Durga Pooja during Rahu Kaalam

Sunday Rahu Kalam - 6:11 to 7:55
8/18: 6:04 to 7:45
8/25 5:56 to 7:35
9/1 5:47 to 7:24
9/8 5:38 to 7:13




Durga Matha who is also called as ThurithaNivarini/ Thukkanivarini which means immediately she solve all our problems. Auspicious days for Devi Durga are Tuesday (3.00 pm to 4.30 pm) and Friday (10.30 am to 12.00 pm) and the day for Rahu Bhagvan is Sunday (4.30 pm to 6.00 pm). There are lot of procedures which vary from one another. But the common is light with the lemon. Pair lemon diyas should be filled with ghee and light it. Decor diya with flower and Tilak with turmeric and Kumkum. To cool down Matha we provide lemon and make her happy and she fulfill all our desires. In somewhere they make the juice as a Paanagam ( Make with jaggery) and after pray the God they give the juice who are in the temple as Prasadam.

For good education, happy married life, child birth, job, for good health and wealth we pray her. Whatever the method may be pray with full heartedly and all your wishes are come true by her.

We should cut the lemon which has to be offered to goddess Durga only in Rahu kala. We should not cut and keep it ready before Rahu Kala. This pooja can be done on Tuesdays and Fridays. 3 Ripe yellow lemons have to be taken and cut into equal halves. When you cut 3 lemons, you get 6 pieces(6 halves), one is offered to Ganapati(Lord Ganesh) who had been given the boon by Goddess Parvati (Shakti and Durga are the forms of Goddess Parvati) that he will always get the privilege of being worshiped first before any Gods and Goddesses. So one piece of the lemon lamp is offered to Lord Ganesha and the remaining 5 pieces to Goddess Durga. We must remember that the number of lemon lamps lit for the Devi have to be always Odd Numbers, so 1, 3 5, 7 or 11 as per how you pray to the Goddess.

The juice should be squeezed out completely. Then the half lime should be turned inside-out (inverted) and the fruit inside to be scooped out, making a cup like structure where you can pour oil or ghee. Sometimes, the outer skin of the lemon might create a whole in center which must not be used. Due to this, it is always better to buy extra lemons. Now introduce a thread or a wicker or a ball of cotton shaped with a wicker on top and fill the lemon with ghee or oil and lit the same. Place the lemon lamp at the place allotted for keeping lemon lamps in the temple and bow to the Goddess.

Since Lemon is an spiritual fruit, cutting this fruit might lead to some un-favorable effects. To overcome this, we need chant few mantras i.e. while cutting the fruit one should chant "Aim" - beej mantra of Goddess Saraswati. During the turning i.e. inverting process of the lemon one should chant "Hreem" - beej mantra of Goddess Maha Lakshmi. 

While pouring the oil or ghee one should chant "Kleem" - beej mantra of Goddess Maha Kali. And finally while lighting the lamp you should chant "Chamundaye Vicche".

Thus the mantra means that the three gunas, the three Goddesses are constantly moving in the paradigm of reality giving birth to all that is knowable as perceived by consciousness.

How to make Lemon lamps :

1.Take a lemon, press it on floor or any hard surface few times to make it become less harder.

2.Cut the lemon in two halves.

3.Take off all the juice by pressing in a cup , make sure all the flesh is completely off .

4.Invert the lemon gently in such a way that it makes a cup like structure where u can pour oil or ghee. sometimes, the lemon will create a whole in center which must not be used.Thats why u have to buy extra lemons.

5.Then take 2 wicks , Pour oil or ghee and light it.

6.You can pour extra oil or ghee while doing prayers, if u want the lamps to continue burning .sometimes the lemon it self will start to burn because of over head.

7.I explain everything in detail because since it involves fire, please take utmost care while doing this pooja.

Its not necessery that you only light lemon lamps. if not possible, light a ordinary earthern lamp or any lamp you can. ( Don’t ask me if you can light electric lamp. I am surprised people ask this strange question too…ha… ha…. kaliyug …)

Goddess Durga Mantra – Aigiri Nandini

People in North india mostly sing Durga Chalisa and also Recite the holy durga saptashati. I really love this Durga Mantra – Aigiri Nandini and its truly divine to listen remembering Goddess Durga…

Click here to Download Aigiri Nandini  Durga mantra

Sairam friends, I hope this article which took over 2-3 hours for me to write helps you realize the greatness of Guru Bhakti and Devotion on Goddess Durga.  I am not saying life’s going to be BIG once its done but as you know the big dangers which comes will surely be reduced to small ones which can be overcome .

