Yama Dwitiya

Yama Dwitiya is observed on the first day of the waxing phase of moon (Shukla Paksha) in Kartik month and is one of the last celebrations during Diwali.
Yama Dwitiya is also known as Bhai Dhooj or Bhau Bij or Bhai Beej and Bhai Teeka.
Yam Dvitiya is associated with Lord Yama, the Hindu god of Death, visiting his sister Yami (Yamuna Devi) and is a symbol of love between brothers and sisters.
Lord Yama, the Hindu God of Death, visited his sister, Yami, on the first day of the Shukla Paksha in Kartik month after Diwali.
Yami welcomed her brother with garlands and by applying the auspicious tilak or Tika on his forehead. Then the brother and sister exchanged gifts. Yami also served Yamraj his favorite dishes.
Yamraj who was overwhelmed by the love of his sister is believed to have said to Yami that who receives Tilak or Tika from his sister will have to never suffer hell.
Since then Yama Dwitiya is observed as a symbol of love between brothers and sisters.
Yama Dwitiya 2010 date is November 7.

Lord Shri Jagannath and Ratha Yatra

Lord Shri Jagannātha is a form of Lord Vishnu. Lord Jagannath, the symbol of universal love and brotherhood is worshipped in the ‘Shree Jagannath Temple’ along with Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, Madhaba, Sridevi and Bhudevi on the RATNAVEDI (the bejewelled platform). Lord Balabhadra is the elder brother, Lord Jagannath is younger brother and Devi Subhadra is youngest sister.

Lord Shri Jagannātha is worshipped by Hindus all over India. The Jagannātha Temple in Puri is regarded as one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage places in India.

Traditional stories:

There are two interesting stories associated with this deity. First is the story of how Krishna appeared to a great devotee of the lord, King Indradyumna and ordered him to carve a deity from a log he would find washed up on the sea shore of Puri. He searched for a carpenter to make the deities. King Indradyumna found a mysterious old Brahmin carpenter who appeared and took the responsibility and took a few days to accomplish that. Surprisingly the carpenter insisted that he would not be disturbed while he was carving the deity and start working behind a closed door. Everyone including the King and his Queen were very much anxious and came every day to the closed door and there was sound of working. After 6–7 days of waiting anxiously outside his room, but after some time, all sound stopped. The impatient Indradyumna's Queen worried what had happened and assuming the worst, opened the doors - only to find the deity half-finished and the carpenter vanished! The mysterious carpenter was none other than Vishvakarma, the heavenly architect. The king was distraught as the deity had no arms and legs. Utterly repentant that he had interrupted the carving, the king was only pacified when the muni (sage) called Narada appeared and explained that the form the king now sees is a legitimate form of the supreme personality of godhead. The second story here was narrated to further explain and remove any doubts and confusion.

The second reason for Lord Jagannath's appearance is the story of how Krishna was eavesdropping on the gopis as they spoke amongst themselves of His pastimes, and how much they loved him. Sister Subhadra was instructed to keep watch and ensure Krishna wasn't nearby while the gopis spoke of Krishna. But after a while Subhadra was so overwhelmed by the gopis' devotion and their stories that she became completely engrossed in listening. She didn't see the brothers Krishna and Balarama approaching. As the brothers listened their hairs stood on end, their arms retracted, their eyes grew larger and larger, and they smiled broadly in ecstasy. That is why Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra look like they do.

This form is worshiped by Vaishnavas as the abstract form of Krishna. The deities - Jagannath, Balabhadra (Balarama) and Subhadra (Krishna's sister) are usually worshipped in the temple, but once in every Asadha Masa (Rainy Season, usually June or July), they are brought out onto the main high street of Puri and travel (3 km) to the Mausimaa Temple, allowing the public to have Darshan (holy view) of the deities as they pass. This festival is known as Ratha Yatra. The Rath carts themselves are huge wooden structures built new every year and are pulled by the millions of pilgrims who turn up for the event from all parts of the Globe. The festival commemorates Krishna's return to His home in Vrindavan after a long period of separation from the people there.

The Deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of margosa wood. The tree worship is a very ancient cult. However the most accepted and popular theory over origin of Jagannath relates to ‘SAVARS’ or aboriginal traditions. The word wood 'DARU' is used to indicate material of which the universe (JAGAT) is made. Jagannath is specifically known as Darubrahma both in Puranas as well as by the people. The image of Jagannath (of black colour representing sunya) Subhadra (the creative energy) and Balabhadra ( of white colour representing phenomenol universe) have evolved from Nilamadhava of the ancient Kalinga Jaina. According to him 'Sudershana' is the Hindu name of the Dharmachakra of Jaina symbol and the term Kaivalya (liberation) exclusively common in the cult of Jagannath is derived from Jaina tradition. Jagannath is regarded as Daru Brahma, i.e. the Godhead manifestation in a modern image. The worship of Daru Brahma is traced to Vedic sources and to Bhagbat Gita.

Ratha Yathra:

Every year on the auspicious day of Ashadh Suddha Vidiya, in early July, the Rath Yatra festival celebrated by Hindus. This year the festival will be held from July 13-21. The festival commemorates Lord Jagannath’s annual visit to his aunt’s home.

Rath means chariot, Yatra - a pilgrimage or procession. Though this festival is celebrated all over India and world, it originated in Jagannath Puri on the eastern coast of India. Every year the deities of Jagannath Mandir - Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra - are traditionally installed on huge chariots. Devotees pull the chariots in a yatra (procession) through the street called Bada Danda. The local king used to serve by humbly sweeping the road ahead with a golden broom. Usually the deities – Jagannath (Krishna), Balarama and Subhadra are worshipped within the temple, but on the day of the Rath festival they are taken through the streets so that everyone can have the fortune of seeing them.

