Sindhi Rites & Religion

Shraaddha (Ancestor Worship by Maharaj Washdev Sharma) The Origins recorded in our Purans: THE RITUAL OF SHRAADDH From the Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva, Section LXXXIV + Sec.XCII Shri Bhishma Pitamaha said: When my father Maharaja Santanu of great energy departed from this world, I proceeded to Gangadwara for performing his Shraaddha. When Observed: BADO, This year dates fall from 28th Sept 2004, 1st tithi (Purnima) till 13th October 2004 Last tithi (Umas). Pitra Paksha, Mahalay Paksha: The dark fortnight, which falls in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapad, is referred to as Mahalay Paksha or Pitrupaksha. Shraaddha is mainly divided into three types – DASHGAATRA PINDA DAAN - Performed for ten days beginning from the day on which person has died. (Gawoh Jee Maani-feeding of the cow for 10 days) EKADASHA' is performed on the eleventh day while ‘SAPINDAN’ is performed on the twelfth day. YEARLY SHRADDH OR ANNUAL SHRADDH - This Shraaddha is performed annually...

DURGA 108 NAMES OMSATI OM DAKSHA YAGYA INAASHINI OM SARVA ASUR VINAASHAA OM SAADHAVI OM APARNAA OM SARVADAANAVGHAATINI OM BHAV PREETA OM ANEK VARNAA OM SARVA SHAASTRAMAVI OM BHAWAANI OM PAAATLAA OM SATYA OM BHAVMOCHANI OM PAATLAAVATI OM ANEK SHASTRA HASTAA OM AARYAA OM PATTAAMBAR PARIDHAANA OM ANEKAASTRAA DHAARINI OM DURGAA OM KALMANJINI OM KUMARI OM JAYAA OM AMEVA VIKRAMA OM EK KANYA OM AADYAA OM KROORAA OM KAISHORI OM TRINETRAA OM SUNDARI OM YUVATI OM SHOOLDHARINI OM SARSUNDARI OM YATI OM PINAAK DHARINI OM VAN DURGA OM APRAUDHA OM CHITRAA OM MAATANGI OM PRAUDAH OM CHANDRA GHANTAA OM MATANGMUNI PUJITA OM VRIDDHMAATA OM MAHAATAPA OM BRAAHMI OM BALPRADAA OM MAN OM MAAHESHWARI OM MAHODARI OM BUDDHI OM EIDREE OM MUKTAKESHI OM AHANKAARA OM KAUMAARI OM GHOR RUPAA OM CHITTAROOPAA OM VAISHNAVI OM MAHAABALAA OM CHITTAA OM CHAAMUNDAA OM AGNI JWALAA OM CHITTI OM VAARAAHI OM RAUDRAMUKHI OM SARVAMANTRAMAVI OM LAKSHMI OM KAAL RATRI ...

RAKSHA BHADHAN By Maharaj Washdev Sharma History:- There are many legends that signify the importance of the Rakhi in India. Legend goes that once Indra, the Pauranic King of the Heavens, while warring with the Daitya-Raaja (demon king) was confronted and lost. Humbled, he sought the advice of Brihaspati. On the auspicious occasion of Shravan Poornima, both Shachee Devi or Indrani, the consort of Indra and Brihaspati, the Guru of the Gods, tied silken amulets popularly known as Raksha on Indra’s wrist. Subsequently, Indra vanquished the Daitya-Raaja and re-established sovereignty over his celestial abode. Other references to this simple ceremony are found in the epic Mahabharata where Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava son, enquires from Lord Krishna on how best he could guard himself against all impending evils and catastrophes in the ensuing year. Krishna advises him to observe the Raksha Bandhan ceremony. Tradition: Raksha Bandhan is an unspoken pledge exchanged between a broth...

Courtesy: Sarajit Poddar