Naam smaran – Chanting of the Gods name is the greatest way to help ourselves. So if you have no time for other pooja , visiting temples etc, atleast chant

महिषासुरमर्दिनी स्तोत्रम्

अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दिनुते
गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोऽधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते ।
भगवति हे शितिकण्ठकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकुटुम्बिनि भूरिकृते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १ ॥
सुरवरवर्षिणि दुर्धरधर्षिणि दुर्मुखमर्षिणि हर्षरते
त्रिभुवनपोषिणि शङ्करतोषिणि किल्बिषमोषिणि घोषरते
दनुजनिरोषिणि दितिसुतरोषिणि दुर्मदशोषिणि सिन्धुसुते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ २ ॥
अयि जगदम्ब मदम्ब कदम्ब वनप्रियवासिनि हासरते
शिखरि शिरोमणि तुङ्गहिमालय शृङ्गनिजालय मध्यगते ।
मधुमधुरे मधुकैटभगञ्जिनि कैटभभञ्जिनि रासरते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ ३ ॥
अयि शतखण्ड विखण्डितरुण्ड वितुण्डितशुण्द गजाधिपते
रिपुगजगण्ड विदारणचण्ड पराक्रमशुण्ड मृगाधिपते ।
निजभुजदण्ड निपातितखण्ड विपातितमुण्ड भटाधिपते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ ४ ॥
अयि रणदुर्मद शत्रुवधोदित दुर्धरनिर्जर शक्तिभृते
चतुरविचार धुरीणमहाशिव दूतकृत प्रमथाधिपते ।
दुरितदुरीह दुराशयदुर्मति दानवदुत कृतान्तमते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ ५ ॥
अयि शरणागत वैरिवधुवर वीरवराभय दायकरे
त्रिभुवनमस्तक शुलविरोधि शिरोऽधिकृतामल शुलकरे ।
दुमिदुमितामर धुन्दुभिनादमहोमुखरीकृत दिङ्मकरे
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ ६ ॥
अयि निजहुङ्कृति मात्रनिराकृत धूम्रविलोचन धूम्रशते
समरविशोषित शोणितबीज समुद्भवशोणित बीजलते ।
शिवशिवशुम्भ निशुम्भमहाहव तर्पितभूत पिशाचरते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ ७ ॥
धनुरनुषङ्ग रणक्षणसङ्ग परिस्फुरदङ्ग नटत्कटके
कनकपिशङ्ग पृषत्कनिषङ्ग रसद्भटशृङ्ग हताबटुके ।
कृतचतुरङ्ग बलक्षितिरङ्ग घटद्बहुरङ्ग रटद्बटुके
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ ८ ॥
सुरललना ततथेयि तथेयि कृताभिनयोदर नृत्यरते
कृत कुकुथः कुकुथो गडदादिकताल कुतूहल गानरते ।
धुधुकुट धुक्कुट धिंधिमित ध्वनि धीर मृदंग निनादरते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ ९ ॥
जय जय जप्य जयेजयशब्द परस्तुति तत्परविश्वनुते
झणझणझिञ्झिमि झिङ्कृत नूपुरशिञ्जितमोहित भूतपते ।
नटित नटार्ध नटी नट नायक नाटितनाट्य सुगानरते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १० ॥
अयि सुमनःसुमनःसुमनः सुमनःसुमनोहरकान्तियुते
श्रितरजनी रजनीरजनी रजनीरजनी करवक्त्रवृते ।
सुनयनविभ्रमर भ्रमरभ्रमर भ्रमरभ्रमराधिपते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ ११ ॥
सहितमहाहव मल्लमतल्लिक मल्लितरल्लक मल्लरते
विरचितवल्लिक पल्लिकमल्लिक झिल्लिकभिल्लिक वर्गवृते ।
शितकृतफुल्ल समुल्लसितारुण तल्लजपल्लव सल्ललिते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १२ ॥
अविरलगण्ड गलन्मदमेदुर मत्तमतङ्ग जराजपते
त्रिभुवनभुषण भूतकलानिधि रूपपयोनिधि राजसुते ।
अयि सुदतीजन लालसमानस मोहन मन्मथराजसुते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १३ ॥
कमलदलामल कोमलकान्ति कलाकलितामल भाललते
सकलविलास कलानिलयक्रम केलिचलत्कल हंसकुले ।
अलिकुलसङ्कुल कुवलयमण्डल मौलिमिलद्बकुलालिकुले
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १४ ॥
करमुरलीरव वीजितकूजित लज्जितकोकिल मञ्जुमते
मिलितपुलिन्द मनोहरगुञ्जित रञ्जितशैल निकुञ्जगते ।
निजगणभूत महाशबरीगण सद्गुणसम्भृत केलितले
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १५ ॥ कटितटपीत दुकूलविचित्र मयुखतिरस्कृत चन्द्ररुचे
प्रणतसुरासुर मौलिमणिस्फुर दंशुलसन्नख चन्द्ररुचे
जितकनकाचल मौलिमदोर्जित निर्भरकुञ्जर कुम्भकुचे
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १६ ॥
विजितसहस्रकरैक सहस्रकरैक सहस्रकरैकनुते
कृतसुरतारक सङ्गरतारक सङ्गरतारक सूनुसुते ।
सुरथसमाधि समानसमाधि समाधिसमाधि सुजातरते ।
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १७ ॥
पदकमलं करुणानिलये वरिवस्यति योऽनुदिनं सुशिवे
अयि कमले कमलानिलये कमलानिलयः स कथं न भवेत् ।
तव पदमेव परम्पदमित्यनुशीलयतो मम किं न शिवे
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १८ ॥
कनकलसत्कलसिन्धुजलैरनुषिञ्चति तेगुणरङ्गभुवम्
भजति स किं न शचीकुचकुम्भतटीपरिरम्भसुखानुभवम् ।
तव चरणं शरणं करवाणि नतामरवाणि निवासि शिवम्
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ १९ ॥ तव विमलेन्दुकुलं वदनेन्दुमलं सकलं ननु कूलयते
किमु पुरुहूतपुरीन्दु मुखी सुमुखीभिरसौ विमुखीक्रियते ।
मम तु मतं शिवनामधने भवती कृपया किमुत क्रियते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ २० ॥
अयि मयि दीन दयालुतया कृपयैव त्वया भवितव्यमुमे
अयि जगतो जननी कृपयासि यथासि तथानुमितासिरते ।
यदुचितमत्र भवत्युररीकुरुतादुरुतापमपाकुरुते
जय जय हे महिषासुरमर्दिनि रम्यकपर्दिनि शैलसुते ॥ २१ ॥

