Vagh Baras, also spelt as Wagh Baaras, is observed on Dwadasi day in second half of Aso month. Vagh Baras 2009 date is October 14th. This day is also referred as Govatsa Dwadashi and Guru Dwadasi. In Gujarati language, Vagh means repaying one’s financial debts. On this day people clear their khata (ledgers) and enter into new and fresh transactions on Labh Pancham.
On Vagh Baraas, cow and calf are also worshipped. This vrat is known as Nandini Vrat. In Dhodia tribal villages in Gujarat, this festival is celebrated in great fashion. They celebrate the fest as a sport chasing one another. The person who dressed like tiger chases the person dressed as cow.
Vaag Baras is known as Vasubaras in Maharashtra. North Indian people celebrate this day as Govamsa Puja.
Valmiki Jayanti is observed on Ashwin Purnima, the Full Moon day in Ashwin month. Valmiki Jayanti 2009 date is October 4. Valmiki is the ‘Adikavi’ – which means the first divine poet. He is the author of the great epic Ramayana. Valmiki is the creator of Sloka (verse from) in which Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas and all other scriptures were written.
There are many temples to Valmiki which are called Valmiki Ashrams. In Valmiki Ashram, Valmiki Jayanthi is celebrated with much enthusiasm and devotion. Some of the prominent temples of Maharshi Valmiki:
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Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram, Chaugavan Road, Amritsar in Punjab
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Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram, Chitrakut in Uttar Pradesh
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Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram in Panchwati
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Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram in Kurukshetra
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Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram at Kankhal in Haridwar
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Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram at Mubarakpur in New Delhi
- Valmiki Temple at Basar in Andhra Pradesh
Purnima, the full moon day in October 2009 falls in the Hindu month of Ashwin or Ashwayuja. Ashwin Purnima 2009 date is October 3rd. Ashwin Purnima is also called as Sharad Purnima as it marks the beginning of Sharad ritu.
On Ashwin Purnima, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is celebrated in North Indian states. Kaumudi Puja and Indra Puja are also observed on the day. In Orissa, Sharad Purnima is also observed as Kumar Purnima. It is a big festival in Puri Jagannath Temple. Gajalakshmi Puja is the main ritual on Sharad Purnima in Orissa. In West Bengal, Lakshmi Puja is observed on Sharad Purnima. It is one of the biggest festivals in Bengal.
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Gajalakshmi Puja is the main ritual of Sharad Purnima, the Full Moon day in the month of Aswina (September – October). In 2010, Gajalakshmi puja date is October 22. This is the most celebrated festival in Orissa. The worship of Lakshmi varies from place to place. In some places, Gaja Lalshmi Puja is performed on a single day but in some places the puja continues for ten days. In Orissa, this day is popularly known as Kumar Purnima.
Images or idols of Goddess Gaja Lakshmi are installed in sanctified puja places and Shodashopachar puja is performed to the Goddess. Devotees observe fast on this day. After having bath, unmarried women offer parshad to Surya Bhagawan. And when Moon rises in the evening, again food offerings are made to Moon and they break their fast after the puja to the Moon God. This festival is very special one for girls. They play a special game called ‘Puchi’ on this day.
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Kumar Purnima is the festival celebrated on the full moon day during Ashwina month in Orissa. Kumar Purnima 2010 date is October 22. On this day, unmarried girls and boys worship Janha Mamu (the Moon God). This puja is also called as Kaumudi Puja. Kaumudi is the other name of Moon.
Kumar Purnima is a main festival celebrated at Puri Jagannath Temple. On this day, the devotees play dice on behalf of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Lakshmi. Priests teamed in two groups play dice until it satisfy Lord Jagannath and Lakshmi. This is one of the main festivals to worship Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi Puja is also performed.
On Kumar Purnima, Indra Puja is also performed in some regions of the state Orissa. The parshad offered to Moon are also offered to Indra and then devotees distribute them among their friends and relatives.
