In the vastness of Hindu religion there are
33 million gods and godesses, here are some of the most popular ones!
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Shri
Ganesh |
Ganesh is the son of Parvathi and Siva.
He is the remover of obstacles. He is worshiped first before starting
any religious function. Other common names of Ganesh are Ganpathi,
Vinaayaka and Vigneshara.
The fourth day of the lunar fortnight (Chathurti)
and Tuesdays and Fridays are special to Ganesh. The Chathurti that
comes after a full moon is called Sankatahara Chathurti. Chathurti
of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Simbha (Bhaadrapadha)
is celebrated as Ganesh Chathurhi.
Offerings of modhaka and of durva grass garlands
are special to Ganesh. Lord Ganesh is decorated with viboodhi, turmeric
and sandal powder. Performing Ganpathi Havan before starting any
project is very auspicious.
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Shri
Ram |
Ram is the eight major incarnation of Vishnu.
Vishnu assumed different forms on several occasions and came down
to earth to protect the good people from the evil, to re-establish
the right order and to punish the wicked. Ram is one of the most
popular Avatar. He exemplifies the idea of Manava Dharma (duties
and moral code for humans).
Mondays and Saturdays are auspicious to Ram.
Navami, the ninth day of lunar fortnight, is a special day of worship
of Ram. Sri Ram Navami falling in March-April is celebrated as the
birthday festival of Ram. Sita Kalyanam is celebrated during on
the days of Sri Ram Navami Festival and also during Navaratri. During
the Ram Navami festival, devotees chant the entire Ramayana. The
tenth day of Navaratri, is celebrated as Vijaya Dasami, the day
Ram destroyed Ravana and his demon forces. Deepavali is celebrated
as the day of Ram's return to Ayodhaya and coronation as its king.
Apart from flowers and fruits, light drink
prepared from jaggery and also butter milk are special offerings
to Ram. Reciting the verses in Sundara Kaanda in Ramaayana is auspicious.
Performing Sita Kalyanam is also customary.
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Shri
Krishna |
Krishna is one of the ten major incarnations
of Lord Vishnu. Among the avatars of Lord Vishnu, perhaps the most
popular is his descent as Krishna. He imparts divine wisdom to Arjuna
in Bagavath Gita. Kanna, Govinda, Madhusudana, Muralidara are also
his common names.
Thursdays and the star Rohnini are auspicious
to Krishna. Sri Krishna Janmaashtami is celebrated as a big annual
festival.
Garlands with Thulasi leaves and fruits,
beaten rice with jaggery and butter are special offerings to Krishna.
Special decorations with butter are performed to Krishna.
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Lord
Shiva |
Shiva is one of the three principal deities
of the Hindus: the others are Brahma and Vishnu. Shiva has the power
of annihilation or destruction of evil. He is also an ideal for simplicity
in our life to renounce attachments to worldly objects. Other common
names of Shiva are Nataraja, Dakshinamurthi and Chandrasekara.
Mondays and Pradhosham, thirteenth day of
the fortnight are very auspicious to Shiva Maha Shivaratri is celebrated
in grand style with puja's and bhajans throughout night. Dharsan
of Shiva on days with Aardha star and prashodam puja on Mondays
Saturdays are very auspicious.
Siva is Abhishekapriya, meaning one who adores
sacred bath. Rudraabishekam, Rudra homam, Mrithyunjaya homam are
performed to Lord Shiva. Bilva leaf, Erukku,Thumba and Oleander
flowers are auspicious to Shiva.
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Shri
Parvathi with Shiva and Ganesh |
Parvathi is the daughter of Himalayas, is
the consort of Shiva. She represents the universal power (Sakti)
that is the primary activating energy in the self-revelation of
the absolute. Othercommon names for Parvathi are Sakti, Parvathavardhini,
Rajarajeshwari, Meenakshi, Kaamakhi, Visalaakshand Lalitha.
Fridays are very auspicious to Parvathi.
The first three days during the Navratri festival are celebrated
for Parvathi. Meenakshi Kalyanam is celebrated on the Chitra Poornima
day. Bhagavathi Seva is performed during the months of Makara and
Karkata.
Special puja is performed to Parvathi by
invoking her in the lamp. This is called "Deepa Puja. Special
abishekams and alankaras with flowers and turmeric powder are customaryBhagavathi
Seva is famous in Kerala. Paayasam andVada are special offering
to Parvathi.
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Shri
Durga |
Goddess Durga represents Shakti, the female
principle of energy, the counterpart of Shiva. She is the Goddess
of valor and slayer of demons that were personifications of vaunted
ego, ignorance, sloth, etc. we invoke the Mother Durga to help us
annihilate within ourselves all negative forces; all weaknesses.
Other common names of Durga are Kali and Mahishasuramardhini.
