Omnify Education

Makar(a) Sankrānti (Sanskrit: मकरसङ्क्रान्ति, romanized: Makarasaṅkrānti),(transl. Capricorn Festival) also referred to as Uttarāyana, Makara, or simply Sankrānti, is a Hindu observance and a harvest festival. Usually falling on the date of 14 January annually (15 January on a leap year),[4][5][6] this occasion marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius (dhanu) to Capricorn (makara). Since the sun has made this transition which coincides with moving from south to north, the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya,and is observed to mark a new beginning. Many multi-day festivals are organised on this occasion all over India.

The festivities associated with Makar Sankranti are known by various names including Sankranthi or Peddha Panduga in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Khichari in Bhojpuri region, Magh Bihu in Assam, Maghi Saaji in Himachal Pradesh, Makara vilak in Kerala, Makara sankranti in Karnataka, Maghi Sangrand in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Maghi Sangrand or Uttarain (Uttarayana) in Jammu, Sakrat in Haryana, Sakraat in Rajasthan, Sukarat in central India, Uttarayana in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, Ghughuti in Uttarakhand, Dahi Chura in Bihar, Makar Sankranti in Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal (also called Poush Sankranti or Mokor Sonkranti), Uttar Pradesh (also called Khichidi Sankranti), Uttarakhand (also called Uttarayani) or as simply, Maghe Sankranti (Nepal), Songkran (Thailand), Thingyan (Myanmar), Mohan Songkran (Cambodia), Til Sakraat in Mithila, and Shishur Senkrath (Kashmir). On Makar Sankranti, Surya (Hindu solar deity) is worshipped along with Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi throughout India.

Makar Sankranti is observed with social festivities such as colourful decorations, rural children going house to house, singing and asking for treats in some areas, melas (fairs), dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts. The Magha Mela is mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.Many observers go to sacred rivers or lakes and bathe in a ceremony of thanks to the Sun.

Happy Diwali 2024🪔🙏

There are many great facts behind celebrating Diwali which are very important. Let's get to know about them and celebrate Diwali.

There are many great facts behind celebrating Diwali which are extremely important. It throws light on the events that occured under this five-day grand festival.

*Shri Ram returned after 14 years of exile*

Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya with Sita and brother Lakshman after killing Ravana, the king of Lanka. On the arrival of Lord Ram in Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, lamps were lit in every city and village. Since then, this festival of Diwali became a festival of victory over darkness.

*Slaying of Narakasura by Shri Krishna*

The king of Pragjyotishpur city was a demon named Narakasur. With his power, he troubled all the gods like Indra, Varun, Agni, Vayu etc. He started tormenting the saints as well. He started torturing women. He also imprisoned 16 thousand women of saints. When his atrocities increased a lot, the gods and sages went to Lord Krishna for refuge. Lord Krishna assured them of freedom from Narakasur. But Narakasur was cursed to die at the hands of a woman, so Lord Krishna made his wife Satyabhama the charioteer and killed Narakasur with her help.

In this way, Lord Krishna freed the gods and saints from his terror by killing Narakasur on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. In celebration of the same, on the second day i.e. Amavasya of Kartik month, people lit diyas in their houses. From then on, the festival of Naraka Chaturdashi and Diwali started being celebrated.

*Homecoming of the Pandavas*

When the Pandavas returned home after exile, the entire city was illuminated with lamps.

Diwali started from this day.

*Incarnation of Maa Laxmi*

During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Maa Laxmi took incarnation in the universe. Maa Laxmi is considered the goddess of wealth and prosperity. That is why we worship Maa Laxmi Ji along with lighting of lamps in every house.

*Maa Kali's fierce form*

Maa Parvati took the form of Mahakali to kill the demons. After that, when her anger was not subsiding, Lord Shiva himself lay down at her feet to calm Mahakali's anger. Her anger was pacified by touching Lord Shiva. In memory of this, the worship of Laxmi started. There is also a provision of worshiping Maa Kali on this night.

कार्तिक माह की अमावस्या तिथि 31अक्तूबर को 3: 52 pm के बाद शुरू हो रही है और 01 नवंबर को सायं 6:16 pm पर समाप्त हो जाएगी। इस कारण आपको प्राप्त होने वाले लक्ष्मी पूजन मुहूर्त निम्नांकित है।
*लक्ष्मीपूजा का शुभ मुहूर्त*

31 अक्टूबर को लक्ष्मीपूजा का शुभ मुहूर्त 05:35 pm से लेकर 08:30 pm तक है।

*निशिता काल पूजा मुहूर्त*

31 अक्टूबर 2024 , 11:40 pm से लेकर 1 नवंबर 2024, 12:31 am तक है।

*लक्ष्मीपूजा का शुभ मुहूर्त*

01 नबंवर को सायं 05:30 pm से लेकर 06:16 pm तक लक्ष्मी पूजन का शुभ मुहूर्त मिलेगा।

वर्ष 2024 दीपावली महापर्व की तिथि भ्रम की स्थिति पैदा नहीं करती बल्कि माँ लक्ष्मी पूजन के दो विशिष्ट मुहूर्तओं को लेकर और भी विशिष्ट बन जाती है।
अखंड भारतीय सनातन संस्कृति का यह महान पर्व ईश्वर की कृपा से दो दिन मनाने को मिल रहा है तो हम क्यों भ्रम पैदा करें, क्यों ना इसे दोनों दिन पूर्ण हर्षोल्लास के साथ मनाएं ।
अमावस्या की रात्रि में पटाखे जलाना दीपावाली का महान कार्य कहलाया जाता है तो भी चिंता की कोई बात नहीं है अमावस्या की पूरी रात 31 अक्टूबर 2024 एवं अमावस्या मिश्रित प्रतिपदा की रात 1 नवंबर 2024 दोनों दिन जमकर पटाखे चलाइए। लक्ष्मी को घर लाते समय भी सबने खूब पटाखे चलाए थे यह दोनों दिन तो मां महालक्ष्मी के आगमन के हैं खूब खुशियां मनाइए।

*पूजन विशेष:*
श्री अष्टलक्ष्मी स्तोत्र मे देवी महालक्ष्मी को आठ रूपों में पूजा जाता है। देवी महालक्ष्मी के इन रूपों को हम अष्टलक्ष्मी भी कहते है।

अथ श्री अष्टलक्ष्मी स्तोत्रम
1. आद्य लक्ष्मी
सुमनस वन्दित सुन्दरि माधवि,
चन्द्र सहोदरि हेममये,
मुनिगण वन्दित मोक्षप्रदायिनि,
मंजुल भाषिणी वेदनुते ।
पंकजवासिनी देव सुपूजित,
सद्गुण वर्षिणी शान्तियुते,
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनी,
आद्य लक्ष्मी परिपालय माम् ॥1॥

2. धान्यलक्ष्मी
अयिकलि कल्मष नाशिनि कामिनी,
वैदिक रूपिणि वेदमये,
क्षीर समुद्भव मंगल रूपणि,
मन्त्र निवासिनी मन्त्रयुते ।
मंगलदायिनि अम्बुजवासिनि,
देवगणाश्रित पादयुते,
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनी,
धान्यलक्ष्मी परिपालय माम्॥2॥

3. धैर्यलक्ष्मी
जयवरवर्षिणी वैष्णवी भार्गवि,
मन्त्रस्वरूपिणि मन्त्रमये,
सुरगण पूजित शीघ्र फलप्रद,
ज्ञान विकासिनी शास्त्रनुते ।
भवभयहारिणी पापविमोचिनी,
साधु जनाश्रित पादयुते,
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनी,
धैर्यलक्ष्मी परिपालय माम् ॥3॥

