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Mandala Puja 2021: From rituals to significance, here’s all you need to know

Mandala Puja celebrates the completion of the 41-day austerity known as Mandala Kalam, which is performed by Lord Ayyappa’s followers or devotees. It is performed at Kerala’s Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.

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Mandala Puja 2021: From rituals to significance, here's all you need to know

Mandala Puja is an essential ritual performed at Kerala’s Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. Mandala Puja celebrates the completion of the 41-day austerity known as Mandala Kalam, which is performed by Lord Ayyappa’s followers or devotees. The 41 day fast begins on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam.

Mandala Puja and ‘Makara Vilakku’ are two significant festivals celebrated annually at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, which attract worshippers from all across Kerala and neighbouring states. During this occasion, the temple is open on most days for worshippers.

Significance of Mandala Puja

The importance of Mandala Puja is described in several Puranas. According to a holy text, only by doing Mandala Puja can a person’s fate be positively influenced. This puja can be conducted solely by a person, but it can only be done once in his or her lifetime. Mandala Puja is an extremely powerful puja that when the person performs it with complete passion and attention his wishes get fulfilled.

Mandala Puja commemorates the 41 days of austerity. The strictness of the vratham during Mandala Puja serves to purify the spirit. Everyone, including men and women, can see the austerity. Females between the age of one and nine years, as well as those above the age of fifty, are also permitted to do the Mandala Puja vratham and they are referred to as ‘Malikapuram.’

Devotees visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple during the Mandala Puja have a tradition of also visiting the ‘Guruvayur Temple.’ During this occasion, a special ‘Abhishekam’ ritual is performed in the ‘Guruvayur Temple.’

Rituals during Mandala Puja:

  1. Vratam, or fasting, is an essential aspect of Mandala Puja, which is followed with zeal and severity by the traditional and religious people of South India.
  2. People who visit the Sabarimala temple must also live in austerity. Devotees live a holy and humble life throughout the Mandala Puja festival.
  3. Devotees wear the Rudraksha or Tulsi mala with Lord Ayyappa’s locket till the time they make a visit to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple and then they take out the Mala.
  4. During this period, worshippers are known as ‘Swami’ or ‘Ayyappan.’
  5. During the Mandala Puja time, worshippers must keep their minds and bodies pure and refrain from all worldly pleasures.
  6. During the Mandala Puja, all devotees visiting the Sabarimala shrine must refrain from drinking and smoking. It is essential to pray twice a day. During this time, they must stop having sex and avoid hurting the sentiments of others.
  7. Makarasankranti Day is the most auspicious day of the Mandala Pooja. Makaravilakku is another name for Mandala Pooja. This is held every year on the 14th and 16th of January. The procession begins with the Lord’s jewels being carried to Sabarimala’s Old Pandalam Palace.
  8. In the midst of this, you will observe the Krishnaparuntu (the Brahminy Kite), which is thought to be Lord Vishnu’s chariot, soaring high above till the jewels reach the palace. Then, as a symbol of homage to Lord Ayappan, it circles around 9 times above Sannidhanam in Sabarimala.
  9. The Makara Jyoti will be the only star visible to us since it represents the ritual’s specialty. During this time, the Lord Ayappan Idol is decked with jewels and worshippers chant “Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.”
  10. When the Lord is decked up with jewels, the star suddenly disappears. Finally, a dazzling effulgence or Makaravilakku shines three times from the hills opposite Sabarimala, signaling the completion of the fortunate rite.

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Festivals

Happy Eid-ul-Fitr 2024: Eid Mubarak pictures, greetings, cards, quotes and images

As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close with the sighting of the crescent moon and the month-long fasting from sunrise to sunset comes to an end, Eid-ul-Fitr, the first day of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar, is celebrated with much enthusiasm.

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The joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr is finally here as most of the Indian states are celebrating one of the most important Muslim festivals today on April 11 upon sighting of the crescent moon on April 10. Festivities are in air as Muslims gear up to celebrate the special occasion, eagerly anticipating the joyful reunions with family and friends, the delectable feasts shared with loved ones, and the heartfelt prayers offered in gratitude for the blessings of the past month.

