ABOUT DEITIES
Shiv Parivar
Lord Shiva is a principal deity of Hinduism and is widely worshipped throughout India and the world. He is associated with the paradoxical motifs of destruction abd regeneration. As per ancient Vedas, Lord Shiva is considered as the father of the complete universe. While his wife Goddess Parvathi is looked up as the mother of the universe. Therefore, together, they are considered as universal parents. The divine family of Lord Shiva, popularly known as Shiv Parivar, comprises of his wife Goddess Parvati, the two sons Lord Kartik and Lord Ganesha and Nandi, the celestial vehicle of Lord Shiva. Shiva Parivar Puja is performed in reverence t Lord Shiva and his family. Shiv Parivar is regarded as a symbol of peace, harmony and a happy family. It is beleived that praying to Lord Shiva in this form protects devotees from difficult situations and the devotee is blessed with family bliss and peace in life. Maha Shivratri is another major festival that is observed to worship Lord Shiva and seek his divine blessings.
AUSPICIOUS DAYS:
- On Mahashivratri day, it is said that Lord Bholenath sits on all the Shivalingas present on the earth. That is the reason Lord Shiva is worshipped on that day which not only makes it an auspicious day but also brings about positive results for the devotees.
VAHANA:
- Nandi
FAVORITE OFFERINGS:
- The Mahayogi loves Kand-Mool as per the shashtras. His favouries include Bhang, Dhatura, Milk, Thandai and Sweets white in colour.
SLOKAS:
- ""Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra:"Om Trayambakam Yajamahe, Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan, Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat.""
Modeshwari Maa
Goddess Modheshwari is Kuldevi – chief deity of Modh community. Goddess was worshiped by great saint Matanga Mooni so is called Matangi Modheshwari also. Modheshwari mata is an aspect of the devi Parvati or. Durga. She is the clan deity of the Modh community of. Gujarat.
Jalaram Bapa
Jalaram Bapa
Lakshmi Narayan
Laxmi Narayan is the divine and inseparable pair of Lord Vishnu & Goddess Laxmi. Lord Narayana, also known as Vishnu, is one of the supreme gods of the Hindu panthcons. He is the god of protection and sustenance of the universe. Goddess Laxmi or Mahalaxmi is his divine wife. She is the Goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity. Even though Lord Vishnu is beleived to sustain the entire earth, his "Shakti" or strength lies in Goddess Laxmi. Without the suspicious presence of Goddess Laxmi, he is poweless and so he is invoked with the name Laxmi - Narayana. Thus, the term "Laxmi Narayana" denotes the single divinity of Narayana with Laxmi and can be inferred as Laxmi's Narayan. Laxmi Narayan worship is a very popular form of puja and is performed during several auspicious occasions. It is performed for getting peace, happiness and bonding in one's home as well as success and prosperity in a business or place of work too.
IMPORTANT FESTIVALS:
- Diwali
AUSPICIOUS DAYS:
- Ekadashi, Sharad Purnima, Diwali & Kartik month
FAVORITE OFFERINGS:
- Puliogare/Tamarind Rice, Pickles, Curd Rice, Sweets & Payasam.
SLOKAS:
- "|| Om Shree Lakshmi-Narayanay Namah || "
Veer Hanuman
Hanuman is a Hindu god whose shape is half-monkey, half-human. He is the most devoted follower of Prince Rama, so he features a lot in the Ramayana as well as lots of other traditional Hindu stories and artworks. Hanuman has special powers and qualities that he uses to help Rama rescue his wife Sita.
AUSPICIOUS DAYS:
- Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are auspicious to Hanuman. His star is “Moola”. Hanumath jayanthi is celebrated on the day of “Moola star” in the Hindu month of Dhanu (Vrichiga, Margazhi- mid December to mid January ). The last day of Sri Rama Navami festival, the birthday of Rama, is celebrated in honor of Aanjaneya.
VAHANA:
- Camel
FAVORITE OFFERINGS:
- Offerings of butter and garlands with vada, thulasi and betel leaves are special to Hanuman. On Hanumath Jayanthi day more than one thousand eight vadas are offered as a garland to Hanuman. Special decorations with butter are performed to Lord Hanuman. Reciting Hanuman chaalisa and writing the holy name of Rama on these days are considered auspicious.
SLOKAS:
- ""Manojavam Maarutha Thulya Vegam Jithendhrhiyam Budhdhimathaam Varishtam Vaathaa-thmajam Vaanara Yoodha Mukhyam Sree Raama-dhootham Sirasaa Namaami""
Radha Krishna
Radha-Krishna ( Sanskrit: राधा कृष्ण ) is the combined form of the Hindu god Krishna with his chief consort and shakti Radha. They are regarded as the feminine as well as the masculine realities of God, in several Krishnaite traditions of Vaishnavism. She is the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion, and devotion.
