“नदियः पृथ्व्याः जीवनधारा यस्याः संरक्षणं सर्वेषां दैविकम्। प्राणिनां निवासस्थानं यस्याः प्रदेशः पावनः, तस्याः संरक्षणं सर्वेषां मोक्षमयम्।” Translation: “Rivers are the life veins of the Earth, whose protection is divine for all. Their regions are abodes of life, sanctified, and their preservation leads to liberation for all.” In the heart of India, where the mighty Ganges River flows, lies a day of profound significance known as Ganga Saptami. This day, celebrated with great reverence and devotion, marks the birth of the goddess Ganges, a symbol of purity, life, and spiritual enlightenment.

राघव वंश का हर शृंग महान । प्रेम और समर्पण का है यह गान ।। जय हो राघव कुल, विजयी हो सदा । श्रीराम का वंश, हमारा आदर्श बना ।। Lord Ram Is an important and most worshipped deity of Sanatan Dharma. He is considered the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, who took human form at the cusp of the treta and dwapar yug to stabilize dharma in the world of humans.

Navratri is the most important festival for Hindus. It is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of faith, devotion, and togetherness. Navratri occurs four times a year, once in each season: Vasant Navratri in spring, Ashad Navratri in summer, Sharad Navratri in autumn, and Magh Navratri in winter. Among these, Sharad Navratri is the most popular and is celebrated widely with great enthusiasm by Hindus all over the world.

A Bhartiya thali is incomplete without a sweet or Mithai. We all love sweets and there are varieties to choose from- kheer, halwa, malpuas, barfis and laddus. Every region has its own favorites. But if there was one sweet that could be defined as the national sweet, it would have to be the Laddus. The sweet balls made with flour, ghee, sugar and nuts are undoubtedly the most popular sweet not only of the country but the whole sub-continent.

Ganga is the lifeline of North India. It is the longest river, originating from the Himalayas and passing through five states, it covers a distance of about 2525kms before merging into the sea. It is a symbol of faith, hope , culture and sanity, as well as a source of livelihood for millions since time immemorial. Many important cities and pilgrim centers are located on its banks. Ganga Dussehra is an important day for all Hindus, especially for those living near the river.

On my recent visit to my parental house in Kasganj, I had a chance to go to a nearby village Soron-ji which is located on the banks of River Ganga. This village is known as the birthplace of Goswami Tulsidas, who composed the famous Ram Charit Manas. We were here to attend the “Ganga Arti” that has started as a daily ritual in the evenings at the Haripadi Ganga ghat. This Ghat is the central point of the village and has been beautifully renovated in past few years with the efforts of some local residents.

Mahashivratri is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with great enthusiasm. It is celebrated on the Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the month of Falgun( The last month in Hindu lunar calendar). Mahashivratri as the name indicates, is the great night of Shiva. It is believed to be the day of the union of Shiva and Shakti. The planetary position on this night is such that there is a powerful natural upsurge of energy in the human system.

अवन्तिकायां विहितावतारं मुक्तिप्रदानाय च सज्जनानाम् | अकालमृत्योः परिरक्षणार्थं वन्दे महाकालमहासुरेशम् ‖ 3 ‖ – Meaning: I salute that Maha Kala, Who is the lord of all devas, Who has incarnated in the city of Avanthi, For giving salvation to good people, And to save people from untimely death. The third temple in the series of Jyotirlingas is the Mahakaleshwar temple of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Located on the banks of river Shipra, Ujjain is among the most ancient cities of India.

श्रीशैलशृङ्गे विविधप्रसङ्गे शेषाद्रिशृङ्गेऽपि सदा वसन्तम् | तमर्जुनं मल्लिकपूर्वमेनं नमामि संसारसमुद्रसेतुम् ‖ 2 ‖ – Meaning I salute him who is the bridge to the ocean of life, Who is in the company of all gods, And living in the union of Sri Shaila, Who resides on the peak of Thula, And who is called Mallikarjuna The second Jyotirlinga, Mallikarjun is situated on Mount Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. Mount Srisailam is also called Kailash of South India.

सौराष्ट्रदेशे विशदेऽतिरम्ये ज्योतिर्मयं चन्द्रकलावतंसम् | भक्तप्रदानाय कृपावतीर्णं तं सोमनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये ‖ 1 ‖ – Meaning I seek refuge of the Soma Nadha, Who is in the holy and pretty Sourashtra, Who is dazzling with light, Who wears the crescent of the moon, Who has come there to give, The gift of devotion and mercy. The Somnath Temple is located near Veraval (in Saurashtra region) in the west coast of Gujarat.