Hindu Festivals in the month of August 2023 and 77th Independence Day Celebrations
Nag Panchami
21st August 2023
Currently Nag Panchami falls in month of July and August in English calendar.
Women worship Nag Devta and offer milk to snakes on this day.
Women also pray for the wellness of their brothers and family.
Varalakshmi Vratam - 25th August 2023 – Friday
Varalakshmi, who is the consort of Lord Vishnu, is one of the forms of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Varalakshmi was incarnated from the milky ocean, popularly known as Kshir Sagar. She is described as having the complexion of milky ocean and adorns similar color clothes.
Varalakshmi Puja day is one of the significant days to worship the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that the Varalakshmi form of the goddess bestows boons and fulfills all desires of her devotees. Hence this form of the goddess is known as Vara + Lakshmi i.e. Goddess Lakshmi who bestows boons.
The Varalakshmi fasting is performed with the desire
of worldly pleasures and it includes children, spouse, luxury and all sorts of
earthly pleasures.
Varalakshmi Puja is performed mostly by married women
for the well-being of husband and the other family members. It is believed that
worshipping Goddess Vara-Lakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping
Ashtalakshmi i.e. the eight Goddesses of Wealth (Sri), Earth (Bhu), Learning
(Saraswati), Love (Priti), Fame (Kirti), Peace (Shanti), Pleasure (Tushti) and
Strength (Pushti).
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly by the people of Kerala.
The word ‘Onam’ or ‘Thiruvonam’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Shravanam.’ Thiruvonam is one among the 27 nakshatras or constellations.
Thiruvonam is the Nakshatra of Lord Vishnu, who appeared as Vamana to push Mahabali into Pathalam.
HISTORY OF ONAM FESTIVAL:
The festival honours the appearance of Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the home coming of the legendary King Mahabali.
In mythology, King Mahabali of Kerala defeated the Gods and ruled over all three worlds. During his reign, prosperity and grandeur ruled everywhere; the local people had the best of times. Mahabali's popularity made the Gods insecure, and they asked Lord Vishnu to step in and help contain him.
To end Mahabali’s rule on earth, the Lord disguised himself as a Vaman (short for Brahmin) and tricked the King into giving him whatever land he owned.
Consequently, King Mahabali was sent to a lower world, but he was also granted the wish to visit his land once a year by Vishnu.
The festival of Onam is celebrated to mark the King's homecoming.
Onam celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala Lok, the lok that is considered to be under Earth. It is believed that Asura King Mahabali visits every Malayali home to meet people on Thiruvonam day.
Onam celebrations start on Atham day (the day when Atham Nakshatra prevails) and continue for 10 days till Thiruvonam day.
Raksha Bandhan - Rakhi Festival is an ancient Hindu festival.
The festival of Rakhi celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
The festival is very famous with several cultures in the country as the concept of duty and love between siblings is universal.
On the morning of the festival day, brothers and sisters shall gather together with their families.
Sisters tie rakhis (threads) as a symbol of protection.
Rakhis are also used to celebrate other relationships between
neighbors and friends.
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