4. गजलक्ष्मी
जय जय दुर्गति नाशिनि कामिनि,
सर्वफलप्रद शास्त्रमये,
रथगज तुरगपदाति समावृत,
परिजन मण्डित लोकनुते ।
हरिहर ब्रह्म सुपूजित सेवित,
ताप निवारिणी पादयुते,
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनी,
गजरूपेणलक्ष्मी परिपालय माम् ॥4॥

5. संतानलक्ष्मी
अयि खगवाहिनि मोहिनी चक्रिणि,
राग विवर्धिनि ज्ञानमये,
गुणगणवारिधि लोकहितैषिणि,
सप्तस्वर भूषित गाननुते ।
सकल सुरासुर देवमुनीश्वर,
मानव वन्दित पादयुते,
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनी,
सन्तानलक्ष्मी परिपालय माम् ॥5॥

6. विजयलक्ष्मी
जय कमलासिनि सद्गति दायिनि,
ज्ञान विकासिनी ज्ञानमये,
अनुदिनमर्चित कुन्कुम धूसर,
भूषित वसित वाद्यनुते ।
कनकधरास्तुति वैभव वन्दित,
शंकरदेशिक मान्यपदे,
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनी,
विजयलक्ष्मी परिपालय माम् ॥6॥

7. विद्यालक्ष्मी
प्रणत सुरेश्वर भारति भार्गवि,
शोकविनाशिनि रत्नमये,
मणिमय भूषित कर्णविभूषण,
शान्ति समावृत हास्यमुखे ।
नवनिधि दायिनि कलिमलहारिणि,
कामित फलप्रद हस्तयुते,
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनी,
विद्यालक्ष्मी सदा पालय माम् ॥7॥

8. धनलक्ष्मी
धिमिधिमि धिन्दिमि धिन्दिमि,
दिन्धिमि दुन्धुभि नाद सुपूर्णमये,
घुमघुम घुंघुम घुंघुंम घुंघुंम,
शंख निनाद सुवाद्यनुते ।
वेद पुराणेतिहास सुपूजित,
वैदिक मार्ग प्रदर्शयुते,
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनी,
धनलक्ष्मी रूपेणा पालय माम् ॥8॥

*आपको सपरिवार एक बार पुनः दीपोत्सव की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। आपकी कीर्ति युगों युगों तक अक्षुण रहे।*

It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day (Trayodashi) of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin (according to the amānta tradition) or Kartika (according to the purnimanta tradition). Dhanvantari, who is also worshipped on the occasion of Dhanteras, is considered the god of Ayurveda who imparted the wisdom of Ayurveda for the betterment of mankind and to help rid it of the suffering of disease. The Indian ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy announced its decision to observe Dhanteras as the "National Ayurveda Day", which was first observed on 28 October 2016.

ॐ जयंती मंगला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी
दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तु‍ते।
1. Jayanti- The most excellent and victorious goddess is Jayanti.
2. Mangala- Mangala, the one who frees her devotees from the bo***ge of birth and death, is called Mangala, the giver of salvation.
3. Kali- Kali, who swallows the entire universe during the time of destruction.
4. Bhadrakali- The one who accepts good happiness or auspiciousness only to give it to her devotees, is Bhadrakali.
5. Kapalini- The one who wears a skull in her hand and a garland of skulls around her neck, is Kapalini.
6. Durga- The one who is attained through the difficult path of Ashtangyoga, karma and worship, is Durga.
7. Kshama- Being the mother of the entire world, being of extremely compassionate nature, the one who forgives the sins of devotees and others as well, the name of such a goddess is Kshama.
8. Shiva- Jagadamba who does welfare of all is called Shiva.
9. Dhatri- The name of the Goddess who holds the whole world is Dhatri.
10. Swaha- The Goddess who nourishes the Gods by accepting the Yagya share from the devotees is Swaha.

