HAPPY GANESHA CHATURTHI 2013

"Vakratunda Mahaakaaya Suryakotee Sama Prabha
Nirvighnam kuru mey Deva, Sarva kaaryeshu Sarvadaa"

Vakratunda	curved trunk
Mahakaaya	large bodied
Surya kotee	million suns
Sama Prabha	with the brilliance of
Nirvighnam	free of obstacles
Kuru	make
mey	my
Deva	Lord
Sarva Kaaryeshu	in all work
Sarvada	always

Ganesha Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and Ganesha Chauth. Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated as birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. On Ganesha Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the God of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. It is believed that Lord Ganesha was born during Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month.

Ganesh Puja is preferred during Madhyahana as it is believed that Lord Ganesh was born during Madhyahana Kaal. Madhyahana Kaal is equivalent to midday according to Hindu division of the day.

It is believed that one should not see the moon on Ganesha Chaturthi. Sighting the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi creates Mithya Dosham which means false accusation of stealing something. Depending on start and end time of Chaturthi Tithi, sighting of the moon might be prohibited for two consecutive days. Moon should not be sighted while Chaturthi Tithi is prevailing. Further, Moon risen during Chaturthi should not be sighted even if Chaturthi Tithi gets over before moonset.

Ganesha Chaturthi in year 2013 will be celebrated on 09^th September 2013. The madhyahana puja time for this purpose is of 2 hours 27 mins duration (11.10 a.m. to 1:37 p.m.)

The Ganeshotsav, the festivity of Ganesh Chaturthi, ends after 10 days on Anant Chaturdashi which is also known as Ganesh Visarjan day. On Anant Chaturdashi, devotees immerse idol of Lord Ganesh in water body after a gala street procession. Anant Chaturthi (or Anant Chaturdashi) is the last day of the “Ganesha festival” celebrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is the tenth day after Ganesh Chaturthi which falls on the 14th day of the bright Bhadrapada (the sixth month of Hindu calendar). The day follows the immersion of the idols of the beloved Lord but to be welcomed the next year with equal fervor. Some people observe a vow in honour of Lord Vishnu, which if kept for 14 years is supposed to bring wealth. Anant Chaturdashi will be celebrated on 18^th September 2013.

 

How to conduct Puja on Ganesha Chaturthi

On this auspicious day a beautiful idol of Lord Ganesh should be made of clay or some metal like silver or it could be brought from the market. The trunk should be curved in the left. Now this idol should be installed on a high pedestal with its face facing east/west or north. Having anointed the idol with sandalwood or saffron paste and invoking the Lord for the 'Pran-pratishtha' (consecration), offerings with 21 objects should be kept ready, which should include Patri (leaves), Kewra (pamdames), Shamee (a kind of tree leaves), white flowers (lily), Durba (grass twigs), red sandalwood, sindoor (red vermilion powder), panchamrita (a potion made from mixing milk, curd, honey, sugar and water) and the leaves of Tulsi or basil etc. One must remember that basil leaves or Tulsidal are permitted in the Lord's worship only on this day, and not on other days. Now, after seating yourself on the Kushasan (a small mattress made by the weed called Kusha), you should invoke the Lord and complete the worship as mentioned earlier. After this, you can perform the Mahabhishek (Grand Anointing Ceremony) by Panchamrita etc., and sing the 'Aarti' of the Lord with a lighted lamp waving in your hand before the Lord's idol. Then the oblation of Durba, flowers etc. should be offered to the Lord. After this religiously move around the Lord seven times in anti-clockwise direction and lie with hand and feet fully stretched on the ground with face facing the ground to salute the Lord. This sort of special salutation is called Sashtang Namaskar'. Then 21 Laddoos should be offered as the Lord's symbolic food or the 'Prasadam' which should be distributed to as many devotees as possible. It is said in scriptures that 'Prasadam' should be distributed to the greatest number of persons possible with each getting as little of the share as to have it totally absorbed or digested by the eater's body and there should not be any refuse left out of it after digestion.
Having made the offering, the following 'Mantra' (incantation) should be recited:

