Shani Amavasya is the Amavasya day that falls on a shanivar or Saturday. Some Hindu communities consider Amavasya as inauspicious day and the Amavasya that falls on Saturday is even more inauspicious day. But the Hindu communities that follow Sauramana Calendar (Solar Calendar) consider Amavasya as auspicious. They worship Lord Shani, who is the supreme God in one’s fortune, on the day of Shani Amavasya. In 2010, Shani Amavasya dates are – February 13 and June 12, 2010.
As Lord Shani is called as Sanaischara, Shanishwara, Chaya Putra etc. name of the Amavasya also varies according to the name of Lord Sani.
Significance and Importance of Shani Amavasya Puja:
Those who believe in Astrology, observe Shani Amavasya puja. Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Shani and offering him naivedya can reduce bad effects in their lives. Sani Amavas pooja is observed mainly in North India and in Tamilnadu and some regions of Kerala as they follow Sauraman (Solar Calendar). Sani Amavas is considered as one of the best days to perform Shraadh and Tarpan to dead ancestors.
Rituals and Customs of Shani Amavasya:
Rituals and customs of Shani Amavasya include – Shani Thailabhishekam and some other Shani pujas. Devotees believe that Shani Amavas day is the auspicious day to please and pacify Lord Sani. Those who are suffering from several doshas such as Pitra Dosh, Kaala Sarpa Dosh (Naga Dosh) perform remedial pujas for Lord Sani.
Shani Thailabhishek is the prominent puja observed by many devotees during Sani Amavas. During the Thailabhishek, people offer a piece of Black cloth, Black Til, Til Oil and fruits to Lord Shanishwara. Chanting and reciting Lord Shani Stotras, slokas and mantras may benefit devotees to reduce the bad effects of Lord Sani.
Best Way to get rid of malevolent effects of Lord Shani is praying to Lord Hanuman. Once Lord Hanuman granted a boon to his devotees that they would not be suffered from Shani’s malevolent looks.
Famous Temples of Lord Shani:
Lord Sri Sanishwara temple in Shani Shinganapur (Maharashtra) and Sri Sanischara temple in Tirunallur are the most popular temples to conduct Shani Amavas puja.
Varuthini Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh day during the second half (Krishna Paksha) of the Hindu month Chaitra Masam. Puranas described that observance of fasting and performing the other rituals of Ekadasi on Varuthini Ekadasi, removes one’s sins and the devotee is blessed with wealth, health and prosperity.
When is Varuthini Ekadashi observed in 2009?
Varuthini Ekadashi is observed on Chaitra Bahula Ekadasi. In 2009, Varuthini Ekadasi falls on April 21, Tuesday.
Observance of Varudhini Ekadasi – Rituals and Customs of Varudhini Ekadasi:
To get the merits of Varudhini Ekadasi, devotees observe the main ritual and tradition – strict fasting on the day. On Dashami, the day before Ekadashi, devotees avoid consuming onions, spinach and some more foods which should be avoided on Ekadasi. On Dwadasi, the day after Ekadasi, devotees avoid all foods as they did on the Dashami day.
On the day of Varuthini Ekadasi, devotees spend their time reciting Holy Scriptures such as Bhagavada Puranam. Some people also perform Jagaran (awake) during night. During the Ekadashi day, people avoid hair cutting and shaving and also avoid taking oil bath.
Other Ekadasi Dates in 2009 – List of Ekadashi Days in 2009
Anang Trayodashi (Anang Triodasi) or Anang Vrat (Ananga Vratam) is a Vrata observed in Chaitra masa and Margashirsha masa. Anang Trayodashi is dedicated to worship Lord Shiva.
When is Anang Trayodasi Vrata Observed?
Anang Trayodasi Vrata is observed in different months in various regions of India. As per the traditional Marathi and Gujarati Calendars, Anang Trayodasi Vrata is observed on the 13th day in first half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu Month Chaitra Masam.
According to traditional Marathi and Gujarati Calendars, in 2009, the date to perform Anang Trayodasi Vrata is April 7, Tuesday.
In other North Indian states, Anang Triodasi Vrata is observed on 13th day of Margashirsh Month (Shukla Paksha Triodasi in Margashirsh Maas). As per the North Indian traditional Calendar, in 2009, Anang Triodashi Vrata is observed on November 30, Monday.
What is the Importance and Significance of Anang Trayodashi Vrat:
According to the Garuda Purana, observing of Anang Trayodashi Vrata helps the devotees to attain health, wealth and prosperity. It is also believed that Lord Shiva blesses the performers of Anang Vrata with great bliss and salvation.
On the day of Anang Trayodasi, along with Lord Shiva, Kamadev (Lord Manmatha) and his consort Rati Devi are also worshipped.
Ashok Ashtami or Ashokastami is one of the important festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti, the Mother Goddess. In 2010, Ashokashtami date is March 23. Ashokashtami is celebrated in Eastern Indian states, mainly in Orissa and West Bengal. Ashoka means the one who removes and protects from hurdles, obstacles and sorrow. Ashokashtami is also known as Bhavani Ashtami. On the day of Chaitra Shukla Astami, Goddess Bhavani is worshipped as one of the Goddess of Durga Navratri (Chaitra or Vasant Durga Navratri)
When is Ashokashtami Celebrated?
Ashokashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the first half of the Chaitra month (Chaitra Shukla Astami), which falls between March and April. In 2010, Ashokashtami is observed on March 23.
Legend and Story of Ashok Ashtami:
According to the Hindu sacred texts and puranas, Lord Sri Ram performed the Ashok Astami Puja in order to slay demon Ravana. The myth says that Lord Sri Ram was unable to demolish Ravanasura as he was being saved by the Mother Goddess, Goddess Shakti. Ashokastami is the day when Lord Sri Ramachandra got rid of sorrow by the blessings of Lord Shiva and the Mother Goddess, Shakti.
Vibhishana, one of the brothers of Ravana, devotee of Lord Sri Ram, advised Lord Sri Ram to observe the rituals dedicated to the Mother Goddess and Lord Shiva for seven consecutive days. Lord Sri Ram did as Vibhishana told and blessed with the Goddess Shakti’s divine energy. He demolished Ravana on the eighth day.
The Gauri Thadiya Vratam has a great importance in terms of its rituals and its observance. Several Puranas and other Hindu religious texts have the reference of Sowbhagya Shayana Vrata.
Reference of Gauri Puja in Hindu Mythology:
Even Rukmini, the consort of Lord Sri Krishna, and Goddess Sita Devi, also performed Sowbhagya Gowri Shayana Vrata. Sita observed Gauri Puja everyday when she was in, Janaka’s (her father’s) home to get Adarsha Purush, Lord Shri Rama as her husband. Hindu Mythology tells that Goddess Gauri herself observed Kedareshwara Vrata and made her life with Gauri-Shankar after observing severe penance.
Celebrations of Sowbhagya Gouri Vratam:
Sowbhagya Gauri Vrata is performed all over India and all Hindu women observe the puja with utmost devotion. Especially in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, women worship Goddess Gauri to pay their devotion to get handsome and good husband and they observe the Gauri Pooja after their marriage to pay thanks to Divine Mother.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnKNJdCn-eI]