11. Swadha- The Goddess who nourishes the ancestors by accepting the Shraddha and Tarpan is Swadha.
The significance of all the Shaktipeeths of Maa is different. But the form of Maa is the same. At some places, she becomes Dhari Devi in ​​Pauri district of Uttarakhand, while in Tehri she is worshipped as Chandrabadni. In Chamoli, Nanda Devi is worshiped and somewhere in West Bengal, she is worshiped as Mother Mahakali.
She becomes Vaishno Devi near Jammu Katra, and at some places in Assam she is worshipped as Kamakhya Devi. In Himachal Pradesh, fairs of Maa are held in the name of Naina Devi, while in Saharanpur a huge fair of Maa is held in the name of Shakumbhari Devi. At some place in Dehradun of Uttarakhand, she is worshipped as Daat Kali, and at some place in Pauri district siddhapeeth Devalgarh she is worshipped as Gaura Devi and Rajrajeshwari. In every home and temple of India, she is worshipped as Navdurga, 10 Mahavidyas and mother, sister and daughter.

born Lal Bahadur Srivastava; 2 October 1904 – 11 January 1966) was an Indian politician and statesman who was Prime Minister of India from 1964 to 1966. He previously served as Home Minister from 1961 to 1963.

Shastri was born to Sharad Prasad Srivastava and Ramdulari Devi in Mughalsarai on 2 October 1904. He studied in East Central Railway Inter college and Harish Chandra High School, which he left to join the non-cooperation movement. He worked for the betterment of the Harijans at Muzaffarpur and dropped his caste-derived surname of "Srivastava". Shastri's thoughts were influenced by reading about Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Annie Besant. Deeply impressed and influenced by Gandhi, he joined the Indian Independence movement in the 1920s. He served as the president of Servants of the People Society (Lok Sevak Mandal), founded by Lala Lajpat Rai and held prominent positions in the Indian National Congress. Following independence in 1947, he joined the Indian government and became one of Prime Minister Nehru's key cabinet colleagues, first as Railways Minister (1951–56), and then in numerous other prominent positions, including the Home Minister.

As prime minister, Shastri promoted the White Revolution – a national campaign to increase the production and supply of milk – by supporting the Amul milk co-operative of Anand, Gujarat and creating the National Dairy Development Board. Underlining the need to boost India's food production, Shastri also promoted the Green Revolution in India in 1965. This led to an increase in food grain production, especially in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. He led the country during the Second India–Pakistan War. His slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" ("Hail to the soldier; Hail to the farmer") became very popular during the war. The war formally ended with the Tashkent Declaration on 10 January 1966; Shastri died the next day.

Mōhanadāsa Karamacaṁda Gāṁdhī; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule. He inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. The honorific Mahātmā (from Sanskrit 'great-souled, venerable'), first applied to him in South Africa in 1914, is now used throughout the world.

Born and raised in a Hindu family in coastal Gujarat, Gandhi trained in the law at the Inner Temple in London and was called to the bar in June 1891, at the age of 22. After two uncertain years in India, where he was unable to start a successful law practice, Gandhi moved to South Africa in 1893 to represent an Indian merchant in a lawsuit. He went on to live in South Africa for 21 years. There, Gandhi raised a family and first employed nonviolent resistance in a campaign for civil rights. In 1915, aged 45, he returned to India and soon set about organising peasants, farmers, and urban labourers to protest against discrimination and excessive land-tax.

Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, and, above all, achieving swaraj or self-rule. Gandhi adopted the short dhoti woven with hand-spun yarn as a mark of identification with India's rural poor. He began to live in a self-sufficient residential community, to eat simple food, and undertake long fasts as a means of both introspection and political protest. Bringing anti-colonial nationalism to the common Indians, Gandhi led them in challenging the British-imposed salt tax with the 400 km (250 mi) Dandi Salt March in 1930 and in calling for the British to quit India in 1942. He was imprisoned many times and for many years in both South Africa and India.

Raksha Bandhanis a popular and traditionally Hindu annual rite or ceremony that is central to a festival of the same name celebrated in South Asia. It is also celebrated in other parts of the world significantly influenced by Hindu culture. On this day, sisters of all ages tie a talisman or amulet called the rakhi around the wrists of their brothers. They symbolically protect them, receive a gift in return, and traditionally invest the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care.

