Bindi

>> Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Importance of Bindi
The bindi is one of the most fascinating of all forms of body decoration. Hindu Women attach a very great significance to this ornamental mark on their forehead, apart from its decorative importance. It is not just an ornamental decoration, it signifies their marital status. The bindi is worn on the forehead between the two eyebrows -- a spot considered a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. The bindi is also commonly known in various Indian languages as 'tika', 'pottu', 'sindoor', 'tilak', 'tilakam', and 'kumkum'.

A bindi is usually a small or a big eye-catching round mark made on the forehead as adornment. However, with changing times & fashion trends, this round-red mark has changed many faces / shapes & designs. Women not only want to go in for stone-studded Bindis, they also also on the lookout for a more designer look, with colors matching their dresses. Here are a few designer bindis, you might want to check out & adorn yourselves with, this karwachauth.
























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Karwa Chauth Thali

>> Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Karwa Chauth Pooja Thali Decoration

As we all know Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great pomp and show by all the married Hindu Ladies, in various parts of the globe. It is an auspicious festival that brings fortune as well as well being alongwith long life for the husband if his wife observes this fast with full faith.

Since Karwa Chauth Pooja has a lot of significance, an equal significance is given to the Puja Thali Decoration. Karwa Chauth is loaded & associate with a lot of intricate rituals and customs. Thus, all the arrangements for the pooja are done prior to the festival or prior to the pooja.

One of the most important part of this Pooja is decoration of the Pooja thali so that every material is specified in accordance with the required quantity and order. It is also important because the decorated thali forms an important component of the Karwa Chauth puja.

The Pooja thali are interestingly decorated by the women who observe the fast to give their Pooja thali an exclusively attractive look.

The Karva Chauth Pooja Thali, better known as Baya / Bayna, consists of the roli, vermilion, sacred water (gangajal), dry fruits like almonds, pistachios etc., earthen clay pots, diyas and different types of sweets.

The Thali may be a silver thali, brass thali or a steel thali depending. In this Thali, every Pooja material is kept separately in small bowls. During the Pooja this thali is needed while the story is being narrated. After the puja, this thali is presented to the eldest member of the family who blesses the lady i.e. the thali is given to mother-in-law by her bahu.

The Pooja Thali can be decorated in accordance to the creative skills and arts known to the decorator as there is no specific rule and regulation to how the thali should be decorated. Some people decorate thalis for puja by making ritualistic decoration like rangoli and alpana while some people opt for floral decorations with the help of flowers, leaves, color and multicolored pulses.

So go ahead & decorate your Pooja Thali / Plate as per your desire & liking.







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Karwachauth Story

>> Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Karwachauth Katha in English
Story of Karwa Chauth (To be told on Karwa Chauth in the Evening, while doing pooja, before offering water to the Moon)

The Hindi Story, has been translated in English for the benefit of those who are unable to read Hindi Language. :-)

It is said that in a village, seven brothers and one sister were staying with their parents (money lender). The sister was youngest among them. That's why everybody adored her.

When she was 10 or 12 years of age they married her. After marriage on first karwa chauth, she came to her mother's house. Her mother-in-law affectionately sent sargi for her. She put mehendi/henna on her hands along with her mother and bhabhis (brother's wives) and had sargi in the morning before sunrise and observed a nirjal fast (without taking water).

By the evening the brothers got worried that how can their small sister live without food and water till night. They consulted among themselves and decided that we will create artificial moon for their sister.

Two brothers went to the forest and burnt cowdung coal. The other two brothers went home and said let's go sister the moon has risen. All her bhabhis (brother's wife's) kept quite. Sister said "let's go Bhabhi the moon has risen, lets worship the moon and offer ark (water is offered to the moon) to it. All the Bhabhis said "So early only your moon could have risen, You may go."

She was not only young but also simple hearted, she really thought everyone's moon rises separately.

She hurriedly took the pooja material to the terrace. There in the forest one brother was standing with a sieve in front of the cowdung coalfire, so from distance she thought that the moon is rising from behind bushes.