Ganadhipa namasteastu Umaputraghanashana
Ekdantabhaktreti tatha mooshak vahana
Vinayakesha putreti sarva siddhi pradayaka
Kumar gurve tubhyam poojaneeyah prayatnatah

[I bow to the head of Ganas, the Destroyer of all sin, the son of Uma (parvati), who has One Tusk and Elephant-Face and the mouse as His vehicle. Supreme Leader, who grants the boon of son and every desire, whose elder brother is Kumar (Kartikeya)- this way I endeavor to worship you)

    "Aum gam ganapataye namah"

                                     Happy Ganesha Chaturthi

Acharya Vikas Malhotra

Astrologer, Numerologist and Spiritual Healer

{MBA, LLB, FCS, MA (Public Admn), FIII, JYOTISH VISHARAD}

 lalkitabastro.com

Happy Janmashtami 2013

Date – Wednesday, August 28 2013

About the Festival

Krishna Janmashtami is the celebration of the birth of Lord Shri Krishna, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is believed to have been born about five thousand years ago in Mathura in 'Dwapar Yuga'. Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami and sometimes simply as Janmashtami.

It is essentially a Hindu festival. The festival is generally observed on Ashtami tithi, the eighth day of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatra is ascendant. This is usually in the months of August and September in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and vigor by Hindus all over India and abroad. People observe fast the whole day, sing hymns and conduct prayers at midnight to rejoice the birth of Lord. Raslila, dramatic enactments of the life of Krishna, are a special feature that is showcased in every part of the country, as it re-creates the flirtatious aspects of Krishna's youthful days. Another interesting aspect of Krishna Janmashtami is the practice of Dahi-Handi. This game portrays the playful and mischievous side of Krishna, where teams of young men form human pyramids to reach a high-hanging pot of butter and break it.

Brief Significance and History of Festival

According to the Puranas Krishna took birth on the 8th lunar day (Ashtami) of the waning moon of the month of Smvana at midnight, upon the moon's entrance into Rohini asterism. This day is marked as Janmashtami. Krishna is one of the most worshipped Gods in India and belongs to the Hindu Trinity. He is believed to be one of the eight incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The story of birth of Krishna is an intriguing one. The story goes like this: One day Mother Earth was appalled by the number of sins that were being committed on her surface. She went to Brahma that God of the Gods and appealed to him for help. Brahma, after listening to her, appealed to Lord Vishnu who said that He would take birth on earth and His avatar will destroy every kind of sin that was being committed on earth then. During that time, Mathura was in miserable state as Kansa, brother of Devki, had put his father, King Ugrasen in prison and declared himself the new king. To put an end to his evil rule, Lord Vishnu decided to take birth in the human form. As such, at the wedding ceremony of Devki and Vasudev, there was a divine prophecy which proclaimed that Vasudeva's eighth son would kill Kansa. To protect himself, Kansa rushed to kill his sister but gave up the idea of killing after being assured by Vasudev that he will hand over all his children to Kansa. Kansa put his brother-in-law and sister in prison. Kansa killed all the six infants as soon as they were born. The seventh child (Balram) was saved due to divine intervention, when he was transferred from Devki's womb to that of Rohini's (other wife of Vasudev).

As Devki conceived the eighth child, everything around was imbued with benevolence and majestic beauty. Lord Krishna was born in the divine form with lotus like eyes, his palms bearing the signs of a lotus, while his sole has a swastika sign. He was adorned with jewels and was wearing a crown. Just as he was born at midnight, a chain of events astonished Vasudev, when he saw the gates of the cell flow open and all the guards fast asleep. He immediately thought of Nand, his close friend in Gokul and decided to hand over his child to him in order to save him from the clutch of Kansa. Crossing the River Yamuna, Vasudev reached Nand's residence and exchanged his son with Nand's daughter. Upon reaching the prison, the door got locked behind him and he was chained again as if nothing happened in between. The guards also woke up and after hearing the cry of the baby, informed Kansa about the birth of the eighth child. Just as Kansa rushed to kill the baby, it slipped out of his hand and flew towards the sky, proclaiming that the annihilator of Kansa was born and was safe.

