March - 4, Saturday - Karthigai Vrata Karthigai is the birth star of Lord Muruga, yes, we all know. Karthigai is a constellation of stars who are actually the six nymphs who reared Lord Muruga. Karthigai is a star among 27 stars and falls on the day when the Moon crosses the Karthigai constellation of six stars once in a month as per lunar calendar. These six stars are the six Karthigai nymphs who took care of Lord Muruga after he was born out of the third eye of Lord Shiva. Lord Muruga was born of the third eye of Lord Shiva and was born as six babies. These six babies were brought up by these six Karthigai nymphs and later, Muruga was transformed into a boy with six faces by his mother, Goddess Parvathi. No wonder, Karthigai is the star auspicious for the worship of Lord Muruga as it is only Karthigai nymphs who reared him. There are special prayers and abhishekams in temples in the worship of Lord Muruga on the day.
Amalaki Ekadashi 2017 March, 8, Wednesday is Amalaki (Gooseberry) Ekadashi Ekadashi is observed on the 11Th day of the Full Moon day and No Moon day and fasting on the day takes one to Vaikundam. March 8th happens to be Ekadashi falling in the waxing period of Moon and it is known as Amalaki Ekadashi. As the name denotes, this Ekadashi is marked by offerings to the tree of gooseberry (Amalaki). Amalaki tree’s scientific name is Phyllanthus emblica. People offer their worship to Lord Parashurama on this day. It is also known as Aanwala, Rang Bari Ekadashi and Kunj Ekadashi signifying the commencement of the celebrations of the Holy festival. This is also referred as Papmochani Ekadashi since it clears one’s sins and gets him moksha through Ekadashi fasting on the day. This Ekadashi is called Thirunavaya Ekadashi in Kerala and Pankoddhar Ekadashi in Orissa. Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat Katha Maharishi Vashishta has narrated the greatness of Amalaki Ekadashi in Brahmanda Purana. Maharishi Vasishtha narrated the greatness of Amalaki Ekadashi to King Mandhata through the following story. Amalaki Ekadashi Story There was a kingdom called Vaidisha which was ruled by King Chaithraratha. The king was an epitome of royalty and power and his kingdom was noted for prosperity, dharma and vedic observances. Everybody followed his particular dharma and there was no sinner in his regime. On the Amalaki Ekadashi in the month of Phalguni, the king went with his followers to the Vishnu temple and that particular Ekadashi had the convergence of Dwavdashi and was considered very auspicious. After doing poojas and paying offerings to the Amalaki tree and praying to Lord Parashurama, the king spent the night on praying to Lord Vishnu through devotional singing and listening to Vishnu kathas. There was a hunter in the kingdom and he chanced upon the prayers and Ekadashi observance of the king and others. In his amazement, he hid himself nearby and was watching the happenings. Though he was not aware of the greatness of Amalaki Ekadashi,...read more
