Mahalaya Pitru Paksha 2024 | What | When | How & Why’s

Mahalaya Pitru Paksha is an auspicious period. A Paksha is a fortnight. Also known as Pitru Paksha, it enables us to come together. This is a not to be missed annual ritual, to honour and pay our respects to our ancestors and departed loved ones. This very sacred fortnight, holds deep significance in our tradition. It offers us the opportunity to express our gratitude and remember those who have passed on.

Mahalaya Pitru Paksha will be observed from 19^th September, 2024 to 02^nd October, 2024. During this Paksha or fortnight period, it is believed that our ancestors visit us. it is our sacred duty to offer them food, prayers, and perform rituals to ensure their well-being in the afterlife.

Mahalaya Paksha Shraddha | Pitru Paksha Shraddh – A brief ove

Who should perform the Maha Bharani Shraddha & Why?

Maha Bharani Shradh or Bharani Shraddha is performed on the day with Bharani Nakshatram during Mahalaya Pitru Paksha, to those departed ancestors who may have died, during Bharani Nakshatra. It is also considered very auspicious to offer this Bharani Shradh to all the ancestors, since Lord Yama is the overlord of this Nakshatram.

As we approach the auspicious period of Mahalaya Paksha, also known as Pitru Paksha, let us come together to honour and pay our respects to our ancestors and departed loved ones.

PurePrayer brings you the importance of Bharani Shraddha and the essential points to be noted performing this.

Significance of Bharani Shraddha:

Importance of Bharani Shraddha and other forms of Shraddha puja is mentioned in the several Hindu Puranas like ‘Matsya Purana,’ ‘Ag

What is the importance of Madhyashtami Paksha Shradh Ritual?

‘Madhyashtami’ or ‘Madhya Ashtami’ Shradh is an auspicious Pitru Paksha Shradh ritual during the Mahalaya Pitru Paksha fortnight. In the traditional Panchangam (The Hindu Calendar), it is performed on the Ashtami Thithi (8^th day) during the ‘Krishna Paksha’ (the waning phase of moon) ‘Bhadrapada Maasa’. These rituals are performed to seeking peace granted to the Atmas (souls of the ancestors) or ‘pitrs’. The deceased ancestors pleased by the puja, then bless their family members with good health, wealth and prosperity. Madhya Ashtami Shradh is observed in general, at Gaya- Prayag Sangam, Gokarna, Haridwar, Kashi-Varanasi, Rameswaram and Rishikesh Theertha Kshetras. In addition to the shradh rituals, many devotees also worship Lord Shiva on the day of Madhya Ashtami. Several offerings are made to the lord to seek His divine blessings.

Ritual

Budha Jayanti 2024 | Prayers to Lord Budha

Budha Jayanti being celebrated on 02^nd July 2024, is the birth of Lord Budha, one of the Nava Graha Devatas (Deity). One of the nine celestial bodies, as per the Hindu Vedic Astrology, Budha Jayanti day can be effectively used for praying to Lord Budha, offering Japas, Havan to the deity.  

Importance of Lord Budha can be understood from the fact, that one of the days of the week has been named after him. Budha is the root of the word Budhavaasara or Budhavaara. In the ancient Hindu text ‘Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra’, it is mentioned that each day of the week is associated with a specific planetary deity. In the Hindu mythology, Budha is known as the divine embodiment of wisdom, intelligence, and communication. The scriptures highlight the influence of Budha Graha on this day, indicating tha

DASHA MAHA VIDYAS AND HOMAM

PurePrayer brings you an insight of Dasha Maha Vidyas and Homam during the occasion of Dasha Maha Vidya Homam performed in Kashi- Varanasi Punnya kshetra.

Did you know, Dasa Maha Vidya Homam is also performed as a Shatru Badha Puja and considered highly suited for Janata Representatives & Business Leaders and rise to Higher Ranks or Power, to reach Zenith of Politics? 