How to Celebrate Janmasthami

I think the festival is an opportunity for us to thank Him for all that He has given to us. As we enjoy attention and fun on our birthday, so does Lord also enjoys our attention on His appearance day. Worship Him in a way that you can relate yourself with the lord and in this love and devotion you will get immense happiness and satisfaction.

1. First of all you can decorate your home for Lord Krishna. Clean your home thoroughly and invite Lord to come to your house. It would be fun, particularly for children. Encourage them in helping to make garlands, hanging balloons and festoons of leaves, and making the house beautiful for Krishna’s appearance.

2.  Listen to Lord Krishna Bhajans and recite Mahamantra of Lord.

3.  If you have Radha-Krishna deities, get extra special new outfits for them. Exercise your creativity and pay special attention to decorating their altar.  Hold Abhisheka bathing ceremony for your deities. Simply buy different liquids like yogurt, honey, ghee and fruit juices and bathe the deity with them while singing devotional songs.

4. You must cook one special dish for the Lord which should be offered to Lord and then taken as Prasad by you. Imagine that Krishna is actually right near you in your house and you are offering this dish to Him.

5. Meditate as long as possible on this day and you can recite Lord Mahamantra also. Visit any Lord Krishna temple if possible and immerse yourself in the presence of Lord there.

6. You can bring a cake for the lord. It should be an eggless cake. Cut the cake in the midnight at 12 o Clock and have midnight Aarti (worship ceremony) with a kirtan. This is the exact time that Krishna appeared on this planet, so it is most auspicious and spiritually inspiring

7. Krishna has an immense love for cows. On the birthday of Lord Krishna, you must feed cows. You can offer anything like bread, green grass, chapati or any thing which you think would be liked by the cows. This would definitely give you mental peace, satisfaction and happiness and would also improve your planet Venus. 

8. I am reproducing Krishna Mahamantra below. Chant this mantra and feel the divine presence. Enjoy each and every bit of His visit. He is here only, today and always. Feel Him, Love Him and Worship Him.

HAPPY JANMASHTAMI 2013

“Hari Om Tat Sat”

“Jai Shree Krishna”

Acharya Vikas Malhotra

Astrologer, Numerologist and Spiritual Healer

{MBA, LLB, FCS, MA (Public Admn), FIII, JYOTISH VISHARAD} 
 lalkitabastro.com

Benefits of Gomati Chakras

Gomati Chakras are a rare natural product, a form of shell stone, and is found in Gomati River in Dwarka, Gujarat in India. Gomati Chakra resembles the Sudarshana Chakra (divine weapon) or Discus of Lord Krishna. It is used as a Yantra for different purposes and is also used in worship of Lord Har and Hari. 




You can visit following link for knowing more about these chakras, their utility and benefits

http://lalkitabastro.com/yantra.php

	"Hari Om Tat Sat"
	"Jai Shree Krishna" Acharya Vikas Malhotra Astrologer, Numerologist and Spiritual Healer {MBA, LLB, FCS, MA (Public Admn), FIII, JYOTISH VISHARAD}   lalkitabastro.com

Somvati Amavasya - Importance, Spiritual Significance, Pitra Dosha Shanti & manner of celebrating Somvati Amavasya

Introduction

Somvati Amavasi, or Somavati Amavasya, is no moon day that falls on a Monday (Somvar) in traditional Hindu calendar. In 2013, Somvati Amavasya date is July 8.