Tuesdays and Fridays are considered specially
auspicious to Durga. Nava (Dasera) is celebrated for Durga. Chandi
Homam, the chanting of Devi Mahatm (the glory of the Divine Mother),
is performed during Navaratri and on s occasions.
Performing archana or lighting lamps made
of dough during "Raahu kaalam" is to Durga, Garlands made
of lemon are usually offered to Durga. Special decorations with
turmeric and sandalwood pastes and flowers are made as special offe
Reciting Lalitha sahasranaama and Mahishaasura Mardhni sthorthram
and perfoi Chandi homam are auspicious.
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Shri
Hanuman |
Hanuman is the son Vaayu, the wind god.
The great devotee of Lord Ram. He isoustanding scholar and master
of vedas. He symbolises heroism and valor to fight for the cause
of dharma, devotion and service, and above all humility. In Bhajans
it is cusomary to conclude with a sing for Hanuman. Other common
names of Hanuman are Aajaneya and Maaruthi.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are auspicious
to Hanuman. His star is "Moola". Hanumath jayanti is celebrated
on the day of "Moola star" in the Hindu month of Dhanu
(Vrichiga, Margazhi). The last day of Sri Rama Navami festival,
the birthday of Rama, is celebrated in honour of Aanjaneya.
Offerings of butter and garlands with vada,
thulasi and betel leaves are special to Hanuman. On Hanumath Jayanthi
day more than one thousand eight vadas are offered as a garland
to Hanuman. Special decorations with butter are performed to Lord
Hanuman. Reciting Hanuman Chaalisa and writing the holy name of
Rama on these days are considered auspicious.
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Shri
Saraswathi |
Saraswathi is the Goddess of learning and
knowledge. She is described as dwelling in the tongue of her consort,
Brahma, the Creator. She is therefore called Vaagiswari, the deity
governing vaak or speech, and all intellectual activities, literature,
poetry and the 64 arts in general. She is also called Shaaradha
and Vaani. Knowledge is often spoken as pure light and all white.
Saraswathi is pure white, wears white garments and white jewels
and seated on a white lotus. The white swan is her vehicle.
As Saraswathi is the Goddess of knowledge
and wisdom we should pray to Her morning. Wednesdays and Fridays
are important to Saraswathi. Saraswathi Puja and Vijaya Dasami are
celebrated during Navratri. The last 3 days of Navratri dedicated
to Saraswathi. These days are dedicated for prayers to Saraswathi
success in all pursuits of knowledge and for success in one's chosen
profession.
Abishekams and special decorations with turmeric
powder and beads are offered to Saraswathi. A variety of preparations
made of boiled lentils, paayasam and vada are given as special offerings
during the puja. The function to initiate children to the learning
process is called Vidhyaarambam. This is performed by praying to
Saraswathi and making the children write the first alphabet in their
mother tongue in rice.
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Shri
Venkatewsara |
Venkatewsara, another form of Lord Vishnu,
is one among the Trinity, representing the power of sustenance.
He is regarded as "Kaliyuga Varada". In the "degenerate"
age of Kali. He is always close to devotees and ever ready to bless
and protect them. He is also called Balaji and Govinda.
Saturdays and the whole month of Purattasi
are auspicious to Venkateswara. On the first Saturday of every month
and on the Ugadi day Srinivasa Kalyanam is performed Brahmotsavam
is celebrated in the month of Kanya.
Thulasi leaves, flowers, raisins, Laadu,
Adai, Tamarind rice, Yogurt rice and Vada are, preferred offerings
to Lord Venkateswara. Abishekam and special decorations with flowers
(Poolangi) and Gems (Muthangi) are famous to LordVenkateswara. Performing
Srinivasa Kalyanam is also customary.
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Shri
Lakshami |
Lakshmi or Sri Devi is the consort of Vishnu.
She is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Wealth includes nobler
values of life, power of mind and intellect, moral, and ethical
qualities which constitutes the spiritual wealth. The eight forms
of Lakshmi, called Ashta-Lakshmi are: Santhanalakshmi (wealth of
progeny), Ga'alakshmi wealth of animals, Dhanalakshmi (wealth of
gold and other material wealth), Dhaanyalakshmi (wealth of food
grains), Veeralakshmi (wealth of valor), Vijayalakshmi (wealth of
victories and success), Mahalakshmi (wealth of greatness) and Aadhilakshmi.
Fridays are considered auspicious for Lakshmi
Puja. The Friday before the full moon in the Hindu month of Sraavan
is considered specially sacred and Varalakshmi puja (puja for and
longevity), is performed on that day by ladies in the temples and
in the homes. Diwali the festival of lights, is also an occasion
for Lakshmi Puja. Three days during Navratri also celebrated for
Lakshmi.
Paayasam and sweets such as Ladu, fruits
and milk, are made as alankara to Lakshmi. Special abishekams and
offerings with beads and coins, and homams are also performed to
Lakshmi.
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