Updated : Dasara – Navarathri – October 1st – October 11th 2016

Dasara is celebrated all over India as a religious as well as a social festival. Nava means nine and rathri means night and so Navarathri means nine nights. Some call it as Navarathri, some as Vijaya Dashami, and some as Dussehra. Doesn’t matter what you call, does it?

This year Dasara is celebrated from October 1st – October 11th 2016. Please check the dates in the country you are residing.

From day one of the festival, it is customary to keep a Kalasha (ಕಲಶ), this is filled with water(ನೀರು) and 4 betel leaves(ವೀಳೆದೆಲೇ) are arranged as shown below in the pictures.Apply Haldi (ಆರಿಶಿನ) , Kumkum(ಕುಂಕುಮ), and flowers, gejje vastra (ಗೆಜ್ಜೆ ವಸ್ತ್ರ) as shown again. This Kalasha is kept in front of the Pattada Gombe (ಪಟ್ಟದ ಗೊಂಬೆ) which is given during the marriage to the bride. This ಪಟ್ಟದ ಗೊಂಬೆ signifies Lord Srinivasa and Goddess Padmavathi. Again, see pictures below. These ಪಟ್ಟದ ಗೊಂಬೆ are decorated with different jewelery, crown, bangles, dresses every few years.

If you are keeping an elaborate Gombe (Dolls), than the Kalasha and the Pattada Bombe are placed on the top shelf. And all other arrangements follow next.

Even though all the 10 days and nine nights are important, there are a few major days where pooja is done with great devotion and pomp.
Those days are as follows:

• Saraswathi Pooja – October 9th
  Read more about Saraswathi Pooje here.
• Durgasthami – October 9th
  
• Ayoodha Pooja – Mahanavami – October 10th. Read more about Ayoodha Pooja here.
• Vijayadashami – October 11th

Devotional Songs for Dasara:

• Lyrics on Lord Sreenivasa

• Lyrics on Goddess Lakshmi

Dasara Pictures around the world:

• Dasara Pictures

Food Prepared during Dasara

• Authentic Madhwa Dishes

• Sweet Dosa for Saraswati Pooja

Other links posted on the blog:

• Navaratri-Dussera in Brief

• Amazing Rangoli of Shri Madhwacharya

• Dasara Celebration – Iskcon Temple in DC

• Amazing Rangoli for Dasara from Smt. Padmini

• 2009 Dasara Festival at my Sister’s Place

• Rangoli Designs for Dasara

Prayer by Sree Appanacharya

As I was browsing through FB, I found this amazing link which gave a complete day to day activities  of our Beloved Rayaru  in the greatest detail as written by Sree Appanacharya who resided with Rayaru for several decades. This is one of the Prayers Sree Appanacharyaru used to recite. The very first time I read the Stotra and the meaning, I had tears rolling down my eyes. I couldn’t wait to share it with you all devotees of Rayaru.

Below is the Stotra in Kannada and Baraha English. You can copy and paste in Baraha and translate to any language of your choice.

ಸ್ವಾಮಿರಾಜ ಪ್ರಭೊ ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ ಪ್ರಭೊ
ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ಪ್ರಭೊ ಪಾಹಿಮಾಂ ರಕ್ಷಮಾಮೇಹಿ
ಮಾಂ ಯಾಹಿ ಮಾಂ ಸರ್ವದಾ ಸರ್ವದೇಶೇಷು
ಸರ್ವಪ್ರಕಾರೇಣ ಸರ್ವೇಷ್ಟಸಿದ್ಧರ್ಥ್ಯಮತ್ಯಂತ
ಮಾರ್ದ್ರೇಣ ಚಿತ್ತೇನ ಸಂಸೇವಮಾನಂ

