NAVRATRI SPECIAL 2009

Navratri begins on the first day of the bright half of Ashvini (September-October). Navratri ends on the ninth day of Ashvini. The tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami. This year, the first Navratra will start from 19 September 2009.

Hindus have great regard for this festival which is celebrated in honour of the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. Navratri denotes nine nights. Navratri is celebrated as a symbol of victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura,the demon.

During Navratri festival, she is worshipped under nine different names through out nine days of Navratri. From the first day the worship of following Goddesses starts in the order given below:

1. Ma Shailputri
2. Ma Brahmacharini
3. Ma Chandraghanta
4. Ma Kushmanda
5. Ma Skandamata
6. Ma Katyayani
7. Ma Kalaratri
8. Ma MahaGouri
9. Ma Siddhidatri

All the above Goddesses are worshipped in the form of SHAKTI. The first one Shailputri, daughter of Himalayas is other half of Lord Shiva and the last one who is worshipped as Siddhidatri, has a seat of lotus. All the saints, rishis and yogis and devotees worship the ninth manifestation of Goddess Durga to attain siddhis. People also observe fast on all the nine days to be blessed with knowledge, wealth, prosperity and all the comforts of life.

Fast is observed and only pure and vegetarian meal, fruits and milk is taken only once during the day. Some people choose only two days and some three days to observe the fast according to their capacity.One should chant Durga Mantras or Durga Sapshati during this period. The following mantra can also be chanted:

‘Aaim hreem kleem chamundayai vichche’

The places worth visiting in India during Navratri are West Bengal and Gujarat where special arrangements are made to celebrate this great festival by raising big pandals, jhankis etc. Dances are performed specially Garba in Gujarat and foreigners specially wait to visit these states during Navrati to witness the enthusiasm of Hindus.

BEST WISHES FOR NAVRATRI 2009 TO ALL MY READERS

Marriage related problems-2

In continuation of my previous article, I shall now discuss the importance of seventh house in interpreting the married life status of an individual.In order to interpret 7th house, the following issues should be taken care of:

• Look at the 7th house. Planets placed in 7th house. If natural benefic are placed in 7th house, the result will be auspicious. If natural malefic planets are posited in 7th house, result will be inauspicious. Marriage will be delayed and problems will be experienced in finding out a suitable spouse.

• Now look at the lord of 7th house. If the lord of 7th house is aspecting its own house, i.e. 7th house, there will be harmony in married life.

• If natural malefic planets are aspecting 7th house, there will be delay in marriage.

• 8th house in horoscope indicates longevity of the spouse. This should be interpreted carefully. If malefic planets are placed in 8th house, re-think before proceeding further. But if the malefic planets are posited in 8th house of both (boys and girl) the effect is cancelled and their match can be considered.

• Jupiter, being significator (Karak) for marriage always plays important role and favours marriage during its transit in particular houses in horoscope.

• Mars in the horoscope of girl in another important planet to consider harmony and happiness in the married life. This should also be interpreted carefully.

• Similarly, Venus plays important role in the horoscope of boy.

• Tenth house present in-laws and third house brother-in-laws and sister-in laws. The position of the planets in horoscope representing these houses shows good or bad relations with in-laws.

In my next article, I shall discuss the remedial measures related to problems experienced in married life and how to maintain harmony in married life. Readers can also send their problems related to marriage in this blog. Remedial measures will be suggested according to the planetary pattern in the horoscopes. Remember to send the details of horoscopes of both wife and husband or their respective dates of birth.

Wish a happy married life to all my readers.