Panchang & Diwali Muhurta for Laxmi Pujan

These are articles are good introduction to panchang and Muhurta astrology respectively -

http://www.geocities.com/panchangaminenglish/basicsupdated.htm
http://www.agasthiar.org/AUMzine/0001-timing1.htm

These are good introductory articles and must read for astrology beginners, especially students from the Muhurta branch of Vedic astrology.

I reached these websites while I was trying to find out the authentic websites that gives Muhurta for Laxmi Pujan this Deepawali (2008). I didn't find much agreement and I think this is definitely a topic of detailed article. Though there is not much time before Diwali so you will have to wait till next Diwali ;-)

Anyways, it is important to understant that the two most important parts of Diwali Laxmi Pujan muhurta calculation are sunrise time (for calculating pradosh period) and ascendant (lagna). Both of these varies from location to location. So the muhurta for Delhi will not be same as muhurta for Agra. It is important you consult local panchang, local news paper or local astrologer so that you know exact muhurta for your location.

Hindu Festivals & Calendar for October 2008

Important Hindu festivals and events in October 2008

1st October – 2nd day of Navaratri Puja
2st October – Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri Anniversary/ Eid-ul-Fitar/ 3rd day of Navratri Puja
3rd October – Vainayaki Shri Ganesh Chaturthi/ 4th day of Navrathri Puja/ Goddess Lakshmi Worship begins in South India
4th October – 5th day of Navarathri Puja
5th October – 6th day of Navrathri Puja/ Durga Puja – Shasti Durga Devi Amantran
6th October – 7th day of Navaratri Puja - Goddess Saraswathi Puja Begins in South India/ Saptami Shri Durga Devi Saptami Vihita Puja
7th October – 8th day of Navarathri Puja/ Durga Ashtami
8th October – 9th day of Navrathri Puja/ Ayudha Puja/ Mahanavami
9th October – Dusshera – Vijaya Dashami
10th October - Bharat Milap
11th October – Ekadasi/ Pashankusha Ekadashi
12th October – Ravi Pradosh/ Pradosh Puja
15th October – Kartik Krishna Paksha Month Begins in Hindi Calendar
17th October – Karva Chauth/ Sankashti Shri Ganesh Chaturthi Vrata
23rd October - Indian National Kartik Month begins
24th October – Rambha Ekadashi
26th October – Dhanteras / Ravi Pradosh
27th October – Deepavali in South India/ Naraka Chathurdasi/ Month Shivratri Vrat
28th October – Kali Puja/ Diwali in North India
30th October – Bhaiya Dooj/ Bhai Bhij/ Yama Dwitiya

Hartalika Teej Vrat & Katha

Hartalika Teej (Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya) is celebrated on the 3rd day (tritiya tithi) of the Bhadrapada month. Lord Shiva and Goddess Paravati (Gauri - Shankar) are worshipped this day. On this day, women keep fast for the long life of their husband similar to Karvachauth. Girls also keep fast on this day for getting a good husband. In this year 2008, Hartalika Teej will be celebrated on 2nd September. It is primarily observed in Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. In some places, the Vrat is observed for three days but nowadays one day vrat is more common. This ritual is observed as Swarna Gowri Vratam in South India. In Nepal, Hartalika Teej is of great significance and is observed for three days and ends with the Rishi Panchami pooja.

This website talks about Hartalika Teej Vrat and Katha in detail in Hindi. Vrat and Katha can be found in English here.

Hindu Festivals & Calendar for September 2008

From this month, I am planning to share Indian festivals and important events for the coming month. Here are the same for the month of September 2008 -

2nd September – Hartalika Teej
3rd September – Vainayaki Ganesh Chaturthi, Siddhi Vinayak Vrata
4th September – Rishi Panchami
5th September – Surya Shasthi/ Lolarka Shasthi
11th September – Padma Ekadashi
12th September – Pradosh Dwadashi Vrata
14th September – Anant Chaturdashi
16th September – Ashwin Krisna Paksha begins in Hindi Calendar/ Pitru Paksha begins
17th September – Vishwakarma Puja or Jayanthi/ Ashwin solar month begins
18th September – Sankashti Shriganesh Chaturthi Vrata
23th September – Matru Navami/ National Ashwin month
25th September – Ekadashi Shraddha/ Indira Ekadashi Vrata
26th September – Pradosha Dwadashi Vrata
27th September – Month Shivratri Vrata
29th September – Pitru Visarjan/ Pitru Paksh Amavasya
30th September – Navratri Begins/ Ashwin Month Begins