HAPPY KARWA CHAUTH 2024

kARWA cHAUTH

Karwa Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated primarily by married women in North India, particularly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. The festival involves a day-long fast observed by wives for the well-being, long life, and prosperity of their husbands. Here are some key aspects of Karwa Chauth:

Meaning and Significance:

Karwa refers to a clay pot, symbolizing peace and prosperity, and Chauth means the fourth day. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Kartik (typically October or November).
It emphasizes the deep bond between husband and wife and celebrates love, sacrifice, and prayer for longevity.

Karwa Chauth ki kahani

Popular Karva Chauth Thali Song

Song for the first six rounds:

Veero kudiye karwada,             Sarv suhagan karwada,
Aye katti naya teri naa,               Kumbh chrakhra feri naa,
Aar pair payeen naa,          Ruthda maniyen naa,
Suthra jagayeen naa,                Ve veero kuriye karwara,
Ve sarv suhagan karwara… (6)

Song for the seventh Round:

Veero Kudiye Karwada,                  Sarv Suhagan Karwada,
Aye Katti Naya Teri Nee,                      Kumbh Chrakhra Feri Bhee,
Gwand Pair payeen Bhee,             Sui Cha Dhaga Payi Bhee,
Aar Pair payeen Bhee,               Ruthda maniyen Bhee,
Suthra Jagayeen Bhee,          Bahaein Pyari Veera,
Chan Chadde te Pani Peena,          Lay Veero Kuriye Karwara,
Lay Sarv Suhagan Karwara.

Rituals of Karwa ChautH

Sargi: Before dawn, women eat a pre-dawn meal called Sargi, traditionally given by the mother-in-law. This meal is important as it sustains them through the day-long fast.
The Fast: Women abstain from food and water from sunrise to moonrise, dedicating their fast to their husbands' health and prosperity.
Puja and Prayers: In the evening, a community puja is held, where women dress in their finest clothes, often in bridal wear or traditional saris, and gather to offer prayers to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. They listen to stories or vrat katha about the origins of the festival and its significance.
Seeing the Moon: The fast is broken only after sighting the moon. Women first offer water to the moon as part of the ritual and then look at their husbands through a sieve, symbolizing reverence and devotion. The husband, in turn, gives his wife the first sip of water and the first bite of food to end her fast.

Cultural Influence:

Karwa Chauth has gained wider recognition through films and television, especially Bollywood, which has romanticized the festival. Though traditionally observed by married women, in modern times, some men also observe the fast to express solidarity and love.

The festival has grown beyond its traditional context, with newer generations viewing it as a celebration of love and partnership, rather than just a customary duty.

HAPPY VIJYADASHAMI

Vijayadashami

Vijayadashami, more commonly known as Dussehra (and Dashain in Nepal), is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated annually at the culmination of the Durga Puja and Navaratri festivals. It falls on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin, which typically corresponds to September or October in the Gregorian calendar, and marks the victory of good over evil.

Significance of Vijayadashami:

Victory of Lord Rama over Ravana:
Vijayadashami commemorates Lord Rama's triumph over the demon king Ravana, as recounted in the epic Ramayana. The festival symbolizes the victory of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (evil), and this narrative is often depicted through vibrant Ramlila performances and the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhkaran across India.
Conclusion of Durga Puja:
In many parts of India, particularly in West Bengal, Vijayadashami marks the end of the Durga Puja festivities, where Goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura is celebrated. The goddess, who embodies Shakti (divine feminine power), is believed to return to her heavenly abode on this day, after vanquishing evil forces. The immersion of her idols in rivers or other bodies of water symbolizes her departure and the hope for her return the following year.
Celebration of Knowledge and Prosperity:
In South India, Vijayadashami is associated with the worship of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, learning, and the arts. It is considered an auspicious day for starting new endeavors, including education, arts, and business. This is why many students begin their formal education or start learning a new art form on this day, as it is believed that any skill or knowledge acquired on Vijayadashami leads to long-lasting success.
Cultural Unification:
Vijayadashami is observed in diverse forms across Hindu Communities, making it a unifying festival despite regional variations. In the northern states, Dussehra is marked by grand processions and Ramlila performances. In the east, the focus is on the immersion of Durga idols, while in the west and south, it is a day for Saraswati Puja and various cultural performances. This festival serves as a powerful reminder of the shared cultural heritage of Bharat and its ability to bring people together, transcending regional boundaries.

Overall, Vijayadashami embodies the universal themes of the triumph of good over evil, renewal of life, and spiritual victory, making it a festival of great joy, hope, and reverence.

The 9 Days of Durga Upasana

The 9 Days of Durga Upasana

The Hindu Heritage Society Australia has been hosting the annual Durga Ashtami celebration in Sydney for more than 25 years. This year, Sharadiya Navaratri will commence on October 3rd and run until October 12th, 2024.

