Gaja Laxmi Puja in Balangir (2012) Sagar Pada

Gaja Laxmi Puja in Balangir (2012) Sagar Pada

Maa Samaleswari Of Sambalpur, Odisha

Maa Samaleswari of Sambalpur, Odisha during Arati. Photo: Himanshu Guru

Maa Samleshwari Temple in Sambalpur, Odisha

Shyama Kaali Maa, Bargarh, Odisha

Shyama Kaali Maa, Bargarh, Odisha Photo: Himanshu Guru

Maiden Durga Maa Puja at Kamakshya Nagar

A new VanaDurga Maa temple is under construction at Kamakshi Nagar in Balangir of Odisha. Durga Maa puja was observed here for the first ever time from 21^st October to 25^th October during Dushera 2012.

The proposed temple belongs to Jay Mata Di Group (Jai Mata Di Baishno Trust) and the construction work is taken care of by district President Himanshu Guru, VanaDurga Maa Temple Committee President Jay Prakash Sahu (Girish). Pravin Satpathy (Sinu), Worshipper  Anand Sagar Panigrahi, Shivanand Seth, Shankar mallick, Ashish Banchhore, Sana Thakur, Laxmana Thakur, Ashish Nayak, Ashim Jued, Mitu Pradhan, Titu Pradhan, Subhranshu Panigrahi, Himanshu Panigrahi, Alok Naik, Sandeep Bag, Raj Panigrahi.  Nakul Pattanaik, Amit, Papun and Sonu.

‘Bhumi Pujan’ was done for the temple by Om prakash Sahu and his wife Smt. Laxmi Priya Sahu on April last year.

Durga Maa Puja Pendal

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) at College Square, Balangir, Odisha, India 

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) at Jagannath Para, Balangir, Odisha, India  

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) at Jagannath Para, Balangir, Odisha, India 

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) at Gandhi Pathagar, Balangir, Odisha, India 

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) at Radharani Para, Balangir, Odisha, India 

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) at Rajendra Para, Balangir, Odisha, India 

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) at Thikadar Para, Balangir, Odisha, India 

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) Odisha, India

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) Odisha, India

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) Odisha, India

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) Odisha, India

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) Odisha, India

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) at Belpahad (RS) Odisha, India

Samaleshwari Maa of Balangir during Navratri 2012

Goddess Durga Maa images

Goddess Durga Maa Puja Pendal (2012) at Block Chowk, Sonepur/Subarnapur, Odisha, India 

Durga Maa Statue (2012) at Radharani Para, Balangir, Odisha, India

Durga Maa (Photo courtsey - Durgawalls.com)

Puo-juntia, Worship For Well Being of Son

Puo-juntia is a worship dedicated to ‘Sasthi Devi’. It is also known as ‘Dutibahana Osha’. The festival is observed in the districts of Western Odisha in India. Women fast throughout the whole day and offer worship in the evening together in groups. The worship is observed by mothers for the well being of their sons and daughters. Even women who do not have any offspring yet can practice this festival to get a blessed son. ‘Puo’ means son. ‘Juntia’ is a cotton lace that is offered to the God and then in the following day worn by the sons and the same is regarded as a blessing. On the following day women go to the nearby river or pond and perform certain more rites there and then in the house perform a small rite where they put the offerings on their sons to help him get blessing of the God. This rite is called ‘bandeibaa’.

Nuakhai

Jai Shree Krishna.....

Lord Shree Krishna Photo - Subha Vaastu.com

Jai Jagannath

Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Mata Subhadra in a function at Kolkata organized by Jai Mata Di Baishno Trust

Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Mata Subhadra in a function at Kolkata organized by Jai Mata Di Baishno Trust

Importance of Drinking Water Charity in the month of Shravana

Spiritual importance of doing drinking water charity in the month of Shravana:

The Legend – Once a thirsty person was asking for water to a shopkeeper of a kiosk. The merchant was not interested for any charity and so denied. The person then moved to the second trader in the line but again got the same response. He went on urging for water one after one kiosk owner in that row and finally arrived at the last cabin. The trader of the last kiosk was so rude that he even did not utter a single word but just showed his hand ahead.

