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Vasant (Spring) Navratri 2013 dates
Ghatsthapana – Navratri Day 1 – April 11, 2013
Sindhara Dooj, Dwitiya – April 12, 2013
Gaur Teej, Saubhagya Teej, Tritiya – April 13, 2013
Varadvinayak Chaturthi – April 14, 2013
Sri Laxmi Panchami Vrat, Naag Vrat Pujan – April 15, 2013
Skand Shashthi, Yamuna Jayanti – April 16, 2013
Mahasaptami Vrat, Chaiti Chath, Vijaya Saptami – April 17, 2013
Sri Durga Mahaashtami, Annapurna Ashtami – April 18, 2013
Vasant Navratri ends – Ram Navratri Day 9 – April 19, 2013

Navratri Puja Vidhi
Navratri, the Festival of Nine Nights, is celebrated in honour on the Supreme power Shakti. The festival is celebrated for nine nights twice within a year. The first Navratri falls inside the month of March-April and are recognized as Chaitra Navratri. The other are celebrated within the month of October-November and are known as Ashwin Navratri. In the course of these nine days, we conduct Puja in the praise in the deity. Right here will be the method for performing Navratri Puja.

Rituals for performing Navratri Puja

Navratri puja is quite basic and not extremely complicated. One particular can simply observe the quick; even when a single can not observe the rapidly he can simply recite mantra “Om Ang Haring Kalim Shree Maha Durgay Namah”. A single must very carefully work upon his/her aahar (food), vyavhaar (behaviour) and acharan (character) for the duration of these sacred days.

Aahar - A single should often steer clear of non vegetarian foods and consuming “Satvik” meals like fruits, Kutu Ka Aata, Singara Ka Aata, Curd and Potatoes is regarded as to be auspicious. Usage of Onion and Garlic need to be avoided.

Vyavhaar and Acharan - In the course of Navratri festival all devotees should worship Maa Durga with spiritual emotion.

Get your house cleaned and ready. You might be inviting Goddess in to the house. Generally this can be accomplished on the Amavasya, each day prior to the starting of Navratri.

Around the initial day in the Navaratri, a modest bed of mud (taken from any auspicious place) is ready inside the puja room on the home and barley seeds are sown over it. On this Bed a Kalash produced of Earthen/ Copper is kept and filled with water. Above the pot a bowl filled with rice is kept. A dry Coconut wrapped with mango leaves is then kept over this Kalash. This Kalash is believed to be a symbolic type of Goddess Durga. By keeping Kone invocate the goddess in the Kalash.

On the tenth day, the shoots are about three - five inches in length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out and given to devotees as a blessing from god. This Kalash need to not be touched in the course of the nine days. 1 diya is lit close to this Kalash that is supposed to burn endlessly for nine days. That is known as Akhand Jyoti.

Numerous folks think that the length in the Shoots determines the Quantum of earnings that they are going to have in coming six months. This belief could happen to be because India is fundamentally an agrarian economy wherein the productivity in the land determined one’s income.

SIGNIFICANCE OF 9 DAYS

1st - 3rd day of Navratri

A tiny bed of mud is prepared within the puja room and barley seeds are sown on it around the first day of Navratri. These initial days are committed to Maa Durga, the Goddess of power and energy.

4th - 6th day of Navratri

For the duration of these days, Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped.

7th day of Navratri

These final 3 days of the festival belong to Maa Saraswati who is worshipped to obtain the spiritual information.

8th day of Navratri or Mahaashtami

The day begins using a recital of Sanskrit hymns by the devotees; they offer prayer towards the goddess. Kumari Puja or the worship of tiny girls as the mother goddess is actually a specific part of the rituals observed inside a number of traditional and household pujas.

9th day of Navratri or Mahanavami

The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine types of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess after which they’re presented meals mainly consisting of kala chana, halwa and poori together with coconut pieces and dakshina (income) and Red chunri is supplied to the kanjaks

PATNA: The efforts made by the Bihar government to promote the lesser known but important pilgrimage places associated with the Buddha and his prominent disciples has started paying dividend.

The Jethian valley, an important place associated with the sublime wandering of the Buddha, had sharp increase in the number of pilgrims’ arrival this year. A committee of villagers, who have been active for the last 25 years towards facilitating awareness about the historicity of the place, were very enthusiastic with the increase in pilgrims in recent years.

The place still lacks basic conveniences and many important places of Buddhist significance like Rajapinda cave still don’t have access. Sadhusarn Singh, a village elder and also member of the Jethian Development Committee feels the place will have many more visitors if the access to Rajapinda cave is restored.

In the recent years, Jethian and its surrounding has a deep relation with the wandering of the Buddha. It was here at Jethian that King Bimbisara of Magadha received the Buddha after the Buddha’s enlightenment. 7th CE, Chinese monk- scholar, Xuanzang who visited this place has given a vivid account of the place including the Rajapinda Cave, where the Buddha had a dialogue with ‘Asuras’. All such places associated with the Buddha and mentioned by Xuanzang were successfully identified by A Stein in 1901. But the place is still not protected by either the state government or Archaeological Survey of India.

