shiva, Swamini
Saradapriyananda writes

Shiva’s destruction comes every now and then whenever a man’s life-span is over. But it is
not the final end, because we are born again and again to exhaust the ‘Vasanas.’ How to attain
the final salvation? The Vrishabha indicates how. Nirkuta (9-22) gives another derivative
meaning for Vrishabha : ‘Atribrihati reta iti’ – roots out of the seed. When a Sadhak serves
the Lord faithfully just as an ordinary bull serves his master day in and day out, without
demanding or seeking anything for himself, then this very attitude sheds the seed of Vasanas
and he will no more be born again. The Vrishabha attitude is the carrier of the most
auspicious of all, the release from the bondage of life.

You may also like to read

About Nandi – the bull – found in Shiva Temples

Posted by abhilash on 13.4.09 Post Comments

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Lord Shiva as Sharabha – The Sharaba Incarnation

According to some Puranas, Lord Shiva took the form of Sharabha to pacify and control the
Narasimha Avatar of Lord Vishnu. If Lord Vishnu as Narasimha was half-man half-lion; Lord
Shiva as Sharaba was part human, part animal and part bird with numerous claws and legs –
some writers equate the form to a dragon. Sharabha manifestation of Lord Shiva is not very
popular and there is popular notion that this incarnation of Shiva was created to position
Shiva as greater than Vishnu by some Shaivites.
Lord Narasimha's terrifying rage could not be dissipated even after He had slain the Demon
King Hiranyakashipu. A more ferocious form of Sharabha was able to pacify Narasimha
Vishnu. Soon Vishnu appeared in the pleasant form before his devotees.

Shiva Purana describes the Sharabha for like this:

He had a thousand hands and wore matted locks. His head was
adorned by the crested moon. He appeared like a bird with wings and beak. His body was
fierce and fully developed.

His fangs were very sharp. Adamantine claws were His weapons. His neck was black in
colour. He had huge arms and four legs. He was blazing like fire.

His voice was resonant and terrible like the rumbling sound of the clouds that gather at the
end of the yuga. His three eyes were wide and blazing as the fire of the evil spirit of great
fury.

His fangs and lips were clearly visible. He was producing a hissing sound of humkara. Shiva
of such a form appeared in sight.

This fierce form of Shiva is also known as Sarabheswara. The image of two Sharabhas
guarding the entrance of Shiva temples is common in many South Indian temples.

(Image source from the book Shiva to Shankara by Devdutt Pattanaik)

Posted by abhilash on 27.2.09 3 comments

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