Unwrapping Diwali!

Diwali or the festival of lights is one of the most popular festivals amongst the Hindus. Celebrated all across India with equal amount of zeal and enthusiasm, it is one festival that unites and represents the festive fever of the entire country.
Enlightening Diwali!
In India, which has a majority of Hindus, Diwali is the biggest festival of the year. But even then not many people know that Diwali is actually celebrated over a period of 5 days, as opposed to the popular belief of dhanteras, chhoti Diwali and badi Diwali. So let’s find out what these 5 days actually are.
Day 1: Dhanteras
Dhanteras is the first day of the 5-day festival of Diwali. It is also known as Dhantrayodashi and is celebrated on the 13th lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwin. The word ‘dhan’ means wealth and on this day, the ‘owl’ form of Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity and well-being.
Dhanteras is of special significance for the business clan as it is considered to be the most auspicious day to buy or invest in things. Any new business venture started on this day is said to flourish as it has the blessings Goddess Lakshmi. Hindus usually buy gold or silver articles or some new utensils as the new ‘dhan’ is believed to bring good luck.
What to gift: Gifting a Lakshmi Yantra or a Kuber Yantra on this day is considered to be very lucky. READ MORE

DIWALI…Our Favourite Festival

DIWALI…Our Favourite Festival

Diwali, the festival of lights, is just a few days away. India is in the mood to celebrate and festivities have already begun. The celebrations and the rituals in different parts of India may differ but the spirit with which people welcome Diwali is just the same. The sound of firecrackers, well lit lamps, beautifully designed Rangolis make this festive month the most enjoyable one for everyone.
Diwali celebrations differ from region to region and it's amazing to see how many different forms one single festival can have.
Celebrations in the East
People in West Bengal celebrate Kali Puja during the festive occasion of Diwali. This is what makes Diwali different in Bengal. Mostly, Diwali is known to be a time when people buy new clothes, utensils and gold but in Bengal the Diwali celebrations are quite different. Evenings are always pleasant as family gatherings, fireworks, lighting lamps, gambling and feasting- all happen during this time. The nights are beautiful and the well lit streets of Bengal are a sight to see.
Towards the east of West Bengal is Assam where people celebrate Diwali by lighting diyas and these decorated lamps are placed on trunks of banana trees. People here believe the banana leaves to be auspicious and is widely used for offeringprasad after the Laxmi puja is done. Children, especially eagerly await this festival. For them, it's all about bursting firecrackers and tasting the mouth-watering sweets prepared at home. READ MORE

Gift Good Luck ‘n’ Prosperity On This Diwali!

Have you been wondering what to gift your family ‘n’ friends this Diwali? If you have, then we can help you in deciding gifts which brings luck and prosperity to them.
Cards, Flowers, Chocolates are passé!
To gift cards, flowers or chocolates on Diwali is very traditional. There is nothing new or unique about it. So, how about gifting something that brings good luck and happiness to your dear ones?
This Diwali, make it more fun, unique and memorable for the people close to your heart. Diwali is a celebration of 5 days, starting from dhanteras to bhai dooj. So if you give gifts to your friends and relatives according to the significance of each day, it will not only surprise them and make them happy but will also bring loads of luck to their life.
What to gift?
Let’s start with dhanteras. Dhanteras is considered to be the most auspicious day to buy things or start a new business. It holds special significance for the business community. So gifting a Lakshmi Yantra or a Kuber Yantra to the business people in your family will bring good luck to their new ventures and help flourish their business as well. ORDER NOW

Unwrapping Diwali!

Diwali or the festival of lights is one of the most popular festivals amongst the Hindus. Celebrated all across India with equal amount of zeal and enthusiasm, it is one festival that unites and represents the festive fever of the entire country.
Enlightening Diwali!
In India, which has a majority of Hindus, Diwali is the biggest festival of the year. But even then not many people know that Diwali is actually celebrated over a period of 5 days, as opposed to the popular belief of dhanteras, chhoti Diwali and badi Diwali. So let’s find out what these 5 days actually are.
Day 1: Dhanteras
Dhanteras is the first day of the 5-day festival of Diwali. It is also known as Dhantrayodashi and is celebrated on the 13th lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwin. The word ‘dhan’ means wealth and on this day, the ‘owl’ form of Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity and well-being.
Dhanteras is of special significance for the business clan as it is considered to be the most auspicious day to buy or invest in things. Any new business venture started on this day is said to flourish as it has the blessings Goddess Lakshmi. Hindus usually buy gold or silver articles or some new utensils as the new ‘dhan’ is believed to bring good luck.
What to gift: Gifting a Lakshmi Yantra or a Kuber Yantra on this day is considered to be very lucky. READ MORE

