Phagu Dasami is the first day of Dolyatra festival in Orissa. It is observed on Phalgun Shukla Dashami, the tenth day in bright half of Falgun month. Phagu Dasami 2010 date is February 24, 2010. On this day, idols or images of Radha and Lord Krishna are placed on a swing as part of Basantotsav. It also marks the beginning of 5-day Holi festival in Orissa.
The major highlight of Phagu Dasami festival and Dolyatra is the smearing Lord Krishna and Radha idols with gulal and abhir. On Phagu Purnima or Phalgun Purnima, Holi festival is celebrated. The day after Holi festival is celebrated as Vasantotsav in some places of Orissa and Bengal.
Eknath Sashti, also known as Sant Eknath Shashti, is an auspicious day dedicated to Sant Eknath who was a great saint lived in Maharashtra in 16th century. It is observed on Falguna Krishna Sashti, sixth day in dark fortnight of Falguna month in Marathi calendar. In 2010, Eknath Sashti date is March 6, Saturday.
On Phalguna Krishna Shashti day in 1599 AD (Shaka 1521), Santh Eknath left for his heavenly abode by entering into Samadhi (Jalsamadhi) in sacred Godavari River. Ekanth worshipped Lord Dattatreya and compiled Chatushloki Bhagavat. He also accomplished his Dattadarshan, the realization of atmabodh and purity of mind.
Govinda Dwadashi is observed on Falgun Shukla Dwadashi, the twelfth day in brighter half of Falgun month. Govinda Dwadasi is of great significance in Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, Dwaraka Tirumala Venkateshwara Swamy Temple (Chinna Tirupati), Puri Jagannath Temple, and many other temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In 2010, Govinda Dwadashi date is February 26, 2010.
It is considered as auspicious to perform ritual bath or ceremonial bath in River Ganga. If it is not possible, even devotees take holy dip in other rivers or in lakes chanting the mantras of Lord Vishnu and Ganga Mata. Lord Vishnu is worshipped as ‘Pundarikaksha’ during Govinda Dwadasi.
Govinda Dwadashi is also observed as Narasimha Dwadashi. This festival is celebrated with utmost dedication in Lord Narasimha temples in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
What is the puja procedure of Soubhagya Thadiya Vratam or how to observe Sowbhagya Vratam? This is a query asked by one of the visitors of Hindupad – Shubhangi. This article explains about the pooja vidhi or vidhanam of this vrata. As all other vrathams, neatness is the primary aspect for observing the vratham successfully.
Here is the stepwise puja vidhanam of Soubhagya vratham:
- Place the idols of either Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi or Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi or both of the divine couples.
- Perform Ganesh Puja or Ganapati pooja.
- Observe the main puja with ashtottara stotras and shodashopachara rituals.
- Chant the mantra “Sri Soubhagya Pathaye namaha” during the vrata.
- Offer food cooked with wheat as naivedyam.
- In the evening donate each bowl of honey, til (sesame seeds), ghee, jaggery, salt, and milk along with thamboolam and dakshina to a Brahmin.
- Give thamboolam (betel leaves, fruits, flowers, and betel nuts) and dakshina to five married women.
Some devotees observe the vrata for five months (Falgun, Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshta, and Ashada months ) and in fifth month (Ashada month) vratha udyapana is performed.
Vishnu Vidiya Vratam is observed 15 days in Falgun month from Phalguna Maasa Shukla Vidiya to Phalguna Maasa Krishna Vidiya in Andhra Pradesh. In 2010, Vishnu Vidiya Vratham starts on February 16th and ends on March 2nd, 2010. As the name suggests, this vow is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The main purpose of observing Vishnu Dwitiya vratham is to get rid of debts, sorrows, and crisis and to get happiness and prosperity in life.
During Vishnu Vidiya Vratham, Sri Maha Vishnu is worshipped with ashtottara and shodashopachara pujas and offered special naivedyam on each day. Vratha Udyapanam is performed on Phalguna Krishna Vidiya day. The legend or Vishnu Vidiya Vratha Katha is associated with two unmarried Brahmin girls – Kumudwati and Vasundhara – who lived in Ujjaini. During Vishnu Vidiya Vratham, Vishnu Payo vrata is also observed.