She offered her worship and ark to the moon and came back home. As soon as she started eating Puya's, she received a message from her in-laws that her husband is seriously ill suddenly.

On hearing this, the Girl's father and brothers along with her rushed to her in-law's house. There her husband was seriously ill. Every body was worried.

Hakim (auyarvedic Dr.), Doctors were called but nobody could understand the illness.

Then the family enquired from priests and Astrologers. They told them that this has happened because the girl has eaten puya's, after seeing the artificial moon i.e. before sun-rise. Now the only solution is that till the next year karwa chauth, the girl should take good care of her husband, then keep fast on Karwa Chauth and exchange karwa with Gaur Maata and make her say "le suhaagan karwa le","de suhagaan karwa de". Then her husband will be well and will live long. On hearing this, the girl decided to take good care of her husband for one year.

Next year when Karwachauth arrived, her mother sent sargi for her. As per the tradition, she did sargi and kept her fast. Her mother also sent material for baya/bayna, karwa and money.

In the evening, all married ladies dressed up wore chunari, making preparation for the pooja, she waited to exchange karwa with Gaur Maata.

When the first Gaur Maata arrived. The girl held her feet and pleaded her
"O'Gaur Maata, Please exchange karwa with me."

After lot of pleading Gaur Maata sat with her and said
"Sister of seven brothers karwa le",
"Jo bhukhi naa reh sake (who can't stay hungry) karwa le",
"Jo payasi naa reh sake (who can't stay thirsty) karwa le",
"Jo Chalni meh chaand dekhe (One who see moon in sieve) karwa le."
She begged her again and again to say "Le Suhaagan Karwa Le" Gaur Maata said, "I won't say this. My other sisters will come, you make them say." And after saying this, she went away.

After some time 2nd Gaur Maata came and she also went away saying what the earlier one had said. In this way they came one by one when the ninth Gaur Maata came, the girl was worried. When she begged her again and again and held her feet, then Gaur Maata said," when my youngest sister will come, you ask her, I will not say. My sister is scary looking but good at heart, don't let her go, make her say it."

After some time 10th Gaur maata came. She had dark complexion, had big teeth, horrible face and was wearing lot of jewelry. When she heard the small girl pleadings, she sat down with her to exchange karwa and like other Gaur Maata's said
"Sister of seven brothers karwa le",
"Jo bhukhi naa reh sake (who can't stay hungry) karwa le",
"Jo payasi naa reh sake (who can't stay thirsty) karwa le",
"Jo Chalni meh chaand dakhe (One who see moon in sieve) karwa le."

The girl fell on her feet and said "O' Mother please forgive my mistakes, Please say "Le suhaagan karwa le". If you will say this , my husband will live. I will always worship you. Please bless me.

On girls repeated pleading, Gaur Maata felt pity for her and said-Let it be so and said "Le suhaagan karwa le" and the girl said "de suhaagan karwa de". Then, the same thing was repeated by both of them in reverse order. When they said this ten times Girls husband was well again. Everybody touched Gaur Maata's feet".

Hey Gaur Maata jaise aapne saahukaar ki kanya ka suhaag diya, waise hi sabko dena

Sab Milke Bolo .. Karwa Chauth Mata ki Jai, Gaura Maata Ki Jai
Hey Chauth Maata Saubhagya, Putra aur Achal Laxmi Sabko Dena, Mangal Karna aur Kalyaan Karna !
Jai Ho Maa!!