Celebrity Scorpio: Owen Wilson

Hollywood star Owen Wilson was born in Texas on November 18, 1968. Owen is a Scorpio and is highly passionate and intense. He is a great actor with a good sense of humour. He is the kind of guy people love to hang out with and have a good time. Unfortunately, he has been embroiled in many controversies till date and has been constantly in the news for his on-off romance with the very beautiful Kate Hudson. The couple was dating each other for quite a few months until things went sour and they finally split up.
Wilson's career hit an all time high with his 2000 comedy action hit Shanghai Noon, starring opposite Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan. The film grossed nearly US$100 million worldwide. Fans went crazy for him and he was considered a success! His fame continued to rise after starring alongside Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell in the 2001 film Zoolander where he played a dumb model to perfection. More successful movies followed for this charismatic movie star but his personal life had hit rock bottom. Problems in his personal life drove him to the extreme point of attempting to commit suicide. READ MORE

Festival of Lights, Diwali: History & Origin

There are many interesting (mostly religious) stories behind the history and origin of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, and these are the well-known ones:

The return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya
Lord Rama -- the son of Dashratha (the King of Ayodhya) -- was banished by his father from the kingdom along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman for a period of 14 years. Being an obedient son Lord Rama left Ayodhya and went to the jungles. During this period of exile, he defeated and killed the Ravana -- the demon king of Lanka who had kidnapped Sita. After this great victory of good (symbolized by Ram) over evil (symbolized by Ravana), Rama triumphantly returned to Ayodhya. He was welcomed by the people of the kingdom who expressed their happiness and love for the lord by lighting rows of clay lamps and by distributing sweets. It is said that the Festival of Lights, Diwali, owes it origin to this event. Since that day it is celebrated with much joy and religious fervor across the world.
The subjugation of King Bali by Vamana Avatar
The other story involves King Bali. He was a charitable ruler. However, he was also highly motivated and was drunk with power. Some of the Gods requested Lord Vishnu to put an end to Bali’s fast growing ambitions. Vishnu visited earth in the form of a Vamana (dwarf). He was dressed as priest. Vishnu knew well that Bali was generous and loved giving alms. So he approached Bali with a fixed plan, and asked him to give him the space covered by him with his three strides. An unsuspecting Bali readily agreed thinking that the dwarf would not cover much ground. But as soon as he agreed, Lord Vishnu appeared in his true form, and with just three gigantic strides, covered the entire Earth, the Skies and the Universe. Bali was humbled and sent to the underworld. Since that day, as a part of Diwali celebrations, King Bali is remembered on this day. 

Your Green Diwali

To start with, let’s cut down on the Diwali wrappings for all the gifts that we give or else use recycled paper. How about gifting something that doesn’t require a wrap at all and that grows with every passing Diwali? You can visit a nearby nursery and pick that perfect green present, a plant! As far as sending out cards is concerned it is more economic and green to send out electronic cards and it saves on your time as well. Make your rangoli with bio-degradable products and they can be served as a feed to birds and would not go as a waste into your garbage bins.

Cleaning one’s house is a ritual before Diwali and most of us indulge in giving our houses the outlook we had been thinking for quite sometime. It is time we switch from the conventional paints in our house to more eco-friendly paints as they are not only beneficial for the environment but for our families as well. Or even if you are planning to buy a house this Diwali, make sure that the walls are painted with eco-friendly colours. A few Vaastu tips too could help enhance a greener and peaceful vibe to your new house.
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth is also worshipped during Diwali and the festival is associated with one’s finances in many ways. People believe this time to be auspicious for buying goods. Though one should be careful with his/her excessive consumption and be sensitive towards nature conservation. So we should try buying things that we need and not get encouraged by all the discounts and sales extravaganza offered in the market.
Diwali signifies the end of darkness and it is time we start enlightening ourselves about the hazards that Diwali celebrations poses on our environment. An eco-friendly Diwali is not about taking shortcuts; instead it is all about your conscious efforts to be a more responsible citizen.



A Green Gift
A Greener House
Your Green Wealth
Festivals have long been associated with social gatherings and it has been a tradition of families meeting up with one another to mark the celebrations. But nowadays Diwali is more about loud polluting crackers and it is high time that instead of burning away all our money, we take a wise initiative of donating a portion of it to the underprivileged and bring a smile to their faces.
Bring home your personalized 2011 Business and Finance Report this Diwali to mark the beginning of a prosperous year ahead. As an initiative for a Greener Environment, Astroyogi.com will send you all your Reports via emails.

Diwali...Fireworks, fun and frolic!

Diwali is just around the corner and people are more than ready to celebrate this joyous occasion. Fireworks, candles anddiyas - the city will be brighter than ever this November! One of the biggest festivals in India, Diwali is also popularly referred to as the Festival of Lights. This special festival is never complete without lights, beautiful earthen lamps, fireworks, gifts and not to mention the delicious desi sweets.

