The Legends of Rakhi

The Legends of Rakhi
	Bhavishya Purana refers to a battle between gods and demons, and Indra (the king of the gods) was feeling depressed. At that time Indra’s wife Sachi took a thread, charged it with sacred verses or Mantras for protection and tied it on Indra’s hand. Through the strength of this thread Indra conquered his enemies. Since then till today this festival is celebrated. In the Epics In Mahabharata when Lord Krishna advised Yudhishtthir to tie the puissant Rakhi to guard himself against impending evils. Thus the Raksha Bhandhan symbolizes all aspects of protection of the good from evil forces. In the ancient Puranik scriptures, it is said that King Bali’s stronghold had been the Raakhi. Hence while tying the rakhi this couplet is usually recited: Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala “I am tying a Rakhi on you, like the one on mighty demon king Bali. Be firm, O Rakhi, do not falter.” Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun During the medieval era, Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions. Rakhi at that time meant a spiritual binding and protection of sisters was foremost. A famous incident relates how rakhi by then had broken the religious barriers. When Rani Karnawati the widowed queen of the king of Chittor realised that she could in no way defend the invasion of the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun. The Emperor touched by the gesture started off with his troops without wasting any time. Alexander The Great and King Puru The oldest reference to the festival of rakhi goes back to 300 B.C. at the time when Alexander invaded India. It is said that the great conqueror, King Alexander of Macedonia was shaken by the fury of the Indian king Puru in his first attempt. Upset by this, Alexander’s wife, who had heard of the Rakhi festival, approached King Puru. King Puru accepted her as his sister and when the opportunity came during the war, he refrained from Alexander.

 

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/showarticles.php?artid=211

Ganesh Chaturthi by Subhamoy Das

Ganesh Chaturthi

By Subhamoy Das

How to celebrate the great Ganesha festival

A life-like clay model of Lord Ganesha is made 2-3 months
prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The size of this idol
may vary from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet.
On the day of the festival, it is placed on raised platforms
in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents for people
to view and pay their homage. The priest, usually clad in red
silk dhoti and shawl, then invokes life into the idol amidst
the chanting of mantras. This ritual is the pranapratishhtha.
After this the shhodashopachara (16 ways of paying tribute)
follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 modakas (rice flour preparation),
21 durva (trefoil) blades and red flowers are offered. The idol
is anointed with red unguent (rakta chandan). Throughout the
ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva S
hirsha Upanishad, and Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana
are chanted. 

For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta
Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshipped. 

On the 11th day, the image is taken through the streets in
a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be
immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off
of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash
while taking away with him the misfortunes of all man.
All join in this final procession shouting "Ganapathi Bappa
Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya" (O father Ganesha, come
again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts,
flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the
river to immerse it.
The whole community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully
done tents. These also serve as the venue for free medical
checkup, blood donation camps, charity for the poor, dramatic
performances, films, devotional songs, etc. during the days
of the festival.

Swami Sivananda Recommends 

On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected
with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta
period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the
prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet
pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all
the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path.
Worship Him at home, too. You can get the assistance of a pundit.
Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your
house. Feel His Presence in it. 

Don’t forget not to look at the moon on that day; remember that
it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means
avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and
who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day. 

Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for
inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your
undertakings. 

May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He
remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path!
May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as
liberation!

http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/ganeshchaturthi.htm