Where is Baisakhi Celebrated? Throughout the state of Punjab and Haryana, particularly in Amritsar. Baisakhi is a harvest festival, a Punjabi new year festival, and commemoration of the founding of the Khalsa (Sikh religion brotherhood) all rolled into one occasion. In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Sikh Guru) decided to discontinue the tradition of Gurus in Sikhism. He proclaimed …
Read More »What is Baisakhi Day?
What is Baisakhi Day? Baisakhi Day or Vaisakhi Day of March 30th, 1699 is of significant importance for the Sikhs. It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh – the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs founded the Akal Khalsa (Community of the Pure) at a ceremony organized at Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur Sahib. The Akal Khalsa played a significant …
Read More »When is Baisakhi celebrated? Baisakhi Date
When is Baisakhi celebrated? Baisakhi falls on the first day of Vaisakh month according to Nanakshahi or Sikh Calendar. According to English calendar, the date of Baisakhi corresponds to April 13 every year and April 14 once in every 36 years. This difference in Baisakhi dates is due to the fact that day of Baisakhi is reckoned according to solar …
Read More »What Rituals are Performed During Baisakhi?
Baisakhi Rituals: In the morning, Sikhs visit the gurudwara (temple) to attend special payers. Most Sikhs strive to visit the revered Golden Temple in Amritsar or Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa was pronounced. The Granth Sahib is bathed with milk and water, placed on a throne, and read. Karah prasad (sacred pudding made from butter, sugar and flour) is distributed. …
Read More »Why International Women’s Day is Celebrated?
In the month of August in 1910, a meeting (organized by the International Women’s Conference) of the Socialist Second International was held in Copenhagen to establish the yearly celebration of the International women’s day. Finally, the annual celebration of International Woman’s Day was established by the support of American socialists and German Socialist Luise Zietz. However, no particular date was …
Read More »How International Women’s Day is Celebrated?
International Women’s Day is a special event which is celebrated worldwide on 8th of March by the people including women leaders from the business, political, community, educational institutions, inventors, TV personalities and etc. It is celebrated by organizing variety of programs like seminars, women parade, conferences, banner, debates, presentations, speech, competitive activities, luncheons, women’s issues, dinners, breakfasts including other women …
Read More »What are Ritual Bath of Shivalinga?
What are Ritual Bath of Shivalinga? Following the rituals prescribed in the Shiva Purana, every three hours, Shivalingam is given a special bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, sandalwood paste and rose water. Puja, meditation and chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya‘ accompany the ritual bath. Following the bath, vermilion paste is applied on the linga. Traditionally, leaves of a forest tree …
Read More »What is Legend of Shiva and Shakti Marriage?
Marriage of Shiva and Shakti The legend of marriage of Shiva and Shakti is one the most important legends related to the festival of Mahashivaratri. The story tells us how Lord Shiva got married a second time to Shakti, his divine consort. According to legend of Shiva and Shakti, the day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati is celebrated as …
Read More »What is Lord Shiva Assurance?
What is Lord Shiva Assurance? The legend of Lord Shiva‘s assurance explains the popularity of Shivaratri festival amongst the devotees. Besides, it also tells us why we observe fast in the name of the Lord and perform ceremonial baths on a Shivaratri day. The Legend Story goes that after creation was complete, Lord Shiva began to live on top of …
Read More »What is Shiva Tandava? Dancing God Nataraj
What is Shiva Tandava? Lord Shiva is also known as Nataraj, the Dancing God. This divine art form is performed by Lord Shiva and his divine consort Goddess Parvati. The dance performed by Lord Shiva is known as Tandava. Shiva’s Tandava is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. Tandava depicts his …
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