Lalitha Panchami
Lalitha Panchami Vrat, or Lalita Panjami, is a highly auspicious day during the nine-day Navaratri festival. Lalita Panchami falls on the fifth day of Navratri. In 2010, the date of Lalita Panchami is October 11. (Some panchangs have marked this on October 12). It is dedicated to Lalita Devi, a form of Shakti or Mother Goddess. She is associated with the Pancha Mahabhutas or five elements. Goddess Lalita is believed to be the representation or form of the five elements –earth, water, air, fire, and space.
The day is of great significance in Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra. Some people also observe a fast known as Lalita Panchami Vrat. It is believed to bring wealth, happiness and knowledge.
Goddess Lalita is an incarnation of Shakti that appeared to annihilate demon Bhanda who was created from the ashes of Kama or Manmata. Kama had tried to disturb the intense tapas performed by Shiva. An angry Siva opened his third eye and reduced Kama into ashes. One of Shiva’s Ganas took the ashes and drew a portrait of a man and when Shiva glanced at the figure it came to life and blessed him.
Bhanda after getting the blessings of Shiva started rule the world and showed demonic characteristics. Indra performed a yajna and Shakti appeared sitting on Sri Chakra in the form of Lalitha.
Bhanda was killed and his original form of Kama or Manmata was restored.
Lalita Pancharatnam Stotra
Pratha smarami Lalitha vadanaravindam,
Bimbadaram pradhula maukthika shobhi nasam,
Aakarna deerga nayanam mani kundaladyam,
Mandasmitham mruga madojjwala phala desam. 1
Prathar Bhajami Lalitha Bhuja kalpa vallim,
Rathnanguleeya lasathanguli pallavadyam,
Manikhya hema valayangadha Shobha maanam,
Pundreshu Chapa kusumeshu sruneen dadhanam. 2
Prathar namami lalitha charanaravindam,
Bhakteshta dana niratham bhava sindhu potham,
Padmasanadhi sura nayaka poojaneeyam,
Padmangusa dwaja sudarsana lanchanadyam. 3
Pratha sthuthave parasivaam lalithaam bhvaneem,
Trayyanha vedhya vibhavam karunanan vadhyam,
Viswasya srushti vilaya sthithi hethu bhootham,
Visweswareem nigama vang mana sathi dhooram. 4
Prathar vadami lalithe thava punya nama,
Kameswarethi, kamalethi Maheswareethi,
Sri shambhaveethi jagatham janani parethi,
Vag deva thethi vachasa tripureswareethi. 5
Ya sloka panchakam idham, Lalithambikya,
Soubhagyuam, sulalitham patathi prabhathe,
Thasmai dadathi lalitha jadithi prasanna,
Vidhyaam sriyam vimala soukha manantha keerthim
Sree Lalitha Sahasranama Stotram
"Om CIem Hrim Shreem Srematrenamah"
Asyashrilalita sahasranama stotra mahamantrasya, vashinyadi vagdevata
rushayah anushtup chandaha shree lalita parameshari devata shrimadvagbhava
kutetibijam madhyakuteti shaktih shaktinyasam karanyasancha kuryat mama
shree lalita parameshari prasada sidhyardhe jape viniyogah
Durga Puja 2010
Durga Puja observed in Aashin or Ashwin month (September – October) is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. Durga Puja 2010 begins on October 7 with Mahalaya. Durga Puja rituals and celebrations begin on October 13, 2010 with Durga Saptami. Durga Puja is the biggest festival in West Bengal and eastern parts of India and it celebrates the annual visit of Mother Goddess Durga. In Bengal, she is worshipped as Shiva’s consort and is given the warmest welcome a married daughter can receive when she comes home. Traditionally Durga Puja begins on the Mahalaya day in Ashwin month.
Mahalaya – October 7, 2010
Durga Puja Shasti – October 13, 2010
Maha Saptami – October 14, 2010
Durga Ashtami – October 15, 2010
Durga Navami or Maha Nabami – October 16, 2010
Dashami – October 17, 2010
On the Shashti day, Kalash is prepared and it is kept in the house and with it begins rituals and celebrations.
The most auspicious day of the Durga Puja festival is the Maha Ashtami and the Maha Navami.