The HHS grand celebration night will be held on Saturday, October 12th, featuring a Devi Jagaran (Chauki). Dussehra festivities in Sydney will be observed on October 12th and 13th.

Shakti Mahima bhajan

Shakti Mahima Katha

The Legend of Goddess Durga

Goddess Durga was created by the combined energies of the three supreme gods – Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara – to defeat the demons. A powerful light emerged from the mouths of the gods, merging into a single form. This light transformed into Durga, also known as Mahamaya. Each god endowed her with powerful weapons: Shivagave a trident, Vishnu a chakra, Varuna a conch, Agni a weapon called Shakti, Vayu a bow and arrow, Indra a thunderbolt and bell, Yama a staff, and the sea provided a noose. Brahma gave her rudraksha beads, the ascetics a water pot, Vishwakarmaweapons and amulets, and the Himalayas offered her a lion as her mount.

Armed with these gifts, Durga unleashed a powerful cry that reverberated across the universe, striking terror in all. In response, the demons sent Mahishasura, a buffalo demon representing the lower, animalistic instincts of humanity, to challenge her. Durga, embodying the higher, noble qualities of humanity in her aggressive form, vanquished Mahishasura, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Nine divine forms of Addi Shakti

Prathamam Shailaputrii cha ;

DvitiiyaM Brahmachaarinii
Tritiiyam Chandra ghanteti ;

Kushmaan_deti Chatur_thakam

Panchamam S_kandamaateti ;

Shha_shhtham Kaatyaa_yaniiti cha
Saptamam Kaala_raatrii_ti ; Mahaa_gaurii_ticha_ashhtamam.

Navamam Siddhi_daatrii cha ;

Nava_durgaah Prakiir_titaah
Uktaan_yetaani naamaani ;

brahma_naiva mahaat_manaa |

The first form is SHAILAPUTRI- Daughter of the King of Himalayas;

Second is BRAHMACHARINI One Who observes the state of celibacy;

Third is CHANDRAGANTA- One Who bears the moon around Her neck.

Fourth is KOOSHMANDA- Whose Void contains the Universe

Fifth is SKANDAMATA- Who gave birth to Karttikeya; Sixth is KATYAYANI Who incarnated to help the Devas; Seventh is KALARATRI- Who is even the Destroyer of Kali; Eight is MAHAGAURI- One Who made great penance

Ninth is SIDDHIDATRI- One Who grants Moksha .

Those who remember You with great devotion indeed have prosperity. Undoubtedly, O Goddess of the Gods, You Protect those who remember You.

Dhyan Slok

SINHASTHA SHASHISHEKHARA MARKAT

PRAKHYES-CHATURBHIRBHUJAYH,

SHANKH CHAKRA DHANUH SHARASHCH DADHATI

NETREYSTRIBHIH SHOBHITA.

AAMUKTANGDAHAR KANKAN RANATKANCHEER – NANUPURA,

DURGA DURGATI HARINI BHAVATU NO

RATNOLL SATKUNDALA.

Meaning:

O Devi Durga! Seated majestically upon your lion, you radiate an aura of unmatched splendor, crowned with a tiara that shines as brilliantly as the Moon itself. Your forehead gleams like a radiant diamond, and in your four hands, you hold the Shankha (conch), Chakra (discus), Dhanush (bow), and Baana (arrow) with divine grace. With your three eyes that see beyond time and adorned in countless pieces of exquisite jewelry, you emanate a celestial melody that fills the air. The sound of battle echoes from your anklets, while your ears are embellished with magnificent earrings encrusted with the nine sacred gems, shining gloriously. O Bhagavati Durga, we humbly beseech you to dispel all our sorrows and grant us your protection and blessings.

Shakti ke teen roop

Doha:

Adya Shakti ke rup me jo rahati nirgun rup,

Bhakton ki raksha ke liye jo dharti teen swarup,

Jay Jag Janini jay Mahamaya Durga durgati hari,

He Ambe Maat Bhavani jay Durga Durgati hari.

(1) Tu hi Durga tu hi Lakshmi tere rup anek, Tu hi Vani rup bani hai phir bhi tu hai ek,

Satva rajas aur tamo bhav se rahati tu nirlep,

He Ambe Maat Bhavani jay Durga Durgati hari.

(2) Moh huwa jab teen Dev me akar unhe bachaya, Mahakali ban tamo bhava se jeevon ko bharmaya, Tu hi nindra tu hi maya Pragya tu hai mahan,

He Ambe Maat Bhavani jay Durga Durgati hari.

(3) Rajo bhav se Maha Lakshmi ban chetan shakti jagai, Matri bhav se pala tu ne jag ke jeev sadahi,