Mysore is home to many festivals which are celebrated with grandeur and which bring people together. Vairamudi festival in Mysore is one of the numerous festivals that attract over two lakh devotees every year. Mostly the Vairamudi festival is celebrated in the month of April. Vairamudi means, ‘crown encrusted diamonds’. ‘Melkote’ or Thiru Narayanapuram is known as the birth place of the Vaishnavaites who celebrate the Vairamudi Brahmotsava. It is also famous for Lord Narasimha’s temple which was made by Prahlada.

Festivals always bring happiness and mark a good start to the year. They are occasions that represent the end of bad days and the start of something new. Ugadi is one such festival that is celebrated by Hindus in various parts of the country.

Lord Sukra is one of the nine planetary deities of the Hindu religion. He embodies clarity, purity and brightness. Sukra, as he was born on a Friday, in the year of ‘Parthiva’ on Svati Nakshatra, is known as ‘Sukravaar’ in India. He is the planet Venus.

There are many strong women in Hindu mythology who have shown courage, persistence and sincerity. Among them is Goddess Sita.

There are many festivals in India and most of them have an old story associated with it. The festival dedicated to Lord Shiva known as ‘Maha Shivarathri’ has been celebrated for many years. The legend says that after the creation of this Universe, Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva about his favorite ritual among all of creation. Lord Shiva replied that the 13th night of the new moon, during the month of ‘Maagha’ was his favorite day. As a result, the 13th and 14th night in the month of ‘Maagha’ is celebrated as Shivrathri.

Lord Shani is one of the ‘Navgrahas’ who are worshipped by many Hindu devotees. ‘Navgrahas’ are nine important deities. According to Hindu astrology, based on their positions, astrologers predict possible changes in one’s life. Shani Deva is believed to be generous as well as strict with his devotees. He is also known to move slowly. It is believed that Shani or the planet Saturn takes 30 years to circle the Sun or Lord Surya.

According to Hinduism, ‘Shakti’ is considered to be the supreme power in this world. The power is called ‘Aadi Shakti’ referring to the ultimate and unique force which is above all forces and binds the universe. Everything in the world is empowered by this positive feminine force called Shakti. Shakti is responsible for creation, fertility and liberation.

The Feminine Strength

Goddess Saraswati is very revered in the Hindu religion. Devotees consider her the ‘Goddess of knowledge and the arts’. That is why they worship her before engaging in any artistic or educational endeavor. She dispels the ignorance in one’s self and fills one’s inner mind with the light of knowledge.

Festivals bring warmth and new meaning to relationships. They kick start a season of love, joy and togetherness.

All festivals initiate something new for a better life with prosperity and happiness. Earlier, prosperity meant having good food to eat, wearing good clothes and living in peace. The festival of Pongal is very closely related to these thoughts and was celebrated initially by farmers. Celebrating the harvest festival is a break from the hard routine of farmers, when they throw out all old belongings and start the year afresh.

According to the beliefs of the Hindu religion, the life of human beings have been divided into four ashramas or stages. These stages are Brahmacharya, Grihasthashrama, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa.