Today is the appearance of Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna. According to the Vaishnava tradition, Balarama is the first expansion of Krishna in the form of Sesa, and everything then eminates from him, and is therefore also known the original Guru. In his other incarnations or avatars he is known as Laxman,...
Author: Tulsi Seva (Tulsi Seva)
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Diwali
Diwali – the festival of lights in some communities spans five days during October/November in the sacred month of *Kartik. For many Hindus Diwali marks the New Year. The forms of Laksmi/Sita (Goddess of wealth and prosperity) & Rama are worshiped by most Hindu. This is the most widely celebrated festivals in the Hindu calendar derived from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Diwali celebrates the homecoming of Lord...
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Navratri
Navratri, literally meaning nine nights, is a festival of the triumph of good over evil. This festival is celebrated in Sept/Oct with the worship of Shakti/Paravati in her various forms such as: Durga, Kali, Vijaya, Vaishnavi, Kumuda, Chadika, Badrakali … A demon by the name of Mahishasura, had waged war against the demigods. The demigods...
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Ganesh Chathurti
Ganesh Chathurti is a festival celebrating the elephant headed god Ganesh. Ganesh is the youngest son of Lord Shiva and Parvati and appears during the fourth day of the Hindu lunar-solar calendar in the month of Badrapada (August/September) There are two stories of his appearance. One says, that the Goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of mud to...
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Janmastami
Janmastami is the birthday of Lord Krishna. Many Hindus accept Krishna as an incarnation of Vishnu (and often list Him as the eighth incarnation instead of Balaram). Others hold that Krishna is the original form of God and the source of all Vishnu forms. His skin is blue, like rain clouds and His clothes yellow,...
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Rathyatra
Rath Yatra literally means “cart festival”. Jagannath Rathyatra is celebrated every year on the 2nd day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing cycle of the moon) in the month of Asadh, the 3rd month (May/June) according to the vedic lunar calendar. Originally the festival has its foundation in the residents of Vrindavan bringing back their Lords,...
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Nrsimha Chaturdasi
Nrsimha Chaturdasi is the day Lord Nrsimhadeva (nri-SING-ha-deva) appeared on the earth. After Varahadev killed the demon Hiranyaksha, the demon’s younger brother, Hiranyakashipu, performed severe austerities which made him the most powerful being in the universe. Although Lord Brahma could not grant him immortality, he did give Hiranyakashipu blessings, that he could not...
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Ramanavami
Ramanavami celebration observes the birth of Lord Rama, and is one of the most auspicious days in the Vaisnava calendar. Lord Rama is an avatar of the Supreme Lord who appeared on this earth several millennia ago. At Bhaktivedanta Manor, celebrations for Ramanavami include special decorations, drama, discussion of Lord Rama’s pastimes and a harinama (chanting procession)...
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Central Primary School Yr 4
Why do your Gods have lots of extra body parts? Hindus believe God is limitless so there is no end to his power, creation or particular form that he would take. Many images of Hindu Gods show them with many arms. The many arms represent the different strengths and powers each god has. The Item that they hold in their arms...
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Gaurapurnima
Gaura Purmina (meaning “golden full moon”) is the birthday anniversary of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534). This festival is celebrated in February/March and coincides with the festival of Holi. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Gaudiya refers to the region of Gauda (present day Bengal/Bangladesh) and Vaishnavism “the worship of Vishnu or Krishna”. Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe that...