AUSPICIOUS DAYS:
- Kartik Purnima. In Vaishnavism, the occasion of Kartik Purnima is considered as the most auspicious day to worship goddess Radha. According to Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Krishna also worshiped Radha on this day.Wednesdays are considered the most auspicious day of the week for worshipping Krishna.
FAVORITE OFFERINGS:
- Mal pua and Dahi Arbi, Maakhan Mishri & Pede made from cow milk.
SLOKAS:
- ""Achyutam Keshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Daamodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Maadhavam Raamachandram Bhaje Jaanki Naayakam Raamachandram Bhaje”""
Sri Durga
Durga is believed to unleash her divine wrath against the wicked for the liberation of the oppressed, and entails destruction to empower creation. Durga is seen as a motherly figure and often depicted as a beautiful woman, riding a lion or tiger, with many arms each carrying a weapon and often defeating demons.
AUSPICIOUS DAYS:
- Tuesdays and Fridays are considered specially auspicious to Durga. Navarathri (Dasera) is celebrated for Durga. Chandi Homam, the chanting of Devi Mahatmayam, (the glory of the Divine Mother), is performed during Navarathri and on special occasions.
VAHANA:
- Lion
FAVORITE OFFERINGS:
- Performing archana or lighting special lamps made of dough during “Raahu kaalam” is special to Durga. Garlands made of lemon are usually offered to Durga. Special decorations with turmeric and sandalwood pastes and flowers are made as special offerings
SLOKAS:
- ""Sarva Mangala Maangalye Sive Sarvaartha Saadhake Saranye Thryambake Devi Naaraayani Namosthuthe""
Shree Ram Darbar
The Ram Darbar depicts the most cherished figures of Hinduism, Lord Lakshman, Lord Hanuman and the ever-faithful Goddess Sita. They represent the perfect union of soul and life purpose. In addition, the Ram Darbar shows Laxman as an ideal companion and Lord Hanuman as the perfect devotee.
AUSPICIOUS DAYS:
- Day falling under Punarvasu Nakshatram, Navami ( 9th day of Lunar Calendar )
VAHANA:
- Hanuman
FAVORITE OFFERINGS:
- Rice Kheer, Soojhi Halwa & Indian berries like Jamun and Ber.
SLOKAS:
- " “Om Kleem Namo Bhagavathey Raamachandraaya sakalajana vashyakaraaya Swaaha!!”"
Shree Jagannath
To most Vaishnava Hindus, particularly the Krishnaites, Jagannath is an abstract representation of Krishna, or Vishnu, sometimes as the avatar of Krishna or Vishnu. To some Shaiva and Shakta Hindus, he is a symmetry-filled tantric form of Bhairava, a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.
AUSPICIOUS DAYS:
- The Snana Yatra, also known as Dev Snana Purnima, is a sacred bathing festival of deities observed on the Purnima (full moon) day of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. According to Skanda Purana, this auspicious event commemorates the appearance of Lord Jagannath and holds significant importance for Vaishnavas.
VAHANA:
- Mount Garuda
FAVORITE OFFERINGS:
- Poda Pitha, a pancake-like baked dish made with rice flour, coconut, black gram, jaggery and cardamom.
SLOKAS:
- "“Nilachala Nivasaya ,Nityayaa Paramatmane; Balabhadra Subhadrabhyam,Jagannathayate Namah “"
Jhulelal Ji
Lord Jhulay Laal, meaning "The Lord of the Swing" is the prime deity (Ishta Dev) of the Sindhi community of India & Pakistan. He is believed to have been born during the 10th century A.D. in the province of Sindh (erstwhile known as the land of seven rivers). As per legends, the oppressesd Hindus tired of the atrocities of the then Turkish ruler prayed to Lord Varuna (lord of the river) incessantly for 40 days; thereby prompting Lord Jhulay Laal to commerce as the incarnations of Lord Varuna to save the Sindh dwellers and bestow peace to them. Even today, Jhulay Laal comtinues to be the unifying force & the centre of all cultural activities of the Sindhi community. When Sindhu men venture out to sea, womenfolk pray to him for their safe return by offering a traditional Sindhi offering. Folks in Sindhi community greet each other with the phrase, "Jhulay Laal Bera Hee Paar" (meaning Jhulay Laal will resolve all problems), thus signifying their immense faith and adoration for their community deity, Jhulay Laal. Jhulay Laal Jayanti (birthday of Jhulay Laal) is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra & is also commemorated as the Sindhi New Year.
IMPORTANT FESTIVALS:
- Jhulelal Jayanti
VAHANA:
- Camel
FAVORITE OFFERINGS:
- Dal- Pakwan & Sindhi Curry
SLOKAS:
- ""Om Vam Varunaya Namah""