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The Shivaratri fast is considered to be the most important fast for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiva Purana goes on to say that if a devotee observes Shivaratri Vrata with sincerity, pure devotion and love he is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Every year devotees observe Maha Shivaratri fast with devotion and sincerity. Though many go on a diet of fruits and milk, some do not consume even a drop of water all through the day and night of the Shivaratri festival.
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History and Meaning of Holi
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Celebrated all over India since ancient times, Holi's precise form and purpose display great variety. Originally, Holi was an agricultural festival celebrating the arrival of spring. This aspect still plays a significant part in the festival in the form of the colored powders: Holi is a time when man and nature alike throw off the gloom of winter and rejoice in the colors and liveliness of spring. Holi also commemorates various events in Hindu mythology, but for most Hindus it provides a temporary opportunity for Hindus to disregard social norms, indulge in merrymaking and generally "let loose."
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Holi festival and Kama Dahana
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After dakshayAga, shakti took the form of the daughter of the mountain king himavAn called pArvatI. From the early childhood she was devoted to Lord shiva and started penance for getting married to the God shiva. Lord shiva was however staying as dakshiNAmUrthi (2) making the sages sanaka, sanandana, sanAtana, sanatkumAra realize the Ultimate Truth.
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The Story of Holi and Bhakta Prahlada
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Hiranyakashipu was the king of the asuras (demons). Hiranyakashypu's brother had been slain by Vishnu for terrorising the gods and goddesses, so Hiranyakashypu wanted to destroy Vishnu and keep the other devas in heaven subdued. He told his soldiers to crush all those who worship Vishnu, but the devas protected the devotees of Vishnu...
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Holi: the Festival of Colors
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Amongst India's innumerable festivals, Holi ranks as the most colourful. It celebrates the arrival of spring and death of demoness Holika; it is a celebration of joy and hope. Holi provides a refreshing respite from the mundane norms as people from all walks of life enjoy themselves. In a tight knit community, it also provided a good excuse for letting off some steam and settling old scores, without causing physical injury.
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Shivaratri: The Night of Lord Shiva
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On this day, the great night of the Lord Shiva, devotees stay awake throughout the night offering prayers to Lord Shiva. They offer special food made from the fruits of the season, root vegetables and coconut to the Lord. Special celebrations are held in some of the major Shiva temples at Varanasi, Kalahasti (Andhra Pradesh) and Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu).
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Lingashtakam
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brahma muraari suraarchita lingam
nirmala bhashita shobhita lingam
janmaja dukha Vinaashaka lingam
tat pranamaami sadaa shiva lingam I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods, which is praised by pure and holy speeches and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.
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The Origins of Kumbha Mela
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Kumbha Mela derives its name from the immortal “Pot of Nectar” described in ancient Vedic scriptures known as the Puranas. Kumbha in Sanskrit language means “pot or pitcher’. Mela means “festival”. Thus Kumbha Mela literally means festival of the pot. Or in this case a festival celebrating the appearance of the pot of nectar.
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A Life of Devotion (Biography of Sri Gour Govinda Swami)
 His Divine Grace Om Vishnupada Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja made his appearance on September 2nd 1929, in the village of Jagannatha-pura, not far from Jagannatha-puri Dhama, Orissa, India. Sri Braja-bandhu, as His Divine Grace was then known, grew up in the village of Gadai-giri, where he practiced devotional service to Krishna from his early childhood. His grandfather was a paramahamsa, whose only business was to chant Hare Krishna and cry before the Deity of Krishna, known locally as Gopal Jiu. He taught Braja-bandhu how to count by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra on his fingers.
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The Victory of King Bhagyachandra
King Bhagyachandra of Manipur was an ardent follower of Srila Narottama Das Thakur, an exponent of GaudiyaVaisnavism. He was initiated by Srila Ganga Narayana Chakravarti, a disciple of Srila Narottama Das Thakur, who visited Manipur to spread the Bhagavata Culture. Rajarshi Bhagyachandra ascended the throne in 1759, but in 1762 the Burmese, acting in concert with his envious maternal uncle, invaded Manipur, and the king, with his queen and a few attendants, fled to the neighbouring state of Ahom, now known as Assam.
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