Navratri is known as the festival of nights and it lasts for nine days. During this festival  many Goddess like Maa Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Maa Sharaswati, the Goddess of Knowledge are worshipped and each Goddess is devoted three days.

During Navratari  feasting and fasting take precedence besides all normal daily activities.During these nine Navratri days every evening religious dance are performed at several places in order to worship Maa Durga.

First three days of Navratri(1^st-3^rd)

A small bed of mud is prepared in the puja room of the house on the first day of navaratras n barley seeds are sown on it. After the nine days of puja are over on the tenth day these shoots which r now 3 to 5 inches in length are pulled out and given to devotes as a blessing from god. These firsth three days of Navratri are dedicated to Maa Durga, the Goddess of power and energy. Various manifestations of Maa Durga, Kumari, Parvati and Kali are worshipped during these three days. These three  different manifestation represent the three different classes of womanhood which include the child, the young girl and the matured woman.

Next three days of Navratri(4^th-6^th)

The goddess of peace and prosperity ”Maa Lakshmi” is worshipped during these days. The fifth day of Navratri  is known as Lalita Panchami. As traditional all the literature available in the house are gathered n displayed and a lamp or ‘diya’ is light to invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of Knowledge and art.

Last three days of Navratri(7^th-9^th)

Seventh and eighth day of Navratri belong to Saraswati Maa who is a symbol of knowledge and is worshipped to acquire spiritual knowledge which in turn helps mankind to get free from earthly bondage. On the eighth day of this festival yagna is performed where Ghee, kheer, and sesame seeds are offered to Maa Durga as holy offering.

The last day of Navratri i.e. the ninth day of navratri is well known as Mahanavami. Kanya Puja is performed on this holy day. On this very day nine young girls representing the nine forms Maa Durga are worshipped. These nine young girls are treated as nine Devi’s n there feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess. At last they r all offered new clothes n gifts by the worshipper. This ritual is performed in almost every part of the country.

Incoming search terms:

• maa durga
• durga
• durga maa
• traditional krishna image
• pictures of durga
• maa durga photo
• maa durga latest image
• maa durga images
• indian bride jai mala
• durga image

The Sanskrit meaning of Durga is “one difficult to reach to” or in other words “incomprehensible.”

Goddess Durga is also called as Maa Shakti as she is well known and worshipped for her terrifying and gracious aspect. Maa Durga is a symbol of a female dynamism n she is also known as the Mother of Universe as she represents the infinite power of the universe.

Goddess Durga is also called by names such as Parvati, Ambika and Kali. Parvati is known as the divine spouse of  Lord Shiva. Maa Parvati is the mother of Ganesha and karttikeye; the two sons of Lord Shiva n they had a daughter named Jyoti.

A very well known festival among Bengalis is celebrated in the grace of Maa Durga called Durga Puja. Durga Puja is an annual festival in which Maa Durga is worshipped as Destroyer of demons.

Appearance of Maa Durga

In the Puranas and Agamas there are many aspects of Maa Durga. Usually Goddess Durga is shown riding a lion from which comes “Simhavahini,” her august who stands astride the king of beasts. Most often Durga Maa is pictured as having ten arms holding Sword, Conch, Discus, Rosary, Bell, Wine cup, Shield, Bow, Arrow, and Spear.

Royal red cloth is the dress of Maa Durga with several ornaments decorating her personage. The hairs of Goddess Durga is dressed up in a crown which then flows out in long luxuriant tresses that are soothing to the eyes. Goddess Durga controls the universe with her various tools and continues her eminent supremacy.

See larger image Goddess Durga and Sacred Female Power (Paperback) By (author) Laura Amazzone List Price: $37.50 USD New From: $31.31 In Stock Used from: $23.77 In Stock

Incoming search terms:

• pictures of goddess durga
• goddess durga
• durga eyes
• lord durga
• maa durga eyes
• durga symbol
• eyes of durga
• durga symbols
• god durga
• images of goddess durga

Mathura is a little town on the river Yamuna. Shri Krishna was born at this holy place. The land still seems to be pleasant with the music of his flute. Mathura and Vrindavan is a village where Lord Krishna had spent his childhood.

The city of Mathura is also known as Brajbhoomi. It is in Uttar Pradesh and some kilometers away from Agra. This Brajbhoomi is divided into two units that is the eastern part in the Trans Yamuna tract (including places like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat and Bajna) and  the western side of the Yamuna. It covers the regions like Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon.

Shri Krishna was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He was born in the Dwapara Yuga as the eighth son of  prince Vasudev and his wife Devaki. In order to save him from the murderous intentions of his maternal uncle Kansa, the new born Krishna was spirited away soon after birth to Gokul.  Here after baby Krishna grew to manhood in the tender care of his foster parents Nand and Yashoda. In his childhood, Lord Krishna also got the happy company of the cowherds.

Vrindavan

Vrindavan is closely associated with Krishna and is just 15km north of Mathura. It is said that Vrindavan have been the stage on which Lord Krishna used to perform his famous romantic and sportive activities. Vrindavan is a town of shrines and ghats. There are numerous sacred tanks from which Brahama Kund and Govinda Kund are most venerated. In Vrindavan, there is a well known temple of Govinda Deva which is not just famous in Mathura- Vrindavan but also throughout the country.

Mathura Temple

Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple is a great temple which is commonly known as Mathura Temple. Its importance over other holy spots is due to the belief that it stands on the same place where Shri Krishna was born. The temple complex presents a fabulous and colossal structure and is one of the most familiar places of the Hindu adulation.

People come from all over the country and stand in long queue for hours just to have a holy darshan of their beloved lord. You will find no other temple in the country like this one that has undergone number of destructive activities of Muslim Invaders.

Mathura temple shares a common wall with a mosque and so the pilgrims have to undergo hard security check up while entering the temple premises. No cell phones or cameras are allowed in the premises. There is an old pond having great architecture of the steps and a small room which is inside it. The water of the pond is dirty and in summers it is left empty with no water.

See larger image 9" x 7" Lord Krishna Gem Stone Painting Photo Frame () New From: $17.99 In Stock

Incoming search terms:

• nandgaon mathura
• lord krishna mathura
• nandgaon barsana
• krishna mathura
• krishna born place
• mathura temple website
• temples in mathura vrindavan
• the place lord krishna born
• vrindavan map
• mathura vrindavan photos

See larger image Velvet Cloth Decorated Stainless Steel Puja Thali with 3Small bowls and 5face lamp ()

Purpose of Puja

Before we start doing this holy ritual, we should be sure of the reason why are we performing puja. This actions and prayers towards worshiping the divine were started since time immemorial. Man reverts to puja when he feels his chi is under disequilibrium.

The Puja in early human civilization

The early stages of human civilization saw the ritual being performed when he was scared of the wild animals, lightning and thunder. He performed pujas to evade his fear and feel protected under a supreme power. His first worship was towards the elements of nature. He feared the natural calamities like volcanic eruptions, earthquake, floods, storms etc. He felt it was all happening due to his misdeeds.

He felt the power of nature over living beings in such calamities and to suppress the rage and make the nature calm started performing holy worship towards nature’s elements like water, fire, wind, thunder, sun. Not only did he stop with this. He even extended his divine rituals to other life and non life forms like trees, soil, river, birds, animals, stones, hills etc.

Puja for satisfying human desires

As the man started enjoying his life, along with the increase in pleasures, his desire also saw an increase. He felt he had to please God to make him happier his entire life. Whenever he faltered, he tended to please God more with his pujas and mantras. Ages after ages, the number of gods and goddesses saw an increase. He felt the puja to be a way of relieving himself from the pain, stress, sufferings and also for blessing him more with wealth, health, fortune, education, status etc. Yagya is an intricate version of puja performed even today for satisfying his own desires and ambitions.

The spirituality of Puja

This system of puja became more prominent after the Hinduism started transforming to give in to approach that was more scientific. According to this practice, there is a life after death of a being. The body perishes and the soul finds its way to another life form by process of incarnation. The fundamental concept lies in the fact that every soul should attain salvation (nirvana, moksha) through their spiritual practices. This is where the true meaning of puja lies. The puja should be performed with a pure mind and selfless heart.

