Sawan Shivratri 2025: Date, Significance And Effects
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Why is the Moon affectionately called Chanda Mama in India
Throughout the ages, the moon has always captivated human beings with its mysterious charm and glow in the night sky, serving as a symbol of hope, rebirth, and rhythm. The Moon has been a part of it all, be it myths, legends, rituals or calendars, ever since the childhood of a baby by influencing how we pray, and how we dream. In India, the moon isn't just a celestial body, but a deity, a symbol of royalty, and a storyteller in the sky. Children still call it Chanda-mama, the maternal uncle who visits often but never stays long. But have you ever thought about why it is called by this name? What is the legendary story of the Moon The moon has long been a symbol of resurrection in Indian mythology. As per legend, Chandra, the moon-god, was cursed with a wasting disease because he favoured only one of his 27 wives, the lunar constellations or nakshatras. According to another legendary version, he eloped with Tara, the wife of Brihaspati (Jupiter), causing a divine outrage. In both tales, Chandra began to wane and feared he would vanish forever. In desperation, he turned to Lord Shiva for help. It is explained in a Puranic lore that Shiva holds the Ganga in his matted hair and Ganga is the river believed to grant rebirth. 'If Shiva can give the dead another chance at life, he surely can resurrect the waning moon,' writes mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik in one of his essays. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo Shiva appeared before Chandra at Somnath, Gujarat, and placed him in his hair-knot, enabling him to wax again. Since then, the moon has been called Soma, symbolizing regeneration and hope. The Moon has long been associated with empires The symbolism of the Moon also has a place among the warriors. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th-century Maratha king, wore the crescent moon, or chandra-kor, on his forehead. It served as a visual reminder of freedom and resilience. 'It was meant to inspire people never to give up on the idea of freedom (swarajya), to remind all that after the dark night of the new moon, the waxing begins,' writes Pattanaik. The crescent moon is also associated with Islam, seen on the flags of Pakistan and Turkey. But it was not originally a religious symbol but an imperial one, used by the Ottomans after they conquered Byzantium in the 15th century. The crescent represented the founder, Osman's dream of an empire stretching across the world. Moon symbolism goes deeper in Indian lore. Chandragupta Maurya's name, according to Jain tradition, comes from his mother's desire to drink moonlight-infused water. Chanakya fulfilled it by offering the water bathed in moonlight. Why is the Moon called ' Chanda Mama ' Indian kings often traced their lineage to the moon or Soma-vamsa and the sun or Surya-vamsa. The Ramayana is the tale of the solar dynasty, while the Mahabharata follows the lunar. Interestingly, Lord Ram, who belonged to the Solar lineage, is called 'Ram-chandra'. It is that he was fond of the moon. According to Pattanaik, he would not sleep until his mother showed him the reflection of the moon in a pot of water and saw the moon as his mother's brother. That's why, just like Ram, even today we lovingly call the moon Chanda-mama—the dear uncle who visits his sister often, but never stays too long. The name 'maas' is also associated with the Moon Linguists believe the word maas (month) doesn't come from Sanskrit but from the Munda tribes, whose women called the moon maa. So a full moon became poorna-maa, and a new moon, a-maa. Art also immortalizes the moon-god riding a chariot pulled by deer or geese, holding a rabbit or Shasha. As per the Jataka tales, that rabbit was the Buddha in a previous life, who sacrificed himself for a hungry man. The gods rewarded him with a place on the moon, making him Shashank, the rabbit-marked moon.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Andal Jayanti 2025: Date, Puja Rituals and Significance of Aadi Pooram
Andal Jayanti 2025: The auspicious day of Aadi Pooram, also called Andal Jayanti, honors Goddess Andal, who is believed to be a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. Andal Jayanti is celebrated during the Tamil month of Aadi and is observed under Pooram Nakshatra, one of the 27 Nakshatras. Andal Jayanti is being observed today, July 28, 2025, this year. Andal Jayanti 2025: Significance The Tamil community holds a great religious significance of Andal Jayanti. The Goddess Laxmi is honored on this day. Shakti, or divine energy, is the only focus of the month of Aadi, and it is a unique and potent energy. In order to bless her followers, the goddess also comes to earth. It is believed that Andal is a manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi. Andal refers to a young girl who became a saint by making the Lord (Vishnu) her lover. In South India, this event is primarily observed