Every Muslim household is decorated beautifully with lanterns, twinkling lights and flowers on this day with people dressing up in their best of clothes to meet relatives and friends and wish them Eid Mubarak! Not to mention the elaborate meal spread consisting of biryani, haleem, kebabs, sheer khurma, meethi sevaiyan that will be enjoyed with family, served to guests and also distributed to poor and needy. Children of the household receive Eidi, a gift or cash from elders in the family.

As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close with the sighting of the crescent moon and the month-long fasting from sunrise to sunset comes to an end, Eid-ul-Fitr, the first day of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar, is celebrated with much enthusiasm.

Eid Mubarak Quotes

Let us be grateful to Allah for all the love, happiness, compassion and peace we receive throughout these challenging times. Eid Mubarak.

 Eid ul Adha is not only about sacrificing an animal before sacrificing, we have to put a knife on your pride, your selfishness, and your ego as well, and slater the animals living inside your heart, our brain, our thoughts and personality, so we can achieve the real meaning of Eid ul Adha, may Allah accept all our good deeds and sacrifice. Happy Eid.

Ask God all you need, Wish you a happy Eid

Let our religions unite us for human kindness rather than dividing us on what we believe. Eid Mubarak.

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Festivals

Happy Easter 2024: Political leaders extend greetings to nation for peace and unity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes on the occasion of Easter on Sunday and expressed his hope that the message of renewal and optimism associated with the occasion would resonate widely.

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Easter also known as Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion on Good Friday. This Christian festival symbolises the victory of life over death .

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes on the occasion of Easter on Sunday and expressed his hope that the message of renewal and optimism associated with the occasion would resonate widely. PM Modi took to X and posted that May this day inspire us all to come together, fostering unity and peace. He wished everyone a joyful Easter.

President Droupadi Murmu also greeted the people on Easter and highlighted the occasion of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, promotes the spirit of love, hope and universal fraternity. President Droupadi Murmu took to X and posted Easter greetings to all, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters! This pious occasion of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, promotes the spirit of love, hope, and universal fraternity. May the teachings of Jesus Christ lead us onto the path of peace and harmony.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to X and wrote we extend our warmest greetings on the joyous occasion of Easter. The eternal significance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection is that truth triumphs over evil and compassion overcomes hatred. May the festivities strengthen the bonds of unity, amity and fraternity amongst our people and herald a brighter future.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to X and posted Happy Easter! As you celebrate Easter Sunday with your loved ones, may joy, peace, and hope illuminate the path ahead.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to X to extend greetings on Easter and wrote Greetings and best wishes to everyone on the joyous occasion of Easter. May this revered day bring new beginnings, hopes and harmony in your life.

Union Minister Kiren Rijju took to X and posted Happy and Blessed Easter to all! Wishing everyone peace, joy and unity.

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Good Friday 2024: PM Modi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Mamata Banerjee extend greetings

Good Friday is celebrated as the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. Devotees attend church services on Good Friday and observe fasting, abstinence, readings centred on the events of Jesus’s crucifixion.

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Good Friday is observed on Friday preceding Easter Sunday. It is primarily commemorated to honour the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his subsequent death at Cavalry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes on the occasion of Good Friday.

He remembered the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and underscoring lessons of compassion and forgiveness it imparts. He took to X and posted that today, on Good Friday, we remember the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ. May everyone find lessons of compassion and forgiveness it teaches us.

Union Minister Kiren Rijju also took to X on the occasion and wrote on the auspicious occasion of Good Friday, let’s remember the supreme sacrifice and love that guides us towards compassion, love, forgiveness and unity. May this Good Friday be a time of reflection, renewal, and grace for all.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also joined in and wrote wishing all my Christian Brothers and Sisters a graceful & blessed Good Friday. May this holy day of penance, prayers and Sacrifice inspire us all to live a life of compassion, love and peace.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote wishing you all a blessed Good Friday. May the spirit of compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice and empathy keep guiding our path. Let us imbibe the spirit of humanity, kindness, and peace, amongst us.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to X and wrote May this Good Friday enrich your lives with love, and enlighten your path with compassion and kindness.

Across the nation, Good Friday was marked by prayers and processions depicting the Stations of the Cross, symbolising the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  According to reports, devotees in Thiruvanthpuram participated in a procession to Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, with Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor among those in attendance.

The observance of Good Friday holds significant importance in the Christian faith, marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ at Calvary. It serves as the beginning of Easter weekend, a time of reflection, renewal, and grace for millions around the world.

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