Festivals
| 07 Thu | Vijaya Ekadashi |
| 09 Sat | Maha Shivaratri |
| 21 Thu | Amalaki Ekadashi |
| 08 Thu | Masik Shivaratri |
| 25 Mon | Choti Holi/Holika Dahan |
| 25 Mon | Chandra Grahan/ Penumbral Lunar Eclipse |
| 25 Mon | Phalguna Vasanta Purnima |
| 25 Tue | Holi |
Vijaya Ekadashi
Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara. One should wait for Hari Vasara to get over before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is the first one-fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi. The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal. One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna. But if you cannot break the fast during Pratahkal, you should do it after Madhyahna.
At times Ekadashi fasting is suggested on two consecutive days. It is advised that Smartha should observe fasting on the first day only. The alternate Ekadashi fasting, the second one is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and those who want Moksha. When alternate Ekadashi fasting is suggested for Smartha it coincides with Vaishnava Ekadashi fasting day. Ekadashi fasting on both days is suggested for staunch devotees who seek the love and affection of Lord Vishnu.
Maha Shivaratri 2024
Maha Shivaratri is a great festival of convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha is known as Maha Shivaratri according to the South Indian calendar. However, according to the North Indian calendar, Masika Shivaratri in the month of Phalguna is known as Maha Shivaratri. However, both Northern and Southern Indians celebrate Maha Shivaratri on the same day.
Vrat Vidhi
The day before Shivaratri Vratam, most likely on Trayodashi, devotees should eat only once. On Shivaratri, after finishing morning rituals devotees should take Sankalp (संकल्प) to observe full day fast on Shivaratri and to take food the next day. During Sankalp devotees pledge self-determination throughout the fasting period and seek the blessing of Lord Shiva to finish the fast without any interference. Hindu fasts are strict and devotees pledge to self-determination and seek Shiv ji’s blessing before starting them to finish them successfully.
On Shivaratri day devotees should take a second bath in the evening before doing Shiva Puja or visiting the temple. Shiva Puja should be done during the night and devotees should break the fast the next day after taking a bath. Devotees should break the fast between sunrise and before the end of Chaturdashi Tithi to get the maximum benefit of the Vrat. According to one contradictory opinion, devotees should break the fast only when Chaturdashi Tithi is over. But it is believed that both Shiva Puja and Parana (पारण) i.e. breaking the fast should be done within Chaturdashi Tithi.
Shivaratri puja can be performed one time or four times during the night. The whole night duration can be divided into four to get four Prahar (प्रहर) to perform Shiva Puja four times.
Amalaki Ekadashi
Time – Phalguna Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is known as Amalaki Ekadashi. Amalaki Ekadashi falls between Maha Shivaratri and Holi. Currently, it is observed in February or March in the English calendar.
Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara. One should wait for Hari Vasara to get over before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is the first one-fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi. The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal. One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna. But if you cannot break the fast during Pratahkal, you should do it after Madhyahna.
At times Ekadashi fasting is suggested on two consecutive days. It is advised that the Smartha family should observe fasting on the first day only. The alternate Ekadashi fasting, that is the second one, is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and those who want Moksha. When alternate Ekadashi fasting is suggested for Smartha it coincides with Vaishnava Ekadashi fasting day.
Ekadashi fasting on both days is suggested for staunch devotees who seek the love and affection of Lord Vishnu.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
About Lunar Eclipse Data
If the Lunar Eclipse starts before midnight but ends after midnight i.e. it covers two different dates on the Gregorian calendar then the chosen Eclipse Day is when the maximum of the Lunar Eclipse occurs. Hence, the Penumbral Phase as well as the Umbral Phase might start before midnight i.e. on the previous day. Moonrise and Moonset moments are corrected for Parallax and this correction gives better timings for the Eclipse sighting.