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Henna & Henna Designs

>> Monday, September 21, 2009

As we discussed in our earlier post, the concept of Solah Shringaar is not complete without Henna or Mehendi as is commonly known in India. All the married woman who observe the holy fast ofkarwa chauth enthusiastically throng to parlours & mehendi walas a night before observing the fast, so that the colors of henna adorn their beautiful hands & feet. Some even apply mehendi a day before, so that the color darkens and appears at its best on the final day. Just as we discuss the importance of mehendi for a married woman, why not check out some of the beautiful henna patterns or mehendi designs:


Ecstatic, Beautiful, Mehendi Designs for Beautiful Hands:-



















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Solah Shringaar

>> Tuesday, September 15, 2009

For an Indian bride or a Hindu married woman, the importance of solah (16) shringaar is utmost. Specially on her wedding day and all subsequent such ocassions & festivals when she vows to relive all the promises of her wedded life. Different kinds of beauty rituals are associated with the solah shringaar specially on her wedding, all her friends & relatives gather together to put together the bride at her best, with all the adornments consisting of solah shringaar.

Making up the bride with all her adornments consist totally of 16 different adornments, which adorn her from tip to toe and cover every part of her body. This is how she is supposed to be dressed for all the subsequent ocassions after her marriage, specially each Karwa Chauth.

Dressing up for karwachauth, reminds every woman of her wedding day, as this is one day when she dresses up in her wedding attire (i.e. the dress which she wore for her marriage) which can be either her bridal lehenga choli or her bridal saree. The Solah Shringaar consists of the following adornments:-

  • Bindi
  • Sindoor
  • Maangteeka
  • Anjana / Kajal
  • Nath / Nose Ring (attached with Gold Chain)
  • Haar / Necklace / Mangalsootra
  • Karn Phool / Earrings
  • Henna / Mehendi (Hand & Feet)
  • Choodiyan / Bangles (Maroon or Green Color)
  • Baajuband / Arm Band
  • Aarsi / Thumb Ring / Hath Phool (a bracelet which has rings for all 4 fingers as well as thumb)
  • Keshapasharachana / Hairdo (Braid with Flowers for an accentuated look)
  • Kamarband / Waist band
  • Payal & Bichuas (Anklets & Toe rings in Silver Metal)
  • Itar / Perfume
  • Bridal Dress (Bridal Lehenga Choli / Bridal Saree or Bridal Salwar Kameez)

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Karwa Chauth Songs

>> Monday, September 14, 2009

Karwa Chauth Songs / Geet

As is the ritual, for every pooja their is an arti which is sung along to please the Lords. For Karwa Chauth Pooja also, ladies sing along a song for each completed ritual, be it after the pooja & while exchanging their thalis & karwas or while offering water (jal) to the 'moon'.

Karwachauth ke Geet (Songs for Karwa Chauth)

After the Pooja, the ladies (performing the pooja) exchange their thalis and karwaas (karwadas), during this time, they sing this song.




Once the moon rises, following song is sung while offering water (jal) to moon / Chandrama ko ark dete samay ka gana:-

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First Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is of great importance for married Hindu women and this festival is also a big occasion for Newly married women, who are fasting for the 1st time, i.e. their first Karwa Chauth Fast. It is by far the most important fast for her & also for her family members. All relatives & immediate family members give a lot of importance to the new bride who is observing her 1st karwa chauth fast. She is showered with lots of gifts & blessings for a happy & successful married life. Gifts pour in from her maternal (mayka) side as well as in-laws (sasural).

Sargi
As is the tradition with many Hindu families, the ladies observing fast have to wake up early morning before sun-rise and have a lavish / sumptuous meal so that all day she is able to spend without food & water. This meal is known as Sargi. The 1st sargi is prepared by the Mother-in-law and is very elaborate which includes sweets, sevaiyan and other delighful delicacies. Mother-in-law blesses her daughter-in-law who is observing karwa chauth with blessings like “Sada Suhagan Raho”, meaning “May you be blessed with a happy & blissful married life”. She also gifts her with Sarees, Jewelry & Other Suhaag items (viz.. Sindoor, Bangles, Bindi, Bichue, Payal / Anklets).

