Upcoming Hindu Festivals in 2012 (September to November)

 

30-Sep-12	Sunday	Pitr-paksha (Shradh) Begins
15-Oct-12	Monday	Pitr-paksha (Shradh) Ends
16-Oct-12	Tuesday	Navaratri Begins
21-Oct-12	Sunday	Durga Puja Begins
23-Oct-12	Tuesday	Navaratri Ends
24-Oct-12	Wednesday	Dusshera
29-Oct-12	Monday	Lakshmi Puja
3-Nov-12	Saturday	Karwa Chauth
12-Nov-12	Monday	Dhan Teras
13-Nov-12	Tuesday	Diwali
28-Nov-12	Wednesday	Kartik Poornima

 

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Akshaya Tritiya 2012

Akshaya Tritiya or Akshaya Tritiya or Akkha Teej is one of the most auspicious days for Hindus. Akshaya Tritiya 2012 date is  Apr 24, 2012. Akshay Tritiya is celebrated on the third day of the first half of the Hindu month of Vaishakha (Vaishakha Shudda Tritiya or Thadiya). As per the Hindu traditions and culture, Akshay Tritiya is considered as the most significant day to perform sacred deeds (Punya Karya).

In Sanskrit, the meaning of Akshay is “never diminishing”. As the meaning says, on the day of Akshay Tritiya people never feel the dearth of happiness or bliss.

What is the Importance & Significance of Akshay Tritiya as per the Hindu Astrology?
According to the Hindu Astrology, especially in terms of Muhurtas, Akshaya Tritiya is considered as one of the three most auspicious Muhurtas (Sade-Teen Muhurat). One is the first thithi of the Chaitra Month (Ugadi Day), second is the tenth thithi of the Lunar month Ashwin or Aswayuja masam (Vijaya Dashami Day) and the third one is the third thithi of Vaishakha masa, the Akshaya Tirtiya Day. It is also referred as Unboojha Muhurat.

What is the Importance & Significance of Akshaya Tritiya as per the Hindu Mythology?
As per the Hindu religious texts and epics, the Thretha Yuga was started on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, Hindus also observe the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarantion of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.

As mentioned in the Vedas, on the day of Akshaya Trithiya, along with Lord Ganesha Sage Veda Vyasa initiated writing the great epic, Mahabharata. Puranas describe the day of Akshaya Trithiya is the birthday of Lord Parasurama (Lord Parasurama Jayanthi). The Hindu scriptures and other sacred texts explained the greatness of Lord Parasuram.

On the day of Akshaya Tirtiya, Lord Shri Balarama Jayanthi (birthday of Lord Sri Balaram) is also celebrated. Balarama was the elder brother of Lord Sri Krishna. Lord Balaram is significantly known with his weapon ‘Hal’. Lord Balarama is also referred as one of the Dasavatara, ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

What are the Rituals, Customs and Traditions of Akshay Tritiya?
Akshay Tritiya festival is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Worship of Lord Vishnu on Akshay Tritiya eradicates and removes one’s sins and makes him free from all sorrows. Puranas described that Devotees who perform Sri Maha Vishnu Puja on Akshay Tritiya may attain salvation.

In some regions, devotees keep fasts on Akshaya Tritiya. As per the Puranas, charity of food, clothes and other edible material on Akshaya Tritiya is also considered as most important ritual of the festival. There is a ritual to perform Goddess Tulsi Puja on Akshay Tritiya in some regions of India.

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Significance & Importance of Festivals in India

In simple terms, India can be described as the soil of festivals. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that in this country, one can find frequent festivals throughout the year.One such important festival of India is Karwa Chauth. This festival is defined as one of the most important festivals among the married women.


It is mainly considered as the festival of northern India, but nowadays, each and every region of India celebrates this festival with tremendous enthusiasm and dedication. Especially the married women observe this occasion with utmost dedication and devotion. Karwa Chauth is the festival that is observed by the married women for the longevity and enormous prosperity of their husbands.

Married women observe stringent fast on this day and offer prayers to Goddess Gauri in the evening time. They break their fast only after performing the Karwa Chauth puja and after having a look at the full moon. The date of Karwa Chauth falls in the month of Kartik as per the religious Hindu calendar. It falls on the day fourth, the day of waving moon in the month of Kartik.

The festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated nine days before the Diwali celebrations. The date of Karwa Chauth usually falls in between October and November. Karwa Chauth 2011 date is 15th of October. At the time of Karwa Chauth celebrations, there is a different festive mood in the air. This festival is considered as really auspicious as it reflects the importance of a sacred relationship that is marriage. It reflects the pure and loving relationship of a husband and a wife. Traditional clothes (that too in bright colors); accessories, jewelries and henna are some of the most important components of the Karwa Chauth festival. It is a Hindu festival and is followed by the married women very religiously as per the norms and customs of Hindu religion.

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