Lights have a special significance and are believed to be symbols of goodness and purity. Homes and streets are illuminated to drive away the darkness and usher in positivity and happiness into one's home. Astrologically, Diwali has always been associated with finance and wealth. Vedic astrologers strongly believe that people can use this auspicious occasion to enhance their financial situation. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening and people offer their prayers to the goddess of wealth and seek her blessings. Ancient stories have always relayed how people gain by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi during the evening of Diwali. The puja is followed by celebrations. The gleaming diyas are however, not enough this Diwali. Astrologers recommend some energized Yantras and Lakshmi idols that will make this festival a truly special one for you. Worshipping the Kuber Yantra, Sampurna Mahalaxmi Yantra or the Durga Yantra will bring financial gains your way. It is also believed that these wealth enhancing energized Yantras will resolve all matters and problems related to your finances.
There's no better time than the auspicious occasion of Diwali to take a step forward towards a prosperous and brighter future. This can also be easily accomplished by worshipping the Crystal Lakshmi. The combined influence of the healing crystal and Lakshmi will definitely help you prosper and make some great gains this Diwali. 

CELEBRATING INDIA !

TASTES OF INDIA

Much like the Navarathri Cuisines offered by the other parts of India, the South Indian Navarathri Cuisines also are a delight for the gourmet, who simply gorges on the many lip-smacking varieties of special food that this region across the Vindhyas offers during the occasion.

The Navarathri recipes of the South mainly consist of Sundal (Grams). Milk, coconut, and rice are some of the other key ingredients... Read More

CELEBRATING INDIA !

COLOURS OF INDIA

The Festival of Nine nights, i.e. Navratri, is also famous the world over as the Festival of Colours. Much like the rest of India, this lovely festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and religious fervor across the Vindhyas in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh; the four states that constitute South India. Navratri, the Festival of Colours, is also known as Bommai Kolu or Kolu. It is a special time of the year, especially for the women. For the occasion, married women buy Sarees in vibrant hues. Girls buy dolls, dresses.. Read More

CELEBRATING INDIA

REGIONAL TOUCH

Navratri celebrations in the southern part of India are celebrated in a manner much different from the rest of India. There's nothing in common except for the devotion and enthusiasm with which the people in this region celebrate this occasion. Read on till the end to find out all about what makes Navratri special in the South

During the nine nights of the Navratri festival, women in the south, especially Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh decorate...

EVENTS & YOU

The Must-Visits of Durga Puja

If you are a Durga Puja enthusiast and want to enjoy it during this Navratri season, then East India is the place for you to go. With the biggest and the most colourful of pandals being decorated in the cities of Kolkata and Jamshedpur, the sheer joy of watching Durga Puja there is priceless. So, if you are headed to the eastern states of India during the Navratra time, then don’t forget to visit these places to feel the festive mood at its best. READ MORE

The Quirky Zone

Durga Puja Fever is ON!

With just a couple of days to go for one of the most celebrated festivals of the Hindu calendar, the Navratri fever is catching up fast and furious. Everyone is bustling with euphoric enthusiasm and is getting excited about the next nine days of absolute fun ‘n’ reverence. So, let’s find out how the Navratri fever is catching up in the eastern states of India. READ MORE

TASTES OF INDIA

East Indian Navratri Cuisines

Among all the Navratri cuisines offered by the different regions of India, the one offered by the eastern India stands out owing to its sheer quality and flavor. Much like other regions, however, the lip-smacking East Indian Navratri Cuisines are strictly vegetarian. Even onion and garlic are avoided, due to their foul smell, while preparing the many delicious fares. 

REGIONAL TOUCH

Navratri – Time For Fun & Celebrations

Navratri is one of the most important festivals celebrated all over India and this special festival, celebrated in honour of Goddess Durga lasts for a duration of 9 nights and 10 days. This festive occasion also marks the beginning of the New Moon and in some traditions, the ninth day of the month when the Sun transits into Virgo, prior to Amavasya. The Hindus on the other hand, believe that Navratri begins during Ashvina when the Sun exits Virgo. Many important rituals and traditional ceremonies are performed to express deep gratitude and offer prayers to Durga.

COLOURS OF INDIA

Durga Puja & The Vibrant Eastern States of India

The most ecstatic season for Bengalis has arrived, as they prepare for the Navratri festival. It is better known as Durga Puja in the Eastern States of India and symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Being the most significant festival, it is celebrated with much joie de vivre amongst the Bengalis. During the ten days of celebration, people come together to set up colourfully decorated pandals with beautiful idols of Goddess Durga and married women greet each others' by applying vermillion (sindur) on each others faces. 

CELEBRATING INDIA!

REGIONAL TOUCH

Navratri is one of the most important festivals celebrated all over India and this special festival, celebrated in honour of Goddess Durga lasts for a duration of 9 nights and 10 days. This festive occasion also marks the beginning of the New Moon and in some traditions, the ninth day of the month when the Sun transits into Virgo, prior to Amavasya. The Hindus on the other hand, believe that Navratri begins during Ashvina when the Sun exits Virgo.