The worship of Godman

Godman (Sadgurus) are the alternate forms of God himself and they are the messengers of the divine. They are born among us for guiding us in a path towards divinity and nobleness. They teach us the proper way of living and also how to live a selfless life. Different religions have their own Sadgurus. The Hindu notion for the Sadgurus is “Paramhansa”, where as for Muslims it is “Qutub” and the Christians call them “the ascendant masters”. In the modern world, man hardly finds time to do puja and here comes the role of Sadgurus, who guide the man to spiritual ecstasy.

Lord Krishna is a deity who has a high place in everyone’s heart and is a youth icon and heartthrob of many. Krishna has been the center of attraction in various performing arts and traditional dance forms in India.

One can identify the form of Krishna by his grace and his captivating pleasant face. He is usually depicted as wearing a yellow color silk dhoti with a peacock feather on his crown and playing a flute.

Usually portrayed with a dark complexion, in mythological representations, he is also represented in blue skin in certain artistic images. He stands with his one leg crossed over the other in a relaxed pose, with a flute on his lips and accompanied by gopis and holy cows.

In temples, he is sometimes represented alone in a formal pose. In some places, we see lord Krishna with his associates, his brother Balarama and his sister, Subhadra. In certain places like in Manipur, Krishna is worshiped along with his sweetheart Radha. Radha Krishna is the name allotted for this form. Krishna is also depicted as a small child playing or dancing, often with butter in his hand. He was known as makkhan chor among gopis in his childhood for he always stole butter from the house of gopis. The gopis used to churn butter from curd for their livelihood and also used to feed it to their beloved Krishna out of love for him.

Krishna in adulthood plays an important role in the Kurukshetra war. The Bhagawad Gita truly depicts the form were he addresses Arjuna in the battlefield. In this, he is shown with god like appearance with multiple arms denoting power, and also as an incarnation of Vishnu, with chakra as weapon.

Sri Krishna appears in various avatars owing to different periods. It is said that Sri Rama took rebirth as Sri Krishna in his Yuga. Likewise, there are other iconic forms of lord Krishna like Vishnu avatar, Jaganatha in Orissa, Vithoba in Maharashtra and Shrinathji in Rajasthan. Krishnaism considers lord Krishna to be a supreme being and an independent deity in his own right.

See larger image 9" x 7" Lord Krishna Gem Stone Painting Photo Frame () New From: $17.99 In Stock

Incoming search terms:

• Krishna with flute
• krishna art
• krishna flute
• sri krishna god
• sri krishna
• krishna iconography
• flute krishna
• lord krishna with flute
• krishna photos with flute
• lord krishna flute

People celebrate janmashtami devoting their respect and prayers towards Lord Krishna who was born on this very day. It is believed that Lord Krishna was born in a prison and lots of miracle incidents happened on the birthday of Krishna showing his divine power. All guards and soldiers of the prison fall in deep sleep while heavy rain and thunderstorm were going on outside. It is also said that King Kansa came to know that his mothers 8^th son will kill him and so he imprisoned his parents where this little Krishna took birth.

Just after the birth of Lord Krishna, Vasudevar got divine instruction to take the child away from that place. He was instructed to take the child to the house of Nandagopar in Gokulam and exchange him with an infant girl just born to the Nandagopar’s wife. The chains tying Vasudevar were broken and the doors of the prison went open in a miracle. Just as he came out of prison with Krishna in his hands, a snake with five heads appeared with its hood flattened like an umbrella so as to protect them from rain. Reaching the place, Vasudevar exchanged his kid with the girl child born to Yesodha.

Vasudevar returned back to the prison with the girl child and the doors again got locked. The soldiers got awake and say the child in vasudevar’s hand. They informed King Kansa and he came to kill the child. Seeing the girl child he was shocked and as he tried to kill the child, the kid slipped from his hand and told him that I am not the kid who will kill you but the child that is supposed to kill you is already in a safe place. Saying this, girl child vanished and it is believed that it was Goddess who came to save Krishna from Kansa.

As per the Hindu religion, Lord Krishna was the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu who actually took ten avatars on the earth to save good people from the evils. Lord Krishna was born in the Sravana month on the midnight of the eight day after the fool moon. The star being Rohini, it is also known as Ashtami Rohini.

This day of Janmashtami is celebrated throughout the country and every Krishna temple has special prayers seeking the blessing of Lord Krishna. Not just within India, but Hindu organizations in all over the world conduct shobha yatra where small kids get dressed up as little Krishna and Gopikas. The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated with much more joy and pleasure in Maharashtra. Here this festival is celebrated in the form of Dahi Handi which is the main attraction in Maharashtra. People come from different places to enjoy this occasion and be a part of it.

See larger image Metallic Gold Lord Krishna Hindu Statue Figure Radha () New From: $14.99 In Stock

Incoming search terms:

• Krishna Janmashtami
• child lord krishna
• sri krishna child
• www krishna com
• lord krishna eye
• lord krishnas real pics
• lord krishna with his wife and children
• newly born lord krishna
• pictures of krishna with dahi handi
• child krishna photos

It is the time of Krishna Janam Utsav also popularly called as “Janamashtami”. Krishna Janamashtami is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) in Shravana month as per the Hindu calendar. This festival mostly comes in the month of August every year and there are many legends behind celebration of the festival. One of the most famous legends behind this festival is that Lord Krishna was born on this dark and stormy night so as to make an end to the atrocities of his maternal uncle, Kansa. Lord Krishna was the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.

Janamashtami which is celebrated in the joy of Lord Krishna birth is celebrated mainly in the Northern part of India. This is a Hindu festival and is celebrated with lots and lots of fervor and enthusiasm. Vrindavan and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh are the main places where you can find the celebration of Janamashtami on its full scale. Devotees observe full day fast on the seventh day of Shravan month and visit temples of Lord Krishna to pat their obeisance. It is also believed that Lord Krishna took birth in the midnight of Saptami and Ashtami and so the devotees carry out prayers of Lord Krishna full night.

One can also find the Jhankis that are carried out in different cities on trucks. These Jhankis are the processions showing the life stories of Lord Krishna. People take part in these Jhankis in large number and celebrate all through showing their devotion towards Krishna.

It is not just Krishna Janamashtami is celebrated in North India but it is also celebrated in South India by Iyengars and they call it by the name of Sri Krishna janamashtami or Krishnajayanthi.

Maharashtra celebrates Krishna Janamashtami in the form of Dahi Handi. This is the main attraction in Maharashtra which attracts people from all over the country. While celebrating this event, a clay pot is filled with buttermilk and curd and is positioned at certain height in a street. Now this Dahi Handi is broken by a person standing on the topmost position of the human pyramid. Buttermilk spills all over the people standing down and this spilling of buttermilk are considered as a good sign for humanity and unity. Mostly the youngsters participate in the human pyramid and are known as Govinda which is another name of Lord Krishna.

See larger image Metallic Gold Lord Krishna Hindu Statue Figure Radha () New From: $14.99 In Stock

Incoming search terms:

• lord krishna
• krishna
• lord krishna photos
• lord krishna images
• images of lord krishna
• lord krishna pictures
• photos of lord krishna
• krishna photos
• picture of lord Krishna
• sri krishna photos

ll Doha ll
Banshi Shobhit Kar Madhur,Neel Jalad Tanu Shyam l
Arun Adhar Janu Bimba Phal,Nayan Kamal Abhiraam ll
Puran Indu Arvind Mukha, Pitaambar Shubha Saaj l

Jai Manmohan Madan Chhavi,Krishnachandra Maharaj ll

ll Chaupai ll

Jai Yadunandan Jai Jagvandan, Jai Vasudev Devki Nandan

Jai Yashoda Sut Nanda Dulaare,Jai Prabhu Bhaktan Ke Rakhavaare

Jai Natanaagar Naag Nathaiyaa, Krishna Kanhaiya Dhenu Charaiya
Puni Nakh Par Prabhu Girivar Dhaaro,Aao Deenan Kasht Nivaaro

Bansi Madhur Adhar Dhari Teri, Hove Puran Manorath Meri
Aao Hari Puni Maakhan Chaakho, Aaj Laaj Bhaktan Ki Raakho

Gol Kapol Chibuk Arunaare,Mridul Muskaan Mohini Daare
Ranjit Raajiv Nayan Vishaalaa, Mor Mukut Vaijayanti Maalaa

Kundal Shravan Peetpat Aache, Kati Kinkini Kaachhan Kaachhe
Neel Jalaj Sundar Tanu Sohe,Chhavi Lakhi Sur Nar Muni Mana Mohe

Mastak Tilak Alak Ghunghraale, Aao Shyaam Bansuri Vaale
Kari Pai Paan, Putanaahin Taaryo, Akaa Bakaa Kaaga Sur Maaryo

Madhuvan Jalat Agni Jab Jvaala, Bhaye Sheetal ,Lakhitahin Nandalala
Surpati Jab Brij Chadhyo Risaai, Musar Dhaar Baari Barsaai

Lagat-Lagat Brij Chahan Bahaayo, Govardhan Nakhdhari Bachaayo.
Lakhi Yashodaa Man Bhram Adhikaai,Mukh Mahan Chaudah Bhuvan Dikhaai

Dusht Kansa Ati Udham Machaayo, Koti Kamal Kahan Phul Mangaayo.
Naathi Kaaliyahin Tab Tum Linhen, Charanchinh Dai Nirbhay Kinhe

Kari Gopin Sang Raas Vilaasa, Sab Ki Puran Kari Abhilashaa
Ketik Mahaa Asur Sanhaaryo, Kansahi Kesh Pakadi Dai Maaryo

Maatu Pitaa Ki Bandi Chhudaayi, Ugrasen Kahan Raaj Dilaayi
Mahi Se Mritak Chhaho Sut Laayo, Matu Devaki Shok Mitaayo

Bhomaasur Mura Daitya Sanhaari, Laaye Shatdash Sahas Kumaari
Dai Bhinhin Trincheer Sanhaara, Jaraasindhu Raakshas Kahan Maara

Asur Vrikaasur Aadik Maaryo, Bhaktan Ke Tab Kasht Nivaariyo
Deen Sudaamaa Ke Dukh Taaryo, Tandul Teen Muthi Mukh Daaryo

Prem Ke Saag Vidura Ghar Maange, Duryodhan Ke Mevaa Tyaage
Laakhi Premki Mahimaa Bhaari, Naumi Shyam Deenan Hitkaari

Maarath Ke Paarath Rath Haanke, Liye Chakra Kar Nahin Bal Thaake
Nij Gitaa Ke Gyaan Sunaaye, Bhaktan Hriday Sudhaa Barsaaye

Meera Thi Aisi Matvaali, Vish Pee Gayi Bajaakar Taali
Raanaa Bhejaa Saamp Pitaari, Shaaligraam Bane Banvaari

Nij Maayaa Tum Vidhihin Dikhaayo, Urate Sanshay Sakal Mitaayo
Tav Shat Nindaa Kari Tatkaalaa, Jivan Mukt Bhayo Shishupaalaa

Jabahin Draupadi Ter Lagaai, Deenanaath Laaj Ab Jaai
Asa Anaatha Ke Naath Kanhaiyaa, Dubat Bhanvar Bachaavat Naiyaa

Sundardaas Aas Ura Dhaari, Dayadrishti Keeje Banwaari
Naath Sakal Mam Kumati Nivaaro, Chhamobegi Apraadh Hamaaro

Kholo Pat Ab Darshan Deeje, Bolo Krishna Kanhaiya Ki Jai

ll Doha ll
Yah Chalisa Krishna Ka, Path Kare Ur Dhaari l l
Asht Siddhi Nav Niddhi Phal, Lahe Padaarath Chaari l

See larger image Metallic Gold Lord Krishna Hindu Statue Figure Radha () New From: $14.99 In Stock

Incoming search terms:

• lord krishna and radha
• radha
• lord krishna with radha
• pics of lord krishna and radha
• krishna kanhaiya
• krishna and radha
• pictures of shri krishna with radha
• bhagwan krishna or radha
• photos of lord krishna and radha
• images of lord krishna and radha

Aarti Kunj Bihari Ji Ki, Girdhar Krishan Murari Ki,
Gale Main Bejyantee Mala, Bajave Murli Madhur Bala.
Shrawan Main Kundal Jhal Kala, Nand Ke Anand Nandlala.
Neinan Beech, Bshi Ur Beech, Surtiya Roop Ujari Ki,
Girdhar Krishan Murari Ki, Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki.

