Bihar Police on Friday banned vulgar and obscene Bhojpuri songs for Mahashivratri and Holi. Instructions have been issued by the Bihar Police Headquarters to the DMs, SSPs, and SPs of all the districts on the same and stringent action will be taken against those who will upload obscene and provocative Bhojpuri songs on social media, reports said.

Reports further said special vigilance will be taken on festivals like Mahashivratri and Holi and songs that are casteist and hurt women’s sentiments.

The instructions said many casteists and vulgar Bhojpuri songs are surfacing on social media that are an insult to scheduled caste and women. And such singers are glorifying one caste and demean the other creating a possibility of deteriorating social harmony and the environment.

Following this, the Bihar Police Headquarters released the instruction on February 11 in the Bhojpur and Siwan districts and warned of strict punishment for the same.

The decision was taken in view of upcoming festivals like Mahashivratri and Holi and legal action will be taken against those who fail to follow the instructions, reports said.

Recently, violence erupted between two castes in Bihar’s districts of Arrah and Siwan after casteist Bhojpuri songs were played at an event. Reports said Bihar police failed to control the violence which is still prevailing in both districts.

The Bhojpuri music industry produced multiple songs every year and is often slammed for its vulgar lyrics and obscene videos.

Mahashivratri is one of the auspicious festivals in Hindus. This festival holds special significance as devotees worship lord Shiva with much fervour and zeal.

Mahashivratri, known as Great Night of Shiva, is observed annually on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Phalguna, typically falling in late February or early March. Devotees keep fast, do prayers and medidate to seek the blessings of Mahadeva.

From date, shubh muhurat to puja vidhi, here is all you need to know about the grand festival.

Mahashivrati 2023: Date

This year, Mahashivratri will be celebrated on February 18.

Mahashivratri 2023: Shubh Muhurat

According to Drik Panchang, here are the auspicious timings for Mahashivaratri.

• Nishita Kaal Puja Time: 12:09 AM to 12:00 AM, Feb 19
• Maha Shivaratri Parana Time: 6:56 AM to 3:24 PM, Feb 19
• Ratri First Prahar Puja Time: 06:13 pm, Feb 18 to 09:24 pm, Feb 19
• Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time: 09:24 pm, Feb 18 to 12:35 am, Feb 19
• Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time: 12:35 am, Feb 19 to 03:46 am, Feb 19
• Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time: 03:46 am, Feb 19 to 06:56 am, Feb 19

Mahashivratri 2023: Puja Vidhi

• Apply vermilion on Shivalingam after the bath.
• Bath Shivalingam in water, milk, and bel leaves.
• Donate various fruits during worship for longevity.
• Burn incense sticks for prosperity.
• Light lamps as it represents knowledge.
• Make vibhuti, which is also known as Bhasm, a sacred ash using dried cow dung.
• Other items for the puja inculde flowers, rose water, yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar, water and sandalwood.

Devotees should only eat once the day before Shivratri Vratam, most likely on Trayodashi. 
After finishing the morning rituals on the day of Shivratri, worshippers are instructed to make a Sankalp vowing to fast the entire day and eat the following day.

Devotees should also take a bath on Shivratri day in the evening before doing Shiva Puja or going to the temple. 

Shiva Puja must be performed at night, and devotees must break their fast the next morning after taking a bath.

This year, the festival of Vasant Panchami is being celebrated on January 26, Thursday.

Vasant Panchami has great importance in Hinduism. It is also known as Saraswati Puja. This day also marks the beginning of the spring season. On this day, Goddess Saraswati is worshiped by rituals. It is believed that Mother Saraswati appeared on this day. People wear yellow clothes on this day and worship Maa Saraswati. Also, they send messages to their loved ones, friends and relatives to wish them a happy Vasant Panchami. With these special messages, you should also congratulate your loved ones on this day.

Happy Vasant Panchami messages 2023

• The freezing winter season is over, and spring has finally arrived. This spring, may your homes be blessed with prosperity and good fortune. Greetings for Happy Vasant Panchami Messages 2023.
• Power and money come from knowledge. I send you Goddess Saraswati’s best wishes for joy and success. Greetings on Vasant Panchami 2023.
• There are many reasons to be happy and hopeful as spring approaches. I hope this spring will stand out among all the others in your life. Greetings on Vasant Panchami.
• In honour of Vasant Panchami, may Goddess Saraswati bestow upon you her immeasurable blessings. Wishing you a very happy Vasant Panchami in 2023.

Saraswati Puja wishes

• Knowledge is power and knowledge is wealth. May Goddess Saraswati shower prosperity and peace on you. Happy Vasant Panchami!
• The power of knowledge resides in all of us. May Ma Saraswati illuminate the glow and strive for more knowledge in us forever.
• Wishing you good fortune, happiness, peace, success, and progress on the auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami.
• The creative power is within all of us. May Goddess Saraswati keep lighting this flame and bless you greatly.
• May this auspicious day of Vasant Panchami bring a huge wealth of knowledge to you and your loved ones. Happy Saraswati Puja.
• Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and prosperous Vasant Panchami.
• May you be blessed with Goddess Saraswati’s lovely blessings, happy Vasant Panchami. 
• May you be untouched by ignorance and darkness. I wish you a very blissful Vasant Panchami.
• At the end of a dark road of all the ills of the world, there’s the soothing amber glow of knowledge. Happy Saraswati Puja.
• Let us pray to Goddess Saraswati for knowledge and the removal of ignorance. Happy Vasant Panchami.

Vasant Panchami Puja time

This year Vasant Panchami is being observed from 12:34 pm on January 25 to 12:35 pm on January 26. According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious muhurat for Puja falls on January 26 from 7:12 am to 12:34 pm.

Saraswati Puja is performed at homes, schools, and colleges on Vasant Panchami. People dress up in white and yellow and fly kites.

Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on Vasant Panchami Puja time 2023, and she is offered of mustard, marigold flowers, and other yellow items. People dress in yellow because it represents wealth, vitality, and hope.