ONAM 2011 – THIRUONAM DATES IN KERALA IN 2011

Onam is the most popular and important festival in Kerala in India. The Thiruonam festival of Malayalis rises above all barriers of religion, caste, creed and financial status. It is believed that during the four days of Onam festival, the legendary Asura King Mahabali (Maveli) comes to visit his subjects. Malayalis prepare floral carpets, sumptuous foods and sweets to welcome Mahabali. Thiruonam 2011 date is September 9. First Onam is on September 8.

Onam is celebrated over four days - Onnam Onam or First Onam is on September 8. Second Onam or the most important day of Onam is the Thiruonam and it is on September 9. Third Onam or Munnam Onam is on September 10. Fourth Onam or Naalam Onam is on September 11

The preparation for Onam begins on the Atham nakshatram day in the Malayalam Chingam month (August – September). Atham falls around 10 days before Thiruonam.

During these ten days children and women prepare the floral design called Ona-Pookkalam in front of their houses to welcome King Maveli. Today there are Pookalam competitions organized by various organizations.

New clothes, known as Onakodi, are exchanged by family members. Preparation for the grand feast on Onam begins in advance.

On the Tiruvonam day members of the family gather together, usually at the ancestral home, for Onasadya (traditional Onam feast) served on plantain leaves. The significance of the Ona Sadya is established from the popular Malayalam saying “kanam vittum onam unnanam” - Onam feast should be prepared even if one has to sell all the seedlings that are kept to sow for next harvest.

Onam is traditionally a harvest festival and earlier the people of Kerala used to entirely depend on agriculture.

After the Onasadya, women and children engage in folk games, songs and dances like Oonjalattom (soaring high on the swing), Thumbithullal - a traditional folk dance, Kaikottikkali or Thiruvathirakali.

Onam is also time for snake boat races (Vallam Kali) and there are numerous competitions including the famous Aranmula Vallam Kali.

Apart from this there are other traditional rural arts and games like Pulikali, Kummati kali, Ona Thallu etc take place during the period.

Malayalis are today spread around the world and Onam transports each Malayali to their home in Kerala.

Each malayali has sweet memories of Onam and it is dusted out and remembered with a nostalgic smile on every Onam.

Thiruonam in 2010 was on August 23.

PRADOSHAM SEPTEMBER 2011 DATES – MONTHLY FASTING FOR SHIVA

 

Pradosham is a monthly fasting dedicated to Hindu God Shiva in a Hindu lunar month. In September 2011, the dates of Pradosh are September 9 and September 25. On the day, prayers are offered during the twilight period to Shiva and Parvati. Fasting from sunrise to sunset is observed on Pradosham day.

There are two Pradoshams – one during the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) of moon and another during the waning phase (Krishna Paksha) of moon. It is said that Shiva and Parvati are in a happy mood during Pradosham period and they shower blessings on devotees.

Pradosham begins around 1.5 hours before sunset and end one hour after sunset. Most Shiva devotees mainly spend this time at a Shiva temple. If at home devotees chant any of the mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva or read the Shiva Purana.

There are staunch Shiva devotees who fast on both the Pradosham. Some people only observe one Pradosham in a month.

ANANTA VRATA – RITUAL DEDICATED TO LORD VISHNU ON ANANTA CHATURDASHI DAY

Ananta Vrata, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is observed on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad month. It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared on this day as Anantapadmanabha – Lord Vishnu’s Ananta Sayana form – reclining on Snake Ananta. The Vratam is also known as Anantachaturdasi Vrata and Anandapadmanabha Vrata and in 2011 it is on September 11.

The observance of Ananta Vrata is believed to secure freedom from all sorrows. The word ‘Ananta’ means endless and devotees believe that Lord Narayana will clear all the difficulties in one’s life, if the Ananta Vrata is observed with utmost devotion. Some people observe this Vrata continuously for 14 years. The Ananta Shayna form of Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day. The reclining posture represents the state of inactivity and is the form of Narayana prior to the evolution of the worlds and creation of the living beings.

The main ritual on the day is the tying of a sacred thread. The thread is first sanctified by placing it along with the idol of Lord Vishnu in the reclining form. The thread is peppered with kum kum and then men tie it on their right hand and women on their left hand. This thread is referred as ‘Ananta Daram.’ In strict sense, Ananta Daram is a cotton band formed of fourteen threads. In some places, the band consists of 14 knots. Women tie the Anant Daram on their left hand and men on their right. Serpent Ananta is also made using Dhurva grass and is placed on a bamboo basket and worshipped in some places.

There are references about the Vrata in Mahabharata. Shri Krishna advised Yudhishtara to observe Ananta Vrata for 14 years to get back his kingdom.

ANANTA VRATA – RITUAL DEDICATED TO LORD VISHNU ON ANANTA CHATURDASHI DAY

Ananta Vrata – Ritual dedicated to Lord Vishnu on Ananta Chaturdashi Day Ananta Vrata, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is observed on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad month. It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared on this day as Anantapadmanabha – Lord Vishnu’s Ananta Sayana form – reclining on Snake Ananta. The Vratam is also known as Anantachaturdasi Vrata and Anandapadmanabha Vrata and in 2011 it is on September 11. The observance of Ananta Vrata is believed to secure freedom from all sorrows. The word ‘Ananta’ means endless and devotees believe that Lord Narayana will clear all the difficulties in one’s life, if the Ananta Vrata is observed with utmost devotion. Some people observe this Vrata continuously for 14 years. The Ananta Shayna form of Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day. The reclining posture represents the state of inactivity and is the form of Narayana prior to the evolution of the worlds and creation of the living beings. The main ritual on the day is the tying of a sacred thread. The thread is first sanctified by placing it along with the idol of Lord Vishnu in the reclining form. The thread is peppered with kum kum and then men tie it on their right hand and women on their left hand. This thread is referred as ‘Ananta Daram.’ In strict sense, Ananta Daram is a cotton band formed of fourteen threads. In some places, the band consists of 14 knots. Women tie the Anant Daram on their left hand and men on their right. Serpent Ananta is also made using Dhurva grass and is placed on a bamboo basket and worshipped in some places. There are references about the Vrata in Mahabharata. Shri Krishna advised Yudhishtara to observe Ananta Vrata for 14 years to get back his kingdom.

PURNIMA SEPTEMBER 2011 TIME AND DATE – FULL MOON DAY IN HINDU CALENDAR

Purnima is the full moon day in a traditional Hindu lunar calendar. Fasting and taking a dip in holy are the main religious practice for Hindus on the day. In September 2011, the date of Purnima is September 12.  The Purnima fasting is marked on September 11. The time of Poornima tithi is from 12:21 PM on September 11 to 1:39 PM on September 12. The Purnima in September 2011 is the Bhadrapad Purnima in most regions. In Tamil Calendar, it is the Aavani Purnima.

Shradh Rituals – Pitru Paksha Shradh – begins from September 13. Those observing Purnima Shradh must perform it on September 12.

Some Hindu communities observe fast on Purnima day. Special pujas and rituals are performed in many temples.

The day is also the last day in the Bhadrapad month in the traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India.

Shradh Dates 2011 – Mahalaya Pitru Paksha Shraddh Calendar

Shradh Dates 2011 as per Hindu calendar followed in India is from September 13 to September 27, 2011. In Hinduism, Shradh is the rituals performed by relatives for the departed souls of dead ancestors, parents and relatives. Below are the Mahalaya Pitru Paksha and Shradh 2011 dates. Tarpan and Shradh are performed on all Amavasi or no moon days. But the most important period to perform Shradh is the Pitru Paksha period during the Krishna Paksha fortnight in Ashwin month (September – October). In some regions this period is the Bhadrapad Krishna Paksha.

Pitru Paksha Shraddh Dates in 2011

September 13, 2011 – Mahalya Pitru Paksha begins

September 14, 2011 – Dwitiya Shradh

September 15 – Tritiya Shradh

September 16 – Chaturthi Shradh

September 17 – Panchami Shradh

September 18 – Shasti Shradh

September 19 – Saptami Shradh

September 20, 2011 – Ashtami Shradh

September 21, 2011 – Navami Shradh

September 22, 2011 – Dasami Shradh

September 23, 2011 – Ekadashi Shradh

September 24, 2011 – Dwadashi Shradh

September 25, 2011 – Trayodashi Shradh

September 26, 2011 – Chaturdashi Shradh

September 27, 2011 – Mahalaya Amavasi – Most important day of Shradh

Shradh and Tarpan are also performed on all Amavasi day in a year. You can find the Amavasi dates in 2011 in this earlier article – Amavas 2011 dates.

Apart from this Shradh is also performed on the birth star of the dead person and also on the nakshatra the person died.

Another popular date for performing Shradh is the Basant Panchami day in Magh month. In 2011, Basant Panchami.

NAVRATRI 2011 DATES - NAVARATRI CALENDAR IN 2011

The nine-day festival of Navratri, or Navaratri, in Hindu religion dedicated to the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. Navratri 2011 dates are from September 28 to October 5, 2011. Sharadiya Navratri begins on the first day of the bright half of Ashvin or Ashwayuja (September-October) as per traditional Hindu calendar. Navratri is also dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi.

Apart from the Navratri in September – October, the next most important Navratri is the Chaitra Navratri or the Navaratri in March-April. This is also known as Vasant Navratri or Ram Navaratri. This is from April 4, 2011 to April 12, 2011

Here are the dates of Navratri in 2011

Ghatsthapana – Navratri Day 1 – September 28, 2011 - Chandra Darshan

Navratri Day 2 – September 29, 2011 

Navratri Day 3 – September 29, 2011 - Sindoor Tritiya

Navratri Day 4 – September 30, 2011 - Varad Vinayak Chaturthi

Navratri Day 5 – October 1, 2011 - Lalitha Panchami

Navratri Day 6 – October 2, 2011 - Saraswati Awahan in some regions

Navratri Day 7 – October 3, 2011 – Saraswathi Avahan - Maha Lakshmi Puja - Maha Saptami

Navratri Day 8 – October 4, 2011 – Saraswathi Puja – Mahashtami - Annapoorna Parikrama

Navratri Day 9 – October 5, 2011 – Saraswathi Puja ends – Mahanavami

The tenth day is celebrated as Dasara or Vijaya Dashami - Saraswathi Balidan

South India

In South India, Goddess Durga is worshipped during the first three days.

Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped during the next three days

Goddess Saraswathi is worshipped during the last three days.

IMPORTANT HINDU FESTIVALS AND AUSPICIOUS DAYS IN SEPTEMBER 2011

Dates of important festivals associated with Hinduism in September 2011 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchangam used in India. The festivals, Vrats and auspicious days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). You can also take help through the comment section on good dates for various purposes including house warming, joining job, buying car or house, moving into new rented home etc.

September 1, 2011 – Ganesh Chaturthi – Ganeshotsav

September 2 – Rishi Panchami

September 3 – Muruga Sashti Fasting

September 4 – Bhanu Saptami

September 5 – Radha Ashtami

September 5 – 16 day Mahalakhmi Vrat in North India

September 8 – Ekadasi Vrat

September 8 – Dol Gyaras

September 9 – Thiruonam in Kerala

September 9 – Pradosh Vrat

September 9 – Vaman Dwadasi

September 11 – Ananda Chaturdasi Vrat
September 11 - Ganeshotsav ends

September 11 – Purnima Vrat

September 12 – Purnima or full moon day

September 12 – Mahalsya Shradh begins with Purnima Shradh

September 13 – Pitru Paksha Shradh

September 13 – Ashunya Shayan Vrat

September 13 – Ashwin month begins in traditional Hindu calendar in North India.

September 16 – Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat

September 17 – Bishwakarma Puja

September 17 – Kanni Masam begins in Malayalam Calendar in Kerala

September 18 – Puratasi month begins in Tamil Calendars

September 19 – Aashin month begins in Bengali Calendars

September 20 – 16-day Mahalakshmi Vrat ends

September 20 – Jivitputrika – Jitiya Fasting

September 21 – Matru Navami

September 23 – Indira Ekadasi

September 25 – Pradosh Vrat

September 27 – Mahalya Shradh

September 27 – Amavasya – No moon day

September 28 – Navratri begins – Ghata Sthapana

September 28 – Ashwin month begins in Calendars followed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat

September 30 – Sindhoor Tritiya

How to perform Ganesh Chaturthi Puja at Home?

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most colorful and widely celebrated festivals in India. Large number of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi poojas at home. Here is an explanation on how to perform Ganesha puja at home as mentioned in Hindu scriptures.

Ganesha puja on the Chaturthi day is usually performed at noon but nowadays people perform it when all the family members are present.

Requirements

• A Clay image of Lord Ganesha.
• Red flowers
• Druva Grass blades
• Modak (jaggery filled sweet)
• Coconut
• Red chandan (Sandalwood paste)
• Incense and agarbathis

• First clean the house and take a bath.
• A Clay image of Lord Ganesha is installed in a raised platform.
• Pray to Lord Ganesh and you can recite mantras or bhajans dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
• Next step is to invoke Ganesha into the image. This is known as pran-prathishta. The Pran Prathista mantra in Sanskrit to be invoked is found in the Rig Veda and is part of Ganesh Suktha.

ganananh tva ganapatim havamahe kavim kavinam - upamashravastamam |
jyeshhtharajam brahmanan.h brahmanaspata A nah shrivnvannutibhih sida sadanam || (Rig Veda 2.23.1)

ni shhu sida ganapate ganeshhu tvamahurvipratamam kavinam |
na rite tvat.h kriyate kinchanare mahamarkam maghavan.h chitramarcha || (Rig Veda 10.112.9)

We invoke You, O Ganapati of the ganas (Lord Shiva attendants), Who are Brahmana-spati of the brahmas (prayers), the wisest among the wise, Who abound in treasure beyond all measure, the most brilliant one. Do listen to our prayers, come with Your blessings and assurances of protection into our home, and be seated. (Rig Veda 2.23.1)

Sit down among the worshippers, O Ganapati, the best sage among the sages. Without You nothing can be done here or far. Accept with honor, O wealthy One, our great and variegated hymns of praise. (Rig Veda 10.112.9)

• Now Ganesha is installed in the idol and one can perform arati and light the lamps. Some people perform the shhodashopachara, which are 16 forms of paying tribute to Ganesha. (This ritual is usually performed by the priests, you can skip this.)
• Offer 21 blades of Druva Grass.
• Offer 21 modakas
• Offer red flowers
• Apply a tilak using red Sandalwood paste.
• Break the coconut or just keep it along with the idol. You can also keep fried grains. (The food of the rat – the vehicle of Ganesha).
• You can also recite the 108 salutations dedicated to Lord Ganesha or read the Ganesha Upanishad or just simply pray.

The number 21 signifies - the five organs of perception, five organs of action, five vital airs (pranas), five elements, and the mind.

While performing Ganesha Puja at home, you can always be flexible. The strict rituals are meant for Vedic priests. All you need be careful is to perform the pujas with a clean body and clean mind. What is more important is devotion not the ritual.