Dear Members:
Schedule of Vinayaka chaturthi celebration this year
Vinayaka Chaturthi is to be observed on August 31, 2011 by those living in the U.S., Canada, and other countries of the American continent. It seems there is confusion regarding whether Aug 31st or September 1st, 2011 should be the Vinayaka chavithi day in the U.S....the rule for determining it is as follows:
If Chaturthi prevails on both days, the first day should be observed. Even if chaturthi prevails for the complete duration of madhyahana on the second day, if it prevails on the previous day's madhyahana period even for one ghatika (24 minutes), the previous day should be observed.
Based on the above logic, it is more appropriate to celebrate Vinayaka chaturthi on August 31, 2011 if you are living in U.S.
It is to be observed on September 1, 2011 by those living in other parts of the world, including India.
Though every Chaturthi thithi of every month is auspicious for worship of Lord Ganesha, Vinaayaka Chaturthi that falls in Sravana month sukhla chaturthi is of special significance. Worship of Lord Vinaayaka on this auspicious day will bestow capacity to overcome all obstacles in life, accomplishment of all tasks with perfection, intelligence, and countless benefits from both materialistic and spiritual points of view.
It is customary to offer pooja to a clay image of Lord Vinaayaka (Vinaayaka is the Presiding Deity for Moolaadhaara chakra for which the element is Earth!), and then immerse it in water bodies on subsequent days (avoiding Fridays, Tuesdays for the purpose). But, please avoid keeping "plaster of paris" idols for pooja and doing the ceremony of immersing those environmentally incompatible images in water bodies....It is a great sin to do like that. If you are keeping "plaster of paris" images of Vinaayaka for pooja, just keep it in a safe place in your house and avoid immersing it in the sea or other water bodies. It is my request to all our members.
On a different note, members whose close relatives are in the family way should avoid immersing the clay idols kept in Vinayaka Chaturthi pooja till the child is delivered safely. Once the child is born, the clay idol can be immersed later on an auspicious day. This is consistent with time-hallowed traditions.
Those who know Tamil can recite "Vinaayagar Agaval" "Vinaayakar Kaarya siddhi maalai", "Vinaayakar kavacham(by Kapila Muni)", etc. Recital/ listening to Ganapathy Atharvaseersham is very auspicious. Our Paaraayanam group members can listen to Ganapathy Mangala Maalika sthothram, Vakrathunda sthothram (that has powerful beejas in it), etc. today from our files section.
Those who find it difficult to perform elaborate poojas can please Lord Ganesha by simple recital of His Holy Names like
"Om Kshipra Prasaadanaaya namah" (Salutations to Thee who art pleased easily)
Om Gananaathaaya namah (Salutations to Thee who art the Leader of all Living Beings).
Om Vignavinaasanaaya namah (Salutations to Thee who Removes all obstacles).
etc.
We are planning a Grand Homam on Vinaayaka Chaturthi day this year also. The homams will be done with the Vaancha Kalpa Ganapathy mantra, Durga Ganapathy mantra, Ucchistha Ganapathy mantra, Ganapathy Atharvaseersha mantra, and Panchamukha Ganesha mantra in an elaborate way praying for Universal welfare.
My best wishes to everyone. May Lord Ganesha - the Destroyer of obstacles - Bless us all.
A trivia: This is the first homam that I am about to do with my recently changed secular appearance. May the Gods excuse the fact that I am not in full vedic appearance while doing this.
Blessed be.
Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI
Astrological and Remedial consultant
dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in
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7 comments:
namaste pandit-ji,
As I know Atharvashirsha sahasravartan is a powerful sadhna. What are the rule that one should follow for atharvashirsha sasravartan? (chanting atharvashirsha for 1000 times)?
Dear Shri. Saurabh:
If you are doing it as a general sadhana without specific goals/ wishes in mind you can recite it at the rate of 10 per day for 100 continuos days. That sadhana is ideally done early in the morning during Brahma muhurtha.
Maintaining strict celibacy will be a good idea to maximize the vibes.
If you are doing it for specific purposes, the best way to do sahasravartan is to do it at the rate of 100 repetitions of that recital per day for 10 continuous days.
During that period, you must preferably follow the following guidelines:
1) Avoid using pillows/ soft beds; sleep on the floor after spreading a thin cloth on the floor with no pillows.
2) Avoid spicy food and excess intake of salt.
3) Strict celibacy should be maintained.
4) Avoid getting angry against anyone or grieving for any situation, and maintain a composed attitude during those 10 days.
5) This is also preferably done during Brahma muhurtha.
Hope this helps.
Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.
Namaste!
By when pooja should be started and ended? Is it good to start and complete before 12 noon?
Namaste!
Tomorrow by when pooja should be started and completed?
Dear Ms.Sruthi:
On the days mentioned as "day of observance of Vinayaka chaturthi" for your respective place of residence, you can do the poojas anytime throughout the time - avoiding the usual Rahu Kaalam/ Yama Ghantam periods. You must refer local almanacs for the good times noted for that day, and and do the pooja at that time.
As those good times vary for different places, it is difficult to cover that for all places on earth here in this blog. But any good local almanac can give you that indication.
Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.
Generally this pooja, as most other poojas is best done either some time before Noon or within 2 hours after mid day. The ideal times can be in the window 2 hours before mid-day to 2 hours after mid-day.
For those in the U.S., the time around mid-day will fall under Rahu kaalam on Wednesday (August 31, 2011); so, they must begin the pooja before the beginning of Rahu kalam for their places, and continue the pooja during the course of Rahu kaalam, and end the pooja when Rahu kaaam ends.
Of course the pooja can be begun and ended before mid-day also.
Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.
Namaskaram guruji,
I am 2months pregnant. My father is going to give tharpana for his sister in rameshwaram. Can I attend the ritual please help me
thank you
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