ಸದಾಬಾಲಬಾಲೋಪಮಾನಂ ತವ
ಶ್ರೀಪಾದಂಭೋಜದಾಸಾನುದಾಸಂ ಸದಾ ಪಾಹಿ
ಮಾಂ ಪಾಹಿ ಜೀಯಾದ್ಭವಾನಸ್ತು ಮೆ ಶ್ರೀಃ ಸದಾ
ನಮಸ್ತೇ ನಮಸ್ತೇ ವಚಸ್ತೇ ಶಿರಸ್ತೇ ಕರಸ್ತೇ
ಯಶಸ್ತೇ ನಮಸ್ತೇ ನಮಸ್ತೇ ನಮಃ

swAmirAja prabho rAmachaMdra prabho
rAghavEMdra prabho pAhimAM rakShamAmEhi
mAM yAhi mAM sarvadA sarvadEshEShu
sarvaprakArENa sarvEShTasiddharthyamatyaMta
mArdrENa cittEna saMsEvamAnaM

sadAbAlabAlOpamAnaM tava
SreepAdaMbhOjadAsAnudAsaM sadA pAhi
mAM pAhi jIyAdbhavAnastu me SreeH sadA
namastE namastE vachastE shirastE karastE
yashastE namastE namastE namaH

The meaning of the stotra goes like this:

O king of Sanyasis, O Ramachandra’s worshipper, O Raghavendra Guru, protect me

Please do reside within me, please do get me to your place. Protect me in all ways, all worlds, and always. I am praying to you to fulfill my smallest desires, I am the smallest among small being. I am the follower of your lotus feet, please protect me.

Victory be yours. May I be protected by your grace. I salute to you. I salute to you once again. I salute to your granthas. I salute to you who prays to Lord Hari.  I salute to your hands which worshiped Lord Hari, and composed and studied Guru Madhwacharya’s granthas.

I salute to you who is praised by one and all in this world. I salute to you, I salute to you once again.

I tried my best getting the message out, if you know Sanskrit, please do correct the meaning. Hope you all recite this amazing stotra to get the blessings of our beloved Rayaru.

Learn Sree Raghavendra Stotra – One Stotra At a Time

We had another Satsangha last week at Virginia. It was just amazing to see how much devotion and bhakthi people have on our beloved Rayaru. As I was going through my won blog, I found that I had not given link for people to learn and recite the amazing Stotra step by step. I have several links for the Stotra itself, but not matter what language it is written in, it is tough for many including me to pronounce Sanskrit properly.

So, below is an amazing link on Patwari.org which has each and every sloka recited one at a time. This is a great resource for many of you to share with your friends, relatives and kids to learn the Stotra.

Learn Guru Stotra.

As always all credit goes to the webmaster. I am just providing the link for easy learning.

 

 

Update: Mahalaya Paksha Masa – September 17th – September 30th 2016

The fortnight (15 days) preceding the Navaratri/Dasara or the second half “Krishna Paksha” of Bhadrapada Masa is called Pitru Paksha also known as Mahalaya Paksha. This period is important for honoring our ancestors. Men, whose fathers have passed away, offer their obeiscence (shraddha) to their ancestors during this period. This year it falls on the following days in the United States and India.

No functions such as upanayanam, marriage, gruhapravesha, engagement or any such activities performed during these 15 days. These 15 days are totally dedicated to our ancestors.

Pitru Paksha – Mahalaya Paksha : September 17th – September 30th 2016

There are many resources available online to assist in giving tarpana and doing shradha for the departed souls of ones family. Attached below are all the links.

If you have any resource, please share.

• Pitru Paksha from Sumadhwa Seva
• Pitur Paksha from Uttaradi Math

Sree Shiva Vishnu Temple is performing the same and a donation of $95 is charged and includes dakshina for the priest as well.

P.S: Please refer to dates in your country, and check with elders or temple priests.

Gowri-Ganesha Festival – September 4th and 5th 2016

Pooja preparations:

 

Gejje Vastra and Flowers getting ready to be offered to God.

Fruits and coconut for Lord Ganesha:

Kadabu for Lord.

After the morning pooja and naivedya.

Close up of the Lord.

Evening Pooje.

Chakkali prepared by my Husband for the Lord.

Mangalaruthi and evening naivedya chakali for the Lord to request him to come home every year.

The Ganesha festival falls on the fourth day Bhadrapada Masa. That’s why we say “Bhadrapada Shulkada Chauthi Aamdu”. Swarna Gouri Vrata and Ganesha Festival is celebrated on September 4th and 5th.

As always, check your closet temple to find the correct dates.