Global Tiger Day, often called International Tiger Day, is an annual celebration to raise awareness for tiger conservation, held annually on 29 July.It was created in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia.The goal of the day is to promote a global system for protecting the natural habitats of tigers and to raise public awareness and support for tiger conservation issues.International Tiger Day has been shown to be effective in increasing online awareness on tigers through information search.

Kargil Vijay Diwas (Hindi: कारगिल विजय दिवस, lit. Kargil Victory Day) is celebrated every year on 26 of July in India, to observe India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War for ousting Pakistani Forces from their occupied positions on the mountain tops of Northern Kargil District in Ladakh in 1999. Initially, the Pakistani army denied their involvement in the war, claiming that it was caused by the Kashmiri militants. However documents left behind by casualties, testimony of POWs and later statements by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Army Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf pointed to the involvement of the Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid.[2][3]

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July every year in honour of the soldiers who fought in the Kargil War. This day is celebrated all over India and in the national capital of New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India pays homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate every year.[4] Functions are also organized all over the country to commemorate the contributions of the Indian Armed

This year marks the 10th International Day of Yoga with the theme “Yoga for Self and Society.” Yoga, a transformative practice, represents the harmony of mind and body, the balance between thought and action, and the unity of restraint and fulfillment. It integrates the body, mind, spirit, and soul, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being that brings peace to our hectic lives. Its power to transform is what we celebrate on this special day.

June is Oral Health Month, a time when everyone is encouraged to pay extra attention to their dental health.

This month is recognized across North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, although the specific focus can vary.

For instance, Canada marks April as Oral Health Month, highlighting oral hygiene’s crucial role in overall health​.

The purpose of celebrating Oral Health Month is to raise awareness about the importance of good oral health practices. By taking care of our teeth and gums, we not only prevent dental problems but also protect against more serious health issues.

Good dental hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, helps prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and even conditions like heart disease and diabetes​​.

This emphasis on oral health is not just about avoiding disease; it’s also about enhancing quality of life. Having a healthy smile can boost confidence, improve social interactions, and contribute to a better overall appearance.

So, this Oral Health Month, take the time to brush up on your dental care routine, check in for a dental visit, and brighten your smile. It’s a simple step that can have lasting benefits for your health and happiness.​Oral Health Month, celebrated in different months in the U.S. and Canada, has evolved significantly over time.

Its roots can be traced back to specific dental health events, such as the National Children’s Dental Health Month initiated in 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mount Everest is renowned all over the globe for being the tallest mountain there is! Many people dream of one day seeing this gigantic elevation in person, and perhaps even climbing its formidable slopes and summiting its awe-inspiring peak.
International Everest Day is a chance to celebrate this amazing natural wonder and the intrepid adventurers who have braved the climb.
Located at the border between Nepal and China in the Himalayas, Everest is a mountain that has accumulated many names over the years. Its Nepali name, Sagarmāthā, translates as ‘the Head in the Great Blue Sky’, the Tibetan word Qomolangma means ‘Holy Mother’, while the English name comes from the British Surveyor General of India, Sir George Everest.

Attempts to climb Mount Everest began in the 1920s, with various expeditions led by the British. While several climbers made it close to the summit, it wasn’t until 1953 during the ninth expedition that this ultimate feat was finally accomplished by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary.

The adventurous pair, Norgay a Nepali-Indian Sherpa and Hillary a New Zealander, summitted Everest at 11:30am on 29 May, becoming the first people to ever set foot on this world-famous mountaintop. While there is a possibility that two other climbers, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, reached the peak back in 1924, the duo disappeared after they departed for the final leg of their journey and it is unknown if they managed to achieve their mission, with Mallory’s body discovered in 1999. Norgay and Hillary are therefore the first mountaineers to officially summit Mount Everest.