Hinduism and Lunar Eclipse
Unless the Lunar Eclipse is visible to the naked eye, it is of no significance to Hindus and doesn’t consider it for any religious activities. Penumbral Lunar Eclipses are not visible to the naked eye hence no rituals related to Chandra Grahan should be observed. Religious activities should only be done If the Lunar Eclipse is visible during the Umbral Phase. Most Hindu Calendars don’t list Penumbral Eclipses.
If the Chandra Grahan is not visible in your city then you do not need to observe it. The advised Sutak precautions should only be considered if Chandra Grahan is visible in your city. Chandra Grahan is considered even if the Moon is not visible due to cloudy weather or other weather conditions.
Phalguna Purnima
Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Sydney, Australia with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours that are past midnight are suffixed with the next day’s date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
Full moon days in the Hindu calendar are known as Purnima in North Indian states, Pournami in South Indian states and Poonam in Gujarat. All Purnima days in the Hindu calendar are significant as Purnima days either coincide with important festivals or Jayanti days in the calendar.
Apart from festivals and Jayanti days, many families traditionally observe a day-long fast on Purnimasi days in the year. Full moon days are also very significant for performing Satya Narayana Swami Puja.
Phalguna Purnima, is the last Purnima of the year, is no exception. Holi is one of the most significant and popular Hindu festivals observed during Phalguna Purnima. The day also coincides with Lakshmi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Phalguna Purnima is also known as Vasanta Purnima, as this Purnima coincides with Vasanta Ritu out of a total of six Ritu(s) or seasons in Vedic astrology. It is important to note that Hindu festivals are not linked with seasons as all the Hindu festivals drift away from seasons due to precession. As it takes thousands of years to notice seasonal changes in Hindu festivals, it is assumed that festivals are linked to seasons and are given alternate names based on the season they currently coincide with.
In West Bengal and Orissa, Dol Purnima is observed during Phalguna Purnima. The festival of Dol Purnima is dedicated to Lord Krishna. On this day, the procession of Lord Krishna is taken through the streets while devotees play Holi with Lord Krishna.
Phalguna Purnima also coincides with the birth anniversary of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Hence the day of Phalguna Purnima is very significant for Gaudiya Vaishnava(s).
Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan, also known as Holika Deepak or Chhoti Holi, should be done during Pradosh Kaal (which starts after sunset) while Purnimasi Tithi is prevailing. Bhadra prevails during the first half of Purnimasi Tithi and all good work should be avoided when Bhadra prevails.
Holika was the sister of the Hiranyakashipu who was the father of Bhakta Prahlada. Hiranyakashipu wanted to kill his son because he was a devotee of Maha Vishnu while Hiranyakashipu was an ardent devotee of Maha Shiva and considered Shri Maha Vishnuas an enemy.
When all of his attempts failed to kill his son, he devised a plan where Holika sat on a burning pyre with Prhlada in her lap. Because of a boon, Holika was invulnerable to fire and offered to help her brother. However, Prahlada escapes unscathed and Holika burns in the pyre and dies.
Bhakta Prahlada was one of the greatest devotees of Shri Maha Vishnu and through him, Maha Vishnu appeared as Narasimha Swamy and killed the great Invincible Hiranykashipu.
Rangwali Holi | Dhulandi
Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Sydney, Australia with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours that are past midnight are suffixed with the next day’s date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
Holi is a religious festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Holi is considered the second biggest festival on the Hindu calendar after Deepavali. Holi is also known as the Festival of Colours.
Places related to the life of Lord Krishna are known as Braj regions. Holi rituals in Braj regions – Mathura, Vrindavan, Gowardhan, Gokul, Nandagaon and Barsana – are the most famous ones. The Lathmar Holi – the traditional Holi festivity in Barsana is world famous.
Rangwali Holi is celebrated on the second day, the day after the Choti Holi – It is the day when people play with coloured powders and coloured water. Rangwali Holi is the main Holi that is also known as Dhulandi or Dhulendi (धुलण्डी). The other less popular pronunciations of Dhulandi are Dhuleti and Dhulheti.
