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[edit] Hindu Calendar - Fast & Festivals

Ganesh Ganesh is the foremost of Hindu Pantheon. Son of Sri Mahadev and Parvati. Born on Shukla Paksha of the fourth Tithi in month of Bhadrapad which is known as Sri Maha Ganesh Chaturthi. Fast is usually broken at Moonrise or after Vishti Karana either for Vinayaka or Sankashta Chaturthi. Sri Maha Deva made His son worthy of worship at the beginning of all new undertakings, marriages, studies etc. He ordained that the Annual worship of Sri Ganesh shall take place on the 4th day of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad (August - September) Offerings are made of prasad modak (special laddoo), flowers preferably of Hibiscus, Kumkum, Haldi and rice along with the sweet items. Vakra Tunda Maha Kaya Koti Surya Sama Prabha Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Karyesu Sarvada

Aum Shrim Hrim Glaum Ganapataye Vara Varada Sarvajanam Vashamanya Namah

Sri Ganesh Gayatri: Aum Tatpurusaya Vidmahe Vakra Tundaya Dheemahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat.

Meaning & Usage: For removing obstacles.Peace, prosperity & physical or spiritual powers.Sri Maha Ganapati Puja can be performed on 4th day of the Krishna Paksha of Lunar month. This rites removes the sins of the whole fortnights and gives enjoyment for next full fortnight. The Puja performed on 4th day of Lunar month Chitra gives benefit for a month. Worship performed in the months of Simha (Leo) & Bhadrapad gives enjoyment for a year.

Special days are Tuesday (Angarka), the 4th day bright half of Lunar months of Sravana and Bhadrapad (Aug- Sept) with Satabisha Nakshatra in the month of Dhanur (Sagittarius). Ashtami the 8th lunar Phase which falls on Monday, Chaturdashi the 14th lunar Phase in dark half are sure to bring success in the spiritual pursuit. The concept of time encompasses not only measurement of the clock and calendar, but also the phases of moon and the flow of solar energy. All these changes relate to the body chakras. This fact will keep alive the religious sentiments in mankind.

The disciplines like fasting, keeping vigil in the night, ritualistic worship and so on, are voluntarily done, to cleanse our minds and hearts bringing us greater joy and peace. These are Dharma, Artha (Wealth), Kama (desires) and Moksha (liberation).

The Lunar calendar is based on three astronomical phenomena: the rotation of the Earth about its axis (a day); the revolution of the moon about the Earth (a month); and the revolution of the Earth about the sun (a year). These three phenomena are independent of each other, so there is no direct correlation between them. On average, the moon revolves around the Earth in about 29½ days. The Earth revolves around the sun in about 365¼ days, that is, about 12.4 lunar months. The common theme of calendar making is the desire to organise units of time to satisfy the needs and preoccupations of society. In addition to serving practical purposes, the process of organization provides a sense, however illusory, of understanding and controlling time itself.

[edit] Chinese Calendar

Chinese months follow the phases of the moon. For example, most of the traditional festivals, such as Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, traditionally occur at new moon or full moon. The Chinese zodiac signs are also used by cultures other than China. For one example, they usually appear on Japanese New Year's cards and stamps. And in the United States Postal Service. After the Kuomintang formed, the Republic of China October 10, 1928, the Gregorian calendar was officially adopted, effective 1st January 1929. Along with this, the time zone for the whole country was adjusted to the coastal time zone that had been used in European treaty ports along the Chinese coast since 1904 Taoism (Daoism) was founded in 3rd Century BCE China by Lao- Tzu. Taoism is a philosophical and spiritual system grounded in Nature and its rhythms. Taoist holy scripture is called the Tao Tsang.

It includes the Tao-Te Ching and over a thousand other writings. Taoist holidays and the Taoist calendar are based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Chinese religion is a fusion of Taoism and Confucianism and good number of Chinese people also practice Chinese Mahayana Buddhism] Confucianism was founded in 6th Century BCE China by Confucius (K'ung Fu-Tzu). Confucianism is a philosophical system focused on ethics and social structure.

Multifaiths Calendar 2007 - Author - Mahendra Hirani - ISBN: 0954237722