Baya / Bayna
Just like Mother-in-law gifts various items in the form of Sargi, the daughter-in-law presents her mother-in-law with Baya or Bayna. When the girl is observing her 1st karwa Chauth, this Baya or Bayna come from her Mother's Home (Mayka). The 1st bayna usually consists of salted mathris, dry-fruits, sweets and gifts for all close family members. This Bayna is a little more special when the daughter is observing her first Karva Chauth. Mothers of newly wed daughters bring gifts for all her family members. Some utensils are also included in the baya which are to be distributed amongst women who join the newly-wed on her first Karva Chauth Puja.

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Maa Parvati ki Aarti

>> Thursday, September 10, 2009

Maa Parvati Ki Aarti.. Lyrics


Jay Pārvati Mātā, Maiyā Jay Pārvati Mātā.,
Brahm Sanātan Devī, Shubh Phal Kī Dātā.
Om Jay…

Arikul Padm Vināsani, Jay Sevak Trātā,
Jag Jīvan Jagdambā, Harihar Gun Gātā
Om Jay…

Singh Ko Vāhan Sāje, Kundal Hai Sāthā.
Dev Vadhū Jaha Gāvat, Nritya Karat Tā Thā.
Om Jay…

Satyug Shīl Susundar, Nām Sati Kahlātā.
Hemānchal Ghar Janmī, Sakhiyan Rangrātā.
Om Jay…

Shumbh Nishumbh Vidāre, Hemānchal Syātā.
Sahas Bhujā Tanu Dharike, Chakr Liyo Hāthā.
Om Jay…

Srishtī Rūp Tū Hī Jananī, Shiv Sang Rangrātā.
Nandī Bhrangī Been Lahī, Sārā Madmātā.
Om Jay…

Devan Araj Karat Ham, Chit Ko Lātā.
Gavat De De Tālī, Man Mein Rangrātā.
Om Jay…

Shri Pratāp Ārati Maiyā Kī, Jo Koi Gātā.
Sadā Sukhī Nit Rahtā, Such Sampatī Pātā.
Om Jay… !

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Ganeshji ki Arti

Ganeshji Ki Aarti .. Lyrics

Jay ganesh, jay ganesh, jay ganesh deva,
Mata jaaki parvati, pitaa mahadeva.
Jay ganesh, jay ganesh, jay ganesh deva,
Ek dant dayavant,char bhujadhari,
Mathe sindur sohe, moos ki savari.
Jay ganesh, jay ganesh, jay ganesh deva,
Andhan ko aankh det, korhin ko kaya,
baanjhan ko putr det, nirdhan ko maya.
Jay ganesh, jay ganesh, jay ganesh deva,
haar chade, fool chade aur chade meva,
laduan ko bhog lage, sant kare seva.
Jay ganesh, jay ganesh, jay ganesh deva,
dinan ki laj rakho, shambhu sutavari,
kamana ko puran karo, jag balihari.
Jay ganesh, jay ganesh, jay ganesh deva !


Bolo Ganesh bhagwaan ki Jai.. !

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Puja Aarti

After the Puja, Following Aartis to be sung aloud:

1. Ganeshji ki Aarti (lyrics)



2. Maa Parvati ki Aarti (lyrics)



3. Om Jai Jagadish Hare (lyrics)

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Karwa Chauth Vrat

>> Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A married woman who observes karwa chauth vrat is called ‘Saubhagyavati’ (joyous and happy state of wifehood). As the name signifies, Karva meaning a clay pot and chauth corresponding to the fourth, this festival is commemorated on the the fourth day after the Full Moon in Kartik month of Hindu calendar.

Karwa Chauth Vrat karne ki vidhi or the process of doing the karwa chauth vrat is easily explained here in hindi. For those of us who are well conversant with hindi language, we can simply go by the following process & do our vrat...



Karwa chauth ka Calendar, jiski pooja karni chahiye..

As mentioned above, if we are unable to make the drawing on wall, we can simply print the karwa chauth calendar as given below and do the Karwa Chauth Pooja..



Now the following Karwa Chauth Katha (Story) should be narrated:



Karwa Chauth ki doosri katha, Shri Ganeshji Ki Kahani..


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