An idol of Gowri made of clay is brought two days before the Ganesha festival. Gowri is an incarnation of Parvathi. Gowri Habba, also called as Swarna Gowri Habba is celebrated one day before Ganesha Festival.

The Legend:

Goddess Gowri, while taking shower, created Ganesha out of the mud of and placed him at the entrance of the house. She told him not to allow anyone to enter while she went inside for a bath. Lord Shiva returned home and was stopped by Ganesha at the gate. Shiva became angry and cut off Ganesha’s head. When Gauri came to know of this she was grieved.

Lord Shiva ordered his servants to cut off and bring to him the head of any creature that might be sleeping with its head facing north. The servants went on their mission and found only an elephant in that position. Lord Shiva then joined the elephant’s head onto the body of Ganesha.

Mr. Lakshmisha P, had left a comment here that he had the pdf files for the Swarnagowri vratha puja & katha. Attached below are the links for both the pdf files he has provided.
Thanks so much Me. Lakshmisha for all the support and also the time you have taken to convert this into pdf.

• swarnagowri_katha
• swarnagowri_vratha_puja
• Marada Bhagina for Swarna Gowri Vrata
• Sampradaayada Haadu On Goddess Gowri 

We used to sing at the top of our voice “Ganesha bhanda, kai kadubu tinda, chikka kerele edda, dodda kereli bidda”.

Lord Ganesha is not just worshiped on this day, but is worshiped first in all occasions since he is considered to be the remover of all obstacles, one who brings good luck on new activities or endeavors.

As always links for several resources songs, lyrics and stotras are posted on this blog.

• Lord Ganesha & Gowri Lyrics

P.S: If you would like to get email updates on when new articles are added, you can subscribe by clicking on the left hand side on the “RSS Feed“. It will take you to a new page, and you can enter your email ID.

And here comes the link which has colorful and many designs for drawing Rangoli

• Rangoli Designs

And can any festival be complete without authentic dishes? Here are some recipes posted in this blog:

• Festival Recipes

In case you see the moon on this day, here is the sloka you are supposed to say:

ಚೌತಿ ಚಂದ್ರ ದರ್ಶನ ಅಪವಾದ ಪರಿಹಾರಕ್ಕಾಗಿ

ಸಿಂಹಃ ಪ್ರಸೇನಮವಧೀತ್
ಸಿಂಹೋ ಜೌ0ಬವತಾ ಹತಃ |
ಸುಕುಮಾರಕ ಮಾರೋದಿಃ
ತವಹ್ಯೇಷ ಸ್ಯ್ಮಮಂತಕಃ ||

Simha prasenamavadith
simho jambhuvatha hathah |
sukumaraka marodhihi
thavahyesha syamanthakaha ||

P.S: The above sloka in Kannada is exactly as it is in the Uttaradi Matta Panchanga. Rather than taking a picture, I typed in the words. The English translation is done from the Kannada sloka to the best of my knowledge.

As always no food is prepared with onion or garlic.

Many of you have asked for the Pooja Vidhana of the festival, I do have the book for Ganesha festival, and it is several pages. I had no time at all to translate it into English. So, here is the link for the pooja vidhanas for both Gowri and Ganesha pooja. Hopefully I will have them next year.

• KannadaAudio.com

P.S:  If you have a scanned copy of the Ganesha Vrata Pooja Vidhana, please share. I can post it here.

Gowri Ganesha Festival Preparation & Recipes

This year Gowri Ganesha Festival is celebrated on September 4th Sunday and 5th Monday. For those of you in India, it is a national holiday. For us in USA, it is Labor day weekend so we have Monday holiday.

So, this post is to help all of you prep for this festival and get the blessings of Gowri and Ganesha.

Gowri Habba Preparation:

• Prep for all the pooja items like Haldi, Kumkum, Mantrakshate, Gejje Vastra.
• Make sure you have Rangoli, if you don’t have the dry powder, use Kundan Rangoli, a chalk and draw. If even that is not available, take some printouts and use them. I have used a combination of all of them as seen below. Draw small feet of Lord Ganesha from the front door.
• Make sure you have camphor, Agarbathi and also soaked cotton for Mangalaruthi.
• Buy all the ingredients required for the Maradha Bhagina. The  two posts which have already been published are linked below:

  • ಮರದ ಬಾಗಿಣ ಮತ್ತು ಮಹತ್ಬಗಳು – Importance of giving Maradha Bhagina

  • Swarna Gowri Vratha – Marada Bhagina Items

• Buy fruits, Coconut, Banana leaves, Mango leaves, Betel leaves and nuts.
• Buy plenty of flowers.
• If you are performing Panchamruta abhisheka, buy all items required for that.
• A list of all food items which can be prepared is added at the end of this post.

Ganesha Habba Preparation:

• All pooja items as listed in Gowri Habba.
• In addition to all fruits, flowers get lots of garike and leaves for Lord Ganesha.
• The key food items made are 21 Modaka, 21 Kadabu and 21 Chakkali. Recipes listed all the way at the end.
• Offer Gejje Vastra. Usually fancy ones are offered here. 16 strings or some times 21 strings.

Food Items for Gowri Ganesha Festival:

Kosambari ಕೋಸಂಬರಿ

1. Cucumber Kosambari

2. ಕಡಲೆ ಬೇಳೆ ಕೊಸಂಬರಿ – Channa Dal Kosambari

ಚಟ್ನಿ Chutney

1. Channa Dal or Kadale Bele Chutney

2. Coconut Chutney

3. Pudina or Mint Chutney

4. Mint Mango Chutney – ಫುದಿನಾ ಮಾವಿನಕಾಯಿ ಚಟ್ನಿ

Bonda – ಬೋಂಡ ಭಜ್ಜಿ Bhajji

1. Heerekayi Bonda

2. Red and Green Capsicum Bonda or Fritters

3. Aloo Methi Pakoda

4. Ambode

5. Bombai (Aloo) Bonda

6. Sabhudani Vada – Gluten Free

ಸಿಹಿ ತಿಂಡಿಗಳು- Sweet Dishses

1. Badam Poori

2. Kayi Kadabu

3. Dry Coconut kadabu

4. Coconut Burfi

5. Mango Rasayana or seekarane

6. Pineapple Kesaribath

7. Steamed Modaka – ಮೋದಕ

ಪಾಯಸ – Payasa – Kheer

1. ಶಾವಿಗೆ ಪಾಯಸ – Vermicelli Kheer

2. Evaporated MilkyWay ಶಾವಿಗೆ ಪಾಯಸ – Vermicelli Kheer

3. Gasgase or Poppy seeds Payasa

ಸಾರು ಹುಳಿ ಕೂಟು – Rasam Sambar Kootu

1. Hesaru Bele Thove

2. Ridegourd Thove

3. Sweet or Sihi Kootu

4. Sandige Huli Recipe

5. ರಾಯರ  ಕೂಟು – Spicy Kootu Made in Sree Raghavendra Swamy Mutt

ಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಮೊಸರು ಅಡಿಗೆಗಳು – Yogurt Based Dishes

1. Majjige Huli

2. ಹಸಿ ಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಹುಳಿ – Hasi Majjige Huli

3. ಬೂದ ಕುಂಬಳಕಾಯಿ ಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಹುಳಿ  – Winter Melon Majjige Huli

ಗೊಜ್ಜು – Gojju

1. Gojju

2. Cucumber Gojju

2016 Shri Krishna Janmashtami @ 14619

It has been a hectic few months with two India visits back to back. My first trip was from July 4th – July 24th and the second one was from August 12th – August 24th. Yes, came back just the night before Shri Krishna Janmashtami. I had to travel back to speak at a conference and do a workshop in Kerala. I was also able to spend the last day of our Beloved Rayara Aaradhane in Bangalore, had prasada at 4th T block Jayanar mutta Bangalore. I also visited Shree Kamadhenu Kshetra in Bangalore, and would love to share the miracle which happened there. A new post and some pictures coming soon.

Since the last visit I have had severe back pain and undergoing physical therapy to relive the pain. As such was unable to make too many items for the festival yesterday. So, the decoration was simple, food was simple, but there was no lack of energy to do the pooje or sing all the devotional songs.

Attached below are the pictures of the pooje and the very simple food preparation. Hope you all had a wonderful celebration of Lord Krishna Janmashtami.