Tag: Devotion

Saraswati Puja idol_at_BRKM_2016

Saraswati Puja 2023 time to honor the Goddess

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Saraswati Puja in 2023 will be celebrated on two different occasions:

  1. Vasant Panchami Saraswati Puja: This will be celebrated on Thursday, January 26th, 2023. On January 25, Panchami Tithi starts at 12:34 PM and will end at 10:28 AM on 26th January 2023.
  2. Navratri Saraswati Puja: This will be celebrated from October 20-22, 2023. The first day of the puja is celebrated as Saraswati Avahan where the goddess is invoked. The second day (October 21) is celebrated as Saraswati Pradhan Puja Day which is the main day for worshipping and getting blessings from the goddess. The last day of Saraswati Puja is called Saraswati Visarjan when the goddess bids adieu to Earth and heads back home.

Please note that the dates can vary slightly based on the region and local customs.

Saraswati Puja is a significant festival that celebrates knowledge, art, and wisdom. It is a time to honor the goddess Saraswati and seek her blessings for success and prosperity in life.

The festival also holds cultural significance, promoting the importance of music, literature, and the arts in society.

Goddess Saraswati is the creator and donor of knowledge and bestows the devotees with the power of wisdom, learning, music, and arts.

This festival has great significance for scholars and students, who worship Goddess Saraswati with pure dedication and devotion to acquire knowledge and wisdom. It is believed that on this day, students and teachers alike pray to the goddess for success in their academic pursuits.

The festival is celebrated on Vasant Panchami, which marks the beginning of preparations for the spring season. It also marks the start of preparation for Holika and Holi, which occur forty days later.

On this auspicious day, rituals such as offering white-colored flowers or garlands (white lilies), dupattas, and white sweets are performed. People also dress up in yellow-colored clothes. Offerings of sweets, fruits, roli, and moli are kept in front of the Goddess Saraswati. Cultural programs are hosted at night in South India.

In summary, Saraswati Puja is a celebration of knowledge and wisdom, a tribute to the arts and music, and a time for students to seek blessings for their academic endeavors…

Image credit

Aankan Das, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
सप्तर्षि_saptrishi

Saptrishi The 7 Great Sages

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The Saptrishi (Sanskrit: सप्तर्षि, romanized: Saptarṣi, lit. ‘Seven sages’) are the seven greatest sages in Vedic tradition and Hinduism.

They are said to be the mind-born sons of Brahma, the creator of the universe. The Saptarishis are responsible for guiding humanity and helping to maintain the order of the world.

The names of the Saptrishi vary in different texts, but the most common list is as follows:

  • Atri
  • Bharadvaja
  • Gautama
  • Jamadagni
  • Kashyapa
  • Vashistha
  • Vishvamitra

Each of the Saptrishi has their own unique story and significance.

Overview of each one of the Saptrishi

  • Atri is a sage known for his wisdom and knowledge of the Vedas. He is also the husband of the goddess Anasuya and the father of the sage Durvasa.
  • Bharadvaja is a sage known for his healing powers and his knowledge of Ayurveda. He is also the author of several hymns in the Rigveda.
  • Gautama is a sage known for his wisdom and his teachings on dharma. He is also the author of several hymns in the Rigveda and the founder of the Nyaya school of philosophy.
  • Jamadagni is a sage known for his warrior spirit and his devotion to the god Vishnu. He is also the father of the sage Parashurama.
  • Kashyapa is a sage known for his wisdom and his knowledge of the Vedas. He is also the husband of 13 of the Prajapati, or daughters of Daksha, and the father of many gods and demons.
  • Vashistha is a sage known for his wisdom, compassion, and his role as the spiritual advisor to the kings of Ayodhya. He is also the author of several hymns in the Rigveda.
  • Vishvamitra is a sage known for his tapasya (austerity) and his rivalry with Vashistha. He is also the author of several hymns in the Rigveda.

The Saptarishi are revered in Hinduism as the seven great sages. They are said to be the embodiment of wisdom, knowledge, and virtue. They are also said to be the protectors of the Vedas and the upholders of dharma.

In addition to their spiritual significance, the Saptrishi are also associated with several astronomical objects. The constellation Ursa Major, also known as the Big Dipper, is said to represent the Saptarishis. The seven stars of the Big Dipper are named after the seven Saptarishis.

The Saptrishi are a vital part of Hindu mythology and tradition. They represent the highest ideals of wisdom, knowledge, and virtue. They are also a reminder of the importance of dharma and the need to uphold the order of the world.

Image credit

Puranastudy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons