Saraswati Pooja
The last three days of Navaratri are dedicated to Mother Saraswati. The first of these three days (21 October 2023) is called Saraswati Avahana (welcoming Mother Saraswati), and the third day (23 October 2023) is called Saraswati Visarjan (taking leaving of Mother Saraswati). Historically, Tamil speaking Hindus [...]
Venkateshwara Brahmotsavam
English meaning of the festival Lord Venkateshwara or Lord Balaji is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and known to his devotees with many names – Lord of Seven Hills, Venkateshwara, Venkatesh, Balaji, Tirumalesha, Perumalla, Govinda, and Shrinivasa. How the date is decided annually Thiru Sundaramoorithi Guru Pooja [...]
Panguni Uthiram
English meaning of the festival Panguni refers to last month in the Tamil calendar and Uthiram refers to Nakshatra or star that is ruling. It falls on the day the moon transits in the asterism or Nakshatra of Uttara-Phalguni or Uthiram in the twelfth month of the Tamil [...]
Narsingha Jayanti
English meaning of the festivalNarsingha means half lion – half man form. Jayanti refers to one who triumphs in the end. Narsingha Jayanti is the day on which Narsingha is celebrated since he is the one who stands victorious despite all the odds.How the date is decided annuallyIt is [...]
Thai Poosam Flag Hoisting
English meaning of the festivalThai refers to the tenth month in the Tamil calendar, and Poosam refers to the Pushya star. Thai Poosam combines the month's name and a star's name. Kavady is a pole slung across the shoulder to evenly distribute the weight of whatever is [...]
Arudra Dharisanam
English meaning of the festival Arudra Dharisanam is dedicated to the Nataraja form of Lord Shiva. Arudra or Thiruvathirai refers to the nakshatra or star that prevails. Thiruvathirai means the 'big sacred wave' that resulted in the formation of the universe/creation, and devotees celebrate the cosmic dance [...]