If we translate the above stance of the owner it says “Aage Badho”, a sentence of denial. The thirsty person misunderstood the body language and got that perhaps the shopkeeper showed him a point where he can get drinking water.

Eventually the person moved in the direction that the merchant had waved his hand and co-incidentally found water over there. He drinks as per his satisfaction and proceeds ahead.

Now, come to the second episode of this mythological story – After some years the seller dies and (as per belief of Hindu philosophy) was presented before the court of Yamaraj, the God of death. Chitragupta, the analyst of vices and virtues there announced that the person had never performed a virtuous deed, except in one occasion. Hence, he deserves one day stay in heaven for that single virtuous deed and the rest of the period in hell.

The person gets astonished because as per his knowledge he had never performed any virtuous endeavor. Thus, he wanted to know what the exact act is for which he becomes eligible for heaven for the single day. Chitragupta explains – “On one occasion, you had served a thirsty person with drinking water unknowingly. You actually denied him but he misunderstood and got the water source as per your hand waving and so you are eligible for a single day stay in the heaven, the cherished place of all human being, who believes in Hindu Philosophy”.

Moral:

If someone unknowingly performs an act and avails the outgrowth of virtue for drinking water charity, when we will do the same with all our heart and soul, imagine how much virtue we will be blessed with. Hence, donating water is a great and highly virtuous act and so we suggest you to not to leave any chance of serving a thirsty person (or animal) with water.

Moreover, as per Hindu mythological texts, Lord Shiva dwells at his abode incessantly during the whole month of ‘shraavana’, for which lakhs of devotees bring sacred and sanctified water on pure pots to pour on the Lingam, the worldly manifestation of the God. It is also believed that the more pain you take, the Lord blesses you the more. Hence, devotees love to bring water from sources like rivers and springs from long destinations to perform ‘Jal-abhishek’ of the Lord.

Drinking Water Charity programme for Bol Bum devotees

Jai Mata Di. Om Namah Shivaya.

Balangir division of the Jay Mata Di Group is all set to organize a drinking water charity programme to serve the ‘Bol Bum’ devotees from evening onwards on 1^st August 2012. The main camp will be located at the ‘Barapudugia Chowk’, about 12 kms away from Balangir town on the way to Patnagarh.

In Balangir context, a huge number of Shiva devotees love to bring purified water from the famous abode of Lord Hari and Shankar, the Harishankar in Khaprakhol block jurisdiction in Balangir District at a distance of around 75 kms to the west of Balangir town. They travel by foot without any footwear, which is a tough job to endure.

Accordingly, we don’t want to leave the chance of serving them with drinking water and Jay Mata Di Group is organizing camp at the said venue since last few years. Other devotees also organize charity camps on the same route at different points.

For year 2012, so far some devotees have helped us and donated drinking water pouch. They are – Aditya Kejriwal, Ashok Sarkar, Bantu and Durga Dash. Volunteers cum devotees are working hard to make it a success. They are – Girish Sahu, Nakul Pattanaik, Firoz Pattanaik, Sinu Satapathy, Prashanta Sahu, Deepak (15), Sourav Pattanaik (8), Shankar Sahu, Ravi, Madhu Pattanaik, Chhabila, Pradeep, Tilu, Gopal Pradhan and Himanshu Guru. 

Jai Mata Di.

Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu

"Mangalam Bhagavan Vishnum, Mangalam Garudadhwajah !
Mangalam Pundareekaksham, Mangalayatano Harih" !!

Meaning - 

'All auspiciousness to God Vishnu
All auspiciousness to One who has Garuda as His flag
All auspiciousness to One who has eyes like the lotus flowers
And auspiciousness to Hari'

Akashath patitam toyam yadha gachati sagara !
Sarva deva namaskaram kesavam pratigachati !!

(Sandhyavandhana)

Every drop of water that falls from the sky goes to the ocean. Likewise, prayers offered to all Gods go to Kesava (the one God). 

Grand Road of Puri, Odisha, India ( Bada Daanda) in 1921

Grand road of Puri, The 'Bada Daanda' where the famous 'Rathyatra', the Car festival is celebrated in the year 1921