Chief minister in the recent past has visited the place many times and has taken some concrete measures for the development of this valley.

One of the positive developments this year was that revival of the ancient Buddha-Path connecting Jethian and Rajgir has been very well received by the Buddhist community. This year many Buddhist pilgrims walked the 13km stretch, said a local researcher Deepak Anand.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, in the recent past, has visited the place many times and has taken some concrete measures for the development of this valley.

One of the positive developments this year was that revival of the ancient Buddha-Path connecting Jethian and Rajgir has been very well received by the Buddhist community.

This year, many Buddhist pilgrims walked the 13km stretch. This ancient path was recently revived at the instance of the CM Nitish Kumar, Deepak Anand told TOI.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes

In January, MEA asked Haj panel to restrict pilgrimage for a person going through it to once in a lifetime.

Taking a leaf out of India’s book, Saudi Arabia has restricted the Haj undertaken by pilgrims through private tour operators to only once in five years.

On January 18, 2013, the Ministry of External Affairs directed the Haj Committee of India (HCOI) to restrict the number of pilgrimage for an applicant going through it to ‘once in a life time’ as against the earlier norm of ‘once in five years.’

“This will ensure that a Haj pilgrim will benefit from Government of India subsidy only once in his/her lifetime. It will also ensure that priority is given to those who have never performed Haj. This is a major change introduced by the Government of India. Accordingly, only pilgrims who have never performed Haj earlier through HCOI will be allowed to apply for Haj 2013,” a press release posted on the HCOI website explained the Ministry’s direction.

Now, a circular issued by Saudi Arabia, also posted on the HCOI website, adopts a similar policy, introducing a five-year restriction on private pilgrims worldwide.

Accompanying the circular is a March 12, 2013 cover note by the Consulate-General of India (CGI) in Jeddah, which briefly explains the contents of a letter from the South Asian Moassassa, Makkah. The CGI informs the government that ‘it has been conveyed that for Haj 2013, no person who has already performed Haj during the last five years will be granted visa to perform Haj.’

Those exempted from this rule are only employees of private tour operators ‘accompanying the group to provide service to Hajis’ and ‘those who desire to perform Haj as Mahrim to one of his first-degree relatives who has not performed Haj during the last five years.’ This five-year restriction may affect the business of tour companies who cater to nearly 45,000 private pilgrims of the total 1.7 lakh Haj seats allotted to India by the Saudi government.

The circular instructs select private tour operators to get an undertaking by pilgrims to abide by this ‘new stipulation.’ “India was the first government to introduce this policy of Haj only every five years for those travelling through the HCOI. This was modified again to make it an once-in-a-lifetime affair. We, however, placed no restraint on private pilgrims. Now, the Saudi government, in a way, is emulating India by introducing this five-year restriction on private pilgrims too,” Haris Beeran, Supreme Court panel counsel for the Ministry told The Hindu on Monday, speaking from New Delhi on the phone.

The Supreme Court is hearing a special leave petition (the Union of India versus Rafique Shaikh Bhikan), filed in 2011, on the role of private tour operators in the pilgrimage.

Source: thehindu

SHRI AMARNATHJI YATRA – 2013 : REGISTRATION TO COMMENCE ON 18^TH MARCH -2013
YATRA DATES would be 28 JUNE 2013 to 21 AUGUST 2013
Children below 13 years and persons above 75 years not eligible to undertake
Shri Amarnathji Yatra – 2013
ENIOR HIGH COURT ADVOCATE VOLUNTERY OR ON PAYMENT BASIS FOR YATRA ISSUES
& M.D. DOCTOR SPECIALIST CARDIOLOGIST / ASTHMATIC WILLING TO SERVE YATRIS VOLUNTERY OR ON PAYMENT BASIS.
THOSE INTERESTED MAY PLEASE CONTACT MR.SHASHI BHUSHAN CONATCT NO. 09815090780.

Whats the process ?
1. You have to get yourself registered, find here List of Amarnath Yatra Registration Centers.
Bank provides all the registration information.

2. Download Registration form from here - Amarnath Registration Form 2013

3. Get the health certification - Amarnath Health Certification Form 2013

4. List of Authorised Institutions / Doctors for Issuing Compulsory Health Certificates (CHC) for Yatra 2013

5. Food Menus for Amarnath Yatra

COMPULSORY HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR SHRI AMARNATHJI YATRA 2013
Download HEALTH CERTIFICATE FORM

Please take care of beneath diseases
DECLARATION: Have you suffered from or have history of any of the following:
a) Breathlessness  Yes  No b) Diabetes  Yes  No
c) Respiratory/ lung ailment  Yes  No d) High Blood pressure  Yes  No
e) Blood disorder  Yes  No f) Asthma  Yes  No
g) Bleeding tendencies  Yes  No h) Epilepsy  Yes  No
i) Heart ailment  Yes  No j) Nervous breakdown  Yes  No
k) Joint Pains  Yes  No l) High altitude/mountain sickness  Yes  No
m) Discharge from ear  Yes  No n) History of stroke/ paralysis  Yes  No
o) Are you a smoker  Yes  No p) Are you pregnant:  Yes  No

