Dharmaraja Dasami 2010 – YamaDharmaraj Dashami

Dharmaraja Dasami or Yamadharmaraj Dashami is a puja or vrata dedicated to Lord Yama who is also known as Yamadharmaraj. This vrata is observed on Chaitra Shukla Dasami or the tenth day of bright half of Chaitra month. It falls just on the next day to Sri Rama Navami. In 2010, Dharmaraju Dashami date is March 25. This festival is observed with utmost fervor at some temples dedicated to Lord Yama in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

On Dharmaraja Dashami day, Lord Yama is offered arghyam. Nakshatra Linga Puja is another major ritual performed on the day. Yama Vandanam, a sacred hymn to Lord Yama, is recited during the vratam.

Vasant Durga Puja – Basanti Pooja during Chaitra Navratri

goddess-durga-deviMata Basanti Puja, or Vasant Durga Puja, is observed during the Chaitra Navratri festival. According to the ancient Hindu scriptures and sacred texts, worship of Goddess Durga or Durga Pooja was significantly performed during the Vasant rithu (Basant rithu) or Spring Season.

It is believed that Lord Shri Rama changed the periof of Durga Devi Puja (Durga Navratri). During the time of Ram – Ravan Yudh (the war between Lord Ram and the demon Ravana), Rama was unable to stop Ravana and wanted to seek blessings of Goddess Durga Mata. To demolish Ravana, Lord Sri Rama invoked Goddess Durga Mata during the Hindu month Ashwayuja or Ashwin (period between September or October and November).

When is Basanti Mata Puja or Vasant Durga Pooja observed?
Goddess Basanti Mata Pooja is observed during the last four days of Vasant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri festival. In 2009, the celebrations of Goddess Basanti Mata Puja or Vasant Durga Puja will start on April 1, Wednesday and will conclude on April 3, Friday, Sri Rama Navami.

Rituals and Customs of Vasant Durga Pooja – Traditions during Basanti Pooja:
Vasant Durga Puja or Basanti Mata Puja is Chaitra Navratri is not considered as a major festival as Durga Navratri that is celebrated in Ashwayuja or Ashwin month. Hence, all the ritual, customs and traditions that are observed during the Ashwayuja Durga Navratri are may not be performed during the Basanti Mata Puja.

Some traditional rituals are similar as Ashwin month’s Durga Navratri such as observance of fast, procedure of Goddess’s worship (Durga Puja procedure),  Ghatsthapana or Kalasha Sthapana (installation of sacred pot) and Kanya Puja (Kumari Puja) – worship of young girl.

Hindu Myhtology describes the observance of Durga Navratri in Ashwin month as Akal Bodhan or untimely invocation of Goddess Durga, as Lord Sri Rama worshipped the Goddess in untraditional Hindu month of Ashwayuja masam.

Other Important Festivals in Chaitra month – Auspicious Days of Chaitra Masam

Significance and Observance of Chaitra Navratri or Basant Navratri

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