Who should perform the Maha Bharani Shraddha & Why?

Maha Bharani Shradh or Bharani Shraddha is performed on the day with Bharani Nakshatram during Mahalaya Pitru Paksha, to those departed ancestors who may have died, during Bharani Nakshatra. It is also considered very auspicious to offer this Bharani Shradh to all the ancestors, since Lord Yama is the overlord of this Nakshatram.

As we approach the auspicious period of Mahalaya Paksha, also known as Pitru Paksha, let us come together to honour and pay our respects to our ancestors and departed loved ones.

PurePrayer brings you the importance of Bharani Shraddha and the essential points to be noted performing this.

Significance of Bharani Shraddha:

What is the importance of Madhyashtami Paksha Shradh Ritual?

‘Madhyashtami’ or ‘Madhya Ashtami’ Shradh is an auspicious Pitru Paksha Shradh ritual during the Mahalaya Pitru Paksha fortnight. In the traditional Panchangam (The Hindu Calendar), it is performed on the Ashtami Thithi (8^th day) during the ‘Krishna Paksha’ (the waning phase of moon) ‘Bhadrapada Maasa’. These rituals are performed to seeking peace granted to the Atmas (souls of the ancestors) or ‘pitrs’. The deceased ancestors pleased by the puja, then bless their family members with good health, wealth and prosperity. Madhya Ashtami Shradh is observed in general, at Gaya- Prayag Sangam, Gokarna, Haridwar, Kashi-Varanasi, Rameswaram and Rishikesh Theertha Kshetras. In addition to the shradh rituals, many devotees also worship Lord Shiva on the day of Madhya Ashtami. Several offerings are made to the lord to seek His divine blessings.

Ritual

DASHA MAHA VIDYAS AND HOMAM

AstroPuja brings you an insight of Dasha Maha Vidyas and Homam during the occasion of Dasha Maha Vidya Homam performed in Kanchi Sapta Mokshapuri Punnya kshetra.

Did you know, Dasa Maha Vidya Homam is also performed as a Shatru Badha Puja and considered highly suited for Janata Representatives & Business Leaders and rise to Higher Ranks or Power, to reach Zenith of Politics? 

The interdependence of Dashamahavidyas and Navavarana Puja lies in their shared focus on the worship of the divine Shakti, the feminine energy in Hinduism. Dashamahavidya refers to the ten forms of the Goddess, while Navavarana Puja is a ritualistic worship involving the nine enclosures of the Sri Chakra Yantra.

Green Birthday: Plant a Sacred Tree on your star birthday

It is your birthday! Celebrate a 'Green Birthday'. Plant a Sacred Tree on your star birthday! Cakes, cards, phone calls, flowers, and what not. It is your special day. Your date of birth, the date you were born according to the Gregorian Calendar. It is indeed a happy occasion. There could be many other occasions like milestone birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other special days when you are loaded with love and wishes.

This year, how about celebrating your birthday the ancient Vedic way with PurePrayer? Celebrate your birthday on the day of your Janma Nakshatra. Janma Nakshatra is your birth star—the star on which the moon was situated at the time of your birth. As per astrology, Janma Nakshatra plays a decisive role in our lives; it determines our character, our personality, and o

Maha Shivaratri 2025 | Great Night of Lord Shiva | Rudrabhishekam

Maha Shivaratri—"The Great Night of Lord Shiva"—this year falls on 26^th February, 2025. Lord Shiva is seen as purusha, - "pure consciousness," while his consort Shakti is seen as Prakriti, - "Mother Nature". And, it was on this night the pure consciousness with long matted hair and Trishul in one hand and damaru in the other performed His Cosmic Dance – Tandava – the divine dance of creation, preservation and destruction.<

The Guardian Spirits are here to stay

PurePrayer brings you a glimpse of Nemotsava or Bhutakola, a ritual performed in the coastal line of Dakshina Kannada better known as Tulu Nadu. Bhuta Kola is an ancient practice of paying homage to local spirits, who are thought to protect the locals and maintain the delicate cosmic balance between nature and man.

It is a sultry early evening, and the place has a festive look. The shrine of the local deity known as Daivada Mane or Daivada Sthala (the house of the Daiva – the demigod) is gorgeously decorated. The idol of Daiva has been taken on a procession and is back home to talk to His people. The atmosphere smells of glowing lamps, burning torches, and low-explosive fire crackers called “Garnal” by the natives. Amidst the mela and “paad-dana” or “pardana” (singers reciting the legend of the demigod like a ballad), th

Traits of Ashwini Nakshatra Born

You are strong, courageous and smart if you belong to this first star of Vedic Zodiac belt Ashwini 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th pada belong to Mesha Rashi (Aries constellation). Popular Ashwini starrers – Sania Mirza, Bruce Lee, Yukta Mookhey, Che Guevara, Bhim Sen Joshi, Kamala Harris

What Characteristics Identifies An Ashwini Star holder?

You are proactive, strong, and courageous. You will not exchange your dignity for anything on earth. And you have the vigour and vitality of a horse? Your birth star has to be Ashwini, the first star in the belt of Vedic astrology, symbolised by horse-headed twin Gods known as Ashwini Kumaras. They are the general physicians of t

Traits of Ardra Nakshatra Born

You are intellectual, determined, and strong if you belong to this sixth star of the Vedic zodiac belt. Ardra 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th padas belong to Mithuna Rashi (Gemini). Popular Ardra starrers – Dr. B R Ambedkar, Asha Parekh, Franklin D Roosevelt, George Orwell, Jagjit Singh, Nirupa Roy, R K Narayan

What Characteristics Identifies Ardra Star holder?

Ruled by Lord Rudra, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, a person born under Ardra Nakshatra is an emotional pendulum. Like Lord Shiva, who can protect and destroy, an Ardra star bearer is known to reflect extreme emotions. Natives of Ardra do not get bogged down by the storms of life. In fact, they are capable of transforming their lives i

Traits of Magha Star Born

You are enterprising, popular, and a charismatic leader if you belong to this tenth star of the Vedic Zodiac belt. Magha 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th padas belong to Simha Rashi (Leo constellation) Popular Magha starrers – Julia Roberts, Margaret Thatcher, J Jayalalithaa, Theresa May, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Winston Churchill, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

What Characteristics Identifies Magha star holder?

Magha means power. And this includes wealth, fortune, and prosperity. It is one of the most prosperous and mighty stars. Magha Nakshatra is ruled by Pitrus. In Sanskrit, Pitru refers to the spirit or spirits of deceased ancestors who have been properly sent off. People born under Magha N

Traits of Shravana Star Born

You are intelligent, smart, and noble if you belong to this twenty-second star of the Vedic zodiac belt. Shravana 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th padas belong to Makara Rashi (Capricorn constellation). Popular Shravana starrers – Britney Spears, Medha Patkar, Kareena Kapoor, Abhinav Bindra, Rajni Kanth, Varun Gandhi, Vijay Mallaya, V Shantaram

What Characteristics Identifies a Shravana Star holder?

Shravana means "hearing." The meaning further expands to include listening, understanding, and learning; all of this, put in a nutshell, will be education. The star is ruled by none other than Maha Vishnu, who manifests in each and every life and protects the universe. People born under Shravana Nakshatra are wonderful learners who can comprehend the world a