Shri Amarnathji Yatra Application Form 2013
Download Application Form
*No one below the age of 13 years, or above the age of 75 years, and no lady with more than six weeks pregnancy will be
registered for the Yatra.
** Please fill whichever is applicable.
*** A duly registered Yatri with a valid Yatra Permit issued by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, duly endorsed by the
issuing Bank, will be entitled to an Insurance cover of One Lac Rupee payable from a selected Insurance Company in the
event of his/her death due to an accident inside the State of J&K while undertaking the Shri Amarnathji Yatra. The sum
assured will be paid through the SASB after the next-of-kin of the deceased Yatri complete due formalities

List of Bank Branches (with detailed address) for Registration of Yatris

Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2013

Pooja At Home
Fest of Hindus 10th March 2013 is the Day of Shivratri Puja this year.
After waking up early in the morning on Mahashivaratri, the devotees of Lord Shiva would take a ceremonious bath, using warm water and seeds of black sesame. It is a popular belief that by bathing in warm water, with few seeds of black sesame, the body is purified. After wearing new clothes, the devotees would smear bhasma (holy ash) on their forehead. One may worship Lord Shiva at home by offering Bilwa leaves to the deity and by chanting mantra - ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. Apart from Bilwa leaves, flowers and garlands can also be offered to the deity.

Pooja In Temples
Special pujas are performed at Lord Shiva temples on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. In many temples the pooja is conducted strictly according to the method prescribed in Shiva Purana, according to which, Shiva Linga should be given ceremonious bath and puja should conducted every three hours on Mahashivratri. Abhisheks are done using milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, sandalwood paste and rose water. Each item is poured over the Shiva Linga, to symbolize different meanings. Milk stands for piousness, while yogurt symbolizes prosperity. Abhishek is done with honey to acquire a sweet speech, while ghee is used to represent victory. It is said that sugar symbolizes happiness and water is the symbol of purity.

After the Abhisheks are performed, the Shiva Linga is adorned with a stalk of three Bilwa leaves, to mark the culmination of the previous ritual. Thereafter, kumkum (vermilion) is applied on the Shiva Linga. Apart from Bilwa leaves, one can see devotees offering beetle leaves to the deity. Jujube fruit is a favorite of the deity, and hence, it is also offered by the devotees. In the mean time, the devotees indulge in immense chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. Sounds of bells add to the festive mood in the temples. The air is filled with the aroma of incense sticks and dhoop.

Pooja Items
The main items needed for Shiva Puja on Mahashivratri include vermilion, haldi (turmeric powder), Aguru (holy perfume), Vibhuti/Bhasm (sacred ash made using dried cow dung), Rudraaksha Mala (prayer beads made of the dark berries of Elaeocarpus ganitrus, to chant Om Namah Shivaya), Akshata (uncooked rice) and a stalk of Bilwa (Bael) leaves. Incense sticks, fresh flowers and camphor are other requisites for the pooja. Earthen lamp and lota (container filled with holy water) is also required for the puja.

Shivaratri is great festival of convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in month of Magha is known as Maha Shivaratri according to South Indian calendar. However according to North Indian calendar Masik Shivaratri in month of Phalguna is known as Maha Shivaratri. In both calendars it is naming convention of lunar month which differs. However both, North Indians and South Indians, celebrate Maha Shivaratri on same day.

Vrat Vidhi – One day before Shivaratri Vratam, most likely on Trayodashi, devotees should eat only one time. On Shivaratri day, after finishing morning rituals devotees should take Sankalp (संकल्प) to observer full day fast on Shivaratri and to take food next day. During Sankalp devotees pledge for self-determination throughout the fasting period and seek blessing of Lord Shiva to finish the fast without any interference. Hindu fasts are strict and people pledge for self-determination and seek God blessing before starting them to finish them successfully.

On Shivaratri day devotees should take second bath in the evening before doing Shiva Puja or visiting temple. Shiva Puja should be done during night and devotees should break the fast next day after taking bath. Devotees should break the fast between sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi to get maximum benefit of the Vrat. According to one contradictory opinion devotees should break the fast only when Chaturdashi Tithi gets over. But it is believed that both Shiva Puja and Parana (पारणा) i.e. breaking the fast should be done within Chaturdashi Tithi.

Shivaratri puja can be performed one time or four times during the night. The whole night duration can be divided into four to get four Prahar (प्रहर) to perform Shiva Puja four times. Drikpanchang.com lists all four Prahar durations for staunch Shiva devotees who perform Shiva Pujan four times in the night. We also list Nishita time when Lord Shiva appeared on the Earth in the form of Linga and the time window to break the fast on next day.

source:
drikpanchang.com

Shivratri Puja Mahurat 2013
Nishita Kaal Puja Time = 24:12+ to 25:01+
Duration = 0 Hours 48 Mins
Next Day Maha Shivaratri Parana Time = After 06:43

Ratri First Prahar Puja Time = 18:30 to 21:33
Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time = 21:33 to 24:36+
Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time = 24:36+ to 27:40+
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time = 27:40+ to 30:43+