Jayaparvati Vrat Jagran is the final day ritual during the Jaya Parvati Vrat which is observed in Ashada maas (June – July) by married women. Usually, Jaya Parvati Vrat is observed for five or seven days. On the concluding day of the vrat, devotees perform Jagran, which is called Jaya Parvati Jagran. In 2009, the date of Jaya Parvati Vrat Jagran is July 9, Thursday. In 2009, Jaya Parvati Vrat begins on July 5, Sunday and concludes on July 9, Thursday.
Jaya Parvathi Vrat begins on the Ashada Shukla Paksha Trayodashi and observed for five days. Married women and childless couple observe the Jaya Pavathi Vrat.
Dakshinayanam or Pitrayana is also referred as Karka Sankraman or Karkataka Sankranti. On this day, Sun enters into Karkataka (Karka) rashi (Cancer). In 2009, Dakshinayana starts on July 16, Thursday as per the South Indian Panchangams. According to North Indian calendars, Dakshinayana punya kaal started on June 21, Sunday in 2009.
Karka Sankranthi or Karkataka Sankranti indicates ending of the Uttarayan Punya kaal and the beginning of Dakshinayana punya kaal, whereas Makara Sankranthi (Pongal) marks the beginning of Uttarayan Punya kaal.
Dakshinayana or Karka Sankraman – The time to observe Deva Shayana Vrat:
In Hinduism, it is believed that Gods go for sleep during the period of Dakshinayan. The beginning day of Vishnu Shayana Vrata or Chaturmas Vrat is called as Vishnu or Deva Sayani Ekadasi, and the Shiva Sayana Vrat is called as Shiva Shayana Chaturdashi or Pishacha Chaturdasi. During the Karka Sankranthi, performing Pitru tharpan or the rituals to pay our respect to Pithru Devatas is considered as highly meritorious deed.
Performing food charity and donating clothes is also highly meritorious. Worshipping Lord Vishnu, chanting Vishnu Sahasra nama stotram and worshipping Lord Varaha Swamy (the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is preferable ritual on the day of Karka Sankranti.
As per Hinduism, for Gods one day equals to one year in Human life. Uttarayan is the day time to Gods and the Dakshinayan is the night time.
Deepa Puja is an auspicious observance to perform on Ashada Amavasya day. In 2009, the date of Deepa Puja or Diya Pooja is July 22, Wednesday. On the day of Deepa Puja, people clean and decorate their houses. Devotees clean all diyas (deepas) they had in house and decorate them with colours. They clean and sanctify a table and decorate it with rangoli (kolam) designs or patterns and keep all the diyas on the table. Then, they lit the diyas and perform puja.
Deepa Puja is dedicated to the one’s Ishta Devata (Favorite God) and to Pancha Bhootas (five primordial elements – Air, Water, Fire, Sky and the Earth). Some devotees dedicate Deepa Puja or the Deepa Jyothi (sacred flame) to the Mother Goddesses – Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Parvati and Goddess Saraswati.
In the evening of Deepa puja day, all the diyas are lit once again and kept around the house just like Diwali Puja (Deepavali Pooja). People believe that the sparkling light of diyas drives out all the evil and bad powers by which they are suffered and welcomes new brightness into their life. They also believe that Deepa Puja provides them Asta Aishwarayas (8 types of wealth).
Just after the day of Deepa Puja (Ashada Amavasya), the holy month of Sawan begins. In 2009, Deepa Puja is very significant as on this day, Sampoorna Surya Grahan will take place.
Ashada Amavasya is highly auspicious day for Pithru tharpan. Though every Amavasya day is important to pay our respect to our ancestors, Ashada Amavasya has every kind of significance for Pitru Tharpanam and Pinda Pradhanam. In 2009, as per the South Indian calendars, the date of Ashada Amavasya is July 22, Wednesday. Just after the day of Ashada Amavasya, the holy Shravan month begins.
In Maharashtra, Ashadi Amavasya is celebrated as Gatari Amavasya. On Gatari Amavasya, Maharashtrians eat non-vegetarian food and prepare for Shravana Maas Vrat.
On this day, Pitru devatas are highly active and the every good deed like charity, puja or any other auspicious ritual performed by us will definitely reaches them and provides peace to their souls. Another significant Amavasya which is auspicious for Pitru Tharpan and Pinda Pradhan to our ancestors is Mahalaya Amavasya.
Ashada Amavasya in 2009 has a great significance that on this day, Sampoorna Surya Grahan (Total Solar Eclipse) will take place.
Gopadma Vratam, also referred as Go Padma Vrata is a festival observed mainly by farmers and people related to the field of dairy. This vrata is performed for four months, beginning from Sayani or Padma Ekadashi. In 2009, the date of the beginning of Gopadma Vrata is July 3, Friday.
The beginning day of Gopadma vrata is referred as Go Padma Vrata Prarambh or Aarambh. It is very similar to Chaturmas Vrat. This vrata is solely dedicated to Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.
On the day of Gopadma Vrata, cattle shed is cleaned and kept neat. With rice flour, 33 small rangoli patterns are drawn. Devotees worship these rangoli patterns along with the cows and Lord Vishnu. Those who live in towns and cities have to worship cattle even on Gopadma Vrata Aarambh day.