For the next couple of months, relationships could feel pretty challenged. Venus is "combust", behind the sun. So, it feels pretty "burned up".  Venus is also joined with Mars and it's not in very high dignity – for getting along in relationships.

Venus is currently in Cancer, where we can be pretty emotional about how respected we feel.
Next, Venus goes into Leo, where we get more demanding about how we're being treated.
Then Venus goes into Virgo, where we can find every fault and flaw with our partners and how we are being treated by them.
This difficult Venus continues through early October of this year.

What Next?
Fortunately, there are many things we can do, besides looking to our partners for validation. This can be a great time for creativity in general. Any type of art or music or dance or other types of creative outlets will be supported. Often this is the best time to find that sense of appreciation and enjoyment within yourself, rather than expecting others to provide it for you.

Cycle of Tragedy
You see, what typically happens, is we feel unappreciated by someone else, then we disrespect them (because we feel like they disrespected us). Then it circles back to us again - and again. It is a vicious cycle.

Saturn fasting for 2019 – The Greatest of all Saturn Remedies

Lord Shani (Saturn) needs no introduction. He is the most misunderstood deity. People fear him as he is known for being just and strict when it comes to giving you the fruits of your past life karma be it good or bad.

Saturn – Your Karmic Imprint

Lord Shani (Saturn) is hailed as the Lord of Karma. The harsh and ultimate reality is that we are born to pay off our karmic debts, but we get lost in the process and get way too attached. It is at these times Saturn comes to our rescue to wake up and shake up things in our lives to help us get back to reality. The way Saturn goes about his duty is not enjoyable, but it certainly is extremely effective.

There are many remedies for Saturn, but the most effective one is the “Saturn Fast”.

Saturn fast begins on the first Saturday after the new moon in the month of shravana and is continued for 16 consecutive Saturdays.

This year it starts on 3rd of August and ends on 16th of November 2019.

The placement of Saturn in our birth chart and it’s aspects gives us a clue about what areas of life Saturn wants us to work on to bring about a positive change.

You can order our personalized Saturn interpretation report here

People with their moon in Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn are going through their Sade Sati. People with their moon in Taurus are going through “Ashtama Shani” and people with their moon in Virgo are going through a phase called “Kantaka Shani”. People with their Natal Saturn in Sagittarius are going through their Saturn Return which indicates the return of Saturn to the same spot as it was during the time of their birth.  And Saturn’s transit over natal planets can also trigger few key events during this time.
These transits can be challenging and it is the best time to commence the Saturn Fast which will bring the much-needed stability and relief.