Lord Jagannath Ratha Jatra is a huge Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Puri in the state of Orissa, India during the months of June/July. Most of the city’s society is based around the worship of Jagannath (Krishna) with the ancient temple being the fulcrum of the area.

Three richly decorated chariots, resembling temple structures, are pulled through the streets of Puri. This commemorates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and their sister Subhadra to their aunt’ s temple, the Gundicha Temple which is situated at a distance of 2 km from their temple. New chariots are built every year. This is the only day when devotees who are not allowed in the temple premises such as non-Hindus and foreigners, can get their glimpse of the deities.

During the festival, devotees from all over the World go to Puri with an earnest desire to help pull Lords’ chariot with the help of other priests pulling the chariots with ropes. They consider this a pious deed and risk their lives in the huge crowd.

Celebrations:

Amidst the resounding clash of cymbals, and the tumultuous thundering of drums, the three gods, Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra leave their abode, the Jagannath temple, to journey to the Gundicha Mandir, three kilometers away from Jagannath temple towards north. Millions of devotees flock to the town to watch the trinity ride in their elaborate chariots through the streets of Puri. On all auspicious occasions, special ceremonies and rituals are performed replete with pomp and splendor in the temples of Puri, but nothing matches that of the Rath Yatra. Since the portals of the Jagannath temple allow entry only to Hindus, one of the gods, Maitri Devta, who symbolizes universal brotherhood, steps outside during this time so people of all religions and castes can pay obeisance. A spiritual ambience pervades the whole scene as bells chime; conch shells blow and the saffron robed sadhus dance with abandon. It is fascinating to watch the delirious masses paying homage to the Lord as the chariots move on almost as if propelled by a divine force.

Rituals:

A fortnight before the Rath Yatra, the three deities are given a holy bath on an open platform – the Snana Vedi near Aananda Bazaar on the eastern side of the temple. Since the images become discolored as a result of the bath, they are kept away from the public. At this time, the deities are said to be ill and are left to rest in isolation. A day before the procession, three gigantic chariots are exquisitely decorated and lined up outside the temple gates. Lord Jagannath’s chariot, the red and yellow Nandighosh, is about 45 feet in height with 16 massive wheels and a gold dome on top. The red and green Taladhwaj is only slightly smaller and belongs to Balabhadra. The smallest, Darpodalona belongs to Subhadra, who travels between the chariots of her two brothers. These grandiose structures, with brightly colored canopied tops, resemble the 12th century Jagannath temple in shape. Embellished and decorated with tinsel and ancient accessories, each of the chariots has a large platform covered with huge flower umbrellas. On the morning of the Yatra, the rhythmic clang of metal gongs, blowing of conch shells and trumpets and chanting of holy men fill the air as priests called Daityas vbring out the bedecked idols to their raths. Lord Jagannath makes his appearance first, amidst ecstatic cries of ‘Jai Jagannath’. The overwhelmed jubilant crowds work themselves into a state of devotional frenzy, as if hypnotized by the large eyes of their beloved Lord. The procession then awaits the arrival of the Gajapati or the King of Puri. The king comes in a traditional palanquin, following a procession of decorated elephants and horses. The King of Puri is a descendant of the royal family of Orissa and has complete control over the management and property of the Jagannath temple. He performs the Chhera Paharna, to express his humility before God. He sweeps the chariots with a gold broom and sprinkles holy water on them. There is a deafening roar of cheer as the procession inches ahead. Balabhadra the eldest brother takes the lead followed by Subhadra and Jagannath. The chariots are drawn by 50-metre long ropes attached to their front. Devotees surge ahead for an opportunity to give a hand in pulling the ropes, as it is believed that this will absolve them of all their sins and help them attain salvation. One of the unique rituals of this procession is the Lord’s visit to his aunt’s house. It is said that the three siblings do not like visiting their aunt who is said to be mean. However, the three go to the mashibari after being ritually scolded by the head priest.

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National Youth Day - Swami Vivekananda Birthday

Indian Government declared Jan 12 as the National Youth Day in 1984. As this day marks the birth day of great Indian philosopher, Swami Vivekananda whose teachings are the biggest philosophical asset of the country. The motto of declaring youth day on the birth date of this philosophical guru was motivating and inculcating these pious ideals to the coming generations.

As per the quote from the Government of India’s Communication, “it was felt that the philosophy of Swami ji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.”

National Youth Day is observed with great devotion towards Swami Vivekananda at headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission as well as their branch centers. Members of the organizations observe birthday of Swami Vivekananda in different manner. Celebrations of Swami’s birthday, according to Hindu calendar follow typical Hindu manner of celebrations. Swamijis birth day according to Georgian calendar falls on January 12 each year, the day is also observed as National Youth Day.

Many activities are planned for the day including various processions, speeches, recitations, music, youth conventions, seminars, Yogasana presentation, competitions in essay-writing, recitations, speeches, music, sports, etc.

The National Youth Day is also observed in almost all educational institutes of the country with great enthusiasm. Various programs are planned for the day in different colleges and schools. Students celebrate this day, birthday of Swami Vivekananda with processions, speeches, recitations, music, youth conventions, seminars, Yogasanas, presentations, competitions in essay-writing, recitations and sports on 12 January every year.

January 12, 2010:

National Youth Day is celebrated every year on January 12 as the date remains fix for each year. The day is observed on Swami Vivekanand's birthday according to Georgian calendar. While Vivekananda’s birthday according to the Indian Almanac (Vishuddha Siddhanta Almanac) is on Pausha Krishna Saptami tithi, which falls on different dates in the English Calendar every year.Swamij’s Birthday according to Indian Almanac (Vishuddha Siddhanta Almanac) is on Pausha Krishna Saptami tithi, which falls on different dates of English Calendar every year.

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