Diwali

Dhanteras is round the corner, and planning for the new purchase has begun in every home. While mom wants to buy new kitchen ware, dad wants to buy a handicam. Bro thinks its time for a bike for him, and I am considering buying an ipod. Before I go on further, a bit about Dhanteras. Dhanteras is an Indian festival two days before Diwali, every year. It marks the start of Diwali and is celebrated to seek blessings of goddess Laxmi. It is an auspicious day, when people buy gold, silver, kitchen accessories or anything that can be considered as acquiring wealth. Though jewelry ... Read Full Story

Bhai Dooj is one of the major festival of India, also spelt as Bhaidooj, Bhaiduj or Bhai Duj. The festival is celebrated between brothers and sisters to strengthen the bond of love they share. On this auspicious day, sisters put tilak on their brother's forehead and pray for their long life. In return, brothers pamper their sisters and promise them to stand by their side in all hardships of life. Customs and Traditions Bhai-Dooj is a Hindu festival that celebrates the love and affection between a brother and a sister. 'Bhai' means brother and 'Dooj' means two days after new moon. It is one ... Read Full Story

diwali celebrations | laxmi aarti | dhanteras puja | diwali songs | diwali in white house | deepavali wishes | orkut diwali scrap | laxmi pooja | dhanteras pooja vidhi Lakshmi Pooja Spread a new cloth on a raised platform: Place a handful of grains in the center and, on this, place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice grains in it. Arrange five kinds of leaves or mango leaves in the kalash . Place a small dish on the kalash and ... Read Full Story

The four-day Chhath festival ended Sunday in Bihar with millions of devotees, mostly women, taking a dip in the Ganga river and praying to the rising sun. The devotees also ended their 36-hour long fast by offering prayers and floating lighted earthen lamps in the river. They sang folk songs and offered prayers to the sun god. "Hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the banks of Ganga, other rivers, ponds and other water bodies across Bihar early (Sunday) morning to offer 'Araghya' to the rising sun to mark the end of Chhath puja," said Savitri Devi, a devotee. Another devotee Purnima Yadav said ... Read Full Story

Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. Lakshmi was the daughter of the wise Bhrigu. Goddess Laxmi emerged out of the Kshir Sagar (ocean of milk) during the great churning of the oceans (Samudra Manthan). When the gods saw Lakshmi, they all fell in love with her beauty. Lakshmi herself preferred to Lord Vishnu. The process of Puja and Laxmiji aarti is given here. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi is on the third day of Diwali celebrations. Diwali festival is celebrated on October/November for about five days. Diwali brings a series of festivals with it and we get a chance to ... Read Full Story