during Pooram Nakshatra. With great fervor and commitment, devotees pray to Goddess Andal. She is a manifestation of Goddess Laxmi, and Tamil Nadu's Lord Vishnu Temples celebrate the festival of Aadi Pooram. Goddess Andal became the wife of Lord Shri Ranganatha after years of worshiping him and pleasing him with her devotion to him, Andal Jayanti is celebrated at Shri Ranganatha Temple. This temple receives a lot of devotees who come to pray to the Goddess. Andal Jayanti 2025: Story Scripture states that there once was a saint by the name of Periyalwar of Srivilliputhur who was childless. He prayed to Lord Ranganatha and Goddess Laxmi for the child because he was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. After a while, he discovered a young girl as he was plow-ing the land, and Goddess Laxmi emerged as a child. He saw the child as a gift from God. Since this happened during the month of Aadi on the day of Pooram, it is known as Aadi Pooram. He never ceased to worship the Lord with all of his heart and soul. In order to present Shri Ranganatha with a garland made of Tulsi leaves, her daughter Andal would first wear it in secret. Periyalwar once reprimanded his daughter for wearing the garland covertly before presenting it to the Lord. After making another new garland for Shri Ranganatha, he offered it to the Lord, but it kept falling off his neck despite his repeated attempts. After he prayed to the Lord, Lord Ranganatha appeared before him and clarified that Andal is a manifestation of the Goddess Laxmi, and that he would only wear the garland if Andal would wear this . Goddess Andal wrote a great deal of music for Lord Ranganatha. Thiruppavai and Nachiyar Thirumozhi are two well-known pieces. Andal Jayanti 2025: Celebration Many followers travel to different temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and this festival is celebrated with a lot of fanfare. Srivilliputhut in the Virudhunara District hosts the car festival, which is regarded as a significant occasion. Additionally, devotees worship Goddess Aandal at the Shri Ranganatha temple. Along with other offerings, they also serve coconut and bhog prasadam. Mantra Om Mahalaxmi Namo Namah..!! Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaye..!!
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Devotees to have access to entire 70-acre Ram temple complex after Oct
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust is planning to permit devotees to roam around the entire 70-acre complex of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya after October this year. As of now, devotees are allowed to pay obeisance to Ram Lalla in the main temple complex only and thereafter they have to leave the Ram Janmabhoomi campus. It will take around three to four hours for a pilgrim to visit other temples spread around the Ram Janmabhoomi complex. (HT file) It will take around three to four hours for a pilgrim to visit other temples spread around the Ram Janmabhoomi complex. Construction work of the main Ram temple is over and now the remaining 14 temples are in the final stages of completion. According to Anil Mishra, a member of the Trust, devotees would be able to visit the entire Ram Janmabhoomi campus after October this year. 'Around 90 percent work of remaining temples spread across the Ram Janmabhoomi is complete,' he added. Out of four entry gates in Ram temple, construction work of two is over. Construction work of the temple is almost complete with Ram Lalla installed on the ground floor and his family on the first floor in Ram Darbar. The second floor will house rare and significant scriptures related to Lord Ram, said Trust general secretary Champat Rai. According to the Trust, a flag-hoisting ceremony is likely to take place at the Ram temple in November. The flag will be hoisted atop the 161-foot-high spire of the temple. Flags will be hoisted on the spires of all other temples within the complex. Pushkarni and Panchavati The Ram temple complex will encompass several notable features including: Pushkarni: A sacred water tank, centrally located within the Saptarishi (seven sages) area. Panchavati: A natural area that will be preserved in its original state, allowing animals and birds to benefit from the surroundings. Saptarishi Mandap The Ram Janmabhoomi complex has a Saptarishi Mandap which comprises seven temples dedicated to sages from the Ramayana. These temples house idols of seers and devotees who played significant roles in Lord Rama's life. They include Maharishi Valmiki, Maharishi Vishwamitra, Maharishi Agastya, Maharishi Vashistha, Nishad Raj, Ahilya and Shabari. Other temples in Ram Janmabhoomi In addition to the Saptarishi temples, six other temples dedicated to various deities are under construction on the Ram Janmabhoomi campus. They are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Sun God, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Goddess Bhagwati and Goddess Annapurna. An idol of Lakshman, in his Sheshavatar form, will also be consecrated in the Sheshavatar Temple.