It is considered a highly auspicious day and millions of people take a holy dip in sacred Rivers like Ganga and Yamuna on the day. Married men and women also perform different pujas and rituals and also undertake Somavara Amavasya Vrat. Though Amavasya occurs every month, Hindus believe it to be most auspicious when it occurs on a Monday. Married women on this day should observe fast on this day for the long life of her husband. Women who want a good match for them should also keep this fast. They should worship Lord Shiva and offer milk and milk mixed water to Shiv Linga. This day is also very auspicious for performing Pitra Tarpan (offering to the ancestors) as it provides peace to their souls. People suffering from Pitra Dosha should also observe this fast as it frees them from this dosha. It is believed that observing this helps us get rid of all the sorrows and problems. People who are suffering problems in their life as well as profession should observe this fast. If they cannot fast at least they should do the things advised below for getting happiness in their life.



The significance of Somvati Amavasya was narrated to Yudhisthira by Bhishma Pitamaha in the epic Mahabharata. It is believed that we can bring peace to our ancestor’s soul by taking a Holy Dip on this day in the sacred River Ganga. Also, the Holy Dip wears away all our sorrows and helps us progress and prosper. The Peepal tree is considered as a sacred tree as per the Indian traditions and on the auspicious day of Somvati Amavasya women tie a sacred thread around its trunk for 108 times. Parikrama around the tree is performed for 108 times and it is offered with milk, sandal paste, flowers and vermillion. Devotees sit under the Peepal tree and chant Mantras to please the Almighty.

Legend associated with Somvati Amavasya

Once upon a time there lived a money lender who had seven sons and one daughter. He married all his sons but could not find a suitable match for his daughter. A monk visited their house regularly and blessed the money lender’s daughters-in-law but never blessed the daughter. The daughter told her mother about this and she confronted the monk with this question. The monk did reply and left quietly. This really worried the mother and she called a Pandit.

The Pandit told her that her daughter was destined to become a widow. The girl’s mother asked the Pandit for a solution to the problem. He told them that there was a washerwoman who lived on the island of Singhal. If that woman agrees to apply vermilion (Sindoor) on the forehead of the girl, her fate will change. The Pandit also told them that observing fast of Somvati Amavasya will also be instrumental in reversing her fate.

The mother sent her daughter and her youngest son to that island. On their way to the island they came across sea shore and wondered how to cross it. Sitting under a tree they saw a vulture’s nest. A male and female vulture lived there with their babies. One day when both vultures had gone out of their nest to fetch some food, a snake entered their nest and attacked the babies. All this was being witnessed by the girl who was sitting there. She immediately jumped to help the vulture babies and saved them from the attack.
When the vultures returned they were really pleased to know what had just happened. As a token of their gratitude they helped the girl to reach the washer woman’s house. After reaching her destination she started living with the washer woman. After a few months the woman was really pleased with the girl and applied vermilion (Sindoor) on her forehead. While returning back to her house she also observed Somvati Amavasya. This reversed her fate and then she lived a happy married life with her husband.

Special Importance of Somvati Amavasya for Pitra Dosha Shanti

Somvati Amavasya is a special day for getting rid of Pitra dosha in your horoscope. I would advise you to consult a good astrologer for knowing specific remedies pertaining to their horoscope. Until then you can do the following remedy for solution of Pitra Dosha.
Crows and the ‘Peepal tree’ are the symbols of forefather. So, you must offer water to the “Peepal tree” on this day. You can offer sweet water, sweets (white) or kheer and Janeu to the Peepal tree on this day and recite the Mantra `OM NAMOH BHAGWATE VASUDEWAY’. Circumambulate the Peepal tree 108 times and then apologize to God for your known and unknown sins.Giving bread to the crows also gives a lot of benefit on this day.
According to the “Shastra” our forefathers come to our house on “Amavasya”, so every person must donate according to his or her capability. Keeping food under the “Babool tree” makes our Forefathers happy.
On every Amavasya we must give five fruits to the cow. No matter what religion you are following, after preparing food you must offer the first bite to a cow in the name of our forefather, so that the family could be blessed by them.