The interdependence of Dashamahavidyas and Navavarana Puja lies in their shared focus on the worship of the divine Shakti, the feminine energy in Hinduism. Dashamahavidya refers to the ten forms of the Goddess, while Navavarana Puja is a ritualistic worship involving the nine enclosures of the Sri Chakra Yantra.

Dasha Maha Vidyas Importance

Narasimha Jayanti | 22^nd May 2024 | Narasimha: the destroyer of Hiranyakashipu

Narasimha Jayanti occurs on 22^nd May, 2024 and is one of the very special occasion which is celebrated throughout India. Lord Narasimha is worshipped as a protector of all devotees and destroyer of evil. PurePrayer offers best wishes for Narasimha Jayanti. Vaishakha is a very special month in Indian almanac (Panchangam). Many sacred occasions occur in this month. All the incarnations of Vishnu is very unique and have great significance at all times. The incarnation of Narasimha is the fourth among the ten incarnations (Dashavatara) of Vishnu.

Hiranyakashipu & Hiranyaksh

As the well-known Puranic story goes, Hiranyakashipu was enraged by the death of his brother Hiranyaksha, by Lord Vishnu in the form of Varaha. Hiranyakashipu practiced severe penance and gained a boon

Green Birthday: Plant a Sacred Tree on your star birthday

It is your birthday! Celebrate a 'Green Birthday'. Plant a Sacred Tree on your star birthday! Cakes, cards, phone calls, flowers, and what not. It is your special day. Your date of birth, the date you were born according to the Gregorian Calendar. It is indeed a happy occasion. There could be many other occasions like milestone birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other special days when you are loaded with love and wishes.

This year, how about celebrating your birthday the ancient Vedic way with PurePrayer? Celebrate your birthday on the day of your Janma Nakshatra. Janma Nakshatra is your birth star—the star on which the moon was situated at the time of your birth. As per astrology, Janma Nakshatra plays a decisive role in our lives; it determines our character, our personality, and o

Maha Shivaratri 2024 | Great Night of Lord Shiva | Rudrabhishekam

Maha Shivaratri—"The Great Night of Lord Shiva"—this year falls on 08^th March, 2024. Lord Shiva is seen as purusha, - "pure consciousness," while his consort Shakti is seen as Prakriti, - "Mother Nature". And, it was on this night the pure consciousness with long matted hair and Trishul in one hand and damaru in the other performed His Cosmic Dance – Tandava – the divine dance of creation, preservation and destruction.<

The Guardian Spirits are here to stay

PurePrayer brings you a glimpse of Nemotsava or Bhutakola, a ritual performed in the coastal line of Dakshina Kannada better known as Tulu Nadu. Bhuta Kola is an ancient practice of paying homage to local spirits, who are thought to protect the locals and maintain the delicate cosmic balance between nature and man.

It is a sultry early evening, and the place has a festive look. The shrine of the local deity known as Daivada Mane or Daivada Sthala (the house of the Daiva – the demigod) is gorgeously decorated. The idol of Daiva has been taken on a procession and is back home to talk to His people. The atmosphere smells of glowing lamps, burning torches, and low-explosive fire crackers called “Garnal” by the natives. Amidst the mela and “paad-dana” or “pardana” (singers reciting the legend of the demigod like a ballad), th

Traits of Ashwini Nakshatra Born

You are strong, courageous and smart if you belong to this first star of Vedic Zodiac belt Ashwini 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th pada belong to Mesha Rashi (Aries constellation). Popular Ashwini starrers – Sania Mirza, Bruce Lee, Yukta Mookhey, Che Guevara, Bhim Sen Joshi, Kamala Harris

What Characteristics Identifies An Ashwini Star holder?

You are proactive, strong, and courageous. You will not exchange your dignity for anything on earth. And you have the vigour and vitality of a horse? Your birth star has to be Ashwini, the first star in the belt of Vedic astrology, symbolised by horse-headed twin Gods known as Ashwini Kumaras. They are the general physicians of t