Shraadh/Pitra paksh 2013 ...20 Sep-4Oct

This time in Shraadh Paksha do NOT make any mistake..........
On Day of Shraadh of Your ancestor, feed a Brahmin or two more, and before anyone eats in the House, go out, find a Cow be it may be 5-10 Kms ahead of your house that you find one, does not matter, but let the first serving of the morning Shraadh preparations be given to the cow, in name of your dead ancestor.
The Brahmin who comes to eat at your House must also be given a set of 5 Clothes ( One Dhoti, One Kurta , Handkerchief, Socks and a Towel). In lie of Kurta, you may also give a Kurta piece.Or a Pant Shirt Piece may also be given as today most of the Brahmins wear Pant-Shirt.
Also avoid coming too close to your Partners during the whole of Shraadh Paksha.

Story – Why Ganesha is a Bachelor?

In majority of Hindu traditions, Hindu God Ganesh is considered to be a bachelor. There are some traditions that believe He is married to Siddhi and Ridhi. An interesting story explains why many Hindu traditions consider Ganesha as a bachelor.

Once Ganesha reached Kailash and noticed a big scratch on the face of Goddess Parvati.

Ganesh wanted to know how Mother Goddess got hurt.

Goddess Parvati then said that Ganesha was responsible for the painful scratch.

Ganapati never did it so he was baffled.

Then Mother Goddess asked Ganesha whether he had hurt anyone on the day.

Ganesha could not remember any incident.

Then Mother Goddess asked what had happened in the morning when He was drinking milk.

Ganesha then told that a cat was disturbing Him while He was drinking the milk and so He took a stick and hit it on the face.

Mother Goddess then told Ganesha that she got that beating. She explained to Him that She is present in all living and nonliving and whenever any being is hurt, it She who gets hurt.

From that day Ganesha started seeing Goddess Parvati in all women and in all beings and therefore remained a bachelor.

This story was once narrated by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

The Camphor-Nirakara / Formless Shivling

Shivling made using Karpura – Karpur (Camphor) is worshipped widely in many homes and in sacred places. Worship of this Shivling is primarily done for attaining spiritual purpose. A single camphor piece is given the Shivling shape or powdered camphor is used to make the Shivling.

Benefits of worshipping Karpur Shivling include peace, happiness, spiritual inclination and success in efforts to attain liberation.

The Karpur Shivling is not lit. Only prayers are offered. This is basically an attempt to give form to the nirakar – formless Shiva.

After puja, the Shivling is dismantled and the camphor is used for daily puja activities.