August 23 – Gayatri Japam
Gayathri Japam is observed on the day after Shravana Pournami. This year, it falls on August 23. Brahmins in South India perform this ritual as part of the Upakarma and Avani Avittam ritual. This annual ritual involves the chanting of Gayathri Mantra. Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedi Brahmins perform this ritual on the same day. On the day, after the initial […]
August 22 – Hayagriva Jayanthi
Hayagriva Jayanti is an occasion where the appearance of Lord Hayagriva is celebrated. It is the birth anniversary of Lord Hayagriva, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The reason for donning and being reborn in this incarnation was to restore the Vedas to Brahma, which was forcibly taken away and kept away by the demons. It […]
August 22 – Yajur Veda Upakarma (Avani Avittam)
Upakarma or Avani Avittam is a vedic ritual practiced by the Brahmins. Upakarma is conducted once a year during the Shravana maasa, when Brahmins ritually cahgne their Upanayanam (sacred thread) accompanied by relevant Shrautha offerings to the rishis, whom they believe composed the vedic hymns. On the following day, the Gayathri Mantra is recited 1008 or […]
August 21 – Thiruvonam
Thiruvonam brings together a multitude of colours and flavours from across God’s Own Country, and the celebrations reach their apex on this auspicious day. Thiruvonam commemorates the return of a mythical, righteous king – King Mahabali and brings together communities across the landscape in unified revelry that is unheard of across the planet. Households are […]
August 21 – Rig Veda Upakarma (Avani Avittam)
Upakarma or Avani Avittam is a vedic ritual practiced by the Brahmins. Upakarma is conducted once a year during the Shravana maasa, when Brahmins ritually change their Upanayanam (sacred thread) accompanied by relevant Shrautha offerings to the rishis, whom they believe composed the vedic hymns. On the following day, the Gayathri Mantra is recited 1008 or […]
August 20 – Varalakshmi Vratham
Varalakshmi Vratham is an important pooja performed by the women devotees in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar pradesh and Maharashtra. The presiding deity of this vratham is Varalakshmi, a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi who grants all the boons of the devotees. This vratham will confer great benefits including health, wealth, happiness, […]
August 11 – Andal Thiruvaadipooram
Thiruvaadipooram is the Thirunakshathram of Sri Andal. Thousands of people from Tamil Nadu participate in the “Thiruvaadipooram” festival celebrated in the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple. After early morning special pujaas, the presiding deities, Shri Rengamannar and Goddess Andal are taken in decorated palanquins to the car. The festival marks the adoption of presiding deity, Andal, by […]
August 3 – Aadi Perukku
This year, Aadi Perukku will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Aadi Perukku is a festival mostly celebrated in the state of Tamil Nadu on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi in order to pay tribute to the life-sustaining properties of water. Aadi Perukku is the traditional thanksgiving festival signaling the […]
July 12 – Puri Rath Yatra
The world-famous Lord Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra begins on the Dwitiya Tithi in Ashadha, Shukla Paksha. This year, Ratha Yatra will be celebrated on July 12, 2021. The festival of Puri Rath Yatra is devoted to Lord Jagannath who is believed to be one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu and also revered by the […]
July 24 – Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima is a tradition dedicated to all the spiritual and academic Gurus who are ready to share their wisdom, based on Karma Yoga. It is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) during the June–July period. It is also known as Vyasa Purnima for it marks the birthday of sage Veda Vyasa, the author of The Mahabharata.