Radha Krishna Dharmic Mandir

Mahashivratri (Union of sada Shiva & Devi Shakti)

The Marriage of Shiva and Parvati
Alone, Lord Shiva returned to the Himalayas, engaging in intense penance. In sorrow, Shiva immersed himself in meditation for millennia, neglecting his role in dissolution and destruction. Witnessing the world's stagnation, Brahma, the God of creation, sought aid from Shakti, the powerful feminine essence.

Understanding that Shiva's absence stifled creativity and innovation, Shakti agreed to be reincarnated as a female human to restore Shiva's influence to the world. Thus, Sati reincarnated as Parvati, who was born into the family of the Himalayas, embodying another aspect of Shakti.

Desiring to capture Shiva's attention, Parvati performed penance. Unable to disrupt Shiva's meditation, she sought the help of Kamadeva, the deity of Love and Passion. Kamadeva advised Parvati to dance before Shiva, while he aimed his arrow of passion at him.

When Parvati danced, Kamadeva's arrow struck Shiva, interrupting his meditation. Enraged, Shiva unleashed his third eye, reducing Kamadeva to ashes. Only upon Kamadeva's wife Rati's plea did Shiva agree to revive him.

Later, Parvati dedicated herself to intense meditation to win Shiva's affection. Driven by an unwavering desire to reunite with Shiva, her resolve matched that of the great ascetic Shiva himself. Through her profound penance, Parvati regained memories of her past life as Sati, recognizing herself as the embodiment of Shakti.

The energy generated by her intense devotion became so potent that it reached Shiva, which awakened him from his meditation.

With her steadfast devotion and guidance from wise beings and celestial powers, Parvati, also known as Uma, persuaded Shiva to accept her proposal of marriage. The divine union or marriage of Shiva and Parvati took place on the day before Amavasya in the month of Phalgun.

This auspicious event, symbolizing the union and marriage of Sada Shiva and Devi Parvati, is celebrated each year as Mahashivratri.

-Pt.A.Sharma.

Sharad Navratri: Celebration of the Harvest

Sharad Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri, is the more widely celebrated of the two. It falls in the lunar month of Ashwin, usually in September or October when the monsoon season ends and the country gears up for the harvest season. This grand festival celebrates the divine feminine and the goddess’s prowess in defeating the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.

According to Hindu mythology, Mahishasura was a formidable demon who terrorized the gods. He received a boon from Lord Agni, according to which feminine divine force can destroy him. The gods created Goddess Durga, a symbol of ultimate feminine power. Durga fought Mahishasura for nine days and nights, ultimately slaying him on the tenth day, known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra. Sharad Navratri symbolizes the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. It is the ultimate celebration of divine female energies.

Maa Durga is depicted in 9 various forms, each with its own significance and attributes, to defeat the shape-shifting demon: Mahishasura. During Navratri, these forms are celebrated on specific days, known as ‘Navadurga.’ Let’s explore some of the most renowned forms:

●Shailaputri: The first form of Durga, she is the daughter of the Himalayas and represents the purity and innocence of nature.

●Brahmacharini: She symbolizes the pursuit of knowledge and is often depicted holding a rosary and a water pot.

●Chandraghanta: This form represents bravery and courage, as she adorns a crescent moon-shaped ornament on her forehead.

●Kushmanda: The creator of the universe, Kushmanda signifies the source of all energy and vitality.

●Skandamata: As the mother of Lord Kartikeya, she stands for the power of a mother’s love and protection.

●Katyayani: This fierce form of Durga is worshiped for her ability to destroy evil forces and protect her devotees.
Kalratri: Depicting the dark side of life, she is a symbol of destruction and liberation from ignorance.

●Mahagauri: This form represents purity and is often depicted in white attire, symbolizing peace and serenity.

●Siddhidatri: The final form of Durga, Siddhidatri is believed to grant devotees spiritual powers and enlightenment.

Navratri is a spiritually enriching festival that honors the divine feminine. Whether it’s the arrival of spring during Chaitra Navratri or the harvest season of Sharad Navratri, both celebrations remind us of the importance of faith, perseverance, and the victory of good over evil. The diverse forms of Maa Durga teach us valuable life lessons and inspire us to live virtuously.
-Pt.A.sharma

Who is maa Kali?

Kali is the feminine form of Kala, a Hindu word meaning both "black" and "time". Kali exists outside of time, both before and after, and always. She is also outside of the constraints of good and evil, light and dark. The other names she is known by are exemplary of this relationship with time, blackness, and creation.

'The force of time'

'She who is time'
'She who devours time'

'She who is the Mother of time'

'She who is black'

'She who is black time'

The Hindu goddess Kali is the ultimate expression of nature, both destructive and benevolent. She protects her people against evil by doing what others cannot to protect those she loves. Goddess Kali embodies the power of creation and destruction in one entity. She transcends good and evil. Kali is Mother Nature, primordial, nurturing, creating, and devouring all at once, always protecting her children from harm.

Devi Kali emerges around 1000 BCE. Mentioned initially in the Atharva Veda (circa 1200 to 1000 BCE), she was not the individual goddess known today. Instead, she was a black tongue, one of the seven tongues belonging to Agni, the god of fire. It was over 400 years before Kali emerged as a goddess in her own right.

-Pt.A.Sharma.