Kanakmay Mor Mukut Vilse, Devta Darshan Ko Tarse.,
Gagan Se Suman Bhaut Barse, Bjt Muh Chang Aur Mardung,
Gwalin Sung. Laj Rakh Gop Kumari Ki,
Girdhar Krishan Murari Ki, Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki.

Jhan Te Prakti Hai Ganga, Kalush Kali Harni Shree Ganga,
Dhari Shiv Sheesh Jata Ke Beech Radhika Gaur,
Shyam Patchar Ki, Chhavi Nirkhen Banvari Ki,
Girdhar Krishan Murari Ki, Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki.

Chahudishi Gopgwal Dhenu, Baj Rahi Jamunatat Benu,
Hansat Mukh Mand Vard Sukh Kand Varndavan,
Chand Ter Suni Leu Bhikhari Ki,
Girdhar Krishan Murari Ki, Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki.

See larger image LORD KRISHNA INDIAN BATIK TAPESTRY WALL HANGING ~ Handpainted Cotton Canvas Wall Hanging ~ 22" x 30" () New From: $25.01 In Stock

Incoming search terms:

• aarti of lord krishna
• Lord Krishna Aarti L
• Patchar indan stars

Shani, the planet Saturn, is said to have been saved by Hanuman from the clutches of Ravana and in return Shani promised that those people who will pray Hanuman will be rescued from the painful effects of Saturn.

Once, Hanuman was meditating, when Shani came and started teasing Hanuman by pulling his tail. Hanuman warned him as Shani is his Guru’s son and Hanuman respects him but when Shani did not listened, Hanuman gave him a good thrashing. At the end Shani pleaded to leave and promised not to go near any devotee mediating on Lord Rama.

Also it is believed that one Shani climbed on to Lord Hanuman’s shoulder, implying that Hanuman was coming under the effects of the influence of Shani. At this, Hanuman assumed a large size making Shani caught between his shoulder and the ceiling of the room. When the pain was unbearable, Shani requested Hanuman to release him promising that he would moderate the malefic effects of his influence on all those people who pray to Hanuman.

Lord Hanuman is said to be the symbol of selflessness while Shani is symbolic of instant judgment on a person’s past and present karma accordingly. It is firmly believed that worship of Hanuman grants fortitude and strength. Hanuman is also believed to be the Lord of Mars and all the planets are under the control of his tail.

One of the most important, famous, religious festivals of Hindu is Hanuman Jayanthi which is celebrated on the full moon day (purnima), in the month of Chaitra to commemorate the birth of Hanuman. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama and thus is worshipped for his unflinching devotion to the God. People apply sindoor as tilak from the body of Hanuman which is believed to be the symbol of good luck. All the temples of Hanuman all over the country are full of devotees and people celebrated this day with full excitement. Spiritual discourses starts at dawn as Hanuman was born at sunrise and so all such deeds are stopped at that time and Prasad is distributed to everyone which provide strength and comfort to the devotee.
Hanuman is the machine of strength and enormous energy who is able to assume any form big or small, weak or powerful at his will. Hanuman is able to move huge mountains, break big rocks to pieces, dart through air, rival Garuda in swiftness of flight and even seize the clouds. Hanuman is the only one who is said to conquer the evil spirits and relieve the mankind from the effects of black magic.

See larger image Fine Quality Hand Cast Seated Hanuman Statue () New From: $48.00 In Stock

Incoming search terms:

• hanuman and shani story who big
• sani and maruti
• sani story with hanuman
• stories on strength hanuman
• story between shani and maruti