Shar

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Dhanteras

The story

Dhanteras has a very cute story, not totally cute, naughty cute sort of story. Lord

Vishnu is Goddess Laxmi’s spouse, they live in Vaikuntha, once when Lord Vishnu

was visiting earth Goddess Laxmi came with him, he gave her two instructions-

“Don’t look southwards.”

“Don’t take anything from earth, in any form- food, drink….”

Well, Mother Goddess Laxmi is restless by nature, so, while Lord Vishnu was busy

with his own tasks she looked southwards, of course! Then she noticed a mustard

field filled with yellow flowers, she went and picked up a few to adorn herself,

next she tasted some sugarcanes and right at that moment Vishnu returned.

Furious he cursed her that she will spend 14 years in earth in the home of the

poorest of poor Brahmin. He left after handing Goddess Laxmi to that Brahmin.

The minute Goddess of wealth entered his threshold he became rich. Now, when

Vishnu came to claim his wife he bluntly refused. He knew very well that all his

wealth was because of Goddess Laxmi. Lord Vishnu tried and tried but he was

adamant, finally Goddess Laxmi told the Brahmin who she actually was and why

he will have to let her go. When she noticed the sad look on the face of that

fellow she promised that she will return on every Dhanteras- (if you count the

moonless night, amavasya as 15th then Dhanteras will fall on 13th).

Every Dhanteras She visited him and blessed him, his neighbours picked up his

habits of decorating their homes and offering the Goddess sweets, incense sticks

and of course candles.

It is one of the most auspicious dates of Hindu calendars.

Story source: Drikpanchang.com

Bhoot Chaturdashi aka Hindu Halloween

The story

Mother Goddess Kali is Lord Shiva’s wife. Lord Shiva spends most of his time in

burning ghats, thus all ghosts and spiritual beings are his ardent follower. Maybe

that is why Bengalis firmly believe that the night before Kalipuja is night of ghosts.

At dusk candles (earthen or wax) are lit at doorsteps and other exits/entrances of

home to scare the ghosts away.

Sadly though no candies are exchanged, instead of that, the kids of Bengal are

manipulated into eating leafy vegetables of 14 types.

Adults sometimes eat them, mostly don’t!

Ma Kali

She is beautiful, is not she?

Kalipuja 19.10.17

Happy Kalipuja!

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Bhaiphonta

sweets

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This is what I gave my brother on Bhaiphonta.

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His gift- this and chocolates!

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The story

Just like I promised I will post the Kalipuja post after kalipuja with the stories of

Kalipuja @ Haridevpur, where I live.

This year it rained all through the Kalipuja, stopped only after the Goddess was

immersed. After that it was all sunshine! The interesting thing is, I don’t

remember ever seeing rain during Kalipuja, in all these years. This is the first

time I have seen so much rain during Kalipuja and then it stopped abruptly too,

just like it started out of the blues! Well most probably Mother Goddess Kali

wanted to save us from sound demon! You know you can’t burst crackers if it is

pouring! Period! But they settled scores and the crackers went Kaboom for next

four days!

Well Kalipuja is much enjoyed by me even after I had to bid goodbye to

Kamalpur because I love decorating the house with candles, earthen lamps

especially, that we can mostly manage, no matter where we live!

Bhaiphonta is the day of brothers and sisters. Mostly of brothers though, sisters

love to pamper their brothers on this day! I don’t know if it has some religious

angle, if there is, I will share with you when I know that!

All I know is it is one of the most popular festivals of Bengal! Sisters paint

phonta, tilak, tika on the forehead of their brothers and treat them with sweets!

That mostly extends to lunch and/or dinner too. Quite lavish ones mostly! Gifts

are exchanged but not allowed in my family. I only accept gift from Shaunak.

Poor fellow! Try to give him too, come on! I was not always unemployed!

Mostly this festival is all about the beautiful bonding that brothers and sisters

can have!

WISH YOU ALL A PROSPEROUS AND PEACEFUL TIME AHEAD!