Charak Puja or Neel Pooja, also known as Hajrha Puja, is observed in mainly in Bengal and Bangladesh on the last day of Bengali Chaitra month. Charak Pooja day is also popular as Chaitra Songkranti. Charak Puja 2010 date is April 14. In some places, Neel Puja is performed on April 13, 2010. This puja is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees celebrate this festival to satisfy or please Lord Shiva in order to be blessed with happiness and prosperity.
A group of people from villages go to other villages to collect the necessary items like paddy, oil, sugar, salt, honey, money and other material with the arranged cosmetics like Shiva, Parvati, and Narod. The cosmetic Shiva is termed as ‘Neel Pagol’ or ‘Jal Katha’. Devotees worship Lord Shiva throughout the night and distribute Prasod.
Next day to Charak Puja is celebrated as Poila Baisakh or Bengali New Year or Nabo Barsha in Bengal.
Annapurna Puja is observed during Chaitra Navratri or Basant Navratri especially in West Bengal. Goddess Annapurna is known as the deity of food and nutrition in Hinduism. In 2010, Annapurna Puja date is March 23rd, 2010. The pooja date falls during Chait Navaratri as per traditional Bengali calendar.
Annapurna Puja festival is mainly observed by women. The important rituals and customs during Annapoorna Pooja day include – recitation of Annapurna Devi Stotram and observance of fast. In some places people worship Annapoorna Mata by installing idols and by setting up pooja mandap. All other rituals and customs are performed as per traditions.
Devotees who worship of Goddess Annapurneshwari will be blessed with prosperity and health. Women worship Annapurneshwari Devi for their better married life. They also perform Annapurneswari Pooja for their children’s health and better growth. Annapurna Ashtakam is the important prayer to chant during Annapurna Puja.
It is to note that in North India, Annapurna Puja is observed on Annapurna Jayanti which falls on Margasirsh Purnima, the Full Moon day in Margashira month. It is one of the major festivals in Kasi Annapurna Temple.
Shri Chaitanya Jayanti or the birth anniversary of Chaitanya mahaprabhu is observed on Phalgun Purnima, the Full Moon day in Falguna month. In 2010, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Jayanthi date is February 28, 2010. This festival is also known as Gaura Purnima. Chaitanya Jayanti is celebrated all over India mainly in Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is popularly known as Gauranga.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a monk and social reformer in Eastern India in the16th century. He is believed as the incarnation of Lord Krishna by the followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. During his time, he worshipped Lord Krishna and Radha and popularized the chanting of Hare Krishna maha mantra. Chaitanyha Mahaprabhu is also known as Nimai due to his being born underneath a Neem tree.
Gaura Purnima is celebrated with utmost gaiety and pomp in Mayapur Temple and ISKCON Temples all around the world.
Jagaddhatri Puja is observed on Karthik Shukla Navami, the ninth day during Kartik month, in Bengal. Jagaddhatri Puja 2009 date is October 27. Goddess Jagaddhatri is the savior of the universe who has protected the world from cruel demons. She is another manifestation of Goddess Durga. Maha Shakti appears as ten-handed fierce form (dashabhuji), Goddess Durga, on Ashwin Shukla Navami and on Kartik Shukla Navami, exactly a month after, the Goddess appears in a pleasant form of Jagaddhatri.
Jagaddhatri appears with large eyes and four hands carrying shankh (conch), Chakra (discus), shaft and bow. She is depicted as the slayer of demon Mahishasur. Jagaddhatri puja marks the ending of evil or darkness and arrival of light or happiness.
The day of Jagaddhatri Puja is celebrated as Akshay Navami or Amla Navmi in some places of India. It is also celebrated as Kushmanda Navami or Kushmand Ninth.
Lakshmi Puja is the important puja observed on Sharad purnima, the Full Moon day in the month of Ashin. This Purnima is known as the brightest night of the year. Sharad Purnima Lakshmi Puja 2010 will be celebrated on October 22nd. On this festival, idols of Goddess Lakshmi are installed in sanctified puja places in Sarvajanik pandals as well as in houses.
Devotees worship the Goddess with Shodashopachar Puja and offer many types of food and clothes. Mainly the idols of the Goddess are depicted in Red coloured sari and adorned with ornaments and various types of other decorating items. Her golden complexion makes devotees to feel that they are blessed with pleasure and peace. She holds a potful of gold in her left hand and rice crop in her left hand. The Goddess blesses her devotees with her Abhaya and varada mudras (blessing postures).
Bengal people celebrate Durga Puja in Durga Navratri period, Lakshmi Puja in Sharad Purnima and Kali Puja in Diwali period.
In other places of India, Sharad Purnima Lakshmi Puja is celebrated as Kojagari lakshmi Puja. Kaumudi Puja and Indra Puja are also observed on the Full Moon day in Ashin month.