To learn more about these transits grab our personalized transit report here

How to observe the Saturn Fast

1. Starting Aug 3rd for 16 consecutive Saturdays you can observe the Saturn Fast.

The 16 Saturdays are

3rd August, 10th August, 17th August, 24th August, 31st August, 7th September, 14th September, 21st September, 28th September, 5th October, 12th October, 19th October, 26th October, 2nd November, 9th November, 16th November.

2. It is wise to wake up early, take a shower and sit for meditation and prayers on Saturday morning.
3. You can chant Saturn mantras during the Fast. – Om Nilanajana Samabhasam, Ravi putram Yamagrajam Chhaya Martanda Sambhutham, Tam Namami Shanischaram or Shani Beeja mantra which is Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanicharaya Namaha or a simple mantra – Om Sham Shri Shanaishcharaya Namaha 108 times or more.
4. Light a lamp with sesame oil during sunset on Saturdays
5. Use frankincense essential oil on Saturdays during the fast.
6. If you are able you can keep a full Saturn Fast where you do not eat anything except fresh fruits and boiled vegetables along with water from sunrise on Saturday until sunrise on Sunday.
7. If you are unable to keep a full Fast you can do the Partial Fast where you do not eat anything except fresh fruits and boiled vegetables along with water from sunrise to sunset on Saturday and after Sunset you can eat a light healthy vegetarian meal.
8. Strictly avoid alcohol and non-vegetarian food.
9. Do not harbor negative feelings against yourself or anyone else.
10. It is wise to talk less and keep your focus inward during the Fast.
11. You can read the book – The Greatness of Saturn when you keep your Fast. It is considered highly auspicious to read it during the Shravan month Saturdays.
12. During this period it is highly auspicious to meditate on Sri Rudram every Monday and if it is possible you may also have a priest come and perform the Rudrabhishekam at your home or you can attend one in the temple.

Spiritual Significance of Shravan Month

Significance of the holiest month in the hindu calendar – Shravan

Shravan month is an auspicious month in the Vedic calendar.

In one tradition it is calculated from the full moon of Ashada month (Guru Purnima) and in another it is calculated from the new moon in the month of Shravana. For the first option the dates of Shravan month are July 17th to Aug 15th and for the second option the dates of Shravan month are Aug 2nd to Aug 30th.

The full moon in this month happens in the nakshatra or lunar mansion called “Shravana” and that is why this month is termed “Shravana”. The entire month is filled with divine energy and bliss and it is best to turn our mind inward to experience the still, calm, magical vibration of the cosmos. 

Spiritual Significance of Shravana Month

Worship of Lord Shiva

The entire month of Shravan is auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva, but the Mondays in this month are considered doubly auspicious. They are termed “Shravan Somwar”. Just offering water and milk and performing abhishekam for Shivling is extremely powerful.

Our scriptures say that Lord Shiva was reunited with his wife Sati who incarnated as Goddess Parvati in the month of Shravan.

Worship of Goddess Gauri

Tuesdays in the month of Shravan are auspicious to worship Goddess Gauri. Goddess Parvati performed a fast during the month of Shravan to reunite with her beloved.

Worship of Lord Vishnu and Jupiter

Shravana nakshatra is ruled by Lord Vishnu. So worship of Lord Vishnu when the Moon transits Shravana nakshatra and on Wednesdays are highly auspicious during the month of Shravan.

Shravana nakshatra’s symbol is “3-foot steps” which is connected to Lord Vamana. The higher frequencies of the planet Jupiter is connected to Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar.

Worship of Lord Krishna

Janmashtami – the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna is celebrated on the 8th waning lunar day in the month of Shravana. 

Naga Panchami (Aug 4h, 2019, USA)

Naga Panchami occurs on the 5th waxing lunar day in the month of Shravana. Devotees worship the Nagas on this day which is one of the best remedies for Rahu and Ketu. More details can be found at Naga Panchami – Powerful Day Worship The Nagas To Get Rid Of Rahu Ketu Problems 

Worship of the Goddess of Boons

Vara Lakshmi (The giver of boons) is one aspect of Goddess Lakshmi who is the consort of Lord Vishnu. The Fridays in Shravan month are auspicious to worship Goddess Lakshmi.

The second Friday (according to amanta) and the last friday (according to purnimanta) is chosen to worship Goddess Vara Lakshmi. People keep a fast on this day to pray to the Goddess who fulfills all their desires and blesses them with an abundance of happiness and prosperity. This year it falls on August 9th.

Saturn Fasting

There are many remedies for Saturn, but the most effective one is the “Saturn Fast”.

Saturn fast begins on the first Saturday after the new moon in the month of Shravan and is continued for 16 consecutive Saturdays.

Saturn fasting