What to do on Somvati Amavasya/Spiritual Significance of this day

Apart from above remedies for Pitra Dosha you can also do the following on Somvati Amavasya:

1. You can donate food to poor kids.
2. Fast on this day and worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
3. Doing Maun (remaining silent) is considered to be very fruitful on this day.
4. Devotees observing Somvati Vrat must revolve around 108 times around Peepal tree in the morning.
5. You should chant Lord Shani Mantra “Om Nilaanjana Samaabhasam, Ravi Putram Yamagrajam. Chaya Martanda Samhubhutam, Tama Namami Shanescharam.”
6. Worship of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu on this day would eliminate all your sufferings.
7. Taking bath in the holy rivers (Like Ganga and Triveni) on Somvati Amavasya is considered to bring prosperity, make you free from diseases, grief and sorrow and help the ancestors to attain salvation.
8. You can also do parikrama (circumbalate) Basil tree (Tulsi tree) 108 times. It results in elimination of poverty.
9. You can offer 11 (Eleven) Abhimantrit Gomti Chakra on Shiv Linga on this day to grab favorable opportunities in profession. For getting Abhimantrit and Energised Gomti Chakra, you can contact Lal Kitab Astro Centre (LKAC).

I wish all of you a very happy Somvati Amavasya 2013

“Hari Om Tat Sat” “Jai Shree Krishna” Acharya Vikas Malhotra Astrologer, Numerologist and Spiritual Healer {MBA, LLB, FCS, MA (Public Admn), FIII, JYOTISH VISHARAD}   lalkitabastro.com

IMPORTANCE OF NARMADESHWAR SHIVLINGA

Narmadeshwar Shivlinga/Bana Linga are obtained from the river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh. Narmadeshwar Shivlinga is considered very auspicious as they are made naturally in the river bed. It is believed that where there is Narmadeshwar Shivling Lord Shiva Himself resides there. One can get rid of all ailments by performing daily pooja of Narmadeshwar Shivlings to achieve success in life.


If a person consult with his or her horoscope, specific remedies through worshiping Lord Shiva using Narmadeshwar Shivlinga could be suggested to maximize results. If you want to purchase Narmadeshwar Shivlinga and want to get additional information about it you can visit the following link

http://lalkitabastro.com/yantra.php 
   
"Om Namah Shivay"

	"Jai Shree Krishna"                                          "Hari Om Tat Sat" Acharya Vikas Malhotra Astrologer, Numerologist and Spiritual Healer {MBA, LLB, FCS, MA (Public Admn), FIII, JYOTISH VISHARAD}   lalkitabastro.com

FREE ASTROLOGICAL REMEDIES FOR IMPROVEMENT IN EDUCATION OF CHILDREN

On the request of many of the friends and followers associated with LAL KITAB ASTRO CENTRE (LKAC), I am sharing here some of the useful remedies for initiating improvement in your child studies. I would suggest that these remedies cannot be a substitute for good Astrological consultation for your child. In that case, the remedies are suggested looking at various combinations in the horoscope, the planetary position and relevant divisional charts. 

Consult for all your problems relating to:

What is the good area in which education should be taken?

How to initiate improvement in studies?

Would your education prove to be useful for you in future?

Do I have the possibility of getting foreign education?

Why I am not getting desired results even after studying hard?

The link for remedies is given below:

http://www.lalkitabastro.com/education.php

	Hari Om Tat Sat "Jai Shree Krishna" Acharya Vikas Malhotra Astrologer, Numerologist and Spiritual Healer {MBA, LLB, FCS, MA (Public Admn), FIII, JYOTISH VISHARAD}   lalkitabastro.com

HAPPY SHANI JAYANTI AND SHANI AMAVASYA 2013

Date of Shani Jayanti and Shani Amavasya in 2013– June 08, 2013 (Saturday)

Introduction

Shani Jayanti is marked as birth anniversary of Lord Shani. Lord Shani or Saturn is son of Lord Suryadev that rules weekday Saturday.  Shani Amavasya, i.e. Amavasya on Saturday is considered to be highly auspicious for getting relief from the effect of Lord Shani or the planet Saturn as per astrology. Shani Amavasya is also considered to be the day on which on can free himself from Pitru or Pitra Dosha. Shani Amavasya is also good to overcome the Kaal Sarpa Dosha. Combination of Shani Jayanti and Shani Amavasya is a golden opportunity for all of us to worship Lord Saturn and take his blessings. By pleasing Lord Saturn one would get relief from the difficulties he or she is facing in life.

The common method of pleasing Lord Shani is by performing Taila Abhishekam or Telabhishekam, which means pouring of mustard oil on the idol of Lord Shani. Performing of Taila Abhishekam on Shani Amavasya would please Lord Shani very much.

Lord Saturn Birth Story

As per legends, Saturn is the son of Surya Deva. Surya deva was married to Sandhya with whom he had three children, Manu, Yam and Yamuna. Sandhya could not bear the radiance of Sun for long and decided to go for penance, leaving her shadow (chaya) behind in service of Lord Sun. After some time Chaya gave birth to Saturn.

 

How to worship Lord Saturn on Shani Jayanti

On the occasion of Shani Jayanti, devotees worship Lord Shani and observe fasts with proper rituals. It is believed that donation, charity, puja, path etc made on Shani Jayanti gives relief from sufferings for our bad karmas given by Lord Saturn. The observer should wake up early in the morning, take bath, greet all the nine planets and if possible establish an idol of Lord Shani made of iron. Bathe the idol with mustard oil, sesame seeds and chant below given Lord Shani mantra:

“Om Sham Shanaischaryaye Namah”

After doing puja as per the rituals donate Saturn related articles such as black cloth, black urad, black shoes, sesame, iron, mustard oil etc. along with things used in puja. You can fast on this day also. Whether you do fast or not, you must recite Lord Shani Mantra throughout the day. Sesame, black pepper, peanut oil, pickle, clove, basil leaf and black salt must be used in the puja. Worshipping Lord Hanuman also pleases Lord Shani. Lord Hanuman had once rescued Lord Shani and to show is gratitude towards Lord Hanuman, Lord Shani told him (Hanuman) that he would never cast his evil effects on any of the followers of Hanuman. If you have Narmadeshwar Shivlinga, then abhishek it with Mustard Oil. Recite “Om Namah Shivaya” also.

Chaaya Daan (Donating your shadow) on Shani Amavasya/Shani Jayanti

On Shani Amavasya a special Daan called Chaaya Daan is also performed. Chaaya means reflection. Daan means donation. so as the name suggest it is a donation of the reflection. The procedure of performing Chaya Daan on Shani Amavasya is as follows:

Keep mustard oil in a bowl and place it beside the bed where you sleep on the night before the Shani Amavasya. As soon as one gets up on Shani Amavasya see your reflection in the oil. Give this oil as Donation to some beggar on Shani Amavasya or give the oil in the temple of Lord Shani on Shani Amavasya. By doing Chaaya Daan on Shani Amavasya one would please Lord Shani and can expect some relief from difficulties caused by Lord Shani.

Celebrate Shani Jayanti with full devotion and get blessings of Lord Saturn

                                Happy Shani Jayanti and Shani Amavasya

                                  “Om Sham Shanaischaryaye Namah”

“Hari Om Tat Sat”
“Jai Shree Krishna”

Acharya Vikas Malhotra
Astrologer, Numerologist and Spiritual Healer
{MBA, LLB, FCS, MA (Public Admn), FIII, JYOTISH VISHARAD}

lalkitabastro.com